The James Leary Flood Mansion Wedding
The event planners wedding. Always so much hype to live up to, after all, this is what she does for a living. She's probably seen a million soirees, picking and choosing the perfect details for her own big day along the way. Well, I'm here to say this event planners wedding, as seen through Anna Kuperberg's lens, lives up to every great expectation... and then exceeds them!
From the stunning bride... Brock and I met through our mutual love for cycling, and with the help of mutual friends. Our first time spending time together was a rain-soaked bike ride, where we found ourselves 20 miles from home, freezing and miserable (but only on the inside).
On our first official real date in more dry conditions, Brock met me outside my apartment building and I let my 6 month old golden retriever loose on him. Jasper was in my life before Brock was, and liking dogs (especially mine!) was a potential deal breaker. Needless to say, he passed the test.
By the time Brock and I got engaged, I must admit that I had already envisioned some design elements for our wedding, since I am an event planner and interior designer. Being able to plan and design my own wedding was a personal and professional dream come true. So, I took the reins and looked forward to the surprised look on his face the day-of. In fact, he had only seen the outside of the reception venue until the moment we walked in as Mr. and Mrs.
I wanted to put an updated spin on classic venues. The ceremony was at the Chapel of Grace at Grace Cathedral, a San Francisco landmark. The space is so beautiful and intimate, especially when the setting sunlight is filtered through the stained glass windows behind the altar. Our officiants words were perfect and resonant, so I am glad that we have them on film to remind us what that day was really all about. Jasper joined us for some photos after the ceremony because he completes our little family.
For our reception, I wanted to create a glamorous, modern feeling within the Flood Mansions traditional bones. For every design, there is always that one thing that is the epicenter around which everything evolves. For me, La Tavola's sequin chevron linens were it. As soon as I had those reserved, I could go on. During dinner, All-Star Jukebox played jazz in the background while guests sat at two long rows of tables. Drapes at both ends of the hall, and a subtle pink pattern-wash of light softened the space and made it feel like someones grand dining room.
My floral designer, Neil Hunt at Hunt Littlefield understood my vision. I told him that I wanted a slightly avant garde, unpredictable twist on the traditional: nothing too structured, but nothing too loose either. He sourced the faceted vessels that gave the decor an essential modern twist.
I found my dress at Kleinfeld on a trip back east to visit my family. It was really special to be able to share that moment with my mom. I knew I wanted a big, old school ball gown skirt, and something with interesting structural details. On the hanger, the dress did not appeal to me, but once I tried it on, I loved it. All of its beauty is in the loosely ruffled skirt layers and bias-cut silk and tulle on the bodice. The applique on the hip also lends the look of an heirloom.
I recruited our friends at Outlined Productions to coordinate the day-of details, so that I could attempt to detach myself and just enjoy the event. I distinctly remember pausing for a moment, looking around the room, and feeling so lucky to be surrounded by our wonderful friends and family who were all there to support us, and our new life together. Finally I could relax and fully enjoy being on the other side of an event. I was so relieved to know that everyone was having fun, and that everything looked exactly as I had hoped it would.
Above all, I wanted the evening to be fun and sophisticated, but not stuffy. Fortunately we had had enough space to create a lounge area just outside the band room for the post-dinner festivities. Those who truly wanted to be on the dance floor tore it up, while everyone else socialized and noshed on delicious bite sized desserts with the Golden Gate Bridge lights twinkling in the distance. Brock and I danced to Adele's "Make you Feel my Love" and we worked with Christine Blanton to sort out my two left feet. We actually did the entire dance facing the wrong way, but at least we got it done! Finally, those who wanted to carry on after the band stopped playing hopped on cable cars which took us downtown to a great underground parlor room at Taverna Aventine for late night snacks and music by DJ Dan Lopez.
The evening went by way too fast, but thankfully we have the gorgeous images from Anna Kuperberg, and the amazing film from Sandbox Love, which allow us to relive the day and night over and over again.
On our first official real date in more dry conditions, Brock met me outside my apartment building and I let my 6 month old golden retriever loose on him. Jasper was in my life before Brock was, and liking dogs (especially mine!) was a potential deal breaker. Needless to say, he passed the test.
By the time Brock and I got engaged, I must admit that I had already envisioned some design elements for our wedding, since I am an event planner and interior designer. Being able to plan and design my own wedding was a personal and professional dream come true. So, I took the reins and looked forward to the surprised look on his face the day-of. In fact, he had only seen the outside of the reception venue until the moment we walked in as Mr. and Mrs.
I wanted to put an updated spin on classic venues. The ceremony was at the Chapel of Grace at Grace Cathedral, a San Francisco landmark. The space is so beautiful and intimate, especially when the setting sunlight is filtered through the stained glass windows behind the altar. Our officiants words were perfect and resonant, so I am glad that we have them on film to remind us what that day was really all about. Jasper joined us for some photos after the ceremony because he completes our little family.
For our reception, I wanted to create a glamorous, modern feeling within the Flood Mansions traditional bones. For every design, there is always that one thing that is the epicenter around which everything evolves. For me, La Tavola's sequin chevron linens were it. As soon as I had those reserved, I could go on. During dinner, All-Star Jukebox played jazz in the background while guests sat at two long rows of tables. Drapes at both ends of the hall, and a subtle pink pattern-wash of light softened the space and made it feel like someones grand dining room.
My floral designer, Neil Hunt at Hunt Littlefield understood my vision. I told him that I wanted a slightly avant garde, unpredictable twist on the traditional: nothing too structured, but nothing too loose either. He sourced the faceted vessels that gave the decor an essential modern twist.
I found my dress at Kleinfeld on a trip back east to visit my family. It was really special to be able to share that moment with my mom. I knew I wanted a big, old school ball gown skirt, and something with interesting structural details. On the hanger, the dress did not appeal to me, but once I tried it on, I loved it. All of its beauty is in the loosely ruffled skirt layers and bias-cut silk and tulle on the bodice. The applique on the hip also lends the look of an heirloom.
I recruited our friends at Outlined Productions to coordinate the day-of details, so that I could attempt to detach myself and just enjoy the event. I distinctly remember pausing for a moment, looking around the room, and feeling so lucky to be surrounded by our wonderful friends and family who were all there to support us, and our new life together. Finally I could relax and fully enjoy being on the other side of an event. I was so relieved to know that everyone was having fun, and that everything looked exactly as I had hoped it would.
Above all, I wanted the evening to be fun and sophisticated, but not stuffy. Fortunately we had had enough space to create a lounge area just outside the band room for the post-dinner festivities. Those who truly wanted to be on the dance floor tore it up, while everyone else socialized and noshed on delicious bite sized desserts with the Golden Gate Bridge lights twinkling in the distance. Brock and I danced to Adele's "Make you Feel my Love" and we worked with Christine Blanton to sort out my two left feet. We actually did the entire dance facing the wrong way, but at least we got it done! Finally, those who wanted to carry on after the band stopped playing hopped on cable cars which took us downtown to a great underground parlor room at Taverna Aventine for late night snacks and music by DJ Dan Lopez.
The evening went by way too fast, but thankfully we have the gorgeous images from Anna Kuperberg, and the amazing film from Sandbox Love, which allow us to relive the day and night over and over again.