This is the kind of traditional wedding + crazy fun + crazy beautiful party that we all dream of having. A gorgeous Pronovias gown meets lush florals from Chestnut & Vine meets all kinds of amazing images captured by Grace Havlak kind of wedding where every last moment is sort of straight from a movie pretty. A soiree that is soooo gorgeous and soooo amazing, you want to spend your entire work day soaking in every last ounce of lovely. Start right here, right now in the full gallery.
From the Bride… My husband and I wanted our wedding to be an intimate affair that was a true reflection of us as a couple. As we started the planning process, we decided to host our family and friends in our newly relocated home of San Francisco. Having begun our new life out on the West Coast just two years prior, we wanted our family and friends to experience all the wonderful things about the area.
Anthony was my sounding board as I planned our day. We wanted it to be a relaxed affair, but also incorporate our style and have just a little bit of glam. Being in the events industry for over 10 years, I had a high-standard when researching vendors that I didn’t already have an established relationship with. Luckily, Anthony and I chose a team that didn’t need a lot of direction and delivered our dream day flawlessly. Everyone involved in putting on the event were friends by the end of the evening – they cared so much about us and about our day that there are no words to describe how grateful we are to each and everyone of them! All the little details, from my hair wrap to even the sequined table cloth at our sweetheart table, came from different resources on Etsy. I loved searching for little details made by talented people across the country.
After two years of planning and saving, our day was finally here. It started out at the Presidio, which is an area of the city near the Golden Gate Bridge and the Palace of Fine Arts. We got ready at the Inn at the Presidio, which is a restored Pershing Hall on the Main Post from the U.S. Army days. Staying there was like traveling back in time and experiencing a different era over the weekend – plus it had amazing views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge.
Our wedding was at the the Swedenborgian Church, which is a 100+ year old National Historic Landmark in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. The sanctuary is lit only by candles and a large fireplace, which gives off a warm ambiance when you step through the doors. It seats 100 people max, making it very comfortable and intimate. The sanctuary was already naturally beautiful with its high beams made of unfinished redwoods and painted landscape murals on the walls… we only lined the pews with small bouquets and allowed the natural beauty of the church to show through. One of the highlights of the ceremony was having the San Francisco Boys Chorus sing while guests arrived and as we walked down the aisle. Their presence just added a special touch to all the beauty around us. It was almost magical.
Directly following the ceremony, our guests enjoyed drinks and appetizers out in the garden and a photo booth that our friend built (yes – our friend BUILT a photo booth). Dinner was held in the Parish House on the property and finished with cupcakes in a variety of flavors. We cut a small cake outside in the garden that featured my parents’ wedding topper from 1969. Anthony crafted a small replica of our cat, Bonnie, to sit next to the topper as she is a key member our family.
A good friend of ours was the DJ for the evening and we danced the night away. Another one of our best friends surprised our guests and came out on the dance floor in a dinosaur costume just to liven up the evening – such a fun and unexpected surprise!
In the end, our day was truly perfect. It was a day full of love and re-connection with all of our friends and family that we love so much.
Photography: Grace Havlak | Floral Design: Chestnut & Vine Floral Design | Church: Swedenborgian Church | Bride's Shoes: Ann Klein | Hair + Makeup: It's A Date At The Powder Room | Ceremony Music: San Francisco Boys Chorus | Accommodations: Inn at the Presidio | Bride's Dress: Pronovias | Bridesmaid Dress: Watters | Catering + Event Planning: Jane Hammond Events | Ceremonial Cake: Cake a Bakin' | Invitation Design: Elsie J Wedding Invitations | Invitation Paper: The Paper Source | Lights: Love in the Mix