Celebration of life at Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos for a father with a passion for engineering
It was truly a joy to work on this unforgettable celebration of life in San Carlos at the Hiller Aviation Museum. The honoree was a devoted father, cycling enthusiast, and Volkswagen fan. His wife hosted his celebration of life at the Hiller Aviation Museum because it reflected his passion for engineering and could hold the 230 people who gathered for the event.
Jen Phillips Photography
As guests entered the museum, they were greeted with a very thoughtful memories table. It was practically overflowing with memorabilia from his life. It included a Rubik’s cube, dirt bike helmets, mini VW cars, and more. Behind all of that was one of his mountain bikes, which he rode on his many adventures. Flanking the path in the museum were 2’x3’ photos of the honoree throughout his life. Guests lined up to sign the guestbook and fill out name cards that said, “How I knew Chris.” Even though guests could come and go from the guestbook, no one wanted to forget to fill out the guestbook so they gladly lined up and mingled while waiting their turn to sign their names.
Jen Phillips Photography
Jen Phillips Photography
Unforgettable Celebration of Life in San Carlos, California
Outside the entrance to the museum was a large welcome sign with flowers under it. The sign had a drawing of a VW bug, like the beloved one the honoree had. The joyful sign set the tone for this celebration of life.
As guests made their way inside the museum they visited the memories table, signed a guestbook, and filled out their name tags. The first part of the event was a cocktail hour in the museum filled with aviation displays, interactive exhibits, and tons of different planes. Guests could explore the planes and learn about aviation history while sipping cocktails, nibbling on appetizers, and sharing stories about the honoree.
Jen Phillips Photography
The museum was the perfect place for the cocktail hour because it gave people something to do when they arrived and was tied to the honoree’s interest in engineering. It felt more like a social celebration rather than a somber funeral.
After cocktail hour, guests moved to the atrium room. The space is usually a large empty room connecting various spaces at the museum. However, for this celebration of life, it was transformed into a warm and inviting dining room for 230 people. Once in the atrium, the guests enjoyed a delicious and plentiful buffet featuring vegan Caesar salad, tri-tip steak, beetroot slaw, and Yukon mashed potatoes. Following dinner, the program started where friends, family, and colleagues shared stories at the podium. To conclude the program the honoree’s son shared a slideshow of highlights from his dad’s life. There was not a dry eye in the room at the end while people remembered so many pieces from his life. The event concluded with hugs goodbye and a few more group photos taken by the photographer.
PRO TIP: Hire a professional photographer for a celebration of life. The event passes in such a whirl it’s easy to miss all the details. Having photos after the event is a way to feel the love, comfort, and energy from the event all over again.
Jen Phillips Photography
Jen Phillips Photography
Picking a Celebration Of Life Venue in the San Francisco Bay Area
The host knew from the start that she wanted the celebration of life to be in the San Francisco Bay Area since that is where they lived, he went to high school and attended college. She also knew she wanted the venue to reflect his passion for engineering. The main hurdle was finding an event venue large enough to hold 200+ people and was indoors since the celebration of life was in January. After touring a few event venues, she knew that Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos was the perfect place.
Jen Phillips Photography
Her vision for her husband’s celebration of life was to have happy music, people dressing however they wanted, and flowers with greenery and a natural look. She knew she wanted help picking the right vendors to bring her vision to fruition. She also wanted the piece of mind of having a celebration of life planner to ensure no detail was overlooked and manage the event day.
The Hiller Aviation Museum checked all the boxes that the host was looking for in a celebration of life venue:
In the Bay Area
Indoor space for January celebration of life
Highlighted the honoree’s passion for engineering
Celebratory space without feeling over the top
Can fit 250+ guests
Easy to get to
Ample parking on site
Jen Phillips Photography
Jen Phillips Photography
Celebration Of Life Ideas
If there was a design theme for this celebration of life it was bikes and sunset colors. The graphic designer created programs and name tags inspired by the sunset and small bike graphics. This tied with the welcome sign created by the sign artist who also included a bike. The flowers included sunset colors and had a loose wildflower feel to them.
Jen Phillips Photography
Jen Phillips Photography
Jen Phillips Photography
Celebration of Life Planning
It was really unique and memorable to have the celebration of life at the Hiller Aviation Museum. The cocktail hour in the museum was really smart because it gave people something to look at and do when they arrived. It also really set the tone for the event to be more comfortable, not stuffy, and really put people at ease during what could be a tough event. The planes hanging from the ceiling were so cool it really made the cocktail hour an immersive experience.
Jen Phillips Photography
This was probably the shortest lead time to date that I’ve planned a celebration of life. The host booked on January 4 and the celebration of life was on January 27, that's only 23 days to plan an event that the family and friends will remember forever. Thankfully, she was one of the most kind and grateful clients I have ever worked with. She also really trusted all of the vendors I recommended to her and trusted the event planning process. These two things made a huge difference in the success of the event and her being able to be present with her family and guests on the day of the celebration of life.
PRO TIP: When planning a celebration of life, especially one with a short lead time, having a professional team of vendors that have worked together before is crucial to ensuring the event goes smoothly and no detail is overlooked.
Jen Phillips Photography
Hiring a celebration of life planner
She found me through a Google search. She contacted me right before Thanksgiving and we were in touch via email over the holidays while she found a venue. Then at the start of January, she booked with me, and from there planning was quite fast.
“I was able to host a joyous and memorable Celebration of Life for my late husband with the very capable skills and support of Lindsey Nickel of Lovely Day Legacies. Working with a professional event planner is a must, especially with a potential guest list as large as ours was (~250 guests). There are so many personal details to consider and they can be easy to overlook without the help of an organized and efficient planning group such as Lovely Day Legacies. And I very much appreciated all of the excellent recommended vendors! Lindsey’s referrals saved me the time and effort of researching qualified vendors on my own, and everyone — from catering, flowers, graphic design, audio-visual/DJ services, signage art, and photography — gave me the added confidence of having worked on Celebrations of Life with many other clients, and supporting the wishes and vision of the family. I did not have to worry about their ability to deliver, because they absolutely did, and far beyond my expectations! It is absolutely an investment, but well worth it.”
Jen Phillips Photography
To inquire about planning a celebration of life, please fill out the form below.
Napa Celebration Of Life Vendors
Celebration of Life Planner: Lovely Day Legacies
Photos: Jen Phillips Photography
Caterer: Always Fishing
Venue: Hiller Aviation Museum
Florist: Anne Mendenhall Flowers
Music: Mr DJ
