An Intimate Spring Wedding at Central Kitchen

I have a thing for Friday weddings. Maybe I am biased because I myself was married on a Friday. But let me tell you, when I first heard of the grooms’ plans, I was so happy they reached out and gave me the opportunity to design their wedding flowers. 

Paul and Chen married at San Francisco’s City Hall on a sunny Spring morning. From there, they headed to lunch to celebrate with 20 of their closest friends. What a way to start a weekend.

THE VENUE

The couple chose Central Kitchen, a restaurant and private event space located in the heart of the Mission. They had the upstairs space (fittingly called The Upstairs) to themselves. It's industrial and modern, with paned windows up to the ceiling overlooking 20th Street, cement floors, and earthy artwork by Melissa Dickenson. The oversized communal tables are perfect for a special group meal. Created by the Ne Timeas Restaurant Group to focus on culinary adventures, the food is by Chef Thomas McNaughton of neighboring Flour + Water. This venue is a good one. 

THE FLOWERS

The grooms chose simple orchid boutonnieres for their City Hall nuptials. For the party flowers, their only request was “yellow, spring.” With that, I let the season dictate the ingredients. When I saw these yellow tree peonies, I knew they'd be the focal point. I wanted the arrangements to be asymmetrical and full of texture, so I chose spirea for height and white lilac for depth. Pieris Japonica went in next, spilling over the edge of the ceramic vases. From there, I worked in butter yellows with tulips, butterfly ranunculus, and geranium leaf. Icelandic poppies added some playfulness. I incorporated mokara orchids and tangerine geum for a splash of orange. 

I feel like I say this of every season, but early Spring is one of the best times at the flower market. The options for flowers are endless, full of spring fragrance, and always make me excited for the weeks and months to come. 

GRATITUDE

Celebrations like this one remind me that weddings can come in all shapes and sizes. I had so much fun working on this for Paul and Chen, and wish them all the best in this next chapter.

THOUGHTS

Here are a few other San Francisco restaurants with private dining spaces that would be perfect for a small wedding or party (and places I would love to design flowers for!):

• Marlowe (SoMa) 

• Park Tavern (North Beach)

• Octavia (Pac Heights) 

• Cotogna (Jackson Square)  

• Twenty Five Lusk (SoMa)  *I’ll be here to flower a wedding in July! 

• Del Popolo (TenderNob) 

• The Progress (Nopa)

• Che Fico (Nopa)

• Foreign Cinema (Mission) *see the wedding I did there here

• Fiorella (Outer Richmond)

• Stable Cafe (Mission) 

A Modern Winter Wedding at Foreign Cinema, San Francisco

THE COUPLE - Meagan and Kyle got married on the Mayer’s Balcony of San Francisco’s City Hall, quietly, with family by their sides. Then they threw a big ole party to celebrate. It was February, and after what felt like weeks of non-stop rain, the sun had finally come out for the wedding reception.

Ultimately, the day was a true reflection of the bride and groom: relaxed, contemporary, and fun. Meagan looked sophisticated and confident in a silk slip dress by Theia, and Kyle looked classic in a blue suit by JCrew. Their Frenchie pup Penny was the perfect accessory.

THE VENUE - Their chosen venue was Foreign Cinema in San Francisco. The restaurant is an experience in itself, where guests sit in full view of a ‘drive-in’ style film. With friends and family traveling from out of town, the venue was a perfect destination and uniquely San Francisco.

Foreign Cinema’s outdoor heated courtyard lit with market lights, massive fireplace with roaring fire, and art gallery space with modern white walls created a rustic, romantic, but urban atmosphere.

When I first met with Meag, we spoke about her vision. She wasn’t looking for anything that was too traditional or over the top. The couple wanted the venue to speak for itself. And so, their florals were inspired -- modern meets urban meets romantic.

THE FLOWERS - When designing the floral elements for the wedding reception, I focused on dynamic layers of greenery highlighted by a neutral palette of whites, sandstone, and peach. Stand-out blooms included anenomes, butterfly ranunculus, tulips, scabiosa, genestra, and protea. Options for beautiful flowers in Winter are endless! Centerpiece arrangements sat in gray cement vessels that fit right into the urban space.

GRATITUDE - This wedding will always have a special place in my heart, as it happened right after I put in my notice at my 9-5 job to start my own business full time. I am grateful for Meag & Kyle’s confidence in my work and for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of their special day.

I can’t wait to share another project with you. I am currently booking for the 2019 + 2020 seasons! Contact me here to chat about your upcoming event.

Floral Design: Anastasia Andenmatten

Photography: Hillary Jeanne

Hair/Makeup: Painted Ladies

Dress: Theia

Suit: J.Crew

Venue: Foreign Cinema

Hotel: Proper Hotel San Francisco

DJ: Fox Sounds

Day-of Coordination: Tosca Productions