Be Blown Away By This Amazing Diy Urban Flavor And Vintage Frills Wedding
In a charming ceremony that blended whimsy with sophistication, Marion, Studio Manager at The Offbeat Bride, exchanged vows with her partner Ash, Director of Marketing. The picturesque setting for this joyous occasion was the iconic San Francisco City Hall, where the couple said their ‘I dos’ on September 23, 2016. A stylish touch was added to the proceedings when they relocated to Apparel Arts in Oakland, CA, for a reception that celebrated their unique love story.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
As we embarked on planning our special day, our values quickly became clear: inclusivity and a departure from traditional wedding norms were at the forefront. We wanted to celebrate with our diverse communities and create an atmosphere that reflected our unique style. To achieve this, we opted for an intimate city hall ceremony, followed by a 200-guest DIY celebration infused with urban flair and vintage charm.
For the big day, Ash and I donned bold attire – he wore a burnt orange Paul Smith suit, complete with cufflinks, a tuxedo shirt, and metallic brogues from Fluevog. Meanwhile, I chose a stunning low-cut, tea-length dress from Milly at Neiman Marcus, which showcased my tattoo collection, Prada block-heel shoes, and a delicate birdcage veil. To make the day even more special, I created our wedding bouquets – mine and Ash’s boutonnieres – using flowers purchased from Oakland’s local flower market.
One of the highlights was having our dear friend, Kia Fay Styles, whisk us away to the ceremony in her decorated Prius, affectionately dubbed ‘The Love Limo.’ As we sipped pre-ceremony champagne in the backseat, we felt incredibly lucky to have our close friend and talented wedding photographer, Gaby Esensten Photography, capturing every moment – from the ceremony to the reception. Having our friends take care of us on our special day made it all the more meaningful.
Tell us about the ceremony:
As we prepared for the celebration of our union, we wanted to make sure that our loved ones from far and wide felt included in the process. With family members traveling from the East Coast and Ash’s friends coming from the Bay Area, it was an opportunity for us all to meet in person. To create a sense of intimacy and connection, we decided to hold a pre-reception ceremony at San Francisco City Hall, a stunning location that allowed us to be our authentic selves.
The serene atmosphere and striking architecture perfectly complemented our urban, vintage vibe, setting the tone for a heartfelt and emotional gathering.
Tell us about your reception:
The planning and execution of our reception was a quintessential example of ‘It takes a village.’ With a network of friends-turned-vendors providing their services as gifts, every aspect of the event felt like a true collaboration. Our venue, Apparel Arts, served as the perfect backdrop for the celebration. As someone who works and studies there, I had the privilege of transforming the space into something truly unique.
To add some personal touches to the studio-space-turned-reception-hall, I created self-sewed linens using free-cycle fabric from the school’s resources. Meanwhile, Ash and I spent weeks crafting 75 giant card-stock paper flowers that became our whimsical centerpiece. We also added playful elements like a gin bar, wall projections, and oversized gold balloons spelling out our new shared last name. But what truly made the day special was the music.
Ash curated an eclectic playlist featuring our favorite songs across genres – from The Doobie Brothers to Danny Brown. And as we watched our friends and acquaintances come together to celebrate, it felt like a true community had formed. We saw DJs spinning tracks alongside musicians jamming out, tattoo artists swapping stories with business owners, dancers grooving with designers, and old friends reconnecting.
Witnessing everyone having the time of their lives, laughing and dancing as if they’d known each other forever, was the greatest joy of the day.
What was your most important lesson learned?
To achieve our goals, Ash and I adopted a collaborative approach to task delegation. We recognized the importance of playing to each other’s strengths while keeping a pulse on our evolving timeline and stress levels. Frequent communication was key in ensuring we remained aligned and adaptable.
I focused on maintaining a sophisticated style and cohesive narrative, allowing Ash to concentrate on logistical aspects such as budget management, venue coordination, and recruiting volunteers for setup and teardown. While we were able to divide tasks effectively, we still encountered some challenges due to underestimating the cumulative impact of minor details. In retrospect, I could have been more selective about which tasks I took on myself.
Vendors
For this special occasion, a talented team brought the vision to life. The photography was courtesy of Gaby Esensten’s skilled eye, capturing every moment with precision and beauty. Kia Fay’s expertise as a hair and makeup artist ensured that the participants looked their absolute best throughout the event. Held at Apparel Arts, the venue provided an intimate setting for the celebration.
To fuel the fun, Rockridge Market Hall was on hand to provide delicious catering options, satisfying everyone’s cravings.
