Bob & Natalie {Real Wedding} Cavallo Point, Sausalito, CA

Jerry Yoon Photography

As a wedding planner, my team gets to plan and execute close to twenty weddings per season. Even though we have a special connection with each of our couples, there are a handful of clients that really move us beyond the norm. It's weddings and people like these that reaffirms why I love my job as much as I do, and is the sole reason why my team and our vendors work so hard on every detail. It's just pure wedding magic. I feel this way about Eileen and Stephen from 2010, Ashley and Dave from 2011 and Bob and Nat from this season.

I first started working with Bob and Natalie sixteen months before their wedding date. When I first met Nat for lunch, we immediately hit it off. Natalie is one of the coolest girls with the coolest diction. She's just a fun and delightful person to be around - witty, funny, drop dead gorgeous, AND has no idea. Bob is more reserved than Nat, but is her perfect compliment - disarming, funny and very charming. Together, these two are a blast and we had an amazing time planning.

One of the most special moments was being with them during our site tour at Cavallo Point. I loved watching them fall in love with the property and having their "ah ha" moment together on the ceremony lawn overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. They hugged and looked over at me with excitement and said, "we love it".

Over the next month or so, we put together an all-star team of vendors who each shared the same connection and style with our couple.

The next several months were spent in constant design collaboration between myself, Yasmin of Floral Theory and Natalie. Together we came up with a gorgeous color palette of peach, ivory and sapphire blue with rustic and organic, yet elegant touches. Nat is super artsy and relaxed so it was important to her that nothing was too fussy or overworked but was still beautiful and understated.

Cavallo Point was the perfect environment for it all.

The ceremony was held in Cavallo's Mission Blue Chapel where a twenty foot ivory tulle wall was custom made from inspiration of Natalie's gorgeous Amsale gown. It played an amazing backdrop to their simple ceremony where we lined the aisle with water and pillar candles, tons of ivory Rose petals and white Phalaenopsis Orchids.

The cocktail hour, which was held on the Mission Blue lawn, had a more rustic feel with dark wood lounge furniture and custom wine barrel bars and kiosks.  We loved the deconstructed floral treatments of ivory Hydrangea, Juliet garden roses and white Parrot Tulips. The space boasts an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge which was a special sight for a heavily East Coast guest list who all took advantage of the natural photo-opp.

The dinner reception in Cavallo's Callippe Room echoed the rustic romantic feeling again featuring dark wood farm tables and delicate sheer ivory runners flush with floral and lots of natural candle light. The guests dined on three delicious courses - a citrus salad with uni, heirloom potato bisque, and a duo of roasted Petrole Sole and braised short ribs. For dessert, three flavors of the best wedding cake created by Perfect Endings.

It was a magical and flawless day with an amazing couple with their very special friends and family. I wish we could do it all over again every year.

Congrats again, Bob and Nat!

Enjoy this gorgeous portfolio by the dynamic team of Jerry and Ingrid Yoon, Jerry Yoon Photography.

Cavallo Point wedding - Natalie & Bob from IQvideography on Vimeo.

Vendor Credits: 
Wedding Planning & Design: Simone Lennon, Soiree by Simone Lennon
Floral & Event Design: Yasmin Zialcita Ali, Floral Theory
Photography: Jerry & Ingrid Yoon, Jerry Yoon Photography
Videography: Alex Kohn, IQ Videography
Venue & Catering: Cavallo Point Lodge
Event Rentals & Specialty Linens: Hartmann Studios
Wedding Cake: Perfect Endings
Photo Booth: Gary Sexton Photography
Photo Booth Backdrop: Allison Silber, Engaged & Inspired
Invitations: Dauphine Letterpress
Menus & Programs: Union Street Papery
Bridal Hair & Make-up Team: Michaela South, sHe Beauty by Sarah Hyde
Contributing Designer: Erin Borges, Erin Borges Event Design

Bride's Attire:
Wedding Dress: Amsale via Marina Morrison Bridal Boutique
Sparkly Peep Toe Pumps: Stuart Weitzman
Flats: BHLND
Vintage Diamonds & Jewelry: Fourtane Jewelers, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Engagement Ring: Tiffany & Co.

