Kara and Edward had an intimate and sweet wedding ceremony at City Hall in the middle of the week, followed by a charming weekend reception with their friends and loved ones! They had the party at an industrial loft-turned-winery just down the street from Edward’s restaurant (he’s a pastry chef). They had a food truck parked outside to cater the event, accompanied by wines from the venue, a keg from a local brewery and a pitcher of Negronis (Kara’s favorite cocktail). The appetizer table was a group effort for the couple and some of Edward’s talented restaurant industry friends. Edward crafted the pickled vegetables in the weeks leading up to the wedding, and a friend (a cheesemonger by trade) helped the wedding coordinator style the table. From SF with Love captured every special moment!
An intimate city hall wedding in San Francisco, CA
We were introduced by a dear friend of mine who worked in the same restaurant as Edward, and it was instantly clear that it was a match. Edward proposed on the last day of our first big vacation together in a little wine bar in Santiago, Chile, just 7 months after we met. As soon as we started thinking about planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to tie the knot in San Francisco’s drop-dead gorgeous City Hall on a Wednesday morning. Since the first days of our relationship, our tradition was to spend Wednesday mornings shopping the farmer’s market across the plaza from City Hall, so it seemed only natural to continue this routine in a way. We are both relatively private people, and wanted the ceremony to include only our nearest and dearest. After the ceremony, Edward’s friend chauffeured us in his vintage convertible over the Golden Gate Bridge to Cavallo Point Lodge where we had a truly perfect, intimate lunch with our loved ones, and then stayed in one of their amazing historic cottages for our first night as husband and wife.
Strongly consider a “split” wedding if it works for your family and schedule! I have to say that having the ceremony and intimate lunch on one day, and the party a couple of days later, felt WONDERFUL. Both events felt super special, and neither felt rushed or frantic. We had plenty of alone time and plenty of time with our loved ones, the pace was perfect. Also, choose vendors you know personally, whenever possible. Our venue was a friend’s business where we’d hung out many a time, our cakes were made by a close friend and colleague of Edward’s, even our florist was someone we knew from her pop-up flower kiosk outside Edward’s restaurant. Having these folks involved made the whole thing feel so intimate, caring and special. And, low stress! – Kara
Artists
- Photographer: From SF with Love
- Caterer: Doc’s of the Bay
- Invitation Designer: Alison Kate Design
- Cake Designer: Piccino
- Design and Decor: Pieces by Violet
- Makeup Artist: Susie Chhuor Hair | Makeup
- Reception Venue: Sutton Cellars
- Floral Designer: Thistle SF
- Event Planner: WINK! Weddings