A Retro-Inspired Black-and-White Wedding in San Francisco

Lights, camera ... I do! Influenced by the style and glamour of Old Hollywood, a pair of film buffs set the stage for a showstopping celebration.

"I wanted it to feel like a film from the '50s," says Courtney, a florist who designed her wedding celebration with the help of friends.

The ceremony and reception took place at the historic Green Room at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center.

Giant trompe l'oeil sets, inspired by those in "An American in Paris," served as backdrops. Courtney and Jose's ceremony was marked by a voluminous "curtain" that was hand-painted by the couple's friend and flanked with urns of garden roses, dahlias, and ostrich feathers.

The stationery suite included a response card written in both English and Spanish, Jose's first language, and Greta Garbo stamps.

Courtney's "something blue," an antique duchesse satin ribbon with Jose's name inked in calligraphy, was sewn inside the hem of her dress.

Courtney's good friend created her bouquet of blush-pink garden roses trimmed with black velvet leaves, crinoline, and a gold satin ribbon.

Additional Postage Required created the stationery for the event, including the ceremony programs, which were wrapped with gold ribbon.

Cherries provided the event's florals, including the peach flower boutonnieres wrapped with gold ribbon.

Male family members and close friends wear black-and-white ties in different patterns.

Jose, in Calvin Klein, catches some air after taking pictures with his new bride, in Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal.

Here, the bride, a Nebraska native, and the groom, who hails from Puerto Rico, pose with their families.

The signature drink was a lemonade libation called the Chantilly Pink, a play on Courtney's middle name, Chantelle.

A sign pointed guests outside for cocktails.

Devoted Catering provided breads, cheese, and jams.

Jose topped off the rose Champagne tower.

Courtney and Jose's cocktail reception featured centerpieces of garden roses, dahlias, carnations, and sweetpeas.

Seat-yourself tables were dotted with "Mad Men"-esque matchbooks and bowls of mixed nuts.

The bride wore these white sparkling pumps by Martinez Valero with her tea-length dress for the ceremony, and changed into black versions for the reception.

The regal decor of the Green Room at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center played into the couple theme of Old Hollywood glamour.

Courtney added a sheer black wrap to her wedding-day ensemble for the reception.

The couple's friend painted the monogrammed Parisian backdrop for the dessert bar, which had a scrumptious spread of cookies, cakes, cotton candy, and more.

Swabs of cotton candy were presented in coordinated tiered displays.

The table also included caramel-covered apples with black-and-white striped straws.

Location: The Green Room at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center
Event Planning: Arianne Nichol
Catering: Devoted Catering
Cakes: Beaux Gateaux
Wedding Photography: B&N Photography
Murals: Ian Garrison (ceremony), Sergio Paez (dessert)
Flowers: Cherries
Gown: Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal
Menswear: Calvin Klein (groom's suit), Thomas Pink (shirt, bow tie, and cuff links), Kenneth Cole (shoes)
Stationery: Additional Postage Required
Rentals: Blueprint Studios (decor), La Tavola Linen (linens), SF Party (cotton candy machine)