When I was a kid, we had some close family friends, the Manfredas. Mr. & Mrs. Manfreda had come from Italy and settled in San Francisco, finding a home in the North Beach neighborhood and raising their three children. This was a family that was serious about their food. In fact, they converted the entire lower level of their home (which would have ordinarily functioned as their garage) into one giant kitchen and dining room with a massive table where friends and family would gather together for any reason to celebrate over a big meal.
During many a get together, out of this basement kitchen would roll enormous piping hot platters of homemade pastas: spaghetti with fresh marinara sauce, baked ziti, when we were lucky, pasta alla carbonara , and on, and on. Every dish was always delicious, made with love, and with every bite you knew that life, friends,…
I saw this wedding this morning, and knew I had to rerun it. A year later, it is still just as gorgeous..
The first thing that stands out about Xian and Sam’s wedding is their smiles; this is a couple who looks like they are having a good time (I mean, they give each other high-fives after exchanging rings – how can you not love that?).
And then you notice the colors (captured beautifully by The Collection), which give the day a fresh modern feel – the bright red of the bouquets against the bridesmaids’ teal dresses and the browns paired with the teal again of the table settings. And then there are the little details – the fact the wedding was held at an observatory, the ring bearers’ suitcases, the individually crafted terrariums on each table, the groomsmen’s large, gold belt buckles…Oh, and their cake table where…
Photo Credit:
Apple escort cards: Kristen Jensen Photography
Caramel apple favor: Jen Disney Photography
Apple basket centerpieces: Para ti Novia blog
Apples in a bucket aisle decor: Weddings on the French Riviera
Apple, spider mum, and orchid aisle decor: Christine Gallagher Photography
Apples swag: Factory Direct Craft Blog
We originally published this wedding almost exactly a year ago. When I came across it today, I just had to repost. It has amazing details and is a terrific example of a fusion wedding!
Esther and Won’s wedding is an elegant affair (photographed beautifully by Sloan Photographers) with a twist. As if their classic detailing wasn’t enough (bird cage veil, white roses, a timeless sheath dress with heavenly train), they also honored their roots with a traditional Korean ceremony, complete with a serious wardrobe change. I love that they were able to seamlessly blend the two cultures – it’s a great example of really making your wedding day represent who you are as a couple (and judging by the groom’s smile, I’m thinking they also felt like it was a success!).
And just for fun, be sure to check out the photo of the kid jumping to catch…
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story:
We met in the ninth grade (Jordan was 15 and Heather was 14). We didn’t take much notice of one another until a year later; we each started to appreciate the other while going out with friends or planning school activities. Then one day at age 16, while trying to think of a Homecoming dance date, Heather thought about asking Jordan and butterflies flew in her stomach. She’s been in love ever since. It only took two weeks for Jordan to ask Heather out on a date, Halloween six years ago this October. Only two months later Jordan was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and spent the next year in and out of the hospital, undergoing several surgeries. That time, more than anything, brought us together. After getting through “sickness and health,” the rest was a cake walk.
What was…
Kris and Kristen’s wedding is another one of those weddings that is jam-packed with details; there’s the cupcake bar, the hilarious napkins, the beer kozy favors, the out-of-this-world centerpieces…
I have to say though, what really made me fall in love with this wedding were the bride and groom photos. Adding a Vespa, some balloons, a very cool sign, and, at one point, a couple of musicians, Alea Moore’s shots are little bit quirky, totally pretty and capture a couple that looks like they have a great time together.
Make sure to keep reading to hear Kristen’s advice to brides just getting started.
Kristen’s Thoughts:
The most meaningful part of our wedding day was our first dance. My husband is a huge Metallica fan and really wanted our first dance to be to the song “Nothing Else Matters.” We found an instrumental version by Apacalytica and performed…
Perhaps you’ve heard of a little family called the Kardashians? And perhaps you’re even planning on watching their season finale tonight (I know I am for purely – ahem – professional reasons)? Well, when Chris proposes to Kim make sure to pay attention to the song playing, “I Do“, because it’s written and performed by one of our all-time favorite brides, Stacy, who shared her adorable engagement shoot with us last November! How fantastic is that!?!
Now if that wasn’t exciting enough, Stacy also sent along wedding photos by Farhad Samari from her lovely seaside wedding in Newport Beach, California. It has all the elements we love – a gorgeous dress, fun shoes and personal details that tell the story of the couple (her candy table is absolute perfection). Make sure you keep reading after the photos to hear all about Stacy’s perspective on their…
Okay, so I know it’s not Halloween yet and we are still clinging to the last days of summer. But if you’re planning a Halloween wedding (or a wedding with a candy bar or unique décor or, heck, even a backyard wedding) then you have to check out Laurin and Brett’s wedding, photographed by Ashley Photographer, which has some of the most inventive wedding décor I’ve seen in a long time.
Laurin took the idea of a Halloween wedding (her favorite holiday, by the way, which always adds a nice touch) and had a great time with it, while still somehow keeping it, dare I say, classy (I know, not the word you’d normally use to describe a wedding featuring skeleton serving forks). She has one of the best candy bars I’ve ever seen, a fantastic mirror wall that she and her family created together, and a cake…
What a pretty wedding we have for you today! Carissa and Patrick were married at the Ringling Museum, and let’s just say, there was nary a clown car in site. Rather it was an event that lived up to the grandness and elegance of the venue (captured beautifully by Justin DeMutlis Photography), but with the intimacy of a couple who was really enjoying their day.
And the classic detailing! From Patrick’s tux, to the ruffles on Carissa’s train (perfect for dancing), to the simple elegance of their cake, each element matched the grandeur of the space. It looks like it was a truly gorgeous day.
Carissa and Patrick were kind enough to send over a ton of details about their day with lots of excellent advice for those of you in the planning stages. Make sure to check them out after the photos!
Carissa and Patrick’s Thoughts:
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Inspiration Board: Apples in Your Wedding Decor
Bethany and Brandon’s Urban Skateboarding Engagement Session
Channing and Cara’s Tropical Wedding in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Cuba and Anna's Offbeat Very Community-Oriented Wedding
Kris and Kristen's Vintage Inspired Wedding by Alea Moore
A Modern and Vintage Shoot from Megan Ann Photography
Real Wedding Re-Run: Xian and Sam’s Classic Wedding with Vintage Details by The Collection
An Eclectic, Vintage Engagement Shoot from Adorro Impressions
Panthea and Ben’s Engagement Session at the Santa Monica Pier
Rose and Dylan’s San Francisco Engagement Session by Daniela DeGrassi
A Glamorous Real Wedding from Fri at Wedding Nouveau
A Backyard, Lakeside Wedding from Weddings Waterside
A Lovely Seaside Wedding from Kardashian Finale’s Singer/Songwriter
Sim and Leslie’s Elegant Wedding in San Diego, CA
Lauren and Tony’s Eco-Friendly Rustic Wedding by Jenna Walker Photography
Katie and Nick's Elegant Colorado Mountain Wedding
Rachel and Darren’s Romantic DIY Wedding by Maggie Heinzel-Neel
Miki and Rachel's San Diego Engagement Session
Ashley and Eddie’s Backyard Wedding by Acres of Hope Photography
Bike Seat Covers and Handle Bar Bags from Beatrice Bikes
Rachel and Frank’s Beachside Wedding from Jamie Lee Photography
A Jaunty Polka-dot Wedding in Leeds, England by Anna Hardy
Derek and Courtney’s San Francisco Wedding
A Halloween-Themed Wedding from Ashley Photographer
