The San Francisco and San Jose Bay Area Wedding Website and ultimate resource for corporate event planners

Real Bay Area Wedding Stories

The Wedding of Caroline and Steve Mc Shane 

"The Wedding of the Century"

This wedding is brought to you by Adrienne Disch of Le Artiste, LLC

The Wedding of Caroline and Steve Mc Shane
Prunedale, California
June 3, 2006

a meeting to remember

Steve and Caroline were introduced by Caroline’s father, Don Chapin (owner of Don Chapin Company, a full service general engineering company based in Salinas, CA). During Steve's campaign for Hartnell Trustee, Don planned to hold a McShane campaign event at the Chapin home. While planning the event, Steve 'dropped by' to go over some last minute details. Sure enough, Caroline happened to be at her parent’s house that evening, having just finished riding at the barn. Even though Caroline was a little disheveled (and probably smelled like horses), Steve struck up a conversation that hasn't ended yet. The next couple of months were filled with excitement, including trips to Long Beach, San Francisco, and even Hawaii! Needless to say, over the winter of 2003, Steve and Caroline fell in love.

The Proposal of a Lifetime

In early 2005, they had begun planning how to spend Caroline's birthday. They decided to go to the McShane house in Tahoe for six days of relaxation and fun. Steve had a few tricks up his sleeve though! When they left for Tahoe, they stopped briefly to meet Steve's father, Tom, in San Jose. Steve pulled out an orchid lei, put it around Caroline’s shoulders, and announced that we were headed to Maui! Two hours later we were on our way to paradise! What a birthday gift!

Caroline LOVES lavender and what better place for Steve to bring her to but the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm (www.aliikulalavender.com). They enjoyed scones and lavender tea, followed by a wonderful tour. On the way out they stopped for a kiss at the “Secret Garden”. This was one of the most beautiful spots on the property. There was lush tropical vegetation and a breathtaking view overlooking the island and ocean.

While walking past the “Secret Garden”, Caroline could see that there were purple table linens and a violinist. She figured there must be something very special going on in there and didn’t want to intrude, but Steve insisted on checking it out As soon as they walked through the arbor and onto the deck, the violinist began playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons (Spring), one of Caroline and Steve’s favorite pieces that they had seen performed in a Prague cathedral.

What comes next I want to quote Caroline, because I can’t reproduce the beautiful emotion that came out, “I immediately became very emotional, still thinking that this is the greatest birthday gift ever! We sat down to enjoy the huge bouquet of lavender that had been given to me, the breathtaking ocean views, and the violinist. We began recounting our journey together... the way we met, our first conversation... the trips to Long Beach and Hawaii, the awesome New Year's Eve in San Francisco... backpacking through Europe, etc. We shared our thoughts on how we fell in love, how we complement one another, and our future. It was truly one of the most romantic moments of my life. Soon Steve got very quiet, dropped to one knee, and askedme to marry him. After many happy tears and kisses, I managed to squeak out a 'yes'! Steve pulled out the ring (by this time even the violinist was in tears!) and slipped it on my finger. He was so prepared... he had even hidden champagne and flutes. We stayed on that deck for a long time, never wanting it to end. It was a moment that we'll remember for the rest of our lives. Plus... the icing on the cake - FIVE more days in Maui to celebrate!” Is that the sweetest thing, or what?!?

The Planning Began

After a week of constructing the site, the day finally arrived. Caroline decided that she didn’t want to see it until she walked in with her new husband.

The ceremony was flawless. Caroline walked down the long aisle accompanied by the “magic” of the trumpeter’s song “Trumpet Voluntary”. There were three priests that participated in the ceremony. As Caroline and Steve lit the unity candle, they had some time to reflect as the vocal soloist, Sharilyn Heinkel, sang Ave Maria. After the ceremony, the guests were off to the reception at the Chapin property. As you approached the property, you could see a 15,000 square foot tent at the base of rolling hills with a very large reception area in front of it with 40 small tables and umbrellas. Surrounding the reception area was 4 full bars, 2 wine tasting stations and 4 hors d’oeuvres stations. Guests enjoyed the Caribbean styling of the of the Kevin Di Noto steel pan drum trio.

As Caroline and Steven arrived the trumpeter played as they exited their 1950’s Black Bentley.

