Cavallo Point Lodge is one of those perfect spots in Northern California that lends itself beautifully to weddings of the effortlessly chic kind. Now add to that equation a Bride as ridiculously pretty as they come and an affair that has the feel of a relaxed, backyard party only kicked up a few trillion notches on the design scale. That spike in the design spectrum can be credited to a team of incredibly talented vendors including Kathleen Deery Design on the event and floral design side, LMM Events on the planning side and Meg Smith Photography who has the golden touch when it comes to photographing. All in all, it’s a two thumbs upper and so deserving of a long perusal. Do so right here in the full gallery.
From the Bride… Tim and I met at work several years ago. In our first year of dating, Tim surprised me and brought me to the opening weekend at Cavallo Point. We both loved Cavallo and it’s proximity to nature and the city. The day we got engaged to each other a few years later we went to Crissy Beach to celebrate. As we were checking out the wind surfers, we looked across the water and saw Cavallo Point. Naturally we decided we wanted to spent our first day as an engaged couple at Cavallo Point with our black lab, Tucker. We had a wonderful dinner and amazing bottle of wine. I said to Tim that night that we should get married there. As we researched options, Cavallo was always the clear choice. It was close to San Francisco where many of our friends and my family live, yet it provided an intimate and communal place for everyone to celebrate together. We also loved that our guests could stay overnight after having too much fun.
From Arianne Alizio of Kathleen Deery Design… When Aubrey Obata-Kendall stepped into our studio, we knew we were in for a treat. She possessed an old-fashioned poise, regal in her soft-spoken grace—in every sense, this bride-to-be was a breath of fresh air. Aubrey told us she fell head over heels for KDD by attending a friend’s wedding a few years prior. Upon her first consultation with Kathleen, Aubrey knew it was written in the stars. And, while her initial weekend was already booked, Aubrey insisted on changing the date of her wedding in order to continue working with KDD. Flattered? Of course. Charmed? Naturally. From here, we set sail toward what would be one of our most cherished events to date.
We let the event location narrate our first design decisions. Aubrey and her husband Tim were immediately enchanted by the unique intimacy of Cavallo Point—a remote respite just outside the city, providing a romantic landscape specific to Northern California (tall, soft grasses; mist resting on surrounding hills; weathered redwoods; vast fields extending into the Pacific; in fewer words: a dream). In gathering our visual inspirations, Aubrey shared some images of the modern paintings and fixtures that adorn her home. In her collection of large abstract canvases, strong yet fluid strokes occupy the compositions. One features a bold plain of red beneath implied clouds of cream, chartreuse and cerulean. Also in our style boards were textiles and furnishings in the likes of Jonathan Adler and Madeline Weinrib, with nods to mid-century design. Organic shapes meet contemporary geometric patterns, making confident visual statements with a sense of play. Aubrey and Tim were personally integrated into the finest of visual details. Adding to our ocean theme, we took notes from Tim’s sailing background that surfaced in graphic components of the invitation suite, ceremony programs, escort cards, and event signage. No detail was spared; we even tied delicate nautical knots in sisal cord around the name bands of each menu.
Like all fortuitous partnerships, planning the Obata-Kendall wedding was a true performance of balance and harmony. Laura McDonald of LMM Events worked in tandem with KDD and Aubrey to orchestrate the intricate planning of the weekend celebration. Laura’s signature of elegant whimsy colored the entire event, namely closing the celebration with chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven, served with shots of ice cold milk (one of Aubrey’s favorite treats). The evening concluded with destined duos and warm, simple pleasures–a match made in heaven for all involved. We couldn’t imagine a more ideal finale to a night of celestial proportion, true to their spirits and close to home.
Wedding Photography: Meg Smith Photography / Wedding Venue: Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito, California / Event + Floral Design: Kathleen Deery Design / Event Planning: Laura Morales McDonald of LMM Events / Wedding Stationery: Riana Alizio of Kathleen Deery Design / Music: LA Allstars via Innovative Entertainment / Furniture & Umbrellas: Urban Parlour by Kathleen Deery Design / Tent, Farm Tables + Lantern Installation: Zephyr Tents / Linens: La Tavola / Wedding Dress + Lace Bolero: Monique Lhuillier / Hair + Makeup: sHe Artists