We’ve s been publishing beautiful wedding features for the past ten years. Here are a few our favorites right here in Marin.
Caitlin Johnson + Jason Fuesrt
MARIN ART AND GARDEN CENTER, ROSS, SEPTEMBER 29, 2018
CALL IT PUPPY love. Sparks flew when Caitlin and Jason met at UC Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine, resulting in a long-term relationship strong enough to survive schooling, multiple internships and moves. But when the couple both snagged spots in a residency in Columbus, Ohio, and bought a home together, it was time to take things to the next level. “I was brainstorming silly ways to propose, but he beat me to it,” Caitlin says. On a trip home to Marin, he got down on one knee on the bow of a Richardson Bay–bound sailboat, a surprise replete with a cameo by Caitlin’s sister and a subsequent dinner at Jardinière. Then came a two-and-a-half-year engagement — plenty of time to plan a dream wedding in Marin, even from a distance. The Marin Art and Garden Center offered a mix of outdoor and accessible, with special touches from the couple’s loved ones. “From the seating escort piece to the plant favors and display piece, the signs, the lighting — all of it was a family effort,” says Caitlin. “That’s all stuff that goes on behind the scenes, and people don’t necessarily think about it, but nearly everything was made and arranged by loving family members. And that says a lot about us and our family.” For Jason, though, it began and ended with Caitlin. “I loved the ceremony,” he says. “I got to stare into her eyes while everyone celebrated our love, and I was the happiest I have ever felt knowing that I was actually, officially marrying the most incredible woman in my life.” The euphoria continued at the after-party, at a local bar. “It wasn’t exactly the cleanest venue, but there was my beautiful new wife traipsing around in her pristine wedding dress, having a blast and not caring about keeping everything perfect,” he says.
VENUE: Marin Art and Garden Center
PHOTOGRAPHY: George Street Photo and Video
FLORAL: Vanda Floral Designs
DRESS: Madison James
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Bloom and Blush
MUSIC: San Francisco Amethyst Trio, Bluedge Productions
REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE: Wildfox Restaurant
CATERING: Carrie Dove Catering
Reny Preussker + Paul Huelskamp
CUSHING MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATRE, MILL VALLEY, OCTOBER 27, 2017
AS A PROFESSIONAL photographer, Reny Preussker is expert at worthwhile captures. But while she was photographing a friend’s wedding, it was Paul who spotted her. “She was trying her best to blend into the background, and she was certainly not trying to solicit advances from the guests in attendance,” says Paul. “But on this particular night, she failed miserably at going unnoticed.” A post-event Facebook message (to Reny, from Paul) resulted in a first date. “We agreed on Monk’s Kettle, and as I nervously walked in, I found him sitting center at the bar with a big smile on his face,” Reny says. “I wish I had my camera then.” Though the couple resides in Pacific Heights, a very Marin proposal — think Bolinas Ridge on Christmas morning, after a lengthy hike — led to a wedding that was something of an ode to Mill Valley, Reny’s hometown. “I wrote a college thesis on the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre at UC Berkeley and thought it could be the perfect location for a unique, memorable and surprisingly intimate ceremony,” says Reny, who, to be sure, also had the would-be fantastical photographs in mind. “I had my doubts,” says Paul of the venue. But the first time they hiked down the path together, he knew “that if we were lucky enough for decent weather, it would be nothing short of magical.” Because they wanted to have the reception at Mill Valley’s Outdoor Art Club, dates were limited, which meant the wedding fell on a Friday, allowing visiting guests ample time to take in the town, an undertaking aided by a rehearsal dinner at the since-closed El Paseo. “The candlelit ambience was spectacular, and the outdoor patio was the perfect way to introduce the guests to Mill Valley’s charm,” Reny says. After the peak-side ceremony, the newlyweds wound down the mountain in the back of a 1947 Packard convertible limousine, and when they arrived at the reception, Reny took to the stage to sing Shania Twain’s “From This Moment On” — one of Paul’s favorite moments of the night. “Reny caught my attention the first day I met her, and she has held it ever since.”
VENUES: Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre; the Outdoor Art Club,
EVENT COORDINATOR: Alice Spitalny
PHOTOGRAPHY: Alyssa Hagan, Feather and North
VIDEOGRAPHY: Tim Williams, timwphotovideo.com
FLORAL: Annabella Eriksson, Mill Valley Flowers
DRESS: Anomalie
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Adrianna Papell, Monique Lhuillier
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Milvali Salon
MUSIC: The Lucky Devils
INVITATIONS: Paperless Post
REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE: El Paseo
June Yokell + Steven Andresen
SERVINO RISTORANTE, TIBURON, JUNE 18,2016
WHILE IT WASN’T romantic at the time, June and Steven made a connection at California College of Arts and Crafts (now known as California College of the Arts) that proved lasting. They met at the school in 1972 when Steven was a grad student in painting and June a transfer student in the core program; he was friends with June’s then-boyfriend. After graduating, Steven worked as a picture framer, June brought him her work to be framed, but other than that they each went about their lives and their art careers — he painting and teaching in the East Bay, she doing the same in Marin — for 20 years. It wasn’t until 2011 that their paths really crossed again and the platonic connection became much more. When it came to their wedding, they were likewise head over heels. “We loved the food! We loved our cake! We loved our flowers! We loved our photographer!” June says. Many in attendance were also artists, including some affiliated with this magazine: frequent Marin contributing photographer Todd Pickering shot the wedding, and the bride herself was one of our cover contest finalists in 2015. For a venue, the couple chose Servino Ristorante in Tiburon. “It’s a beautiful place,” June says; “we liked the room where everything would be held, we liked looking out on the water, we loved the food, and we loved working with the events coordinator, Donna Nicoletti.” Highlights included the bride’s 94-year-old dad walking her down the aisle and something else truly unique — one guest phoned his wife during the party so everyone could watch her demonstrate a Japanese coal miner’s dance, to a song by the Rolling Stones.
