Rachel & Aydin: an intimate wedding at home in hillsborough
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of serving as the month-of coordinator and event designer for Rachel and Aydin’s stunning wedding at the groom’s family home in Hillsborough.
While they brought me on just three months before the big day, we hit the ground running to ensure their vision for an intimate, seamless celebration came to life. Planning an at-home wedding presents a unique set of logistical puzzles, but with the right team, the result is pure magic.
All photos by Stephanie Klotz; see more of Rachel & Aydin’s gallery here.
Collaborating with Top-Tier Bay Area Vendors
One of the highlights of this event was collaborating with a powerhouse team of vendors who I've always wanted to work with.
Floral Design: Eleanor from Wallflower San Francisco is a true artist. I watched her assemble a breathtaking fireplace mantle piece on-site, perfectly capturing Rachel’s vision of a greenery-forward aesthetic.
Photography: It was a joy to work with Stephanie Klotz. As a fellow Brazilian, it was wonderful to "vibe" with a talented industry peer who shares a similar background!
The Ceremony Team: Dr. Ko, an exceptional traditional pianist, provided the soundtrack (and handled some impressive pivots), while Rebeca of Rebels Weddings brought incredible warmth and joy as the officiant.
The Art of the "Room Flip"
The heart of the home—the piano room—served as the primary hub for the ceremony and the reception. This required a professional room flip, which our team executed in under 30 minutes!
While guests enjoyed empanadas from Limon Rotisserie and champagne in the library, we transformed the space. We moved the Chiavari chairs, set three long tables with lush green linens, and arranged the place settings for 20+ guests. Surprising the couple and their guests with a totally "new" interpretation of the room is one of my favorite parts of the job.
A Theme of Green and Personal Touches
The aesthetic for the day was elegantly cohesive. From the green linens to the guests' attire and the abundance of greenery in the florals, the color palette felt right at home in the Hillsborough hills.
We also embraced the "DIY" spirit where it mattered most. One of the groomsmen, Max, baked a beautiful cake that morning. He delivered it personally for the ceremonial first bite before we took it to the kitchen for service.
Pro Tip: For a DIY or at-home wedding, assigning specific tasks to specific people is vital. Our team handled the heavy lifting, but incorporating meaningful contributions from the wedding party added a layer of intimacy to the day.
Lessons from a Private Residence Wedding
If you are planning an at-home wedding in 2026 or 2027, it’s important to remember that "private" doesn't mean "easier." Without a traditional venue manager, you have to answer critical logistical questions:
How will guests flow between rooms?
Where will excess food and drink be stored?
Who is responsible for cleaning chafing dishes and clearing rentals?
How do you make the "behind-the-scenes" logistics invisible to guests?
Let’s Plan Your 2026 or 2027 Celebration
At-home weddings are a labor of love, and I am so grateful to my husband and my mom for serving as my support team for this event. We made the impossible look easy, and we’d love to do the same for you.
Considering a private residence wedding? [Send us a message today] to discuss how we can make your day perfectly seamless.