Thanksgiving ‘24 Edit
A Season of Gratitude: Book Celebrations, a Costa Rica Wedding & Global Travel Inspiration
Reflecting on a Season of Celebration
Thanksgiving is a time to pause, gather with loved ones, and reflect on everything the year has brought. As we look back, we're especially grateful for the incredible clients, creative partners, and vendor teams who trusted us to help bring their celebrations to life.
Whether we were launching a new book, discovering inspiring destinations, or planning an unforgettable destination wedding in Costa Rica, this season reminded us that meaningful experiences are always rooted in connection.
We certainly have a lot to be thankful for this year, and one thing that isn’t lost on us is the incredible clients, vendors, and partners we get to work with daily. Thank YOU for being by our side this year—supporting us, trusting us, and celebrating with us. We are forever grateful for your support.
Celebrating the Official Launch of Gorgeous Gatherings
This fall marked an exciting milestone: the official launch of Gorgeous Gatherings. After years of dreaming, designing, and writing, we finally celebrated its arrival the best way we know how—with beautiful parties surrounded by wonderful friends.
A San Francisco Book Launch Celebration
Our first stop was home in San Francisco, where we hosted an unforgettable celebration at the Design League pop-up space.
The evening brought together many of our favorite creative collaborators. Guests enjoyed music from Dart Collective, stunning floral design by Studio Mondine, beautiful bar details from Lotus and Ash, elegant tabletop pieces from Casa de Perrin, passed hors d'oeuvres by Paula LeDuc, stylish furnishings from Found, and a showstopping cake by Jasmine Rae Cakes.
It was everything we love about gathering people together: thoughtful design, incredible hospitality, and a room full of familiar faces.
A Classic New York Celebration at Balthazar
The celebration continued in Manhattan with an intimate luncheon hosted by our dear friends Marcy Blum and Jack Ezon at the iconic Balthazar.
Seafood towers, flowing champagne, legendary fries, and wonderful conversation created the perfect afternoon. Beautiful menus by Ceci New York, florals from Peartree Flowers, and photography by Allan Zepeda completed a gathering that felt equal parts elegant and effortless.
We're excited to continue celebrating Gorgeous Gatherings with additional book signings and events throughout the coming year.
Looking Ahead: Industry Events
We'll also be speaking and connecting with fellow event professionals at several upcoming industry gatherings, including:
December 16–18, 2024: Engage Amelia Island, Jacksonville, FL
January 14, 2025: Kindred Collective, Palm Springs, CA
January 15, 2025: NACE, Palm Springs, CA
If you'll be attending, we'd love to see you there!
Discovering Luxury Destinations at Embark Immersion
Every year, our team attends Embark Immersion, one of our favorite luxury travel conferences. It's an opportunity to reconnect with trusted travel advisors, discover remarkable new hotels, and explore destinations that inspire future celebrations.
Embark Immersion in Los Cabos, 2024
This year's standout properties included:
Castelfalfi — Tuscany, Italy
Grantley Hall — North Yorkshire, England
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl — Salzburg, Austria
Le Bristol Paris — Paris, France
Son Vell — Menorca, Spain
Rocco Forte's Sardinia Hotel — Costa Smeralda, Italy
Ponant Cruises — Everywhere
Exploring exceptional properties firsthand allows us to thoughtfully recommend destinations that offer unforgettable experiences for destination weddings, milestone celebrations, and private events.
A Luxury Destination Wedding at Hacienda AltaGracia, Costa Rica
A Journey That Became Part of the Celebration
One of our favorite events this season was an intimate 18-person destination elopement at Hacienda AltaGracia in Costa Rica.
The journey itself set the tone for the weekend. Guests arrived via commercial flights before transferring to a private terminal, boarding a small plane directly to Hacienda AltaGracia's airstrip, and finishing with a scenic drive through the rainforest in Land Rovers. Upon arrival, they were welcomed with Rosita Sbagliatos and breathtaking mountain views—a true arrival experience.
Celebrating in the Costa Rican Rainforest
Our couple embraced every element of the destination.
The weekend began with a meaningful intention-setting ceremony before culminating in a deeply personal riverside wedding surrounded by lush rainforest. Guests wrote blessings for the couple on handmade banana paper before gathering on the rocks as vows were exchanged alongside their 10-year-old son, who proudly served as ring bearer.
Inspired by the surrounding landscape, floral designer Pina created arrangements that felt like a natural extension of the rainforest itself. Even the afternoon rain became part of the story, adding an unmistakable sense of romance.
Dinner unfolded beneath the trees with music curated by Dart Collective before the evening transformed into an unforgettable dance party that lasted well into the night all captured Norman and Blake.
More than anything, weekends like these remind us why we love intimate destination weddings. Over several days, guests shared adventures, conversations, horseback rides, wellness experiences, cocktails, and countless memories that will last a lifetime.
Congratulations again to A + A!
The AE Five (or 13): What We're Grateful For
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we asked our team to share a few things they're especially grateful for this season.
Time spent with my daughter, Vivi. We’ve been watching Modern Family together—it’s great. – A
This giant water bottle for keeping us alive. – L + B
Morning walks with my family & dogs before starting a busy day. – D
An empty middle seat on the airplane. – B
Hotel slippers, especially if they’re Frette—pure heaven. – A
My new fiancee, who gives me butterflies. – L
A hammock… especially here. My home away from home. – A
My kids, on the daily, who make me laugh until it hurts. – B
Pilates, where I can stretch, strengthen, and smile. – L
Our Mamas. – B + A + D + L
Making memories at the Taylor Swift Eras Concert with our daughters. – B + A
Quiet nights reading a book. – D
And, of course, we're grateful for Gorgeous Gatherings, the incredible people who helped bring it to life, and every client, partner, and friend who has supported us throughout the year.
Thank you for being part of this season with us. We can't wait to celebrate everything that's ahead.