Our Diary

We have all likely become a bit more aquatinted with virtual events in the last few months. Maybe you attended a live yoga class via Instagram, or learned something new on a webinar; or maybe you connected your friends and family to host an online milestone birthday party. Whatever your experience may, or may not be with virtual events, chances are they are here to stay for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, let’s introduce you to some qualified help for virtual events.

You can host a fun themed party via Zoom in the comfort of your own home, but why not take it a step further?

You can throw an amazing event complete with party favors, live DJ requests, multiple hosts (even if they are in different locations), performances from special guests, and so many other details that come with traditional events, while still allowing guests to attend from the safety of their own home. We know that with the help of these qualified vendors, your next hybrid event will exceed all expectations.

To have an engaging virtual event you must hire adequate audiovisual support.

Luckily for you, we have two extremely qualified candidates to recommend in that department.

Enhanced Lighting & Audiovisual is an experienced company we’ve had the pleasure to work with in a variety of capacities over the years. They offer everything you need in custom event lighting and audiovisual and have a huge indoor and outdoor LED projection screen. Based out of San Francisco, they specialize in bringing lighting as a design element to every event they are part of serving next level function and style. With clients from The Dali Lama to The San Francisco 49ers, it is clear they are extremely qualified to handle all lighting and audiovisual needs.

JL Imagination is an award winning Bay Area based AV production company that we’ve had the pleasure to work with in a variety of capacities over the years. They have all the professional equipment, and know how to create onsite solutions for audio, video, and lighting. We have seen first hand just how much value they add to a hybrid event, offering so much guidance and support from planning to set up, through to the very end of the night. They are now also offering monthly music series you won’t want to miss! Check out the upcoming August series here.

Trust us, having a professional crew come in to handle your video needs so you can enjoy the event hands free, without any concern for tech issues is worth it.

Another option for having a hybrid event is The Newlywd App. This app provides a safe and easy streaming service to share your wedding day and other important milestones with guests who may be unable to travel or attend. With features like a countdown, custom preview options, and personalized information about your event, this will allow guests to get excited and attend from the comfort of their own home.

We know the stress of planning a virtual or hybrid event can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s something you’ve never done before. Please remember, qualified help for virtual events is available – we are here for you, as are trusted vendors such as Enhanced Lighting & Audiovisual and JL Imagination.

Part II of this post is coming soon!

As we continue through the summer months, a popular event trend of 2020 we’ve seen is the increased concern for maintaining health, safety, and limited contact among guests. This includes the implementation of virtual and hybrid events, limited guests in attendance, and the use of outdoor venues to allow social distancing.

Venues with outdoor space will continue to play an important role to ensure safety at upcoming events as mandates allow guest counts to grow in size. This is why we’ve decided to compile a list of a few of the amazing venues in Northern California that have plenty of space for guests to keep their distance while still getting social.

First stop on our tour is Gardner Ranch, located in the heart of Carmel Valley.

This sprawling ranch of 24 acres is a beautiful place to host an event while allowing guests to enjoy a little space to themselves. With five spacious lawns, fire pits, and many rental items included, this venue has everything you need to get the party started, no matter the occasion.

Just down the road, we have Carmel Valley Ranch.

With 500 acres of property this location has everything you need to keep guests entertained (for a few days) while offering ample space to host events of all sizes. From the spa to the golf course to the many options for food, there is something for everyone at this lush ranch just 20 minutes from the famous Carmel coastline.

A quick journey north on highway 101, we end up in Gilroy at Clos LaChance Winery.

From the grand oak trees to 100 acres of growing vineyards, you can’t help but feel like you are another world when you step on property at Clos LaChance Winery. With their events they offer multiple locations suitable for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and dinners, as well as a marvelous selection of hand crafted wines.

Continuing our journey north, we find ourselves in San Jose at Hotel Valencia.

Located in the heart of Santana Row, this stunning hotel has a beautiful courtyard, giving off major Mediterranean vibes. With a spa and restaurant on site, guests can stay put or adventure to one of the many nearby attractions in the area. The hotel even offers private dining for those looking for a truly intimate experience without interacting with others.

Only about 30 minutes away, there is the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.

