About DUNCAN

My photo
San Francisco, CA, United States
He began as a Corporate Event Planner until his tenure as Catering Manager for luxury San Francisco hotels, as well as the General Manager/Director of Events for the Julia Morgan Ballroom. Later became the Catering Manager for Weddings at the historic Westin St. Francis Hotel. Impressive accolades have given him credentials to recognize him as an Independent Food Editor, Restaurant Critic and a Contributing Writer for several media publications. Spanning impressive years in Wedding and Event Planning, his passion has taken him to create F. DUNCAN REYES EVENTS BY DESIGN and is renowned as the Event Industry’s most premiere Wedding and Event Planner Extraordinnaire! In January 2009, he was honored by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the Top 100 new businesses in their “Book Of Lists 2009”. Duncan is a member of the National Assoc. of Catered Events (NACE) and last April 2010 was voted “Member of the Year” 2010 and the 2013 Winner of Silicon Valley NACE's coveted Best of the Industry Award in Event Design. In January 2011, 2012 and 2013, received prestigious recognition with the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award for Wedding Planning.

Jason & Laura Tie the Knot!

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

LAURA KYLE and JASON MITCHELL

Congratulations to Jason and Laura on their Wedding held last Saturday, January 26th 2013, at the Hilton San Jose with their closest Families and Friends.  

How they met
Laura's a beautiful Korean girl adopted by U.S. Military Family.  She grew up to be a gorgeous Salsa Dancing, Judo-throwing, Golf Tournament winning babe!

Jason, on the other hand, is essentially a "Water Baby".  He's a passionate Surfer, obsessed with DJing.  Raised in a contemporary American fashion - he was "Boy Scout of the Year" for Marin County in 1999.

On the night they first met, it was a night like many others.  Loud music blasting, people dancing and that annoying girl that is at every gig asking the DJ "can you play that one song by ... ".  Except, no ... not this girl - this girl was different.  Jason was immediately gripped by her jaw-dropping, stunningly gorgeous petite looks, with a shy but earnest smile.  He caught her eye and in no time, gave this girl full deserving attention.

After many plates of Sushi ... they later fell in love!

The Proposal
Jason:  " Every year when the Christmas lights go up, you get a warm fuzzy feeling.  I wanted this same feeling to remind Laura of our Engagement Night, which is why I chose to propose to her at 'Christmas in the Park' in downtown San Jose. "

Laura:  " I didn't think our Engagement was ever going to happen.  I was completely caught off guard by the most surprising proposal.  Jason had placed a "Laura, Will You Marry Me?" sign on the back of the Christmas Choo-Choo Train that circled the park.  And as soon as I saw it, 'Tears of Joy and Happiness' poured streamingly down my face.  I was the happiest Girl in the world! ".

Jason:  " There were lots of tears all around.  People were snapping photos everywhere ... it was like a Paparazzi!  Our good friend, Dave Ethridge of AVR Films, captured the surprise engagement and made an amazing film of the evening's memorable moments (see below).  In celebration, we went to Dinner at The Fairmont across the street. "

Laura:  " I'm so happy to be marrying the 'Man of my Dreams'.  He even picked out the 'Ring of my Dreams'.  And I'm so very thankful to have the memories of our Engagement Night forever! "

Jason:  " Cue 'Happily Ever After!' "

With Gratitude
I would like to thank my entire "Dream Team" for their generosity, time and loving support in helping me create this "Wedding of the Century".  We pulled out all the stops to make this spectacular affair nothing short of FA-BU-LOUS!  It was a true "Labor of Love"!!!

