Foreign Cinema Modernism West Wedding » San Francisco, California

Thu and David knew they didn’t want a huge and flashy wedding but still wanted to celebrate in some way with their closest loved ones. They ultimately decided to host a dinner reception at Foreign Cinema's Modernism West Gallery in San Francisco to perfectly encapsulate their desire for a unique and memorable experience while treating their guests to an award winning meal. Prior to the dinner, I met up with them and their sweet dog Rosy and their sun conure, Samin for portraits around Nob Hill and Chinatown. The couple wore matching outfits lovingly sewn by Thu’s mother. We wrapped up our shoot together with some fabulous rooftop views at their apartment. As the evening set in, Thu and David headed over to Foreign Cinema to finish setting up place cards, homemade treats and board games for post dinner activities. Against the backdrop of the restaurant's modern ambiance and gallery walls, surrounded by close friends and family, Thu and David celebrated with a heartfelt and joyous evening of good conversation, delicious dishes and lots of laughter.

San Francisco City Hall + Penny Roma Restaurant Wedding » San Francisco, California » Erin Prado for VCP

// This wedding was photographed by associate photographer, Erin Prado. //

With family members in Indonesia and Wisconsin, John and Mira decided on a intimate wedding in San Francisco as they were planning to travel later in the year for celebrations closer to their families. Having been together for two years, the couple decided on a City Hall civic ceremony in May to mark the beginning of their lifelong journey together. The choice of San Francisco held special significance for them, as it was the city where they first met and live.

The short and sweet ceremony on the fourth floor balcony was a heartfelt moment, with the couple surrounded by the city's stunning architecture and the memories of their time spent there. John’s parents and Mira’s sister both flew out to San Francisco to help celebrate the nupitals while Mira’s parents were able to video chat in via cellphone so they were a part of the City Hall ceremony.

Following the ceremony, John and Mira took some time for portraits around City Hall before heading over to the Mission District for more portraits around the neighborhood, including some photos in their camper van which they love taking around the country for outdoor adventures. The couple then joined their guests for cocktails and dinner at Penny Roma, a charming venue that added a touch of sophistication and intimacy to their celebration.

Intimate Family Focused San Francisco City Hall + Wayfare Tavern Restaurant Elopement » San Francisco, California

Veronica and Chris first met while in college at UC Berkeley and their study breaks together slowly grew to a relationship. When it came time to get married they knew that throwing a large party wasn’t part of their vision. Veronica always loved San Francisco City Hall because of how grand it is. (It's definitely not what people normally think about when you say "city hall".) During COVID, City Hall was closed, and originally planned to get married at MacArthur Place in Napa. When City Hall announced their re-opening that summer, they jumped at the idea to pivot plans. It just felt more right to them to keep it simple and let the beauty of the architecture speak for itself. San Francisco is also home for them - Veronica is from the Bay Area, they met in Berkeley and had many dates in the city, and spent the last 5 years living in SF, so it means a lot to get married there. We started the day with some portraits at Crissy Beach before heading over to City Hall where Veronica’s sister officiated the ceremony on the fourth floor. Afterwards, we explored the building for some portraits. COVID restrictions meant that City Hall was much more quiet which allowed us to use the grand staircase for some beautiful photos. Veronica and Chris headed back to their hotel to change for their dinner reception at Wayfare Tavern. Cocktails and sweet and funny toasts kicked off the evening celebration.

Ceremony Venue: San Francisco City Hall // Reception Venue: Wayfare Tavern // Wedding Planner: Stephanie of Lally Events // Floral Design: Wild Club // Hair & Make-Up: Grace Lin // Veronica’s Outfit: Sarah Seven & Jimmy Choo // Chris’s Outfit: Franco Masoma & Santoni // Gift Boxes: Lauren Redman

Golden Gate Park Shakespeare Garden + Harborview Restaurant Wedding » San Francisco, California

After being together for a decade, S + M knew they wanted to make their union official. They chose to keep it intimate with a family focused wedding. S + M gathered about 25 of their closest friends and family in the Shakespeare Garden for their short but sweet ceremony officiated by S’s niece. Afterwards, we explore Golden Gate Park and the Music Concourse before heading over to Harborview Restaurant for their dinner reception. As the guests enjoyed their multi-coursed meal, S + M’s sisters lead a trivia game with prizes for the winners. Our evening together wrapped up with a little break outside the Embarcadero Center for a few portraits before dark. Grateful to have a been a part of their story.

