I Do Venues ~ Garden Court Hotel Your Oscar Moment

Photography by: Geoff White

About the Venue

 

I love the Garden Court Hotel in downtown Palo Alto. It is the only luxury hotel in downtown Palo Alto and has the same charming character of this incredible academic town that lies at the heart of this community. If you have not had a chance to visit the Garden Court, go take a peek, it will surprise you!

From the the street, the unimposing hotel seems very typical; however, once you enter the lobby you will see how the quaint and small entrance leads you into a grand Mediterranean-style courtyard with fountains, brightly flowering bougainvillea, and traditional French doors that lead to wrought iron railings and private balconies. You get the feeling that you are walking down a quiet lane somewhere in France or Italy, especially as you look towards the rooftops where you'll see a few guests enjoying a glass of wine on their balcony.

Ask the Expert

 

The styling of the bridal party sets the tone for the event - the attire and accessories are the building blocks for the rest of the design. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to express your individual style, but remember to have fun and live out your dreams. The aisle is in place, the music is cued, the doors open and it is your time to shine. As a planner, I like to call this a bride's "Oscar Moment."

The dress is obviously the key to this spectacular moment. Whether you have a multimillion dollar designer gown or you have found a vintage bargain, as long as the dress expresses your style and personality, your entrance will be remembered. What's next is dressing your entourage. If you are the star of the show and your costume is the dress, the costume choice for the supporting characters is equally important. Remember, the supporting cast's fanciful frocks will be the backdrop for many of your wedding photos.

How do you choose a dress that looks equally impressive on all of your attendants? The key to success is letting them pick the dress. Make picking out the bridesmaid's dress an event by setting up appointments, complete with champagne and strawberries. Find dresses that are a reflection of the style that you are trying to achieve, but also bring in the personalities of your bridesmaids. Instead of choosing a dress and trying to fit it to the body styles of the bridesmaids, pick out a color or range of colors and have your bridesmaids pick out their own dresses. This is the perfect way to let everyone look great, express their own style, and quite possibly have a dress they might consider wearing again.

Once you pick out the dresses, the fun begins. Accessories are the different elements that you can use to highlight your wedding ensemble. Shoes, hair pieces, shoe clips, necklaces, earrings, hand bags...the list is endless. I love how this bride had each one of her attendants choose a unique parasol - this is a great original accessory, one that can reflect style and makes for fun photos! Think outside the box and really have fun with your accessories. Think of them as props for the photos, a great way to bring in color, style, and personality!