Lady Grey is all about everything equestrian, so it’s natural that our obsession with this wedding at the equestrian center, The Menlo Circus Club, was immediately on our agenda of “Important Items to Share.” Zizi (coolest name ever) and Jeff hosted a gorgeous wedding this spring and we are beyond excited to share it with you, along with Zizi’s sweet description. And that Amsale dress? Stop it right here. Done. Put it on daddy’s credit card. Bring it home. It belongs in the “one day” closet. Like, now.
But there’s MORE! Our darling and incredibly talented friend, Bret Cole, shot all of these images on film. We love her. We love film. And we love photographers who love film. And for that reason, if you are a photographer looking to be as amazing as Bret, we highly recommend you check out her upcoming Fall workshop. Because, well, darlings, as you’ll see here, she’s the kind of lady you’d like to learn from. So, sign up. And then enjoy these glorious images!
From the bride, Zizi:
Jeff and I met through a mutual friend while both living in San Francisco. It was March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day and his birthday. Two years later to the day, I opened my apartment door to find him in his best suit, Cal tie, a bottle of champagne and a dark chocolate bar. He dropped to one knee right under my door jam.
I am eldest of three daughters and the first to get married. Needless to say, one of the first things my mother did was purchase “Wedding Planning For Dummies” handbook. I knew there was one – and only one – venue that made perfect sense. From the age of 5 to 15, I spent nearly every day of summer vacation at the Circus Club. The swimming pool, polo field, tennis courts, sideshow…even the iconic Oak tree that Jeff and I were married under filled my childhood memories. Barbara Brooks, the Events Coordinator and Catering Manager, made the day-of planning seamless.
I’ve always loved invitations and cards, and wanted something both rustic looking and very personal. I had so much fun designing all things paper – the invitations, menus, programs and escort cards. From Paper Source and Save-on-Crafts, to a Saturday at the Rosebowl Flea Market (where I picked up those window frames) I made certain to place a homemade stamp on just about everything, but not without the help of family and friends! A family friend who owned a coin and stamp store in Burlingame provided all the vintage stamps. My next door neighbor sanded, stained and nailed together the welcome sign. My parents, sisters and cousin provided the human assembly line for the invitations. My coworker made my custom cake pops (I played water polo at UCSB and Jeff is a Cal football fanatic). My grandmother made my wedding cake. Even my hair and makeup were done by a former teammate and friend.
Every detail and decision was an opportunity to make our wedding more meaningful. Although I have to admit that our favorite memory of the night was completely unplanned. Leaving the reception Jeff and I walked out to our 28-passenger shuttle reserved for the wedding party only to find it rocking back and forth because of the 50+ people on board. Lets just say the 10 minute ride to a local bar was most entertaining, proving sometimes the unplanned details truly make the night.
Resources and Vendors: Photography: Bret Cole // Venue & Catering: The Menlo Circus Club // Florist: Indelisa Montoro of Royal Bloom // Everything Paper: DIY // Dress: Amsale // Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale // Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss
Wedding Cake: My Grandmother // Cake Pops: Flour Girl Cake Pops // Makeup: Adriana Vogt // Hair: Chelsea Lyman, The Color Room // Band: Pop Fiction // Jewelry: Own // Signs: DIY