Intimate Wine Country Backyard + Charter Oak Restaurant Wedding » St. Helena, California

Anna and Patrick met while in school at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena and their relationship quickly blossomed over a passion for making and sharing delicious meals. While their original plans for a San Francisco City Hall wedding had to be rescheduled, their desire to throw an intimate celebration remained the same. They found a gorgeous private home in Angwin where their families and a few close friends were invited to witness their vows overlooking Napa Valley. Patrick’s sister officiated and afterwards the guests were treated to a delicious charcuterie lunch spread lovingly assembled by the couple. While Anna and Patrick shared a small toast, Anna’s aunt presented them with an engraved heirloom silver wedding goblet that had been passed down for generations. For dinner, we met up again at the Charter Oak in downtown Napa for an exquisite meal before popping over to the CIA campus for some sunset photos to wrap up the evening.

Intimate Marin Headlands + Foreign Cinema Dinner Party Elopement » San Francisco, California

K + R wanted to keep it small and simple for their wedding plans having just moved to the Bay Area. After falling in love with the Marin Headlands, they knew those cliffside views were exactly where they wanted to share their vows in front of their families. I met up with K + R on an overcast spring day and after a sweet first look by the ocean, K + R headed down the trail a bit to where a small gathering of their families were waiting for them. They exchanged vows, rings and a kiss in front of their loved ones before everyone celebrated with hugs and champagne. R’s brother share a few words before the families headed back into the city to prepare for their dinner. K + R hung back with me for some portraits along the water as we explored Battery Alexander and Rodeo Cove. We met up again in the evening at Foreign Cinema in San Francisco for their private dinner on the mezzanine level. The crystal chandelier cast surprise rainbows on their dinner as everyone settled in for drinks before a few speeches kicked off their meal. All in all, a simple but elegant wedding celebration showcasing some unique Bay Area spots.

Intimate Muir Woods National Monument + Del Popolo Elopement » Mill Valley + San Francisco, California

Stephanie and Kirk love spending time outdoors so Muir Woods National Monument felt like the perfect fit for their tiny wedding celebration. I met up with them in the early afternoon and we hiked out to a small secluded spot along the Bootjack Trail for some portraits. (You can usually find clusters of ladybugs in this particular spot along Redwood Creek!) Afterwards, we met up with their families and headed over to the ceremony spot, tucked away at the base of an ancient sequoia. Stephanie’s sister officiated and they exchanged sweet vows and rings. After hugs and a few tears, we all headed into San Francisco where they celebrated with a delicious meal in the back patio at Del Popolo. As a thank you, Stephanie and Kirk wrote personalized letters for each of their family members as place cards.

SF City Hall + Starbelly Destination Elopement » San Francisco, California » Erin Prado for VCP

// This wedding was photographed by associate photographer, Erin Prado. //

Annie and Montassar live in Tunisia and when their international wedding plans fell through in 2020, they began to look for other options. Originally from Stockton and an alumni of USF, Annie always wanted to get married at San Francisco City Hall so it was the natural choice when they decided to have a more intimate celebration. Annie wore a traditional Tunisian wedding gown and got ready with her mother the morning of the wedding at Petite Auberge, a charming bed and breakfast in Nob Hill. After a quick first look with Montassar in the backyard of the inn, the couple headed over to San Francisco City Hall for their private intimate ceremony on the fourth floor balcony. After portraits around City Hall and the Castro neighborhood, Annie and Montassar celebrated with their close group of friends and family with a brunch reception at Starbelly.

The Progress Restaurant Wedding » San Francisco, California

Having been together for over 14 years, Tracy and Robb knew they wanted to throw a nice dinner party for their wedding celebration but didn’t want to make it a big production. In the time they’ve been together, they’ve grown together and been there for each other through many struggles so choosing a place called The Progress made sense, especially as it is located down the street from their old apartment on Fillmore Street in San Francisco. Owned by the same people who run State Bird Provisions, a favorite date night dinner spot for Tracy and Robb, they knew that James Beard award winning chefs Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski would pull out all the stops for these two self-described foodies. Instead of your typical wedding, their celebration focused on being a delicious and touching dinner party to bring their community together. Tracy’s mother made the centerpieces from succulents from her garden and their good friend Michael officiated the sweet ceremony. The evening kicked off with a fabulous cocktail hour with many appetizers to snack on before moving on to their multi-coursed dinner. Their parents and friends shared moving speeches between courses and there wasn’t a dry eye in the restaurant. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed wedding cake and donuts before wrapping up the evening. Tracy and Robb couldn’t have planned a more low key yet elegant way to celebrate their marriage.