From concerts to VIP corporate events, this incredible venue has the space and capabilities to hold unforgettable events with over 60 years of experience in entertainment. There are multiple settings on site suitable for various events, all of which offer stunning views, as this winery is tucked away in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Close by is the beautiful Villa Montalvo.

Villa Montalvo is a national historical landmark built in 1912 and is the perfect backdrop for an outdoor wedding, social or corporate celebration. They even host many fun community events as well like the upcoming drive-in cinema series!

Continuing our journey, next we have Rosewood Sand Hill.

This spacious, 16-acre property offers plenty of space to spread out, with stunning views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Offering plenty of indoor and outdoor space for events, this venue allows for an adventurous or leisure stay from the swimming pool and nearby trails to the spa, you can do it all.

As we make our way further North to San, The San Francisco Mint is the perfect venue for you.

Located in the heart of San Francisco the classic Greek architecture of this stunning venue speaks volumes, even when utilizing the outdoor space. In addition to a courtyard fit for the finest of affairs, this venue rich in history offers 92,000 square feet of indoor space, allowing for the best of both worlds.

Heading across the bridge, is our first stop in wine country, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch.

Accommodating for up to 300 guests, this venue has plenty of outdoor space perfect for hosting. Offering multiple indoor and outdoor locations on site, this venue offers a charming touch of elegance to any event. Located in the town of St Helena, this quaint vineyard is a stunning choice for those who love a vintage touch mixed with garden whimsy.

Next up, also located in Saint Helena, is Charles Krug Winery.

This iconic estate is the perfect location for weddings, social and corporate events. Their Great Lawn is so versatile and can be used for ceremonies, al fresco receptions, glamping, and everything in-between!

Our final stop is the one and only Auberge du Solei in Napa Valley.

This resort features the only view of the full Napa Valley and their deck is the perfect outdoor location for your next intimate event.

As things continue to progress, we are working hard to stay up with the latest event trends of 2020 to ensure we continue to serve you with our best. Outdoor entertainment is just one of the many ways we, as an industry, are working to keep guests safe, while still celebrating life.

While all of these venues offer outdoor space for events of various sizes, each has something truly unique to offer. If you have questions about any of the venues above, we are here to help.

As we reminisce on summers passed, full dance floors, and shared plates, we couldn’t help but think back to one particularly beautiful event; an intimate wedding of 40 handpicked guests at Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park. We recently discussed some of the many perks of hosting an intimate event and this wedding definitely enjoyed all of those benefits.

This wedding was a midsummer dream, complete with delicate, yet vibrant florals, an elegant menu, and lush outdoor backdrop. It was captured beautifully by the talented Augie Chang, one of the Bay Area’s many gifted photographers. We will just let the imagery speak for itself.

The bride was beautiful in a stunning gown and pair of Badgley Mischka pumps.

The ceremony took place at the nearby Stanford Memorial Church to provide a traditional touch on the day before heading off to Rosewood Sand Hill for a lovely evening under the setting sun.

Details included lots of natural elements with pops of gold, lush greens, fruit and more.

The covered patio which allowed for an open feel without worrying about weather conditions being uncomfortable, was a perfect place for floral chandeliers over the dining experience.

With a Michelin star restaurant backed catering, dinner and wine was decadent for the exceptional evening.

Of course, this elegant intimate wedding would not have been complete without a lovely, dainty, two tiered cake that was the perfect sweet ending to the special event.

As we continue to plan events in an industry for the future, we continue to look to our past for inspirations, and are excited about what we can additional provide to our clients for each event. We are so honored to serve you during life’s most precious moments.

Please see below for a full list of vendors from this event.
Photography: Augie Chang
Videography: IQ Videography
Venue: Rosewood Sand Hill
Floral: Nicole Ha Designs
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen & Napa Valley Linens
Rentals: Hensley Event Resources & Theoni Collection

about us

Crystal Lequang - CEO and Founder of Amazae Events

Amazàe Events

Amazàe Events is your boutique event production company. With two decades of industry experience and accolades, we succeed in offering so much more than event production services. We ensure professional, elegant and enjoyable execution of all your wedding, corporate, social and/or destination event visions.