VENUE: Servino Ristorante, Tiburon
EVENT PLANNING AND DESIGN: Donna Nicoletti at Servino
PHOTOGRAPHY: Todd Pickering
FLORAL: Karen Rossi at Good Earth Natural Foods, Fairfax
MUSIC: DJ Michael Cochran
DRESS: Sundance
GROOM’S SUIT: The Men’s Wearhouse
HAIR: Wendy Sanchez
INVITATIONS: Wedding Paper Divas
CAKE: Branching Out Cakes
Leigh Walker + Max Weinberg
SAN GERONIMO GOLF COURSE, SAN GERONIMO, OCTOBER 11, 2015
IT MAKES SENSE that our very own digital content editor would be an early adopter when it comes to online dating — even if it happened unwittingly. “Max and I met through our mutual friend Chris, but via AOL instant messenger,” the bride admits. “Chris had moved up to Marin from Santa Cruz, got my screen name and passed it along to Max when we were 13.” Fast-forward to when Max graduates from college and moves north, and the childhood crush becomes a relationship — this time off screen. Within half a year of moving in together, the couple was engaged and looking for a place to wed. “We toured quite a few wedding venues around Marin before landing at San Geronimo Golf Course. It just seemed to fit perfectly into our garden theme,” says Leigh. Max adds, “The venue was very flexible and responsive to our needs and provided us with a sense of comfort and completeness. It didn’t feel like a golf course.” Actually, several unions took place at their wedding — theirs, and their sensibilities’ and backgrounds’. “The wedding was a sort of modern and only somewhat traditional Jewish ceremony,” says Max. “For Max, the use of technology really was evident,” Leigh adds. “His vows were on his phone.” They both used their skills and talents to enhance the day: “I designed all the signs for the wedding and created an I Spy game for every table,” Leigh says. “Max, who designs and develops video games, created a coloring book for the little kids who attended.” It was a day of abundance in many respects, from guests and speeches to food and feelings. “I was a nervous wreck until the ketubah (contract) signing,” Leigh recalls. “Once I saw Max, all my worries vanished, as did the knot in my stomach.” With all the elements and planning that go into a wedding, it’s easy to forget what matters, but she strove not to: “I tried my best to take it all in, and I feel like I accomplished that.”
VENUE/CATERING: San Geronimo Golf Course, San Geronimo
PHOTOGRAPHER: Vinh Nguyen Photography
VIDEOGRAPHER: Major Diamond Productions, San Francisco
FLOWERS: Vanda Floral, Petaluma
CHUPPAH: Miracle Chuppahs, San Francisco
DRESS: Essence of Australia, Wine Country Bride, Santa Rosa
MAKEUP: Marcela of Fresh Face Makeup, San Francisco
HAIR: Alba Alvarado of Alba Salon, San Rafael
GROOM/GROOMSMEN SUITS: Pronto Uomo, Men’s Wearhouse
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: David’s Bridal
INVITATIONS: Wedding Paper Divas
WEBSITE: maxandleigh.com
Katherine Walker + Bryan Vercler
THE LYFORD HOUSE, TIBURON, AUGUST 8, 2015
IT’S SAID THAT clothes make the man, but in this couple’s case, they helped make a man into a groom. Katherine and Bryan met during their last year of college in Chicago while working at neighboring restaurants. Bryan was a maître d’, and personality aside, something else caught Katherine’s attention: “He was the only 21-year-old I knew who wore a suit each night, and that worked for me.” After becoming engaged, they planned on marrying in a downtown Chicago loft, but then Katherine was offered a design opportunity in San Francisco at Google’s Brand Studio. They packed their bags, headed west and fell in love with the Golden State — particularly Marin: exploring one weekend, they knew this was where they wanted friends and family to watch them wed. An unplanned detour led them to the Lyford House, which left them breathless. “We instantly knew it was the venue for us,” Katherine says. “It felt comfortable, but also gorgeous — very much California. Truly viewtiful.” Another appealing element: “We also liked the fact that our money would go to supporting the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary,” she says. For the party, their music reflected the traditional “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”: “Being from Chicago, we had a heavy bluesinspired (blue) song list, most notably the Blues Brothers’ “Sweet Home Chicago” (old home) and Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” (new home),” Katherine says. “Our band, the Speakeasies, brought a soulful sound.” They further celebrated the “new” with the food: “Everything on the menu was sourced from California. Oysters from Tomales Bay, wine from Sonoma, charcuterie and cheeses from Petaluma, and handmade pies from the Mission District.” After the ceremony, they surprised guests with 50 In-N-Out cheeseburgers on the shuttle back into S.F. “We knew we’d want them, so we got them for everyone,” Katherine says.
