Festive + Floral Garden Valley Ranch Wedding » Petaluma, California

Eugenia and Rohan were married on a warm summer day at Garden Valley Ranch in Petaluma. This venue boasts multiple gardens spread out over five acres including a huge rose farm which lead guests over to the ceremony area. We started the day with a private first look in the secret garden area before all the portraits and ceremony. Afterwards, everyone headed to the Carriage House where everyone was treated to a delicious meal provided by Fogcutter. Eugenia and Rohan kicked off evening's festivities with a lovely first dance before Rohan's brother surprised everyone with a groomsmen flash mob dance performance. As the sunset, we ducked away for some additional portraits as we explored the grounds before heading back to join the party. Overall, a gorgeous and sweet day.

Wedding Venue: Garden Valley Ranch // Wedding Planner: Cindy Ng of Happily Ever After Events // Florist: Beijaflor Botanicals // Caterer & Desserts: Fogcutter // Rentals & Lighting: Bright Event Rentals // DJ: Beau Bergeron of Above & Beyond Events // Videographer: Daniel Chae // Officiant: Lauren Sneed of Rhythm & Light Ceremonies // Hair & Make-Up: Joey Cheung of Urban Beauty Loft // Invitations: Minted // Eugenia's Dress: Maggie Sottero // Rohan's Suit: The Black Tux // Rings: Brilliant Earth 

An Elegant Summertime Brazilian Room Wedding » Tilden Park, Berkeley

Community is important for Stacy and Emanuel. So when they planned their wedding, they kept it small with their nearest and dearest friends and family. Emanuel's sister officiated while their vendors were made up of local Santa Cruz businesses, where Emanuel grew up. The warm summer day meant that guests were able to enjoy the expansive outdoor space of the Brazilian Room with lawn games and cocktails. After a delicious dinner by Blue Heron, everyone cooled off with gelato for dessert before shaking it up the dance floor. 

Venue: The Brazilian Room // Hotel: The Claremont // Wedding Planner: E Events Co // Florist: Willi Wildflower // Hair & Make-Up: A-List Makeup // Stacy's Dress: Grace Loves Lace // Emanuel's Suit: Hugo Boss // Rentals: Pieces by Violet // Lighting: Quantum Party Productions // Caterer: Blue Heron Catering // DJ: Santa Cruz DJ Company // Dessert: Coletta Gelato

St. Columba Church + Lake Merritt Terrace Room Wedding » Oakland, California

Jessica and Adrian were married with a small family only church wedding at St. Columba Church in Oakland. After the traditional Catholic ceremony, the couple headed out to the Oakland Hills where we took some portraits in the redwoods. It was a nice little peaceful getaway before we all heading to the Terrace Room at Lake Merritt the main celebration. The large reception included a pianist that entertained the party the whole evening. As a twist on the classic clinking of glasses to get the couple to kiss, the pianist picked a couples name out of a fish bowl and that couple had to kiss first and Jessica and Adrian were to imitate their kisses. After dinner, Jessica and her friends lead a fun singalong before everyone enjoyed dancing and special Indonesian desserts as nod to Adrian's heritage.

An Autumn Elliston Vineyard Wedding » Sunol, California

Pauline and Ryan were married on a lovely autumn afternoon at Elliston Vineyards in Sunol. Personal touches were seen throughout the day, from their good friend officiating the ceremony to the dinosaurs and succulents decorating the reception tables. After dinner and wedding bundt cakes, DJ Rufio kept the music going through out the night for an epic dance party.

Westlake Village Inn Wedding » Southern California

Renee and Matt got married at the Westlake Village Inn in Southern California. Renee grew up across the street from this beautiful resort hotel and so it was a natural choice to pick it as a venue for their wedding. Tabitha of Winston and Main provided bright colored florals that popped against the Tuscan inspired decor. After a hilarious ceremony under the gazebo, Renee and Matt headed over to the main hall for dinner and a lot of dancing as a live band kept the energy going through the evening.

Mather Redwood Grove + UC Botanical Garden Wedding » Berkeley, California

Tammy and David got married at one of my favorite locations, UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley. The day started at a nearby Airbnb where everyone helped David try to figure out how to tie a bowtie. Afterwards, we headed over to the Mather Redwood Grove at the Botanical Garden where we snapped some group portraits before their sweet ceremony. Tears were shed as Tammy and David exchanged vows in front of their friends and family. They took a moment alone in the grove after the ceremony before heading over to Julia Morgan Hall for cocktail hour and dinner reception where the festivities continued on into the night. 

Wine Country Childhood Home Wedding » Calistoga, California

Stephanie and Ryan grew up in Sonoma County and kept it local for their wine country celebration. With the help of their friends and family, they transformed Ryan's 50 year old childhood home into a beautiful wedding wonderland. The ceremony, officiated by one of their good friends, took place besides the big red wooden barn. Afterwards, the couple drove down the street to a nearby vineyard for sunset portraits in Ryan's father's vintage Toyota Land Cruiser before heading back for a dinner reception in the backyard under cafe lights. All the personal touches truly made this wedding a close family affair.