Wedding Planning and Event Design - Duncan Reyes and Alex Barranco with f. duncan reyes events by design

Photography - Allen Baguilar with Bling Focus Photography and Brian MacStay with Brian MacStay Photography

Videography - David Ethridge, Ryan Black and Billy Kessler with AVR Films

Catering and Hotel Accommodations - Virginia "Gigi" Santaines with the Hilton San Jose

Cake - Jen and Anthony Kwapinski with Jen's Cakes

Entertainment (Ceremony DJ) - DJ Ron Grandia
Entertainment (Ceremony String Music) - Joel Nelson with Joel Nelson Productions
Entertainment (Reception DJs) - DJ Nina Varghis, DJ Smoothfingers
Entertainment (Reception Emcee and DJ) - DJ Max Alegria with Mixwell Entertainment

Floral Design - Jeeryn Dang with Tanjeeryn Designs

Hair Stylist - Jessie Richter

Lighting Design - StefaNia Contreras, Carolina Johnson, Jerome Danger and Kyle Martin with Atmosphere Lighting

Make-Up Artist - Mai Vue Her

Officiants - Duncan Reyes and Virginia "Gigi" Santaines

Photo Booth - Tuan Dang with Snap Memento Photobooth

Pipe and Drapery - John and Megan Woods with Enhanced Lighting and Sound

Printing and Stationeries - Mimi Renfro-Rodriguez with Creative Designs by Mimi

Rehearsal Dinner - Bella Mia Restaurant and Bar

Rentals (Tablescape Design) - Mindy Roark with Classic Party Rentals
Rentals (Chair Covers) - Beverly Yip with Especially Yours Chair Covers

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography


Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo b Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Brian MacStay Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography

Photo by Bling Focus Photography








Bridget & David Tie the Knot!


David Poland and Bridget Owens' Wedding last September at the historic Camp Richardson Resort in South Lake Tahoe has very special meaning to them.  They decided to begin their relationship on September 1, 2003 while hiking in South Lake Tahoe.  Their relationship was long distance with Bridget starting work on her Ph.D. in Santa Barbara, California and David living and working in Lakewood, Colorado.  In October 2005, David moved to Santa Barbara to be closer, while he still traveled for work as a Software Consultant, and in September 2006 they moved in together.  Despite living together, the adventure continued with many travels to far away places including Hong Kong, Africa and The Philippines.  With the harsh economy and few available jobs in 2009 they moved to O'Fallon, Illinois where Dave found work, but Bridget moved on to Helibad Heiligenstadt, Germany where she found a short-term postdoc at a research institute.  On a visit in September 2010, David proposed, and loving Germany so much Dave decided to follow Bridget again.  They both sought out new career opportunities which led them to their new home in Hanover, Germany.  Now 2 years after being engaged and one week after their 9th year together, they are sent off on their new adventure of marriage and living happily ever after.

German:  Was für ein schöner Tag für den neuen Start ins Leben für euch zwei! Teilt eure Liebe miteinander und passt gut auf das auf, was ihr zusammen erreicht habt.
English: How lovely is this day for this is the start of a new life shared by two! Keep sharing the love and care you’ve received mutually.
Glückwünsche an Ihrem Hochzeitstag!
Congratulations, Herr und Frau David und Bridget Poland!

A huge "Danke" to my superb "Wedding Dream Team" that helped bring their Wedding Fantasy to Life!  To my "Dynamic Duo", Evonne and Darren Wong with U Me Us Studios for capturing their special moments of a lifetime in every frame.  And a special kudos to my fabulous Associate, Mattie Pasion, for executing the "day of" flawlessly!

Wedding Planning and Event Design - Duncan Reyes and Mattie Pasion
F. Duncan Reyes Events By Design
"... hundreds of dreams ... thousands of details ... millions of memories"

Photography - Evonne and Darren Wong

Catering - Ali Berberich and Rosie Cohen

Entertainment (Ceremony) - Don and Liz Glattly

Entertainment (Reception) - DJ Trevor Stone

Floral Design - Terri Tepper
Flowers by Terri

Hair and Make-Up - Phil Blowney and Team
Sessions Salon

Hotel Accommodations , Ceremony and Reception Venue - Vanessa Santora
Camp Richardson

Lighting Design - StefaNia Contreras, Carolina Johnson, Jerome Danger, Kyle Martin and Rose Wilson
Atmosphere Lighting
"Lighting is Everything!"

Rehearsal Dinner - The Fresh Ketch Restaurant

Wedding Cake - Sarah Lofgren
Flour Girl Wedding Cakes