VENUE: The Lyford House, Tiburon
CATERING: Delicious Catering, San Rafael
OYSTERS: The Oyster Girls, Tomales Bay
DESSERTS: Mission Pie, San Francisco
PHOTOGRAPHER: Roger Ellsworth
MUSIC: The Speakeasies,
FLOWERS: Violetta Flowers, San Francisco
DRESS: Jill Stuart for BHLDN
GROOM’S SUIT: Indochino deep indigo cotton suit
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Eliza J beaded print chiffon maxi dress
BRIDE’S MAN OF HONOR: Ralph Lauren suit
WEBSITE: katherineandbryan.com
Tricia Kanne + Jim Cegielnik
MOUNTAIN HOME INN, MILL VALLEY, OCTOBER 3, 2015
PICKING A VENUE for your big day that meets all specifications (size, cost, availability, appearance) can be a stressful ordeal, but for this quintessential Marin couple, the Mountain Home Inn was a no-brainer. “The views from the outdoor deck down into Marin and the bay are unreal,” says the groom. The newlyweds, who went to Neil Cummings Elementary and then Hall Middle School together, also shared fond childhood memories of their wedding site. Tricia recalls driving along the Panoramic Highway past the inn, listening to Pearl Jam with her dad, and hiking down into Muir Woods; Jim passed it every weekend on the way to Stinson Beach, where he would spend time with his grandfather and where he first learned how to surf at age 11. Surfing actually helped bring the two together in their adult life: four years before they tied the knot, Jim was racing out to Rodeo Beach to surf after work and spotted Tricia walking her dog. On their first date they went to the Sand Dollar in Stinson Beach, surfed in Bolinas and admitted to having had crushes on each other in junior high. Jim proposed to Tricia at the Sand Dollar after a day of surfing, and the two started wedding planning soon after. Their similar sensibilities show when they reflect on the day’s highlights. “In my sister’s speech,” Tricia says, “she spoke of how Jim has miraculously won the affection of her overly hesitant dog, Reef, and that Jim is now ‘in the inner circle.’ ” Jim adds, “I’d say two big highlights (besides seeing my beautiful bride) were listening to Tricia’s father and sister’s speeches at dinner. They were both so genuine and sweet — their words of welcoming me into their family were truly touching.” To create a casual atmosphere for the occasion, Tricia made most of the decorations by hand and the couple’s friends contributed their skills as photographer, DJ, officiant and cake maker. Anything they would have done differently? “We wouldn’t have sweated the small stuff,” Jim says. “And would have given ourselves a little more time to plan.”
VENUE/CATERING: Mountain Home Inn
CAKE: Woodbine Bakery, 415.453.1811
PHOTOGRAPHER: Sarah Peet
MUSIC: DJ Adam Twelve, [email protected]
FLOWERS: Mill Valley Flower Shop
DRESS: Julie Ireland
INVITATIONS: minted.com
WEBSITE: triciaandjimsayido.weddingwoo.com
Karena Hillaire + Matthew Cosby
BAY CLUB STONETREE, NOVATO, JULY 5,2014
EVEN HIGH SCHOOL sweethearts hit speed bumps on the road to love. Matthew met Karena in 2001 at Hyde School, a boarding school in Woodstock, Connecticut. Unfortunately, he met her friend first. “Matt dated one of my friends for a couple months. A year later, when we thought everyone had moved on, Matt and I starting hanging out and one night we kissed,” Karena says. “My friend got mad, so I told Matt we couldn’t hang out anymore.” Six years passed, and one day Matt met Karena again, this time on Facebook. “We spoke every day for two weeks, and he invited me out to California,” says Karena, who was living in New York at the time. “We spent three days getting to know each other again, and I told him I loved him via text on the plane home. He texted it back right away.” After six months of long-distance dating, Karena moved to Marin. “I knew I couldn’t propose in a traditional way, because Karena would freak — she hates surprises,” says Matt. The couple picked out a ring together, and that night Matt popped the question in their bedroom. They quickly decided on a Marin wedding, as Karena wanted out-of-town guests to feel the same magic she’d encountered as a newcomer. Bay Club StoneTree was ideal for the ceremony. “It was close to our home in Marinwood, and Matt’s family is made up of golfers,” says Karena. “Plus, StoneTree is stunning — the grounds, the view, everything screams top-notch.” It was an Africanstyle ceremony: “We tasted four flavors, which represented each emotion you will experience in a marriage: lemon represents sourness, vinegar is bitterness, cayenne is heat and honey is sweetness,” Matt says. The ceremony itself was emotional — Karena enjoyed the first dance with her father, who is paralyzed; her military sister, stationed in South Korea, was able to attend; Matt’s 9-year-old nephew surprised the couple with a speech; and a couple who’d been separated for years celebrated finding one another :again. “I think God planted a seed the night we kissed,” Matt says.