Caroline and Steven wanted a few moments alone in “their” tent. They were in awe with what they saw. As you walk into the tent, through the sheer white doors, you walk into a wall of fountains and shrubs 6 feet tall. Around the wall you could see the grand room that so many people put so much time and love into. It was truly the “Taste of Tuscany” that Caroline envisioned.

There were four ponds in various areas of the tent with water fountains, surrounded with trees, plants and flowers. There were four different “towns” in each corner of the tent with nine guest tables in each, shrubs trees and spotlighting. In the middle of the tent you would find more guest tables, a grand white dance floor and a stage. To the left of the stage was the “Executive Restroom” where you would find two large trailer executive restrooms, one for men and one for women.

The reception started off with DJ-Tom Gomez and then rocked the night away with the party band Tainted Love who specializes in the hits from the 80’s.

The day was perfect in every aspect. Caroline glowed and Steve had an extra bounce in his step. The first dance was spectacular. As their song played, the fog machine started and all around them there was the water-like, swirling, lights. It was like watching them in a dream.

After dinner, they cut into the cake, which was a replica of the Queen Mary: A surprise to Caroline from Steve that represented a special date that they went on.

At 9:00pm, Don Chapin had a special surprise for Caroline and Steve. All the guests were instructed to go outside and meet on the lawn in front of the tent. When everyone was outside it was dark and music started playing. Quiet at first, then the loud, 80’s power rock ballad began. From the hillside came a six minute pyrotechnic show. It was spectacular and it brought Caroline to tears. It was the most perfect way to end the “Wedding Of The Century” (Good job, dad.) Not that the party ended at 9:00pm, oh, no, they partied the night away.

Note to Future Brides

Budget, budget, budget. When I met with Caroline, she mentioned how staying with her budget was very important. This hold true with everyone. The first thing that a couple should do is take a reality check and figure out their budget. I have given the meaning of the word budget below, just to refresh the reader’s minds.

budg‧et  [buhj-it] Pronunciation

noun, adjective, verb, -et‧ed, -et‧ing.

–noun

-an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future.
-a plan of operations based on such an estimate
-an itemized allotment of funds, time, etc., for a given period
-the total sum of money set aside or needed for a purpose: the construction budget.
-a limited stock or supply of something: his budget of goodwill

–adjective

-reasonably or cheaply priced: budget dresses

-verb (used with object)

-to plan allotment of (funds, time, etc.).
-to deal with (specific funds) in a budget.

–verb (used without object)

-to subsist on or live within a budget

When a bride says to me, “We are on a budget” I think, of course you are, and you should be. I go through a little Wedding Budget 101 with her and go from there.

Whatever your budget is, large like Caroline’s or smaller, it is very important to make your budget and stick with it. You can move monies from one area to another, if needed. You may reevaluate that one area is more important than another, but don’tgo into wedding planning blind and having no idea where you are going to spend your money. If you don’t know how to make this happen or if you just want to make the planning process as worry free as possible, hire a wedding consultant as soon as you pick the date. They can save you time and money

I also have to say, that whether you have a large budget or a small one, you can still have an incredible, beautiful, wedding. It can be a wedding that you will be proud of for life, as long as you keep true to yourself and what is important to you. It is your day, your dream, and your vision.

Here are some of the vendors that shared in
Caroline and Steve's Day

Wedding Consultants--Le Artiste, LLC
Jennifer Beninger and Adrienne Disch
www.leartiste.net

Ceremony--Carmel Mission Basilica
3080 Rio Road
Carmel, CA 93923

Catering--Monterey Plaza Hotel
www.montereyplazahotel.com

Rentals--A-ABCO Rents and Sells
www.aabcorents.com

Lighting--North American Theatre Technology
Natti Pierce-Thompson
www.itsabouttheart.com

Environment--Interior Plant Design
www.interiorplantdesign.com

Ceremony Music--Paris String Quartet
Kelly Productions
www.kellypro.com/musicians/ParisStringQuartet.htm

Ceremony Music--Trumpet Player
Don Eshoff
Phone: 831-484-1751

Reception Music--Tainted Love
www.taintedlove.com

Reception Music--DJ
Tom Gomez
Phone: 510-928-1365 (m)

Ceremony Soloist—Sharilyn Heinkel
Bellarose143@aol.com

Video Production--Bliss
www.blissvideoproductions.com

Florist--Swenson & Silacci Flowers
www.swensonandsilacci.com

Photography--Cook’s Photography
Jason Cook
www.cooksphotography.com

Wine--Ventana Vineyards
www.ventanavineyards.com