Blog
Little Black Book Blog
Location
California San Francisco
Tags
Wedding Flowers Wedding Planners & Designers
Designers
Armani Simple Silhouettes Vera Wang
Vendors
Dream a Little Dream Events Garden Strings Matthew May Photography Soulflower Floral Design Sweet on Cake Tainted Love
Venues
James Leary Flood Mansion
Style
Modern Traditional
Setting
Ballroom
Brides and Grooms take note! This gorgeous, well thought out and planned to perfection – by Dream a Little Dream Events, no less – wedding started as two completely different visions. The bride wanted fairy tale, and the groom wanted hip. Somehow, they were able to meet in the middle with a fabulous San Francisco wedding which, at least in my humble opinion, rocked. With Soulflower Floral Design behind the gorgeous flora, and Matthew May Photography behind the camera, it was bound to be a stunning affair to remember. And we were not disappointed. Dream a Little Dream’s blog has more, so hop over there next!
Click here for the full image gallery!
Johnny and I go together like heart and beat. For our wedding, I envisioned a resplendent fairy tale affair, oozing with romance and grandeur. Johnny wanted a DJ in a warehouse with a taco truck. Seriously! Working together we created a San Francisco wedding that perfectly captured our dynamic – our nuptials were modernly elegant, classically beautiful, but with the perfect touch of whimsy and a fantastic 80’s band.
I wore a voluminous Vera Wang gown with more than 25 layers of French tulle. Yes, it is indeed the same gown worn by Kate Hudson in Bride Wars, but I promise I did not know this tidbit when I fell head over heels in love with it! Johnny wore a perfectly fitted and dapper Armani tuxedo – and Chucks. My bridesmaids wore Simple Silhouettes’ dresses in mocha polka dot fabric (reminiscent of Pretty Women at the horse races) that reflected the playful elegance of the evening. Our refined color palette was complemented with the baby blues, soft greens, muted yellows and ballerina pinks of floral bouquets.
Johnny and I did a grand “reveal” before the ceremony in the iconic Bank of America building, overlooking the Transamerica Pyramid, the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay. Johnny waited in the office of a large law firm, at the edge of a stately mahogany conference table, while I promenaded through the hallowed halls to meet my groom. Perhaps most couples wouldn’t consider a legal “war room” as the most romantic place to greet your spouse on your wedding day, but for us it was where we met, fell in love and began our lives together. Perched atop the Bank of America building and overlooking our City by the Bay, we had a beautiful moment together, a moment of reflection on how we met, where we were, and all that lay before us.
The ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Flood Mansion in Pacific Heights, where guests were greeted by the timeless music of a string quartet. Since neither Johnny nor I are religious, we had his mother, Mimi, ordained as our officiant for the occasion. Mimi tailored the ceremony to the spirit of our relationship. At one point she even chastised us for kissing three times before “the kiss.” Following the kiss, which we held at least 5 seconds longer than Emily Post would deem respectable, we practically floated down the aisle, as husband and wife, to the sound of the Beatles’ “All You Need is Love.”
The reception followed in the luxurious hall of the Flood Mansion. We maximized the seating area of the beautifully ornate hallway with two long rows of Kings’ tables. Wine flowed like waterfalls and guests were offered my drink of choice – a champagne lemon drop. Following a sumptuous dinner and toasts that were anything but tame, the party moved into the ballroom where the real fête began. Johnny and I did a one-of-a-kind waltz/boogie to Can’t Help Falling in Love by UB40 and then the guests joined in for a fantastical night of 80’s dancing to the acclaimed San Francisco band Tainted Love. Guests “tweeted” all the delightful details and happenings on our real-time twitter account guestbook.
Following another glorious set of Journey, Foreigner, Blondie and the like, guests whose cups runneth over during the night were driven back to hotels in a privately rented cable car and we were whisked away in a classic limousine, two hearts, two beats, perfectly in sync.
Photography: Matthew May Photography / Flowers: Emily Dreblow, Soulflower Floral Design / Event Planning: Kathryn Kalabokes, Dream a Little Dream Events / Ceremony Location: James Leary Flood Mansion / Reception Location: James Leary Flood Mansion / Dress: Vera Wang / Tux: Armani / Bridesmaid Dresses: Simple Silhouettes / Band: Tainted Love / Ceremony Musicians: Garden Strings / Cake: Amber McKenney, Sweet on Cake / Caterer: Betty Zlatchin Catering / Lighting: Got Light? / Rentals: Hartmann Studios / Linens: La Tavola Linen
Simple Silhouettes is a member of our Look Book. For more information on how members are chosen, click here.
COMMENTS (16)
3 Links to “San Francisco Wedding at the James Leary Flood Mansion”
[...] featured again on Style Me Pretty, one of the top blogs for all things weddings. This time they are featuring Kathryn and Johnny’s wedding at the James Leary Flood Mansion in San Francisco. You can see Kathryn and Johnny’s original [...]
[...] your wedding with adding in pumpkins, bright orange maids apparel and a hay bail. Take a cue from this beautiful San Francisco Wedding featured on Style Me Pretty. No doubt, there is a ‘fall feel’ but it’s ever-so-subtle. The use of warm colors [...]
[...] always a good day when we are featured on Style Me Pretty, this time for a romantic occasion at James Leary Flood Mansion. Newlyweds Kathryn and Johnny [...]