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Charming and Intimate Stable Cafe Wedding

Charming and Intimate Stable Cafe Wedding

by | Jun 26, 2022 | Wedding

Charming and Intimate Stable Cafe Wedding

After such a long time apart due to the pandemic, what Beth and Patrick really wanted was to have a relaxed and intimate celebration at their favorite restaurant—treating their family and friends to a delicious feast and an unforgettable experience. Surrounded by their loved ones and the perfect San Francisco weather, the couple’s Stable Cafe wedding was a day truly meant for them and their loved ones.

Built in the 1800s as a carriage house that appears unassuming from the street—the Stable Cafe’s gorgeously manicured garden patio provided the perfect lush backdrop of greenery that framed the couple as they exchanged their vows. The plum trees, vines, and potted plants along with the understated floral arrangements by Ash and Oak, votive candles, and bistro lights set the romantic mood for their charming courtyard reception.

If you’re a foodie thinking about having a small wedding at your favorite restaurant, you’ll love this Stable Cafewedding. The romance and beauty of Beth and Patrick’s big day comes across so beautifully in these images captured by Erin Prado for Vivian Chen Photography. Scroll through for amazing ideas and inspiration for your own intimate celebration.

The Couple:

Beth and Patrick

The Wedding:

The Stable Cafe, San Francisco, California, United States

Inspiration for Changing Up Timelines

Rather than spend all of Saturday getting ready, we had our wedding on Friday night. Then we enjoyed Saturday afternoon sailing with our guests on the Bay. It was so special to share our favorite parts of the city with our loved ones and maximize our time together after such a long time apart during COVID. 

Weather Changes Made Their Stable Cafe Wedding Perfect

The weather was unbelievable! It was a pretty cold and windy summer in San Francisco so we rented a bunch of extra heaters for our guests and warned them to bring extra layers. Turns out the weekend was beautiful—sunny, a light breeze, and warm. I’d bought a white Patagonia jacket as my bridal jacket but didn’t end up needing it at all. 

Using Tight Transportation for Cute Photo Ops

We’ll never forget squeezing into my sister’s car with Patrick, our photographer Erin, and my nephew’s empty car seat. It was a bit tight but Erin snapped a couple of adorable photos of Patrick and I crammed in the backseat as we enjoyed some great views of San Francisco on the way down to Stable Cafe.

Mixing Up The Wedding Menu

Stable Cafe was beautiful—the food and desserts were amazing. We also had passed appetizers and a taco bar catered by Nopalito. Their carnitas are out of this world and our guests raved about the food for weeks. For dessert, instead of a wedding cake, we went with a cookie bar baked by GoodChildrenSF. We loved the cookies and we enjoyed them with our guests throughout the rest of the weekend. In retrospect, six cookies per guest was a lot. But hey, nobody minds extra cookies!

Working With Erin Prado And Vivian Chen Photography

Erin was great. She had a knack for catching the sweetest candid photos and captured the city chic vibe we were going for so well. Vivian Chen was super fast in editing the photos and we love how they came out. Our families all commented on how great the photographs turned out from our big day.

Their Advice: Pick The Right Vendors

Identify what matters to you and what doesn’t at the beginning of planning. Based on those priorities, focus on the things that will bring you joy and just let the small stuff go. Also, pick the right vendors. I am an organized person by nature, but we were really proud of how little stress we had leading up to the event and how seamlessly it all came together in the end. Once we booked our team, everything came together easily because each vendor was great at their job. 

The Wedding Team:Photography – Erin Prado for Vivian Chen Photography
Day Of Coordinator – They So Loved Events
Venue – Stable Cafe
Floral Design – Ash and Oak
Catering – Nopalito SF
Desserts – GoodchildrenSF
DJ – DJ Sami of Heart of Gold DJs
Invitation Design – Virginia Brown Art
Wedding Dress – Mestiza NY
Groom’s Suit – Zegna
Makeup Artist + Hair Styling – Dreamcatcher Artistry
Rings – No. 3 Fine Jewelry
Rentals – AM Party Rentals

 

Congratulations to Beth and Patrick on their charming and intimate Stable Cafe wedding. And big thanks to Erin Prado for capturing every sweet and memorable moment of their big day.

