A Glamorous 1920s-Inspired Garden-Party Wedding in San Francisco

Alex and Brandon

Alexandria Dean was instantly "all shook up" when she first laid eyes on Brandon Fields at a college Halloween party. After all, he was dressed as her favorite childhood singer, Elvis Presley. Though sparks ignited, Alex and Brandon both dated other people throughout college and parted ways after graduation. But a year later, their paths crossed again at a mutual friend's party, when Alex tripped down the stairs and literally fell into Brandon's arms. The initial spark became a flame as the couple rekindled their feelings for one another and began a six-year romance of "burning love" before tying the knot on October 5, 2013. The dreamy fairy-tale wedding was "an enchanting manifestation of our love," said the pair, who also described the San Francisco soiree as a whimsical garden party filled with music, laughter, and a touch of 1920s glamour.

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The Invitations

The save-the-dates by Minted and invitations by Paper Source introduced the wedding's color palette of varying shades of sea-foam green, mint, blush pink, and coral with gold accents.

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Welcome Bags

To accommodate out-of-town guests, Alex and Brandon created welcome bags filled with the couple's favorite local beer, snacks, and info on nearby activities.

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The Fashions

The groom sported a charcoal-gray tuxedo by Black by Vera Wang and added a pop of color to his ensemble with a soft-pink tie.

His bride glowed in an elegant beaded gown by Monique Lhuillier. She accessorized her glamorous look with Jimmy Choo shoes, an Untamed Petals veil, and Nadri pearl drop earrings and a bracelet.

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Father of the Bride

Alex and her dad, Tommy Dean, shared a quiet moment before walking down the aisle.

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The Ceremony

Alex and Brandon exchanged vows in a traditional ceremony at Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. The ceremony and location were even more special for the bride and groom, five-year members of the church. Father Shane McKee, the son of Brandon's godparents, officiated the service.

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Pastel Blooms

Alex carried a bouquet of dahlias, begonias, dusty miller, and roses designed by florist Natalie Bowen.

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The Wedding Party

The bridesmaids wore blush-pink gowns of their choosing, while the groomsmen sported charcoal-gray tuxedos by Black by Vera Wang.

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The Bridesmaids' Bouquets

The bridesmaids carried bouquets of white roses and pink begonias that matched the bride's blooms. Champagne-hued ribbon gave the clutches an elegant, romantic feel.

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Bayside Venue

Because Brandon proposed to Alex on Treasure Island, the couple found it fitting to hold the reception there as well. At the Pavilion by the Bay, guests celebrated the newlyweds.

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Signature Cocktails

Specialty drinks were served to guests during cocktail hour on the September afternoon. Brandon selected a mint julep, while Alex picked a blackberry fizz.

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Matching Flags

Flagged stir sticks adorned the couple's signature cocktails. The sticks added a glitzy touch to the drinks and matched the flags on the top of the reception tent, tying the decorations together.

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Escort Cards

Aerialist Press designed and calligraphed the escort cards, which wedding planner Erin Taylor pinned to a refurbished frame of her own design.

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Wish List

Brandon proposed to Alex with a list of 27 wishes, the last being for her hand in marriage. To incorporate this special moment into their reception, the couple displayed Brandon's wish list on a hand-painted scroll and asked guests to contribute a wish of their own for the newlyweds. This heartfelt request gave guests a closer glimpse of Brandon and Alex's relationship.

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The Pavilion by the Bay

Rustic furniture, natural lighting, and dazzling floral arrangements created an elegant atmosphere for the evening.

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The Menu

A vertical-line motif adorned the custom gold-foiled watercolored menus designed by Aerialist Press. The stationery followed the color palette and added a touch of 1920s charm.

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Gatsby Glam

Vibrant blooms of begonias, roses, and white, blush, and coral dahlias in small mercury-glass vessels and large gold-dipped vases added some Roaring '20s atmosphere to the reception tables.

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Elegant Centerpieces

The colorful centerpieces added a whimsical garden-party feel to the Pavilion by the Bay.

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Tastiest Day Ever

Later in the evening, Alex and Brandon cut into their wedding cake. A topper by Better Off Wed that read "best day ever" complemented the frosting and fondant flowers that adorned the white-frosted cake, made by Shannie Cakes.

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The First Dance

Alex and Brandon shared their first dance to Lauryn Hill's version of "Can't Take My Eyes off of You." The gold confetti sprinkled on the dance floor added an extra twinkle to the evening's festivities.

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Sweet Treats

A dessert bar during the reception provided late-night sweets for wedding guests. The newlyweds' favorite sugary snacks were the Irish car bomb cupcakes and the s'more macarons from Desserts from Sweet Francisco.

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