A Romantic Coastal Wedding with Vintage Touches in California

After meeting through their jobs at The New York Times, Conrad Mulcahy proposed to Meaghan Looram near a large, solitary cypress tree at Lover's Point, a scenic waterfront spot in her hometown of Pacific Grove, California. The majestic tree was already a symbol of their relationship: Conrad had given Meaghan a cypress jewelry charm early in their romance. And it ended up providing a motif for their San Francisco celebration, which they planned themselves.

On November 10, 2012, the couple wed before 110 of their friends and family in the chapel at Cavallo Point, a century-old former military base that rests in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, a couple of hours away from the site of their engagement. The couple chose the spot for its "windswept beauty," says Meaghan.

Muslin bags in guests' hotel rooms treated out-of-towners to the couple's California favorites: a special "Megrad" blend of Blue Bottle Coffee named for the pair, a mini bottle of Ridge Vineyards wine, See's Candies, a Heath Ceramics cup, and a note inviting guests to view their newly planted cypress tree.

Meaghan wore a dress by Annie Sullivan, a designer who lives above the couple in the dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn; the groom wore a Michael Andrews Bespoke suit.

The bride wore antique Georgian paste earrings and tucked an antique hairpin from Doyle & Doyle in her loose bun.

Bride Meaghan envisioned a "Downton Abbey-ish" bouquet. The resulting mix of peonies, poppies, astilbes, and anemones wrapped in ferns was so gorgeous that she took it with her on her honeymoon.

Meaghan, the youngest of five, and Conrad had plenty of nieces and nephews to fill the pint-size bridal party.

Although Meaghan and Conrad originally planned to wed outdoors, cool Bay area weather moved them into Cavallo Point's chapel.

The wedding bands, both from Catbird in Brooklyn, and Conrad's locket cuff links were kept in velvet-lined antique boxes.

Custom velvet books from Velvet Raptor held the duo's self-penned vows and were carried down the aisle by the couple's nephews.

A close friend, Matthew Burgess, a poet and creative writing professor, officiated at the nondenominational, personal ceremony. "He asked us all these questions about how we met, then crafted his words from our responses," Meaghan says.

The bride, her sister (the matron of honor), and their mother shared a smile after the ceremony.

Meaghan's wedding also offered her the rare opportunity to hang out with her brothers, all three of whom live in Asia.

To mark their union, the couple planted a Monterey cypress tree on the resort's property.

The bride's brother-in-law (husband of the matron of honor) and his daughter, the bride's niece, looked on as the reception got underway.

Meaghan's nephew went for a high-flying ride through the air, courtesy of his dad.

The flower girl, Meaghan's niece, wore a J.Crew party dress tied with a sash from Mokuba New York (212-869-8900).

Suspended umbrella-fern wreaths floated over floral centerpieces that echoed Meaghan's bouquet.

For her centerpieces—and the overall aesthetic of the ceremony and reception—Meaghan's goal was to mix natural forestry and timeless glamour.

The menu included organic young carrot soup, grass-fed beef short ribs, and wild mushroom risotto.

Table assignments were calligraphed on small take-home white pine saplings cut to resemble cypresses.

Meaghan says their carrot cake, topped with cream cheese frosting and coconut shavings, was "beyond delicious." In keeping with the verdant decor, it was decorated with maidenhair, mother, and plumosa ferns.

Location, catering, and cake: Cavallo Point 

Event coordination: Alison Events

Flowers: Studio Choo 

Photography: Jesse Leake 

Stationery: Sesame Letterpress 

Calligraphy: Anne Robin Calligraphy 

Music: DJ Blue

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals 

Bride's gown and matron of honor dress: Annie Sullivan

Hair: Darren Smalley

Makeup: Racine Christensen 

Men's accessories: Brioni (tie); Gallo Grotte (tie bar); To Boot (shoes) 

Ring bearers' attire: J.Crew shirt, sweater, and pants; Lands' End ties

Audio and visual: PSAV Presentation Services