I have kind of gotten behind in my posting but I wanted to share this beautiful wedding between Jenica and Heath that I shot with the talented Lisa of Lisa Leigh Photography.
My day started with the groom and his groomsmen at Barber Lounge in San Francisco. I don’t know how they came across it but it was simply perfect and oh-so-trendy. It’s on the third floor in an old building in SOMA and has these great old windows across the front of the reception area. It stretches back with lots of space filled with hair stylists, masseuses, and, of course, barbers. If you get a chance, I highly recommend checking this place out. It’s just so unlike the other salons I’ve visited. As if this place weren’t cool enough, they have a resident “Scent Expert” with the laid back Louie the dog. Heath gave all of his groomsmen classy cufflinks with their last name’s initial on them.
From there we met up with the ladies for a quick jaunt around town to take in some San Francisco classics. We drove to the Union Square area and found an empty cable car that was just perfect for the wedding party poses. Dodging traffic, we took some great shots there and then moved on to the little oasis in the city, Levi’s Plaza. Our last stop was right around the corner from our final destination. The group moved on to Equinox gym located in the old Pacific Stock Exchange building. This building has elements that just make photographers melt. There are a dozen or so steps leading up to huge Greek columns out front. We went through the groups again but the groomsmen were feeling a bit peckish so off they went to the closest McDonald’s. The group (including the bride) dove in and devoured the fries before we even got to the wedding venue – The City Club of San Francisco.
A half Jewish, half Christian wedding, Jenica and Heath recited their vows to one another under the chuppah and broke the glass to a celebratory group yelling “Mazel Tov”.
I managed to get a shot of the two of them kissing as they walked down the aisle as husband and wife.
Everyone gathered upstairs for dinner and toasts. The room was spectacular. Bright orange and yellow tulips, orangey-red roses, bright red and orange peppers and a splash of green limes brought everything together as the centerpieces. It was certainly an unusual combination but it looked fabulous. Rather than wedding favors, Jenica and Heath gave fortune donated money to charity and gave guests little fortune cookies with the fortune, “Live Well. Laugh Often. Love Much.” I was really excited to sneak back downstairs during dinner to get to the cake table. Or I should say, cupcake table. There were four or five decadent kinds of cupcakes awaiting the guests after dinner. It was a very cool display. The location where they had exchanged vows earlier had been tuned into a sleek reception area with a dance floor, cake table, sofa and lounge area by the fireplace, and assorted chairs and tables for guests that needed to give their feet a break.
And let me tell you, I’m sure their feet were sore at the end of the night. The guests were getting down and having a great time. Jenica and Heath started out the dancing with their first song, Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”, which had some of the bridal party swaying and singing along. It was a fun time and had almost everyone out on the dancefloor. I have to say though, Heath’s sister Paige took the cake with some hilariously fun dancing with her boyfriend – especially when Sir Mix-a-lot’s “Baby Got Back” came on. Too funny!
It was a beautiful wedding and Jenica and Heath were great together. Thanks, guys!
I said I love you and that’s forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are.
– Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are”