VENUE: Bay Club StoneTree
COORDINATOR: Kalena Brose, Kalena Brose Event Planning and Design
PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Maganis, MGM Photography
VIDEOGRAPHER: Tim Wilkerson, Share the Road Videography
MUSIC Natalie Gee, photobeats.com
FLORIST: Bryce Loutsch, Vanda Floral Design
DRESS: Martina Liana, Novella Bridal
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Dessy
INVITATIONS: Minted
MAKEUP: Brittney Lee, makeupbybrilee.com
Serene Moussa & Conor Buckley
ST. VINCENT’S SCHOOL FOR BOYS, SAN RAFAEL, OCTOBER 22, 2008
AS HIGH SCHOOL sweethearts in Marin, both Serene Moussa and Conor Buckley knew they wanted to get married at a beautiful place in the area. The other criteria? Someplace big to accommodate Conor’s big Irish family, Serene’s family traveling here from Egypt, and the large network of friends they’ve accrued over a lifetime in Marin.
After getting engaged on their ten-year dating anniversary, they knew where to look for the big day: Last year, Conor had volunteered at St. Vincent’s, a school for troubled boys in San Rafael. “It’s a place that not many people are aware of, unless they are a part of the community,” says Serene.
The couple also loved the old-world romantic feeling of the St. Vincent’s church. They added a few simple touches to accentuate the feeling: huge dahlias floated in the fountain, and they lined the aisle with freestanding wrought-iron candelabras, packed with white loose flowers and entwined with ivy trailing to the floor. After the ceremony the candelabras lit the courtyard for the reception.
“You get transported to another time when you are there,” says Serene. “All of the vendors did such a great job in transforming that space into something magical. Seeing everything come together, I just thought, ‘Wow!’”
The ceremony, conducted inside the chapel, included the Loving Cup ceremony, an ancient Celtic tradition that recognizes the anam cara, or soul friend, in one another. At the reception, each guest was greeted at the table with a peacock feather (the color palette of the party), favors that were soon tucked behind ears or into lapels as people moved to the music. At one point a belly dancer appeared, paying homage to Serene’s Palestinian roots. “It was a great eclectic mix of younger people and older people,” says Serene. “I have aerial shots of the crowd. There isn’t one person not on the dance floor!”
Underscoring their celebration of integrated themes from around the world, the couple danced their first dance to an upbeat song by the Spanish singer Manu Chao called “Trapped by Love,” which is partly in Spanish and partly in French. “It reflected the whole melding of cultures,” says Serene.
VENUE: St. Vincent’s School for Boys, San Rafael
PHOTOGRAPHER: Rosemarie Lion, 707.766.6955
CATERER: altacuisine, 415.898.3230
CAKE: Branching Out, Jill Branch, Corte Madera, 415.924.0198
FLOWERS: Waterlily Pond, San Francisco, 415.377.4435
WINE VENDOR: Rick’s Wine Cellar
DAY-OF COORDINATOR: Jill Guiomar, Eventful Days, Castro Valley, 510.537.4978
DRESS: Amsale, 800.765.0170
Kim Chapot + Eric Schmitt
ST. VINCENT’S SCHOOL FOR BOYS, SAN RAFAEL, JULY 27, 2013
IT DIDN’T TAKE Kim and Eric long to find each other — the high school sweethearts met and fell in love during their sophomore year at Marin Catholic and were each other’s dates for junior and senior prom. “We grew extremely close our senior year of high school and before I left for college in San Diego, I knew I was going to marry Kim,” says Eric. Kim’s mutual assuredness happened when her mother fell ill and was taken to the hospital. “When Eric found out that we were there, he waited in the parking lot for hours until I came out,” says Kim. “He had collected a bunch of little things that reminded me of my childhood, and it was so comforting that he knew what would make me feel better.” Soon after, Eric proposed on the roof of their first shared apartment in San Francisco, where they took in the lights and discussed the ideal ceremony, which would take place the following July at St. Vincent’s School for Boys. The food was easy — chef Heidi Krahling, a longtime friend of the groom’s family, catered via her San Anselmo restaurant Insalata’s. Both bride and groom describe the meal as one of the best they’ve ever had. They also agree that they wouldn’t change a thing about the event; Eric credits Kim for the ceremony’s success. “Everything about it was so special,” he says. “Kim put so much effort and thought behind everything, and everyone who came saw it.” Personal details, like a cake in the likeness of their French bulldog Cooper, ensured the event was uniquely “Kim and Eric.” “The best part of the entire wedding, for me, was walking down the aisle and keeping my eyes on Eric,” says Kim. “As soon as I saw him, all my nerves went away.”
