Some weddings are centered around tradition. Others are all about the party. Cynthia and Eddie somehow managed to create a wedding day that balanced both beautifully. Their celebration felt elegant and thoughtful from beginning to end, but also incredibly relaxed and personal. Nothing felt forced. Every part of the day reflected who they are as a couple.

Their ceremony took place at San Francisco City Hall during one of the coveted Saturday two-hour weddings, followed by a lunch reception at Waterbar and an evening celebration at Sutter Mansion. It was a full San Francisco wedding day that flowed naturally from one experience to the next, with each location bringing something completely different to the atmosphere.

A Private and Romantic Vision

When Cynthia and Eddie described their wedding vision to me, three words guided everything: elegant, ethereal, and romantic. Looking back at the photos now, I think they accomplished exactly that.

Their color palette of navy blue, blush pink, and vibrant greens worked perfectly throughout the day. Nothing felt overly trendy or overly styled. It felt timeless, soft, and intentional.

One thing I really appreciated was how they focused less on impressing people and more on creating a meaningful experience with the people they love most. That mindset shaped the entire day.

Even with multiple venues and events planned, the wedding never felt overwhelming. It felt personal.

A Saturday Wedding at San Francisco City Hall

Saturday weddings at City Hall are always special. Having the building largely to yourselves completely changes the atmosphere. The Rotunda feels quieter, more cinematic, and even more grand than usual.

Cynthia and Eddie kept the ceremony decor intentionally simple because, honestly, San Francisco City Hall weddings don't need much. The architecture already does so much of the work visually. The marble, the symmetry, the staircase, and the natural light create an incredible backdrop all on their own.

They also incorporated a small tea ceremony with their families, which was especially important to them. Rather than making it a huge production, they kept it intimate and meaningful, which matched their personalities perfectly.

One of my favorite parts of the day was their private vows. Before the ceremony, they took time away from everyone else just to focus on each other. Those quieter moments are often the ones couples remember most vividly later.

Thoughtful DIY Details

Cynthia is incredibly creative, and there were so many details throughout the wedding that carried personal meaning.

Some of my favorites were the custom-bound books featuring selections of her and Eddie’s favorite stories, along with the stained glass greenhouse-style card box she designed herself. The artwork incorporated little references to their relationship. Wisteria flowers from an early date they loved, penguins from an inside joke, and coffee and tea imagery tied back to the Hinge question that originally matched them together.

Those are the kinds of details guests may not consciously notice all at once, but collectively they make a wedding feel deeply personal.

She also designed much of the stationery suite herself, including the invitations, signs, menus, and programs. Everything felt cohesive without feeling overly coordinated.

Romantic Florals at Waterbar

After the ceremony, everyone headed to Waterbar for the reception lunch. I’ve photographed many weddings across San Francisco, and Waterbar always creates such a fun atmosphere because of its combination of modern design, waterfront views, and incredible food.

For Cynthia and Eddie, it also carried personal meaning. It was one of the first restaurants Cynthia visited after moving to San Francisco, which made it feel like the perfect place to celebrate this chapter of their lives.

The florals by Blooming Moment Florist completely transformed the space. Elisa and her team struck such a good balance between modern and romantic. Cynthia specifically wanted blush garden roses paired with vibrant greens rather than muted eucalyptus tones, and the final arrangements brought so much warmth into the clean architectural setting of the restaurant.

The florals carried throughout the entire day with bouquets, boutonnières, centerpieces, cocktail tables, and even matching florals for their matcha and strawberry cream wedding cake.

Everything felt cohesive without becoming overwhelming.

Four Incredible Wedding Looks

Cynthia had four different looks throughout the day, and honestly, each one matched its portion of the wedding perfectly.

For the tea ceremony, she wore a navy embroidered qipao from Suzhou near her hometown of Shanghai. The embroidery detail was absolutely stunning in photographs, especially paired with Eddie’s custom navy Suit Supply suit.

Her main ceremony gown was the "Juliet" gown from Riki Dalal, featuring soft floral details and layers of flowing tulle that photographed beautifully inside City Hall. Cynthia also personally altered the dress herself to improve the fit and comfort, which made it even more meaningful.

Later in the evening, she changed into a flowy Selkie gown for their first dance after realizing the original gown was a little too dramatic for choreography. The movement of that dress on the dance floor looked incredible in photos.

Finally, for the afterparty at Sutter Mansion, she wore a black and gold gown with textured brocade details that matched the mood of the historic venue perfectly.

Each outfit felt like a different chapter of the same story.

An Incredible Celebration at Sutter Mansion

The evening celebration at Sutter Mansion may have been the most energetic part of the day.

Cynthia and Eddie built the night around the things they genuinely love doing together: board games, karaoke, amazing food, and spending time with friends.

The mansion itself created such a different mood from the earlier parts of the wedding day. Warm lighting, historic interiors, Chinese-inspired decor touches, and guests fully embracing the atmosphere made it feel intimate and lively at the same time.

One of the biggest hits of the night was simply watching all of their friend groups merge together naturally. By the end of the evening, everyone felt connected.

How They Met

Cynthia and Eddie first met on Hinge and had their first date wandering through the Mountain View Farmers Market with boba in hand. What started as a casual morning meetup turned into hours of conversation and eventually a late lunch together.

Their proposal story fit them perfectly too.

Eddie planned a quiet proposal during a trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, one of their favorite places together. He carefully avoided making it overly public, instead finding a secluded spot on the beach during sunset after a picnic together.

Afterward, they danced together on the beach.

Honestly, knowing their personalities now, I can’t imagine a proposal that fit them better.

One thing Cynthia said afterward really stuck with me: take a few minutes throughout the day to pause and absorb everything.

I always tell couples something similar because wedding days move unbelievably fast. Cynthia and Eddie did a great job intentionally slowing down and reconnecting with each other throughout the day instead of getting swept up in the schedule.

That energy carried into every part of the wedding.

From San Francisco City Hall to Waterbar to Sutter Mansion, their day felt emotional, relaxed, elegant, and genuinely joyful. Exactly what a wedding should feel like.