Jenny & Brian’s Wayfare Tavern Wedding

Jenny and Brian had a picturesque wedding at San Francisco City Hall this past summer. We started the day at a mansion in Oakland, had a private ceremony (one-hour ceremony) at city hall, photos at the Presidio, and ended it all at a casual-ish "reception" at a private dining room in Wayfare Tavern. This is a truly inspirational wedding if you're looking for something more traditional while on a budget, but not a typical public ceremony at SF City Hall.

Getting Ready

We met up with Jenny and Brian at a gorgeous mansion in Oakland that they found on Airbnb. (It was actually the same mansion that Eda and Bryant reserved for getting ready, too!) It was important to Jenny and Brian to have a great space for getting ready and to experience their intimate first look. We couldn’t have agreed more; this place was beautiful with plenty of places to take wonderful pictures.

They also wanted a nice place for their families to “ have time to relax and get to know each other.” This mansion easily had space for everyone.

First Look

Brian had the best reaction to Jenny during their first look. You could really feel how much he loves her.

They were both so excited for this day and it’s always nice to have the alone time together for a first look, before the ceremony where everyone is watching. This is why we always recommend a first look. It’s a romantic experience for a couple to share in the midst of a crowded busy day. We had time to reminisce about how Brian proposed... Jenny described how “Brian proposed on Christmas day by secretly hanging up the engagement ring as an ornament on our tree.” We think Jenny had her best Christmas present that year.

Ceremony

After the first look, we all drove to SF City Hall's 4th Floor North Gallery for their private ceremony. Jenny and Brian were drawn to this specific location because it “feels expansive and grand while also being intimate and private.” They also “loved the architecture and natural light” that the space has to offer.

The ceremony was shared with close friends and family and started with a laugh. Her flower girl had practiced walking down the aisle and had the timing perfect, until now. She walked so slowly that by the time she was done walking to the song, “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles, it was over and the musicians had to start over for Jenny’s turn to walk.

It gave Jenny a chuckle and an even bigger smile walking down the aisle with both of her parents.

Once the ceremony was over we all realized we were so hungry. We took a few pictures in City Hall and then found a vendor across the street, where Brian and Oscar scarfed down some hot dogs. Jenny laughed and told us “It's a miracle Brian didn't get mustard on his suit - or my dress.”

Pictures of the Newlyweds

After we filled our bellies, we headed over to Fort Point to take pictures of the happy couple with the Golden Gate Bridge peeking out in the background through the mist. The wind gave us a challenge but we were able to capture stunning pictures of them.

From there, we went to Presidio Woods for a unique San Francisco setting. It’s always so nice to escape the noise of the city and surround ourselves with the peaceful trees. They also provided a nice nature backdrop for Jenny and Brian.

Lunch Reception After the Ceremony

Once we were done with pictures, it was time to join Jenny and Brian’s close friends and family for a lunch wedding reception in the Sequoia Room, a private dining room, at Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco. Jenny and Brian enjoyed the time to finally “relax and pop some champagne” at this “elegant and modern venue with amazing food.” Even at this intimate setting, they made sure to have a gorgeous wedding cake to cut into, along with yummy cupcakes, provided by the local Pretty Please Bakeshop.

It was their perfect way to end a perfect day.

 

Vendors:

Airbnb for getting ready: Huge, epic, historic mansion
Make-up/hair (MUAH): JT Artisty (Jen Toy)
Videographer: Jes Rowe
Officiant: Rev. Tim Mills
Cello/violin duet: Ben Welch Snellings
Wedding baked goodies: Pretty Please Bakeshop
Restaurant/SF City Hall Reception: Wayfare Tavern

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