Janelle + Sam
J+S’s Intimate & Nostalgic San Francisco Wedding - A perfect blend of the natural beauty and urban charm of the city.
Janelle + Sam kicked their wedding off on a cool, cloudy afternoon at Sunnyside Conservatory, a 100 year-old botanical landmark tucked away in the Sunnyside neighborhood of San Francisco. The couple was not a stickler for traditions and joyfully greeted and mingled with their guests before the ceremony. With an intimate guest count of 40, the couple had the chance to chat with each and every one of their guests. Janelle was a beauty to behold in her chic wedding gown. Sam definitely shared the limelight, with his customized patchwork burgundy suit that referenced Sunnyside where they were tying the knot!
The welcome table was stationed just inside the entrance, showcasing wedding photos from past generations of both sides of the family - such a sweet way to honor celebrations of generations past! The bride’s father helped the couple build 2 displays, an adorable pretzel stand for guests to pair with some orange wine during cocktail hour, and a love note wall with notes that included a portrait of each guest drawn by the groom! Another hint of the couple’s artistic inclinations was the beautiful altar, which featured a hand-dyed canvas backdrop between two pedestals.
After the ceremony, guests ducked out from the rain into The Knockout, a beloved gritty dive bar in the Bernal Heights neighborhood. The bar was booked out for the night, creating such a special experience. How many times can you say you know and love everyone you see at the bar? Guests were greeted with disco vibes, tasselled balloons lining the ceiling, shiny linens draping the tables, and retro movies playing on the bar’s VHS players.
The couple highlighted local favorites for their dinner menu - classic drinks at The Knockout’s bar, woodfire pizza straight out of the oven of Mozzeria’s pizza truck, and delicious burritos from Taqueria Cancun a few doors down. Rounding out the meal were two beautiful cakes from local Fear the Feast baker, Francesca, that could both stand alone as works of art. Between rounds of food, guests piled into The Knockout’s vintage photo booth to print out photo strips with the bride and groom. Personal touches were not to be missed at the reception!
Janelle was so cute in her reception outfit - an altered version of her mother’s wedding dress! There were also couple-branded earplugs at the bar for guests to enjoy the live performance by The Last Decade. Everyone jammed to their nostalgic late 90’s and 2000’s alternative rock hits late into the night. Janelle + Sam’s celebration was so intimate and fun, their friends and family (and all the vendors!) will be reminiscing on it for a long time!
Photography by the talented and lovely J & L Photography.