 

 

Beautifully Intimate Joshua Tree Micro Wedding

Beautifully Intimate Joshua Tree Micro Wedding

by | May 29, 2022 | Wedding

Beautifully Intimate Joshua Tree Micro Wedding

There’s something enchanting about tying the knot in the heart of the desert, surrounded by your closest friends, family, and the beautiful cacti-filled landscape. When it came time to plan their wedding, Chara and Peter knew that a Joshua Tree micro wedding was the perfect decision. The two said “I do” at Indian Cove Amphitheater in the national park before taking an old-school Cadillac over to Ace Hotel Palm Springs–the hotel they stayed at the night they got engaged.

With the help of planner Grace and Gold Events, the 70s inspired reception was complete with disco balls, concert-inspired signs, burnt orange and pink florals from Desert Rose Creative, and a balloon wall. And if that wasn’t cool enough, Chara changed into a silk mini dress with a feathered purse and a customized thrifted denim jacket that Peter painted himself.

From the dreamy desert ceremony to the epic portraits around Joshua Tree’s local landmarks, photographer Brandi Potter did an amazing job of capturing the casually cool vibes of the minimony. So if you’re looking for proof that micro weddings can be just as unique as large affairs, keep scrolling.

The Couple:

Chara and Peter

The Wedding:

Joshua Tree National Park, California, United States

Why A Joshua Tree Micro Wedding

We chose Joshua Tree for our ceremony because there’s something so energetic and mystical about that area in the desert. We love it so much and wanted to share it with our guests–most of whom had never been there. We also chose the Ace Hotel and Swim Club for our reception space because that’s where we were staying the night we got engaged.

A Memorable Letter From The Bride’s Father

Chara’s father gave her an old envelope before they left for the ceremony and told her to read it later. So when we got back to our room to freshen up before the reception, she decided to read it. The envelope contained a handwritten letter that her father wrote to her the day she was born to give her on her wedding day. It’s something she’ll cherish forever.

 

Working With Photographer Brandi Potter

Our photographer Brandi is a true gem and dream to work with. We knew what to expect the day of because she also did our engagement photos. She really understood that we weren’t looking for typical wedding photos that are stiff and overly produced. We wanted to make sure that our photos really captured who we are as a couple, and boy, did she deliver.

The Wedding Team:

Photography & Videography – Brandi Potter
Event Planning – Grace and Gold Events
Ceremony Venue – Joshua Tree National Park
Reception Venue – Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Floral Design – Desert Rose Creative
Cake – Over the Rainbow Desserts
Wedding Dress – Daughters of Simone
Bridal Accessories – Catbird NYC & Loeffler Randall
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Shona Joy
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Apparel – J. Crew
Rings – Anna Sheffield
Rentals – Planks & Patina

 

Congratulations again to Chara and Peter on their Joshua Tree micro wedding. And a big thank you to photographer Brandi Potter for sharing the special day with us. To nail down your own unique, intimate affair, be sure to check out our guide to hosting a creative micro wedding!

 

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Creative and Unique Safari Park Wedding

Creative and Unique Safari Park Wedding

by | May 1, 2022 | Wedding

Kimberly and David’s San Diego Safari Park wedding ticks all the right boxes of a magical and extraordinary celebration. Modeled after the African Serengeti and the vast expanse of the Asian plains, what’s more spectacular than saying “I do” surrounded by amazing wildlife, a tropical lagoon, and lush savanna? With panoramic views of the park and San Pasqual Valley, the couple exchanged emotional vows with the most idyllic backdrop. 

The reception that followed at the Kijami pavilion is reminiscent of a luxurious South African lodge with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, a baobab tree bar, a cozy outdoor lounge, and gorgeous safari-inspired accents. Floral arrangements by Simply Put Designs that echoed the colors of the savanna, along with emerald and gold tablescape details, added the right touch of glamor. The same deep jewel tone from the groom’s suit and wedding party attire beautifully tied in with the natural surroundings. 