VENUE: St. Vincent’s School for Boys
COORDINATOR: Lindsey Relyea
PHOTOGRAPHER: Allyson Wiley
FLORIST: Marcia, Main Street Floragardens
CATERING: Insalata’s
DRESS: Modern Trousseau
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Jenny Yoo Collection,
INVITATIONS: Bella Figura,
MUSIC: Chris Fox, Boutique DJs
HAIR: Sloan, Showroom 383 Salon
MAKEUP: Danielle, Laura Mercier
PRE-WEDDING SITE: weddingwire.com
Kathleen McEwen + Raymond Cage
MARIN CIVIC CENTER, SAN RAFAEL, FEBRUARY 28, 2013
KATE AND RAYMOND’S initial interaction was the quintessential meet-cute — the two met while enjoying solo lunches at the Buckeye Roadhouse on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, which meant Cupid was working overtime, considering Kate was living in Washington state. “We sat next to each other, me with my pulled pork sandwich, Raymond with his Oysters Bingo. He was rather taken with my enthusiasm towards my sandwich,” says Kate. Mutual admiration bloomed and soon Kate relocated her flower business to Marin with a commitment and an eventual wedding in the plans. “I just didn’t want my days to not include him; there was this emptiness without him in my life. He’s quite special,” says Kate. “Plus, he has season tickets to the Giants.” Kate and Raymond settled into their life together, renovating their home and the Kate’s Blossoms studio, and one Saturday afternoon the couple decided they would wed the following week. After reserving their license and service at the Marin County courthouse, they took to the phones to share their “save the dates” for the reception at Cavallo Point’s Murray Circle, a location Kate chose from her experience designing weddings there. “As we began to plan the ceremony, we knew we just wanted the two of us at the service. The reception part was easy — knowing firsthand how magical this location is at the mouth of the Gate, there was no other choice for us,” says Kate. Twenty-eight other guests joined the newlyweds at their after-party, with toasts being a favorite moment. “Kathleen’s brother toasted us on behalf of her family and our friend Kirk toasted us on behalf of all friends present,” says Raymond. “We still have lumps in our throats from the love shared with us that day.” Although the couple enjoyed the reception, Raymond does have one regret: “While one serving of scallops was plenty, I really should have ordered two servings,” he says. But he certainly doesn’t regret taking his vows. “Life is never dull with Kate,” he says. “And I can’t fall asleep unless she’s snoring next to me.”
CEREMONY: Marin Civic Center
RECEPTION: Murray Circle Restaurant at Cavallo Point
PHOTOGRAPHER: Sabine Scherer
FLORIST: Kate’s Blossoms, katesblossoms.com
DRESS: Adrianna Papell
INVITATIONS: Paper Source
LINEN: La Tavola Line
Lita Collins + Chris McNamara,
MILL VALLEY, MAY 21, 2011
ACCORDING to groom Chris McNamara, he’d been working up the courage to ask out the beautiful and charming Lita Collins since they were 11. An extreme sports enthusiast, Chris is not timid by nature: He has jumped 3,000-foot cliffs and set rock climbing records. But taking the leap of courtship was a bit more daunting. “Timing is everything,” he says. “We went to middle school and high school together, and Lita even spent two summers working at my parents’ newspaper.” However, there was no official romance until they ran into each other a few years ago and sparks flew.
Lita, now a real estate agent with Frank Howard Allen in Greenbrae, remembers the moment she realized they would get married. Daylight saving time had just started, so it was dark and cold out. “We met for a cozy glass of wine at Vascos in downtown Mill Valley, and while we were talking with Paul, the owner, I realized that I was indeed going to marry Chris McNamara,” Lita says. “It felt very exciting and calming at the same time.”
Few other couples have utilized the entire downtown of Mill Valley for their wedding day as Chris and Lita did. Chris had the idea of a pre-ceremony town stroll, which not everyone was keen on upon hearing about it. “People tried to talk us out of it, but it was my favorite part, hands down,” he says. The couple’s celebration started with a stop at La Coppa Coffee to say hello to Ishmael, their favorite barista; next they visited Evan and Ronnie at The Store; and then they posed with their flower girl at Mill Valley Market.
The couple’s ceremony and reception were held at the Outdoor Art Club, and it ended that evening at the Balboa Cafe. “We asked our favorite bartender Brenden to stay open late that night,” recalls Lita, “so we got to finish the night with him — and his delicious cocktails!”
VENUE: Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, outdoorartclub.org
PHOTOGRAPHER: Ashley Tilly Davis, ashleydavisphotography.com
CATERING: Betty Zlatchin Catering, bettyzlatchin.com
PLANNER: AJ Pell at Peridot Events, peridot-events.com
CAKE: flourChylde Bakery, flourchylde.com
FLORIST: Main Street Floragardens, mainstfloragardens.com
MUSIC: Spencer Sutherland, sutherlandmusic.com
DRESS: L’Ezu, lezu.com
SUIT: Hugo Boss, hugoboss.com
HAIR: Dagaz Salon, dagazsalon.com
Megan Keane + Curtis Tuggle,
ST. ANSELM CHURCH, SAN ANSELMO, AUGUST 27, 2011
Who invited the frat guys?” was Megan Keane’s first exchange with Curtis Tuggle, a friend of a friend who showed up at her 25th birthday party in a popped pink polo carrying a 24-pack. “You,” was his quick response. Unexpectedly, their verbal sparring resulted in a four-month romance.
