- Carolina Ortiz
- Oct 1
- 5 min read
A Mansion Steeped in History
Few venues in the Bay Area evoke the kind of timeless grandeur that Kohl Mansion offers. Nestled in Burlingame, this early 20th-century Tudor-style estate carries with it a sense of Old-World romance, towering windows, intricate wood paneling, and sweeping gardens that have set the stage for countless love stories. For this celebration, the mansion became the canvas for a fall-winter wedding that blended tradition with modern sophistication.
The couple envisioned a wedding that celebrated the season’s natural beauty while feeling elevated and intimate. The result was a breathtaking event where each detail, down to the placement of every candle, was designed to highlight both the venue’s historic charm and the couple’s personal style.
A Ceremony Framed by Seasonal Beauty
The celebration began in one of Kohl Mansion’s most striking spaces: its soaring bay windows, where sunlight streamed in and cast a soft golden glow across the room. Here, the ceremony unfolded in front of towering floral installations by @amywestfloral. These sculptural designs rose dramatically toward the ceiling, their branches adorned with blooms in shades of rust, burgundy, amber, and blush. The arrangements echoed the natural palette of fall and winter, creating a seasonal narrative that felt organic, fresh, and romantic.
Rows of elegant chairs, provided by Hensley Event Resources, flanked the aisle. Their clean lines and neutral tones served as the perfect complement to the florals, ensuring that nothing distracted from the breathtaking altar moment. As guests settled in, there was a hushed anticipation—the feeling of being in a space transformed, where architecture and design worked in harmony to frame the couple’s vows.
When the couple exchanged their “I do’s,” the sunlight reflected off the glass panes, amplifying the moment with a glow that felt almost cinematic.
Custom Wedding Rentals That Defined the Design
While florals and lighting brought atmosphere, it was the rentals that shaped the celebration’s flow and functionality. Wedding rentals by Hensley Event Resources provided most of the rentals for the day, ensuring consistency across every element of the event. This is what made the design feel intentional and polished from start to finish.
Custom Bars: A signature element, the bar was built as a clean, neutral structure that could be dressed to match the couple’s seasonal vision. Styled with lush florals, it became not only a functional centerpiece for cocktails but also an extension of the wedding design itself. Guests naturally gravitated toward it, lingering in conversation with martinis in hand.
Tables & Chairs: Inside the mansion, long banquet tables were paired with Hensley’s refined chairs, creating a sense of communal dining. This layout encouraged laughter, conversation, and togetherness—an ideal reflection of the couple’s desire for an intimate yet lively reception.
Tabletop Collections: Each place setting was a study in understated luxury. Elegant glassware, textured chargers, polished flatware, and seasonal-toned napkins came together to create a layered and thoughtful design. Every guest’s seat felt personal, elevated further by custom menus that tied seamlessly into the overall aesthetic.
Together, these elements underscored what sets Hensley apart: the ability to provide not just products, but a cohesive vision.
Reception: Candlelit Elegance in a Historic Setting
As dusk fell, guests were ushered into the mansion’s grand hall for an unforgettable reception. Specialty linens from @bbjlatavola covered the banquet tables, their subtle patterns complementing the venue’s historic woodwork. Dozens of tall floral arrangements lined the tables, their branches reaching upward as if bringing the outdoors inside.
But it was the candlelight that truly defined the evening. Hundreds of flickering candles cast a golden glow across the room, reflecting in glassware and catching the metallic tones of the tabletop décor. The effect was ethereal: a room filled with warmth, romance, and an intimacy that belied the grandeur of its scale.
Guests dined on a menu curated by @lepapilloncatering, which perfectly complemented the fall-winter theme with rich flavors and seasonal ingredients. The meal was not just a culinary experience but also part of the design story, another layer that engaged the senses.
A Collaborative Vision Powered by Wedding Rentals
Behind this flawless celebration was planner @caitlinmcdonaldevents, who orchestrated every detail with precision and creativity. Her ability to weave together multiple vendors into one seamless vision was evident in every corner of the event. Photographer and videographer @juliannebrasher captured it all, every candle flicker, every joyful toast, every tearful smile, ensuring that the beauty of the day would be remembered for a lifetime.
The collaboration between planner, florist, caterer, and rental team was a masterclass in event design. Each vendor brought their expertise, but the cohesion of the final product was what made this wedding extraordinary.
Inspiration for Couples and Planners Alike
What makes this Kohl Mansion wedding so inspiring is not just its beauty but its intentionality. Every decision, whether choosing a seasonal floral palette, opting for long communal tables, or selecting custom rental pieces, was made with the guest experience in mind.
For couples, it’s a reminder that rentals are not simply logistical necessities but design opportunities. The right chairs can set the tone for a ceremony. The right tableware can transform a dinner into an experience. A custom bar can become the most photographed element of the night.
For planners, it’s a case study in how collaboration and vision can elevate an event from beautiful to unforgettable.
Why Rentals Matter
Events of this caliber highlight why Hensley Event Resources is a trusted partner for planners and couples throughout the Bay Area. With an extensive inventory, from custom bars and tailored tabletop collections to statement chairs and dining tables, Hensley offers not just products but possibilities. The team’s expertise lies in understanding how each piece contributes to the overall design, ensuring that no detail feels out of place.
By providing consistency across multiple aspects of this wedding, Hensley ensured that the couple’s vision was realized without compromise. This is the difference between simply hosting a wedding and creating an immersive experience.
A Celebration to Remember
In the end, this fall-winter wedding at Kohl Mansion was more than an event—it was a memory etched into the hearts of everyone who attended. It was the kind of celebration where history, design, and love converged, creating something that felt at once timeless and entirely unique.
For couples dreaming of their own unforgettable celebration, this wedding serves as proof: with the right venue, the right team, and the right rentals, magic truly happens.

Discover how Hensley Event Resources can bring your vision to life with our rentals, custom bars, and tabletop collections. Contact us today to begin designing your extraordinary event.
Credits:
Wedding Planner: @caitlinmcdonaldevents
Photography + Video: @juliannebrasher
Florals: @amywestfloral
Venue: @kohlmansion
Catering: @lepapilloncatering
Rentals: @hensleyeventresources
Specialty Linen: @bbjlatavola


















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