A Laid-Back Luxury Wedding Inspired by Bold Colors, Botanical Prints, and the Abundance of Napa Valley

Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Setting: Beaulieu Garden
Wedding season: Fall
Wedding theme/style: Laid-back luxury.

I&A wanted the essence of warm, sexy, laid-back luxury. Throughout the design process, the mantra “It’s a vibe, not a theme!” echoed in their minds. The bride and groom was determined to create an overall ambiance and feeling that transcended conventional wedding theme.

The couple thoughtfully selected their wedding colors to exude boldness and captivation. They embraced a splendid palette, including rich shades like dark jade, magenta, and aubergine. To ensure a harmonious balance, they incorporated soft ballet pink and mauve, infusing their special day with an exquisite blend of love and charm.

Throughout the day, the bride dazzled in three exquisite ensembles. The first was a captivating Monique Lhuillier gown inspired by lush gardens, perfectly harmonizing with the enchanting Beaulieu Garden backdrop and paying homage to its floral essence.

Larissa Clevleland, the talented photographer who captured the unforgettable wedding of I&A, possesses a truly remarkable approach to her craft. Her creativity and her ability to make the couple feel at ease in front of the camera, resulted in relaxed and natural moments beautifully captured. Larissa’s dedication to the future is evident in her work’s true-to-life color palette, ensuring that her portfolios will stand the test of time.

Larissa skillfully blended the best of photojournalism, seamless portraiture, and editorial finesse, resulting in imagery that effortlessly bridges the gap between timelessness and modernity. Each frame comes to life, captivating viewers with its charm.

With a collective vision in mind, Shannon Leahy Events embarked on a creative journey to craft a truly enchanting experience for the couple. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources, they sought to weave a tapestry of unique elements. The warm glow of Moroccan lanterns sparked an idea of creating an intimate and inviting ambiance. Taking cues from the delicate yet bold botanical prints of renowned fashion houses Dior and Gucci, the team envisioned a design that would harmonize the juxtaposition between strength and elegance. The abundance of Napa during harvest season served as a muse for the planners, encouraging them to infuse the festivities with a rich and bountiful atmosphere.

Flowers on flowers for a flower-loving bride! The flowers were incredibly lush and featured blooms like dinnerplate dahlias, garden roses and clematis. The color palette featured bold, moody blooms such as dahlias, garden roses and calla lilies, softened with flowering vines like clematis and blooming jasmine.

From Shannon Leahy Events: “There were so many custom details for this couple – we really got to run wild with our ideas. We made it a point to weave the motifs from the invitation suite throughout the wedding with special touches – custom printed trays for drinks and hors d’oeuvres, a foil printed dragonfly on the cocktail napkins, and a custom, seamless dance floor and stage facade featuring the bold florals hand painted by Elsa Madeleine. We sourced hundreds of Moroccan style lanterns and festooned the installation with greenery. Custom designed and built gold arbors shaded the dessert display and framed the dancing lounges which featured authentic turkish kilim pillows, sourced specially for this event.”

The ceremony was an enchanting affair held in a picturesque garden, adorned with flowers and twinkling lights that created a romantic ambiance. The couple exchanged heartfelt vows, their voices filled with emotion, as they professed their love and commitment to one another in front of their closest family and friends.

For the reception, the bride adorned herself with a second gown designed by Oscar de la Renta, its delicate shimmer gracefully catching the candlelight during dinner and twinkling beautifully as she danced the night away.

Having hosted numerous events, the couple aimed to offer their guests a meal that struck the perfect balance between sophistication and approachability. As soon as the guests arrived, they were warmly welcomed with a selection of signature cocktails, champagne, or artisanal non-alcoholic mocktails. During the cocktail hour, meticulously crafted hors d’oeuvres and a lavish seafood bar featuring crab legs and shrimp delighted their taste buds.

Paula Le Duc Fine Catering presented an exquisite three-course dinner, allowing guests to choose their preferred entree tableside. The first course featured a delightful carrot salad, showcasing California’s renowned farm-to-table cuisine with a delightful Middle Eastern twist. This was followed by a delightful pasta course, followed by a choice between succulent halibut or delectable game hen.

The wedding cake resulted from a wonderful collaboration between the SLE Design team, stationer Elsa Madeline, and the immensely talented Flour & Bloom. Ora Beth, the creative force behind the cake, found inspiration in the gilded details of the wedding invitation and the intricate floral designs. As for the flavors, they struck a perfect balance, offering a delightful combination of Olive oil Cake with Meyer lemon buttercream and double chocolate cake with espresso buttercream. It was a true masterpiece that delighted everyone’s taste buds.

Amidst laughter and cheers, the wedding became a lively dance of joy. Guests joined in the celebration, moving to the rhythm of love and happiness. The bride and groom swayed together, basking in the magic of their special day, creating cherished memories on the dance floor.