“Then life happened, and we went in different directions,” says Megan. Three years later, Curtis insisted Megan join him at a summer barbecue, which led to romantic walks in San Anselmo, Megan’s hometown — which eventually led to an engagement on the Matt Davis Trail above Stinson Beach.
“I knew early on that I wanted to marry Meg,” says Curtis. “Her wit, spunk, beauty, strong will and overall zest for life made me want to be around her all the time. So I did the only thing that seemed logical; I locked her in for life.”
Holding their reception at the San Francisco Theological Seminary in the hills of San Anselmo was an easy decision. “When I showed Curtis the seminary and specifically the view from Geneva Terrace, he was hooked,” says Megan. “We wanted our guests to share in its magic, too.”
Highlights included Bishop Thomas Daly’s homily. “It was personal and funny,” says Megan. Others, she says, were “my dad and Curtis’s brother harmonizing to ‘The Wedding Song’ by Peter, Paul and Mary; the Irish sing-along after the cake was cut; everyone dancing under the stars, especially when ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ by Lionel Richie played in honor of my late mother, Sandy (she loved Lionel) — my siblings and I danced in a circle; it was wonderful. Lastly, our first dance, ‘You Make My Dreams Come True’ by Hall and Oates. Perfectly goofy and yet endearing. It was so us.”
VENUE: St. Anselm Church, saintanselm.org
PRIEST: Auxilary Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose, Thomas A. Daly
RECEPTION: San Francisco Theological Seminary, Geneva Terrace, sfts.edu
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jessamyn Photography, jessamynphotography.com
CATERING: Ann Walker Catering, annwalkercatering.com
FLOWERS: Frank’s Floral Shop, franksfloral.net
MUSIC: Brian Fitzsimmons, 21st Century Sounds, 21stcenturysounds.com
DRESS: Justin Alexander gown from Glamour Closet, glamourcloset.com
SUIT: Calvin Klein, Men’s Wearhouse, menswearhouse.com
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Eliza J, nordstrom.com
INVITATIONS: Ellie Bauman & Company, elliebauman.com
WEBSITE: Wedding Channel, keaneandtuggle.ourwedding.com
Danielle Grant + Chris Detrick,
RALSTON L. WHITE RETREAT, AUGUST 20, 2011
ALPHABETICAL order played a crucial role in the futures of Chris Detrick and Danielle Grant 14 years ago, in Ms. Partlow’s World History class at Redwood High School when Danielle, a self-described “serious student type” was seated right next to Chris, who was sporting at the time spiked hair with bleached blond tips and lots of punk jewelry. “If you had told either one of us then that we would end up together, I think we both would have called you crazy,” Danielle recalls.
Fast-forward 12 years to a Tuesday after a long day at work (the couple had been going out for eight years at this point), when Danielle settled in to watch one of her favorite shows, Murder She Wrote. Suddenly, to her chagrin, Chris appeared on the screen, and she thought he had recorded over her show. “I found the episode where Jessica Fletcher gets a marriage proposition and ‘green screened’ myself into the part where her suitor says, ‘The bride I had in mind was you, Jessica,’ ” says Chris.
The couple held their ceremony and reception at the Ralston L. White Retreat in Mill Valley. “Getting married on a heart-shaped lawn in the middle of the redwood trees with the peak of Mount Tamalpais as our backdrop was the ideal setting,” says Danielle, and they even gave redwood saplings as gifts to their guests.
Local KCBS news anchor (and Chris’s bandmate) Stan Bunger was ordained especially for the occasion; Danielle’s constant canine companion, Brutus, was in tow; and the couple spent months perfecting their own vows. “Our coordinator, Nichole, was amazing; she took care of every detail,” remembers Danielle. Another highlight was that many guests were able to spend the night. “We were able to have brunch and take a hike with our guests in the morning,” says Danielle. “It gave us a chance to spend more quality time with the people we love and don’t get to see often enough.”
VENUE: Ralston L. White Retreat
OFFICIANT: Stan Bunger, ordained online on ulchq.com
PHOTOGRAPHY: Linda Russell & Jarreau Lucien Cross, russellphoto.com
PLANNER: Nichole Kohake, Swank Events and Weddings
CATERING: An Affair to Remember,
CAKE: Gluten Free Wedding Cake from flourChylde Bakery
FLOWERS: Kate’s Blossoms
MUSIC: The Crymuscles, Greg Scott II, and Big Earl & the Cyrin’ Shames
INVITATIONS: Wedding Paper Divas, costco.com
DRESS: Maggie Sottero “Rhianna Royale” from La Boutique Des Brides
SUIT: Ermenegildo Zegna Black Tuxedo, Gene Hiller
HAIR: Wendy Sissel, A Line Salon
FAVORS: Coastal Redwood Tree Saplings for guests to plant, arborday.org
Erin Weideman + David Wright
INVERNESS, CALIFORNIA, 2011
Taking a break from studies at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, overlooking the convergence of the nearby three rivers, David Wright proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Erin Weideman. “While we weren’t sure about when we’d get married,” says Erin, “we knew where.” The ceremony would be at David’s grandparents’ home in Inverness. “David’s parents were married there,” Erin notes. “It is a beautiful property and we love the natural setting and its remoteness.” For David, gathering fruits and vegetables in his grandparents’ garden while growing up instilled a love of nature and an appreciation for the artistry of the surroundings. The couple (who now live in London) exchanged vows in the same tiered garden he had cultivated as a child, under a wood chuppah he hand-carved. The wedding cake, adorned with a pattern design his father created, was topped with a small elephant statue David had brought back from India for Erin years before. The personalized ceremony was officiated by longtime family friends Sam Chase and Jane Wattenberg. In a sign of the times, planning for this very low-tech wedding was facilitated via webcam meetings between Erin and Rosemary Hattenbach of Rosemary Special Events. “It was important for us to have as little impact on the environment as possible,” Erin adds. “I wanted it simple and elegant, with minimal use of cut flowers. It was important that the decor match the environment and the property. Rosemary was wonderful to work with. She was able to read us so well and make our wedding exactly as we imagined—if not better!”
