Thoroughly Metropolitan and Catholic San Francisco Wedding
08-14-2018
Christine and Jack are total sweethearts who happen to have left their hearts in San Francisco. Which explains why they opted for a whirlwind San Francisco wedding.
I first met these two on a rainy December day that they had booked for their engagement session. Honestly, I was more than a bit nervous to venture out in the Sierra Nevada foothills with them on such a gray and wet day. But all my fears were put to rest when Christine and Jack pulled up with comfy smiles on their faces, and ideas to spare.
They had packed high school sweatshirts—the very same ones they had worn when they first started dating. And they had even brought a few photos from those early days of their love. They lounged casually around their family’s cabin as naturally as ever while I captured photos. Even better still? They were game for venturing out in the rain to make some moody and cozy engagement photos. This eased into one of my favorite sessions yet with some truly wonderful people whose sweetness and patience carried their relationship all the way through high school, college, and grad school.
On a not-at-all-rainy day one year later, the time arrived for Christine and Jack to become one. Here’s the story of their San Francisco wedding day…
When dresses like these are hanging around, you know it’s a big day.When all your girls break out matching outfits, you know something’s up.Or at least Christine suspected something was up.Well, one thing led to another.The party moved outside……Up to the rooftops of San Francisco.The leading lady herself, all smiles.Ask yourself: How many lovely ladies can you fit on your deck?The champagne was so tasty it required a personalized Starbucks chaser.Christine faced the fact that she’d have to put the dress and heels on at some point.Her mom and dad said “I do”. She knew she could keep the tradition alive.Mom and sis were happy to lend a hand with the preparations.In the end, everybody lent a hand.A bit of this……A bit of that.Simply lovely.Simply stunning.Simply bittersweet. Christine’s bouquet commemorated Jack’s father, who passed just a few months before the wedding.Meanwhile, back at Jack’s place, he commemorated his father as well.See, boys need help getting ready too.Jack, in all his groomly glory.“Groomly” is a word, right?Jack assembled the posse alongside his father’s hot rod.Eventually, the boys got to cut loose a bit as well. ‘Cause you know, San Francisco guys are into surfing.“Aww man, why does Jack always get to drive?”I fully recommend taking a load off after a not-so-hectic photo session.Meanwhile, back in the city, it was time for the ladies to head to the church.They opted for the limo.And, you know, riding in a limo is, like……No big deal.The San Francisco wedding day destination? Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood.“You’ve reached your destination.” Thanks, Siri.Yep, Christine was still bursting with excitement.Then Christine spotted an old friend for whom she had played flower girl many years before.Reversing the roles from the original flower girl photo.Psyching up for flower girl success, most likely.Total flower girl success!Now to deliver the bribery candy they were promised. Probably.Then it was time for Christine’s entrance.Jack was more than ready to get this show on the road.Whoa.Whoa, again.Remember what I said earlier about Christine being all smiles? Still true at this point.Closer, closer.Handing off one lovely lady.Mom and grandma had earned their front row seats to the celebration.The “I’m totally getting married right now” look.Saints Peter and Paul Church—kneeling where Christine’s parents were married years before.Okay, I’m a sucker for weddings with pews…especially ones as beautiful as these.What a beautiful and sprawling space for a wedding!The mothers had a part to play in lassoing Christine and Jack together in marriage.The drama! The lights! The colors!A beautiful symbol of Jesus giving his life for us, just as these two vowed to give their lives for each other.Communion + lights.Jack’s sister watched as her brother ventured into married life.Fine lines.No magic dust–just the love of God and love for each other.#CommunionSquadGoalsQuite the view from up at the altar.We weren’t the only wedding photographers in the audience. Turns out, grandpa is a retired wedding photographer. Great taste in camera gear, grandpa!Mission: accomplished!What a walk!Happy sigh.Pews for days.One of those rare magic bouquets that looked better as the day went on.Same place, different couple. They recreated her parents’ wedding photo at the same exact spot.His crew.Her crew.The bridal party was flying just as high.I’ll bet that cheer had been bubbling up inside her for years.Believe it or not, nobody tripped over that lovely, lengthy train.You can take the flower girl out of the wedding, but you can’t take her flowers.Next destination: San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts.An entirely public display of affection.Ladies, ladies…When you got ’em, flaunt ’em!Well, why not?Just can’t get enough.Ocean’s Eight, perhaps?A moment to themselves.Can you blame ’em for loving a place like this?When the sun sets and the February chill sets in, grab your guy and dance!…Or you cuddle for warmth.Jack’s a warm-hearted guy, after all.So there’s this massive dome at the Palace of Fine Arts……And we just couldn’t get our fill of the place.Warmer…warmer…Sometimes you need a bit of rest when running around with photographers.Love that look in her eyes.The light was fading……And temperatures were sinking fast around these warm hearts.Time for a change of venue: Dominic’s at Oyster Point.And wouldn’t you know it? These two came wandering in…and the party began.Someone even had the forethought to save them seats!Happiness and toasting ensued.Gratuitous ring posing also ensued.So did this……and this……with a little of this!Christine’s dad cut in for a the next dance.Christine’s dance card was fully-punched!Jack and his mom had their own moment on the floor.I’d say she was enjoying herself.Soon enough, the floor was filled……And yes, the chicken dance was on the playlist.But someone still had to cut the cake, after all!Christine and Jack were more than ready.A cake crime of passion.Remember that hot rod from earlier? Totally back, and totally great for stealing a kiss.Also a totally great getaway car for newlyweds on the run!
Joining Christine and Jack for their San Francisco wedding day offered us a deep dive into their past, and a hopeful glimpse into their future. While driving between different corners of their fair city, we got to see just who they are, who they care about, and how they look at life. Friends as playful and faithful as these eventually become the old married couples that we all want to be around.
But since they’ve got decades before they go gray, we pray all the best for them in the years to come. Congratulations to you, Christine and Jack!
