Headlands Center for the Arts? You are definitely in the running for one of my favorite venues in the U.S. of A. Your views can’t be beat, and the couples you attract? Some of the most stylish. This couple and their gorgeous day coordinated by Be Hitched and captured by Greg Slick Photography? They give me all the more reason to fall in love with this special space. And with them. Because it’s a day that is just so perfectly imperfect – which I happen to absolutely adore. See even more here.
From the Bride… From the first moment we stepped onto the headlands property we knew that it was the perfect setting for our wedding. We were looking for a venue that celebrated the best of northern California, which is what we immediately recognized in the Headlands Center for the Arts. We imagined the experience of the out-of-town guests spying the beautiful bluffs on their trek over the Golden Gate Bridge as well as our savvy San Francisco crowd experiencing the hidden gem of the beautiful historic building that housed our reception.
Once we labored through the process of arranging seating, we wanted to tell our guests why we thought they’d enjoy sharing a meal with the others at their table. To convey this message, we typed (on an old fashioned typewriter, of course) little notes for each of the tables explaining their relationship to us and one another and how grateful we were to have each of them celebrating with us. Guests were shocked and very touched by this little detail. I’m so glad we made time to do it.
For our favors, we gave each guest a handled mason jar of homemade granola. Many people reported at brunch the next day that their treat didn’t make it as far as the hotel that night. Others sent us photos of wherever they ate it or where it now sits on their shelves across the US and world!
My best friend (and officiant) eloped in Paris over the summer and David and I were of the lucky few to witness their beautiful ceremony. While in France, Rachel and I wandered the streets together and happened to come upon a beautiful stationery store in the Marais neighborhood. I found the beautiful Italian stationary that we used for our escort and table cards. Luckily, I had already been in touch with a wonderful graphic artist who did our invites, Little Miss Press, who agreed to the intensive task of writing out each of the guests’ names in spectacular calligraphy script. For our Chuppah, we used an old lace tablecloth of David’s great-grandmother. We thought it would be a wonderful way for us to incorporate a gorgeous family heirloom.
One of my best friends organized a yoga class taught by our favorite SF teacher for me and the bridal party on the day before the wedding. the opportunity to take an hour to relax and clear my head was invaluable. If I hadn’t taken that moment to breathe and wrap my head around the magnitude of the events ahead, i may not have ever stopped it from spinning. David took a dip in the frigid pacific ocean with his closest friends the morning of the wedding. He said it the perfect cleansing start to the day. If your ceremony is anything like ours, it was the product of many people’s labor and love. Don’t forget to say thank you quickly and often.
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Wedding Photography: Greg Slick Photography | Wedding Venue: Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, California | Wedding Coordinator: Rebecca Pfiffner from Be Hitched | Floral Design: Natalie Bowen Designs | Caterer: Katie Powers Catering | Ceremony Music: Laura & Anton | DJ: Nick Challed | Wedding Invite Feather Design: David Wilson | Wedding Invitations + Calligraphy: Little Miss Press | Photo Booth: Magbooth | Sound Design: CMS | Transportation: San Francisco Minibus | Wedding Dress: Ivy & Aster | Bride’s Earrings: Kathleen Whitaker | Wedding Bands: Saara Reidsema from CommitMe | Engagement Ring: Linda Lee Johnson | Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | bridesmaids’ Attire: Their Choice | Groom’s Attire: J.Crew | Hair: Code Salon | Makeup: Fox & Doll Makeup