NorCal special: my favorite wedding venues

The famed Fairmont San Francisco

Where even to begin?

Iconic landmark. Prestigious historic mansion. Refuge of American presidents and foreign dignitaries. Even: movie set (for “The Rock” with Sean Connery!). The Fairmont San Francisco is all of this – and more. Walk its corridors, and see a whole gallery of the history of the City by the Bay – narrated through visits of the rich and famous, cultural icons and politicians to this incredible hotel.

Photo credit: Kevin Chin
Photo credit: Evonne and Darren

What better place for an elegant, sophisticated wedding celebration? Especially for an authentic San Francisco flavor, AND for true million-dollar views.

Photo credit: Kevin Chin

Whether you are just enjoying an intimate elopement dinner in your room in the Fairmont Tower…

Photo credit: Gavin Farrington

… or have your big ceremony and dinner and dancing here, it will be an unforgettable celebration!

The Rooftop Garden is a perfect spot for outdoor ceremonies…

Photo credit: Kevin Chin

… while the adjacent Pavilion Room with its incredible Art Deco chandelier lends itself to indoor ceremonies.

Photo credit: Evonne and Darren
Photo credit: Evonne and Darren

Photo opportunities in the hotel include the majestic main staircase…

Photo credit: Myrtle Photography

… the lavishly appointed lobby …

Photo credit: Evonne and Darren

… the Rooftop Garden …

Photo credit: Myrtle Photography

… and, of course, the double-height Penthouse Suite where all American presidents stay when they visit San Francisco.

Photo credit: Evonne and Darren
Photo credit: Evonne and Darren
Photo credit: Allexa Crosson

You can, of course, have your whole wedding in this Penthouse Suite – it can accommodate up to 100 guests for a ceremony on the patio, cocktails in the living room, dinner in the dining room and, if you wish, dancing, too! And the best thing? Once your guests have left, you can simply stay and spend the night in one of the most luxurious bedrooms you’ve ever seen!

But we are getting ahead of ourselves… for a bigger wedding party, there are several glamorous ballrooms to choose from for dinner and dancing:

Photo credit: Kevin Chin
Photo credit: Myrtle Photography

… always with elegant tabletop items like silver chargers and cutlery included.

Photo credit: Gavin Farrington

And once the party is over, just look out over the City, together as a married couple. Nothing beats this romantic moment!

Photo credit: Evonne and Darren

So … now you know why the Fairmont is high up on my personal “Favorites” list! And the best thing: I’ll be back in a few months to create more wedding magic there… can’t wait!

Contact me at [email protected] for your free consultation.

A Day Like No Other – wedding coordination and design

“When only the best will do…”

Let your next party take flight – in a historic airport terminal!

I know – you think that’s a totally crazy idea. I would have said the same, until today, actually. Despite having lived in San Francisco for twenty years, this part of the City’s history was completely unknown to me: an international airport terminal on Treasure Island, built in the late 1930s as a gateway for PanAm flights to the Far East. The terminal and two adjacent hangars is all that is left from these glory days… the days of the Golden Gate World expo!

So here is your history lesson:

Treasure Island is actually an artificial island in the SF Bay! In 1937, the then-revolutionary Bay Bridge was built, and in celebration of this engineering marvel, San Francisco hosted a World Exposition – on Treasure Island – and built an airport right there…

… complete with tower!

Everything is still original in its elegant Beaux Arts style…

… reminiscent of a bygone area when air travel was an exquisite luxury.

The interior features an enormous mural by artist Lowell Blair Nesbitt and authentic terrazzo flooring.

The space can easily accommodate up to 400 guests, and the heart of the party is a gorgeous period piece of a bar, with red velvet draperies and a grand piano…

… complete with a resident peacock!

I can literally see the space transformed into its previous glory – Great Gatsby would have loved it! So many possibilities… and – did I forget to mention? Parties can go on until 2 am!

At Golden Hour, guests are treated to spectacular sunsets over the City and the SF Bay – with a front row seat in the bar, looking out the back windows… the SF skyline is just on the other side of the Bay, and the ferry terminal is literally across the street. Just perfect.

Get ready to plan your next party there!