Darling Backyard Wedding in
San Francisco

Mike & Alison

I’m so excited to share Mike and Alison’s wedding with you today.

They had a beautiful backyard wedding followed by the biggest dance party we’ve ever seen. Mike and Alison met during a dance class so dancing was a huge part of their celebration. You’ll see that in the photos! I love what Alison shared about planning her wedding. For all the couples out there beginning their planning process, go grab a pen and paper. You’ll want to take notes!

From Alison the bride…

One of the things we did really well was making sure that our ceremony was highly personal and told the story of our relationship and what marriage means to Mike and I. I tell other couples that are getting married that a wedding is a chance to get an intimate glimpse into a couple’s relationship. There is a quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupery about love: “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” Well, your wedding is your chance to share that direction, that shared vision of yourselves and your future with the people you care most about.

For us that narrative was all about family. What it means to us, who family is, and what it means to have one. It’s why the wedding was in my parent’s backyard. It’s why both our Dad’s married us and talked about family and marriage in the ceremony. It’s why we picked a menu that was an upscale version of Sunday dinner (every Sunday is family day, where the whole family gets together sits outside and has wine and dinner). It’s why we invited only the people we believe will be part of our life ten to twenty to thirty years from now. And it’s also why that list is 115 people. Mike and I collect families and family members. We are the gathering place and the glue. And we are home to each other.

So my advice to people is make sure they know their own narrative and don’t lose it as they build out all the parts and pieces of a wedding. The details that matter are the ones that are personal to the story of your marriage, not marriage in general. Spend your time and energy planning and detailing those things out. Then simplify or offload everything else. Let those be someone else’s problem.

Mike and Alison it was a joy and pleasure to serve at your wedding! It was memorable and special in so many ways. I will never forget the dance floor! Thank you so much for having us! We wish you a marriage filled with love and laughter.

You can see even more of Mike and Alison’s wedding over on Borrowed & Blue!

Here is the team that brought everything together.

Photographer: Pictilio
Planner: Caitlin Arnold Weddings & Events
Florist: Sweetness and Light Floral Design
Officiants: Fathers of the bride and groom
Caterer: Weir and Associates
Bakery: Icing On The Cake
Music: MK Mobile Sound
Rentals: Unica Party Rentals
Hair: Lux Image Agency

California backyard wedding, first dance of bride and groomWedding details: invitation, RSVP, etc.Wedding detail of bridesmaid flowersWedding gown detailReal emotions, bride and groom laughingGetting ready portrait of groom by pianoIntimate nuptials in a private residenceGetting ready photo of the brideWedding reception details: Table, glasses, plates and centerpiece with lemons and yellow flowersRelaxed portrat of bride and groom in a private California backyard weddingBride and groom at their first lookWedding details: table setup at an intimate backyard weddingBride and groom dancing down the aisleGetting read detail: bride looking at her shoesSan Francisco backyard wedding reception at duskBackyard Nuptials in San Francisco at Private residence