Kate and Steve decided the perfect way to start their marriage was to ring in the New Year with their closest friends and family. They threw a huge bash at The Olympic Club in downtown San Francisco and made sure to provide guests with all the makings of a perfect NYE celebration: a live band, plenty of champagne, festive hats and horns, late night snacks and even ballet flats so the dancing would continue into the night! Very special thanks to Tia and Claire Studio for sharing such gorgeous images of all the design by JBD Events. Cheers to the New Year, darlings!
From the Kate, the bride:
Steve and I are both 3rd and 4th generation San Franciscans with big Irish & Italian Catholic families, so when it came time to decide on a location for the wedding it was hard to look beyond downtown San Francisco. I’ve always loved throwing parties and the thought of bringing of all of our friends and family together on New Years Eve seemed like the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of our new life together.
I organize a ton of events for work, so I had a blast when it came time to plan our own wedding. I wanted the whole thing to be unforgettable for Steve and I, but also wanted it to feel magical for all of our friends and family. From the gorgeous floral arrangements to the ballet shoes for guests after midnight, it truly amazing to watch so many talented people help make our vision a reality.
The Church is down the block from our apartment on Telegraph Hill. Tucked away on a small block across from Cafe Trieste, it reminds me of a church you’d find in Florence. A true hidden gem, with gorgeous decor and an intimate feel. I walk by it on my way to my shuttle stop every morning, and after I went inside for the first time I knew that’s where we would get married. We wanted the night to feel intimate and cozy from the start, and the church is just perfect for that. The reception was at the Downtown Olympic Club, a place we frequented so much during childhood that it felt more like a second home than a wedding venue. Guests rode double-decker Google Shuttles to/from the church and Union Square to avoid the chaos of New Years Eve in Downtown SF.
The girls got ready at The Westin St. Francis, where Steve proposed just 6 months prior. And the boys got ready at our condo on the Vallejo Street Steps just blocks above the Shrine.
For the ceremony and reception, we chose a palette that was soft, warm and romantic. And with 11 Bridal Attendants, the girls all chose various styles from the Amsale dress line in blush, champagne, and grey tones. The flowers were chosen to accent this look, and we added the pops of green maidenhair greenery at the final hour – an ode to my mom who never fails to have fresh Maiden Hair ferns in her home.
At the Olympic Club, we took things up to a NYE level with lots of gold accents, candlelight and pops of color in the main dining room. We loved the green XO so much from the Church doors that we moved it to the back-room cousins table at the club.
We transformed one of the dining rooms into the dance floor, and revealed it after toasts and cake-cutting. The Cheeseballs played until 1 AM, and at midnight we passed out New Years Eve hats, horns and champagne toasts, as guests noshed on sliders, grilled cheese, steamed pork buns and sweet potato fries! We made sure the guests had a basket of ballet flats they could switch into, since we knew people would be dancing into the New Year.
It was an incredible night from start to finish, filled with the things that are most important to Steve and I – family, friends, and bringing people together to celebrate a life filled with love!
Vendors: Photographer: Tia and Claire Studio // Videographer: Thomas Hughes Film // Wedding Planner: JBD Events // Reception Location: The Olympic Club (Downtown location) // Ceremony: The Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi // Rehearsal Dinner: Wayfare Tavern // Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier // Second Dress: Erin Fetherston // Shoes: Kate Spade // Brides Hair & Make-up: The Glamourist, Jane Kim // Rings: L.A. Giacobbi // Grooms Tux: Ermenegildo Zegna // Bridesmaid Hair & Make-up: Benefit, San Francisco, DryBar // Touch ups: Jessica Hontalas // Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale, Bella Bridesmaid // Flower Girls: Dottie Doolittle, San Francisco // Ring Bearer: Florence Eiseman, Dottie Doolittle, San Francisco // Band: The Cheeseballs // First Dance: You are the best Thing, Ray Lamontagne // Photobooth: Denon and Doyle // Invitations: Page Stationary, Union Street Papery // Programs, menus, signage: Pages Paper and Art, Sandy John // Flowers: Michael Daigian Design // Lighting / Linens / Chairs: Hartmann Studios // Transportation: Google Shuttles // Cake: Susie Cakes