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Real Wedding: Alyce and Shawn, San Francisco

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Real Wedding: Alyce and Shawn, San Francisco

October 21, 2013

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Alyce and Shawn's Wedding by the Bay

Jessica Burke Photography

In December of 2011, Shawn attended an event hoping to meet someone special. Little did he know just how special that someone would be. After striking up a conversation with Alyce, an attractive brunette, he headed home wanting to find out more about her. A few Facebook messages later, the two decided they should talk more in real life, and exactly one year after their first date, the couple wed with San Francisco’s famous bay as the backdrop.

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A Special Spot in the City

Jessica Burke Photography

To showcase their beautiful city, Alyce and Shawn chose San Francisco's famous Presidio as their venue. With its green spaces, rich history, and spectacular view, it was the perfect spot for a romantic garden party and their traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.

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The Personalized Suite

Jessica Burke Photography

Invitations by Minted featured an illustration of a chuppah hinting at the Jewish wedding traditions to come. Courtney Talbot also designed cute coasters featuring a similar drawing that tied in with the rest of the stationery.

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Dashing Duo

Jessica Burke Photography

The bride looked stunning in a Claire Pettibone gown from Glamour Closet and a custom-made veil by Veil Artistry. She alternated between Badgley Mischka heels and mint green Chloe flats.

Shawn wore a J. Crew Ludlow suit in Irish linen and a Richard James tie.

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Bridesmaids in Blue

Jessica Burke Photography

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Bridesmaids wore Dessy After Six dresses in a soft shades of blue.

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Fetching Groomsmen

Jessica Burke Photography

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The gents matched the groom in J. Crew suits with ties from Etsy.

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Soft Bouquet with Sentiment

Jessica Burke Photography

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Alyce carried a loose bouquet full of texture and a few special touches: “I remember stopping to smell lilac bushes on road trips with my grandmother,” she said. “I had no idea lilacs came in white—they were perfect.” Also in the mix were white hydrangea, blush ranunculus, and jasmine.

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Beautiful Boutonnieres

Jessica Burke Photography

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Soft pink ranunculus and dusty miller were clustered for the guys. "Shawn thinks of rosemary as 'nature;s cologne,'" said Alyce, so his boutonniere and her bouquet both included a sprig.

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Detailed Chuppah

Jessica Burke Photography

The chuppah in a Jewish wedding ceremony is symbolic of the first roof the bride and groom share together. Michelle at Olam Weddings made a special structure for the couple featuring stripes of ribbon, lace, and green silk leaves.

"It was important to us that the ceremony be outside, so we prepared for afternoon fog with heat lamps," said Alyce. "But we were fortunate to have a beautiful, warm day, and we didn’t have to use them!"

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A Spiritual Service

Jessica Burke Photography

The ceremony combined both Alyce and Shawn's religious traditions—the bride is Orthodox Jewish and the groom is Egyptian Karaite Jewish—including the reading of the Ketubah and reciting of the Sheva Brachot, seven special blessings to honor the wedding.

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The Happy Couple

Jessica Burke Photography

The couple walked up the aisle as husband and wife with Shawn in his prayer shawl.

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Honoring Tradition

Jessica Burke Photography

Many traditional Jews start a celebratory meal by washing their hands, so wedding planner Jacin Fitzgerald of Lovely Little Details created a special station for guests. Textured ribbons in a variety of hues served as a backdrop and simple flowers complemented the ritual objects on the table.

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Green Tablescapes

Jessica Burke Photography

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Succulents and an abundance of eucalyptus decorated long wooden reception tables along with glowing mercury glass votives.

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A Savory Selection

Jessica Burke Photography

Since the couple opted not to have a plated dinner, the couple made sure there was plenty of food available. The framed menu display let guests know all about the tabled hors d'oeurvres being offered: butternut squash ravioli, honey and togarashi chicken drumettes, basil and almond salmon medallions, a Mediterranean eggplant appetizer, and grilled vegetables.

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Self-Serve Stations

Jessica Burke Photography

Guests filled their plates at a carving station stocked with rack of lamb and barbequed brisket sliders. Mashed potatoes were served up with an array of garnishes where on display for guests to choose from: sliced black olives, caramelized onions, chopped tomatoes, caviar, salsa fresco, tortilla chip strips, basil pesto, cabernet gravy, and baby peas.

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Lit with Love

Jessica Burke Photography

Ashley Hugus of Got Light set an amazing scene inside the Golden Gate Club as the sun went down.

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Tokens of Affection

Jessica Burke Photography

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Instead of having loved ones sign a standard tome, the couple encouraged guests to leave a favorite recipe, funny messages, or a piece of heartfelt marriage advice.