The couple truly made their wedding dreams come true by tying the knot at one of their favorite places and sharing the experience with their loved ones. Scroll down to see every unforgettable detail of this San Diego Safari Parkwedding as captured by Sara Whitaker.

The Couple:

Kimberly and David

The Wedding:

San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego, California, United States

The Sweetest First Look

The most memorable part of our wedding was seeing my husband for the first time during our first look. It was great having that time just to calm both of our nerves and soak in the emotions.

A Personalized Ceremony

I loved how personal our vows were. Choosing our officiant to be one of our close friends was great because he knows how our love has grown.

Keeping A Loved One’s Memory Alive

My father passed away, and my Maid of Honor surprised me with a bridal locket with his photo to add to my bouquet. It was very nice having that. 

Why A San Diego Safari Park Wedding

We chose the San Diego Safari Park because it is one of our favorite places to go in our free time. My husband and I both love to travel. It just seemed like the perfect place. 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Desert Born Studios
Ceremony Venue – San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Floral Design – Simply Put Designs
Cake – Flour Power
DJ – Electric Entertainment DJs
Videography – Pause Creative Collective
Invitation Design – Magnet Street
Makeup Artist – Makeup By Rachel Xoxo
Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Apparel – Friar Tux

 

Congratulations to Kimberly and David on their creative and unique San Diego Safari Park wedding. And big thanks to Sara Whitaker for capturing and sharing these breathtaking photos with us. 

Choosing a venue will be one of the first wedding planning decisions you will make. Explore our list of unique venues and just like Kimberly and David, feel free to get creative when finding the one that’s right for you and your partner.

 

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Fun and Intimate Winery SF Wedding

Fun and Intimate Winery SF Wedding

by | Apr 24, 2022 | Wedding

It’s been quite the wild ride since the pandemic started, especially for those planning a wedding. After postponing their date three times, Jen and Ihab decided to quickly tie the knot shortly after finding a venue they loved. With a postcard view of San Francisco in the background and 60 of their closest friends and family, their fun and intimate Winery SF wedding was one for the books.

The couple had their ceremony right outside the winery, with the Bay Bridge as the picture-perfect backdrop. The groom rocked a navy suit while the bride looked radiant in her crystal-embellished long sleeve blush dress. In a touching tribute, she carried the memory of her dad with a photo locket pinned to her bouquet. Not to mention their kids played a significant role in their celebration as they each walked with them down the aisle. 

The good time didn’t stop there. After the ceremony, they all headed into the barrel room for their reception. Their guests enjoyed freshly made wood-fired pizza, and the ice cream truck was a delicious surprise! From the vintage furniture and decor to the barrel wall and string lights, it was a unique urban setting with a relaxed, cozy vibe. Scroll down to be entirely inspired by these incredible photos of their big day, all beautifully captured by Junebug member Apollo Fotografie.

The Couple:

Jen and Ihab

The Wedding:

Winery SF, San Francisco, California

Recommended Reading: Dazzling Bridal and Wedding Lockets for Bouquets

Putting Together An intimate Winery SF Wedding Quickly

We wanted something different, and a friend told me about Winery SF on Treasure Island. As soon as we saw it, we knew it was the right place. Plus, they had dates available, which was an added plus since we were putting the wedding together quickly.

Keeping Their Guest List Small

We wanted a more intimate wedding, so we kept it under 60 people. We wanted to spend time with everyone who came, and this was possible because of the number of people present. We are proud of how nicely everything flowed and that everything went as planned. It was a great night celebrating with our family and friends, especially after not seeing so many people for so long.

Memorable Moments With Their Kids

The most memorable part of the day was having our two kids be part of the ceremony and celebration. Our three-year-old walked her dad down the aisle, and our six-year-old walked me down the aisle because my dad passed years prior to the wedding. Our kids kept coming up to us, and we were holding our daughter during the vows because she wanted to be with us. During our first dance, both kids came and joined us on their own (not planned), making for a really special and memorable moment. The kids might have stolen the show!

