You know what’s better than one amazing San Fran celebration? THREE amazing San Fran celebrations. Think a jazz-infused welcome party, a relaxing spa night and one seriously stunning ballroom wedding boasting rows of sophisticated orchids and uber-sweet details. See every beautiful moment designed by Mathes and Co. Events + captured by Josh Gruetzmacher in THE VAULT right here.
From Mathes and Co. Events… Mary Lucille and Robert had originally wanted to get married at the bride’s family ranch in Texas, however, scheduling did not seem to work. When the groom’s job sent him to San Francisco, they decided they would hold the wedding in their new hometown and create a destination event for their wedding guests. San Francisco has become such a meaningful city to them that they wanted to share it with their closest family and friends.
Mary Lucille has a keen sense of design and knew exactly what she wanted the wedding to look like—elegant yet understated, a formal affair where her guests could dine and truly enjoy one another’s company.
Because everyone would be traveling in town, they decided to have a three-day event. Thursday was a more intimate rehearsal dinner at Boulevard Restaurant for immediate family and the wedding party.
On Friday morning, the bridal party and a few close family friends were invited to the Penthouse at the Fairmont Hotel for a Bridal Luncheon. The invitation was entitled “Bubbles and Bathrobes” with loungewear encouraged. Guests were treated to manicures, pedicures and massages while enjoying lunch.
On Friday evening, all guests were invited to the Penthouse at the Fairmont, San Francisco for a welcome party. The menu consisted of family recipes, as well as passed and stationed food. A jazz trio consisting of saxophones and bass played for guests.
The wedding ceremony was held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. Fr. Emmanuel Taylor, O.P. presided. The bride was given away by her mother, Barbara Jeanne Murchison Coffman. The bride had five attendants, and the groom had five attendants as well. After the ceremony, guests lined the steps of the church and threw rose petals as the bride and groom departed in a classic Rolls Royce.
After the ceremony, guests rode in San Francisco Cable Cars from the church to the reception venue. A cocktail hour followed, with guests enjoying a raw seafood bar with oysters on the half shell, cracked crab, clams, shrimp and smoked salmon.
When the ballroom doors opened, guests enjoyed a seated 3-course meal with a choice entrée. After dinner, the bride and groom danced to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” which was played by KJ and the All Stars.
When originally discussing the wedding, the bride had wanted to get married at her family’s ranch in Texas. Because the event moved to San Francisco, we found ways to incorporate the ranch/family in subtle ways throughout the evening. Each of the ivory dinner napkins were embroidered with the “7L” ranch brand in off white. The same logo can be seen around the perimeter of the save the date.
The bride’s family has a beautiful collection of art, and Mary Lucille decided she would like to incorporate some of these pieces into the wedding. We enlisted Samuel Granado Photography to visit both Mrs. Coffman’s home as well as the ranch, and photograph and reprint Mary Lucille’s favorite pieces. All of these pieces were displayed throughout the ballroom/cocktail hour at the event, with a directory of the pieces printed on the back of the menu.
Jackson Durham, a Dallas-based floral company was brought in to coordinate the design and floral of the event. The ballroom was styled with phalaenopsis orchids as well as a gold leafed magnolia, garden roses, peonies, café au lait dahlias, ranunculus, anemones and cattalaya orchids. Kentia palm trees lined the walls of the side of the room.
The bridal bouquet was made of white cattalaya orchids with a thin handle wrapped in an ivory lace over champagne satin ribbon. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of all taupe garden roses cuffed with gold leafed camellia leaves and bound in taupe velvet ribbon. The groom’s boutonniere was made of a gardenia with leaf detail and tied in a taupe ribbon
Printed pieces were important to the bride and groom. Once the reception venue was selected (The Julia Morgan Ballroom) elements of the space were subtly incorporated into the printed pieces. The wedding invitation liner mimics the ceiling of the space, bringing the look and feel of the event full circle.
The bride wore a Vera Wang gown and custom Vera Wang veil. The dress, known as the Hilary, has many intricate layers of Italian lace known as Guipure. Although the dress has a simple silhouette, it was the different layers of detail and texture that drew Mary Lucille to this dress. Her shoes were Jimmy Choo. Mary Lucille changed into a lace sheath dress by Phillip Lim dress and Valentino high heels for the after party.
The groom wore a custom Isaia tuxedo and his father’s shoes for the ceremony. He changed into John Lobb oxfords for the reception.
Photography: Josh Gruetzmacher Photography | Cinematography: Aaron Lee Films | Event Planning: Mathes and Co. Events | Floral Design: Jackson Durham Events | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: A Spoonful Of Sugar Cakes | Invitations: Paradise Design Co | Ceremony Venue: St Dominics Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Julia Morgan Ballroom | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Calligraphy: Tara Jones Calligraphy | Band: Keith Johnson All Stars | Groom's Attire: Isaia | Hotel: Fairmont Hotel San Francisco | Getaway Car: Sausalito Limousine | Veil: Vera Wang