Bridal Party's Attire:
Bridemaids' Dresses: J. Crew
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Groom & Groomsmen's Suites: Men's Wearhouse

A Signature Cocktail Inspiration: Winter Sun

Not all signature cocktails during the winter months have to match the holidays' "sugar and spice" theme to feel celebratory. This delicious and colorful spirit will add a citrus punch to your wedding. 

Here's a little cocktail confection to brighten even the most dreary winter day. Clementine juice and a touch of lemon combine with vodka for a bright and happy drink. A sprig of rosemary adds a whiff of wintry evergreen.

Ingredients:

• juice of 2 clementines (about 1/4 cup)
• juice of 1/2 small lemon (1/2 oz)
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• sprig of rosemary
• lemon zest
• sugar

Preparation:

Moisten the rim of your glass with some fruit juice. (The juice helps the sugar to adhere better than water does.) Combine zest and sugar in a shallow bowl or plate. Turn the glass over onto plate and coat with sugar. 2. Pour juices, triple sec, and vodka into a shaker. Shake and then pour over ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

Cheers!

~Simone

Bridesmaid Beautiful - Let Them Shine in Individual Style

Believe it or not, one of the biggest points of stress for many brides is finding the perfect bridesmaid gown for their lovely ladies. I don't know how many times I've received calls from my brides who've been in tears because the shopping experience, which was supposed to be a fun time, turned ugly really fast. 

If you haven't been a bride or a bridesmaid before, this may sound completely absurd to you and you're probably wondering how shopping for a pretty dress can make a bride cry. Easy.  

Think about it, you didn't select each girl to be one of your bridesmaids based on the way she will look in a specific gown, you selected her because of her. That means, all your girls already have a defined sense of style and personality, and more importantly, knows what looks good and doesn't on them. You also have to consider that each one is physically different in shape, skin color and height. So, when you ask all of them to unanimously select one gown in one color, a catty situation is going to arise, and more than likely, a decision is not going to be met and there is going to be some tension. 

If for some reason a decision is met, there are always a couple ladies who despise the gown and aren't saying anything to be a good sport. However, when it comes to the wedding day, it's clearly evident in the photos that she didn't feel good in her gown. Pictures are the sure sign of a woman's confidence, and when there is a lack thereof, it translates on to film.  

Also, you are asking a lot of your ladies to be your bridesmaid. Many brides feel like the role is an honor, which it is, don't get me wrong. However, it's a major commitment in both time and money to be there for you on your special day. With that said, make a concerted effort to make them happy and feel beautiful. 

Here are some simple tips on how to make the gown selection process easier for you and them:

Be efficient with your time and do your research first. 

Don't take your entire bridal party with you to find "the gown". Go with only two other people so you don't have a million opinions in the selection process. I would advise bringing your mom and your Maid-of-Honor. 

Pick more than one gown.

Who says that everyone needs to be in the same dress? In fact, who says they need to be in the same color? Listen, the matchy-matchy thing is out so what's the point? You have a color palette so why not select several different dress styles in different colors that marry into your palette? Select three styles in three colors. The variety will add pops of color and variation in your images. 

Select gowns that accentuate different physical features.

When you select your gowns, keep in mind that each one should flatter a different body type - busty, flat, square, curvy, skinny and voluptuous. That ensures at least one gown will look amazing on each of your girls. 

Believe me, these simple suggestions will create the most efficient and stress-free shopping experience. Plus, the biggest bonus, HAPPY and BEAUTIFUL bridesmaids who will be nothing but excited to wear their gown come the wedding day.

The right hair and make-up plays an integral roles as well, but that's a topic for another time... 

Enjoy the following bridesmaids inspiration images. 

~simone