PLANNER: Rosemary Hattenbach, rosemaryevents.com
FLOWERS: Nicole Sillapere, sillapere.com
CATERING: LRE Catering, livingroomevents.com
REHEARSAL DINNER: Manka’s Boathous, mankas.com
MUSIC: Ever Music group, evermusicgroup.com; Mood Swing Orchestra, moodswinglive.com
PHOTOGRAPHY: Alex Subrizi, subrizi.com; Kristen Loken, kristenloken.com
Peter Scott + Christina Hansen
TIBURON, CALIFORNIA, 2011
IN PLANNING THEIR WEDDING, Tiburon natives Peter Scott and Christina Hansen allowed each other two words or phrases to frame the spirit of the day. Peter picked “light” and “not stuffy.” Christina chose “elegant” and “not indoors.” “Water” was a given. The couple races together on 505 dinghies and were both junior sailors at the San Francisco Yacht Club; there’s even a 20-year-old framed photo of the pair (as friends) on the Golden Bear, Cal Sailing’s racing sloop when Peter was on the team. However, it was on dry land, at Tiburon’s Friday Nights on Main, after Christina returned from living in New York, that sparks officially flew. Fast-forward two years to a morning last October on the classic yacht Eros, floating off Angel Island. An intimate group, including Peter, took in the dynamic views, sun peeking through the fog, and ethereal strums of the harpist. “There was a very long wait for the bride,” he recalls. “But when the rowboat (ferried by her father) poked around the corner of the harbor, and I could see that Christina was dry and smiling…all was well.” For the lightness he’d envisioned, the ceremony included a poem, Jack Prelutsky’s “The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven,” read by Peter’s daughter Grace. Once the union was sealed with a kiss, Eros set sail. “There was a fair bit of fog as we sailed into the Pacific,” the groom recounts. “The wind was blowing nicely and the boat had the most wonderful feeling of freedom as we charged through the swell. A real sense of freedom and adventure surged through me as I thought of sailing into the future with my wife…a nice way to start a life together.”
VENUE: Eros yacht charter, Sugardock, Point Richmond
OFFICIATOR: Deputy Commissioner Steven H. Chase, F.A.D., County of Marin
PHOTOGRAPHER: Page Bertelsen Photography,Danielle Nelson Mourning
CATERER: Robin Scott Catering
CAKE: Emporio Rulli Bakery
MUSIC: harpist: Bertina Mitchell, soundofharp.com; cellist: Alex Kelly, alexkelly.com
BRIDE’S DRESS: designed by Ines Di Santo; glamourcloset.com
GROOM’S SUIT: Brooks Brothers
GRACE’S DRESS: Wee Scotty
HAIR: Marta at Benvenuto Salon, 415.454.1347
WEDDING BANDS: Keith Bartel Goldsmith, keithbartel.com
Judy Franjieh + Dice Arai
PEACOCK GAP GOLF CLUB, SAN RAFAEL, AUGUST 3, 2014
DICE AND JUDY’S passion for helping others actually helped them find each other. “We met in a patient’s room at Kaiser Vallejo; we were both working in the same facility, me as a dietitian and him as a physical therapist,” says Judy. “He thought I was an M.D. (white coat) but then realized I was an R.D.” Dice says it wasn’t Judy’s rank he was pondering: “When I first saw her, all I could think was, She is so out of my league.” After meeting again at an office Christmas party — where they discussed a shared interest in Tough Mudder races and old-school dancing — the couple began dating. When the time came for a proposal, Dice gathered friends to partake in a surprise flash-mob-style event — a fun phenomenon he recalled Judy mentioning an affinity for. “I organized about 40 of our friends (including her parents) and had everyone meet at a restaurant in San Francisco,” he says. “Some of her closest friends faked a gathering so Judy would drive in from Vacaville, where we were living at the time.” The epic proposal and Judy’s response — hint: it was positive — can be found on YouTube. For the wedding, Dice was initially thinking small. “There was this one little cute place in Fairfax that I thought would be great,” he says. “I was vetoed by the family and found out that they had chosen some place called Peacock Gap Golf Club. I had never heard of it. But when I came to visit the location I was absolutely blown away by how amazing it was. I was totally glad to be overruled in this matter.” The ceremony was a melding of cultures — Judy’s family is largely Arabic, and Dice’s parents traveled to Marin from Japan for the occasion. “One highlight was when everyone was getting down on the dance floor, even to some Arabic music,” says Judy. “Our family picked us up in chairs on the dance floor, a tradition in Middle Eastern culture. Everyone had such a good time — it was what I always thought it would be.”