Wedding Venue: Ryan's Childhood Home // Catering: Elaine Bell Catering // Floral Design: Maria Philbin // Rentals: Encore Event Rentals // DJ: Techtonic Events // Make-Up: Unveiling Design by Heather // Hairstylist: Katie of Unveiling Design by Heather // Invitation: Basic Invite // Stephanie's Dress: Starlet Bridal // Ryan's Suit: Men's Warehouse // Rings: ER Sawyer Jewelers

Outdoor DIY Camp-Themed Leonard Lake Wedding » Redwood Valley, California

Hidden down a nine mile dirt road is Leonard Lake Reserve, a lovely little campground with cabins tucked in the hills of Redwood Valley. Elke and Eric have spent several summer weekends there with their friends and fell in love with the close communal feel of the place. When it was time to plan their wedding, Leonard Lake immediately came to mind. It allowed their wedding celebration to feel casual and intimate while letting the magic of the location to speak for itself. It was a DIY effort as everyone pitched in to make the decor, cook appetizers and get the venue ready for the big day. Their ceremony took place lakeside under a grove of oak trees with a handmade floral garland draped across the branches. Afterwards, Elke and Eric ducked away for a canoe ride on the lake while their guests serenaded them to a rousing rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" played by a family friend on acoustic guitar. The dinner reception continued under the stars with a delicious home cooked meal and pie for dessert before dancing the evening away.

Wedding Venue: Leonard Lake Reserve // Floral Design: DIY from Bluma Flower Farm // Catering: Bruxo Food Truck // Elke's Dress: BCBG // Eric's Suit: Hugo Boss // Hair & Make-Up: DIY // Decorations: DIY // Music: DIY 

Outdoor Art Club Destination Wedding » Mill Valley, California

Originally in the same class at Princeton, Devon and Brandon only started spending more time together when they both moved up to Boston right after college--Devon was working for a nonprofit and Brandon was getting his master's degree. After several months hanging out their friendship turned to romance and they started dating. 

In the winter of 2016, Brandon took Devon to an intimate candlelit dinner at a French restaurant in Reno where he had created a miniature winter wonderland with a tiny village and little figurines representing different aspects of their life together. After Brandon explained all of the different components of the display, they walked over to the dinner table, where he had left a handwritten note on Devon's place setting asking if she would marry him. She replied, "Of course!"

Even though they live in Washington DC, they decided to fly all the way to Mill Valley, California for their wedding. Devon and Brandon knew they wanted to get married in an outdoor garden space with plenty of natural beauty, but also wanted a refined, classy space for the reception. The Outdoor Art Club fit the bill perfectly. As a bonus, they were attracted to the Club's history and its mission: the proceeds from the wedding that did not directly go to maintaining the property are allocated to conservation efforts elsewhere. The rich autumn color palette and their ceremony under some redwood trees brought together relaxed yet elegant elements. As avid readers, their guests were gifted a choice of the couple's favorite novels as wedding favors. 

Wedding Venue: Outdoor Art Club // Wedding Planner: Lindsay Lauren Events // Floral Design: Sweet Roots Farm // Catering: Ann Walker Catering // Cake: Branching Out Cakes // Lighting: Marin Event Lighting // Rentals: JRB Events // Music/DJ: All Ears DJ // Make-Up: Make-Up by Adele // Hairstylist: Hair by Missy // Invitations: Kseniya Thomas of Thomas Printers // Calligraphy: Kim Nichols Design // Wedding Signs: Minted Style Co. // Devon's Dress: Nicole Miller // Dress Alterations: A Stitch in Time // Devon's Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Brandon's Suit: Ted Baker // Brandon's Shoes: Magnanni // Rings: Brilliant Earth & Royal Jewelers

Community-Focused Mather Redwood Grove + UC Botanical Garden Wedding » Berkeley, California

Any wedding that takes place in a redwood grove makes my heart sing. Laura and Lark's UC Botanical Garden wedding not only was a reflection of the natural beauty of the Bay Area but focused the day around the community of people who love and support them. Those are my favorite kind of weddings. (You can read more about their celebration with their feature on the Catalyst Wed Co. blog!)

Wedding Venue: UC Botanical Garden // Wedding Coordinator: A Monique Affair // Caterer: Los Moles // Tabletop Decor: Glassybaby & DIY // Lark's Suit: Kipper Clothiers // Laura's Dress: Novella Bridal // Laura's Manicure: Melody at Fig & Clover // Dessert: Golden Gate Donuts // Rings: Brilliant Earth 

Cathedral Grove Saratoga Springs Wedding Reception » Saratoga, California

Jackie and Jerry got married at San Francisco City Hall but still wanted to celebrate in style with their friends and family. Tucked away in a lush part of Saratoga, they hosted a relaxed and fun gathering at Cathedral Grove in Saratoga Springs. After renewing their vows, guests were invited to drink and mingle before their dinner reception which wrapped up the evening with an epic dance party. It was the perfect mix of fancy and low-key fun!

Grand Black Tie City Hall Wedding » San Francisco, California

Katy and Ian went all out for their San Francisco wedding. From the rehearsal dinner at Wayfare Tavern the night before to the elegantly decorated celebration at San Francisco City Hall, it was a weekend to remember full of grandeur, love and laughter.

Wedding & Event Planner: Camille Jacinto Hale of Dream a Little Dream Events // Rehearsal Dinner: The Sequoia Room at the Wayfare Tavern // Hotel: The Fairmont SF // Wedding Venue: San Francisco City Hall // Catering & Floral Design: McCalls // Officiant: Minister Maggie // Cake: Susie Cakes // Desserts: Chantal Guillon // Lighting: Got Light // Rentals: Hensley Event Resources & Dreamscene // Hair & Make-Up: Joseph Cozza Salon // Katy's Gown & Veil : Vera Wang // Katy's Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Violinist: Corelli Strings // Live Band: Notorious