Maria and Roman - Golden Gate Club, San Francisco

May, 2017.

Photos: Janae Shields Photography / Flowers: Dream Flowers / Catering: Presidio Foods

Maria and Roman both come from very large Russian Jewish families, so their wedding was a P-A-R-T-Y complete with caviar on every table, a raucous live band, and plenty of vodka. But the true show-stoppers in our opinion were the flowers. Florist Lana Chernyavsky of Dream Flowers created stunning centerpieces that were either towering structures laden with peonies and kumquats or shorter masterpieces popping with vibrant colors and lush textures. Every element of this wedding was romantic and colorful - just look at the gorgeous blues on their ketubah and the soft chiffon of the chuppah!

Amy and Matt - Stern Grove, San Francisco

March, 2017.

Photos: Vero Kherian Photography / Catering: El Metate

Amy and Matt had an impressive collection of friends who served as vendors (dubbed by the couple as 'friendors') that knew them both so well that every element of the wedding was perfectly tailored to them as a couple. The flowers, hair, ceremony music, reception DJ, and pie buffet were all the work of friends who lent their talents and time to create a day full of casual elegance. I love the little details that clearly had so much thought put into them: the sea holly in Amy's hair matches Matt's boutonniere; the pies have the letters 'A' and 'M' around the edges; and the precious objects that were an integral part of the ceremony reappeared in the reception as the names of the tables where guests sat. Stern Grove is such a naturally beautiful setting that it truly doesn't need much dressing-up. For a couple that loves nature and is looking for a budget-friendly venue in the heart of San Francisco, Stern Grove provides the best of all worlds.

Jeannie and Brad - Berkeley City Club

January, 2017.

Photos: www.drewbirdphoto.com / Flowers: Rust + Thistle / Cake: Have Your Cake.

jeannie-brad-drew-bird-a-0206.jpg

Brad and Jeannie couldn't have had a more perfect day for their wedding - and it was pouring rain the entire time. Berkeley City Club was their dream venue - it has gothic architecture, romantic lighting, and a library/smoking lounge that makes you want to cuddle up by a roaring fire and read a good book. The inclement weather simply accentuated all of those attributes. The couple chose dark jewel tones for their attendants who looked like they could have stepped out of the set of Downtown Abbey; the women wore long beaded gowns and the gentlemen donned mismatched suits with matching ties. The rainy forecast meant that the ceremony location had to change, but Emily from Rust + Thistle rose to the occasion and created a spectacular last-minute 'chuppah' full of eucalyptus and other lush greenery above the fireplace in the drawing room. The expressions that Drew Bird was able to catch during the whole day take my breath away: Brad's tears during the first look, a Vogue-worthy snapshot of the wedding party in the library,  and Brad and Jeannie's terror as they were lifted in the air for the hora.