CEREMONY: Peacock Gap Golf Club
COORDINATOR: Narine, Sweet and Crafty
PHOTOGRAPHER: Nezár Samara, Nezár Samara Photography
MUSIC DJ: Nik
FLORIST: Dina, Flora Vida Events
DRESS: Pronovias
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Donna Morgan
INVITATIONS: Wedding Paper Divas
Karen Stradford + Devin Boyce
AUDUBON CANYON RANCH, STINSON BEACH, APRIL 26, 2014
KAREN AND DEVIN were first introduced as rivals on a Brooklyn bocce ball court. “We had old friends in common, but had never met until we faced off on the court,” says Karen. “We got to talking — with some trash talking thrown in — and instantly hit it off.” Devin knew pretty quickly that he wanted to keep Karen around. “I realized I just wanted to keep talking to her,” he says. “Her smile captivated me, her laugh made me smile and I knew I was done looking if only I didn’t mess it all up.” Karen, an Oakland native, had long enjoyed weekend trips to Marin to visit her family’s Stinson Beach vacation home, and it was Stinson where the couple’s relationship evolved into permanence. During a visit to Sea Drift, Devin surprised Karen with a proposal. “We were just sitting at the lagoon taking in the view and chatting when he pulled out the ring,” says Karen. “When I stopped sobbing I said yes.” Devin, originally from Rhinebeck, New York, had always considered tying the knot in his hometown, but found a similar vibe in Stinson. “From the first time I traveled to Stinson Beach, I knew there was something significant about the area and that I wanted something special to take place there,” he says. When the Brooklyn-based couple found Audubon Canyon Ranch, the hunt for a locale was over. “It looked so much like Rhinebeck, I knew I wanted to get married there,” says Devin. There was no waiting list, as the ranch was not yet known as a wedding destination — Karen and Devin were the second couple to ever wed on the property. They opted for a three-day event so their visiting guests could enjoy the area; many ended up staying for a few more days to explore Marin. The ceremony was Northern California to a T — rustic and close to the beach, with rain subsiding at the perfect moments and of course, great eats. “The food was the best wedding food I’ve ever had, highlighting the California way of eating: fresh produce and beautiful grilling,” says Karen. “All the guests raved about it.”
VENUE: Audubon Canyon Ranch
COORDINATOR/CATERING: Rachel Cecchi, The Lunch Box
PHOTOGRAPHER: Lynn Bagley, Lynn Bagley Photography
FLORIST: Allan Merryman, Meristem, Stinson Beach Flowers, 415.868.0666
DRESS: Adele Wechsler
INVITATIONS: Minted
SIGNAGE: Janis Yerington, bolinasfolkart.com
HAIR/MAKEUP: Rebecca Beardsley
Caitlin Bechelli + Michael McSunas
DEER PARK VILLA, FAIRFAX, AUGUST 31, 2013
CAITLIN HAD ONLY been attending UCLA for one week before she found Michael. The couple met at a mutual friend’s apartment, and events were immediately set in motion. A few months later, they shared their first kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve, and went on their first date — to Tennessee Valley Beach — on New Year’s Day. “We started dating in January of 2008. I was in love with her by February,” says Michael. “I fell pretty hard and fast.” When they returned to Tennessee Valley Beach four-and-a-half years later, Michael proposed (spoiler: she said yes). A Marin native, Caitlin knew she wanted to get married locally. She and her mother, who work together at their family-owned business, Happy Feet Dance School, planned the wedding, which took place at Deer Park Villa last August. “I really appreciated the family feel of Deer Park Villa; there was absolutely no pretention,” says Caitlin. “They have been a local business for so many years, just like my family’s business, and I could tell that they care a lot about each of their clients.” The wedding was very intimate, with toasts from Caitlin’s father, brother and twin sister, and from Michael’s best man. The setting also made for a memorable experience. “It truly feels like my wedding took place in an amazing enchanted forest,” says Caitlin. “The twinkly lights that are strung from the trees add such elegance to the natural beauty of the redwoods.” And as Caitlin’s (and now Michael’s) life is all about dance, it makes sense that a favorite moment took place on the floor. “Our DJs played “Hit The Road Jack” and my family and coworkers, many of whom are tap dancers, broke into an impromptu Shim Sham, the national anthem of tap dance,” says Caitlin. “From there, my brother and I improvised a swing-tap dance. We didn’t want the night to end!”
VENUE: Deer Park Villa, deerparkvilla.com
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jocelyn Knight, jocelynknight.com
DRESS: Allure Bridals, allurebridals.com
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Bill Levkoff, billlevkoff.com
INVITATIONS: Fantastico, fantasticosf.com
HAIR: Kara Humphreys, ElementsSalon, elementssalonmillvalley.com
CAKE: Sweet Things, sweetthings.com