Be Flexible: Advice From The Newlyweds

We had to be very flexible since the date got moved three times due to the pandemic. The dessert option had to be because of this, and Ihab’s suit didn’t arrive until the day before the wedding, which made for some nice scrambling, and a potential backup suit needed to be found. Try to be as flexible as possible, knowing that it will all fall into place.

Unexpected Wedding Menu: Pizza And Ice Cream

We had a variety of salads and pizzas, and they kept coming out fresh from the oven. Everyone found something they liked, and it was very easy but delicious! We didn’t want a traditional cake for dessert, so we went with an ice cream truck. The truck was adorable, and the ice cream was delicious. We both love ice cream, so it was special to us.

Working With Junebug Member Apollo Fotografie

Our photographer Apollo Fotografie was flexible, funny, easy-going, and made the whole process really easy. She did a great job capturing our personality and the mood and helped make things feel not too posed.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Apollo Fotografie
Venue – Winery SF
Floral Design – Wild Flower and Fern
Catering – Soleil Wood Fired Pizza
Dessert – Hometown Creamery
Live Music – John Paul Hodge
Invitation Design – Paperless Post
Makeup Artist – Lash Out Loud Beauty Bar
Hair Styling – Heather Dean
Groom’s Apparel – Suit Supply
Rings – Crown Nine Jewelry 

 

Congratulations to Jen and Ihab on their fun and intimate Winery SF wedding. And big thanks to Junebug member Apollo Fotografie for capturing all the love and happiness on their beautiful day surrounded by their family, friends, and adorable children. To see more of their incredible photography, check out their profile in our directory of wedding photographers from around the world!

 

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Forest, Ocean, And A Beautiful Beach Elopement *

Forest, Ocean, And A Beautiful Beach Elopement *

by | Jan 16, 2022 | Wedding

If you’re trying to decide between a forest, ocean, or beach elopement you should pick all three just like this couple. Chris and David wanted an adventurous elopement that was made up of special moments and stunning scenery. Making Big Sur, California the perfect “I do” location—a picture-perfect backdrop without distracting from the main event, their love. 

Photographer Heather K Purdy captured every powerful moment, from exchanging “I do’s” amongst the rugged California coastline to celebrating with a champagne shower on the beach. Though these moments took center stage, they still used fashion and soft floral boutonnieres by Cassia Foret as a way to add personality in a subtle and show-stopping way. 

If you’re searching for simple personality-filled elopement inspiration, look no further. This jaw-dropping beach elopement is the perfect place to start pulling your inspiration from. 

The Couple:

Chris and David

The Wedding:

Big Sur, California

The Power Of Eloping 

We wanted to make sure that we made it about David and I. We ended up choosing to elope because our wedding planning was becoming about everyone else. We wanted to prioritize our love and we wouldn’t change a thing. 

Little Moments That Made For A Memorable Beach Elopement 

One of the most memorable moments was walking along the beach and spotting a random butterfly made of shells. David and I both have very important late relatives whom we associate with butterflies. It was very special and neither of us said a word when we came across it; we just looked at one another and knew.

 

Plans Changed Due To COVID

We were supposed to get married in Amsterdam spring of 2020. We had to cancel all of our plans due to the pandemic and decided to just wait till things felt right. We had always wanted to drive the Pacific Coastal Highway in California and Big Sur has always seemed like a dream. It all just fell into place and was more amazing than we could ever have imagined.

Working With Heather K Purdy 

Heather K Purdy is incredible. We actually met the day before our wedding and she invited us to lunch the day after. So, we basically saw her everyday that we were in Big Sur and still keep in touch. I’m a photographer myself, and working with Heather could not have been more amazing. I released all control and she made our moments even more memorable.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Heather K Purdy
Floral Design – Cassia Foret

 

Congratulations to Chris and David on their simple Big Sur beach elopement. And big thanks to photographer Heather K Purdy for preserving these precious, intimate moments that adventurous wedding planning couples can draw elopement inspiration from. 

We’re here to remind you that choosing an elopement-styled ceremony doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a beautiful wedding day. There are endless ways to incorporate your personality like Chris and David. After finalizing a budget and selecting a destination, find a wedding photographer you can trust to capture your love story. 

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