City Elegance: Sarah + Joseph

Sarah and Joseph wanted a traditionally elegant San Francisco wedding, but with an element of cut-loose fun. The Palace Hotel was just the place to combine the two. Sarah and Joseph said their "I dos" at a historic San Francisco church and headed straight to the Palace Hotel for an evening of dinner and dancing. After cocktails in the Sunset Court, guests dined on an extravagant Italian dinner paired with the finest California wines, in the majestic Garden Court. We incorporated rich colors of gold, mocha brown, and a luxe creamy white, which worked perfectly with the opulence of the Garden Court's architecture.

Sarah and Joseph danced their first dance to Hawaiian musician, Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole's, rendition of "Somewhere Under the Rainbow" peformed by James Lanman. Such an amazing and unique first dance song! I think every guest had goose bumps.

After dinner, we opened up the Ralston Room for dancing with the Durell Coleman Band. Durell is beyond talented - he performed at my wedding and people still can't stop talking about him! We transformed the Ralston Room with stunning orange lighting and centered the band stage with the entrance, so guests got this rush of seeing the band and the beautiful lighting all at once. It had such a tremendous impact and really set the tone for the night of dancing ahead.

My Favorite Detail? The latenight party in the Ralston Room boasted an enormous chocolate station from my favorite place to indulge - CocoaBella in San Francisco. Sarah and Joseph selected their favorite CocoaBella morsels and enlisted a master sommelier to pair every chocolate with their favorite dessert wines. Guests indulged in everything from sea salt carmel in dark chocolate, to white chocolate trufles filled with yuzu . It was heavenly.

Dinner and dancing at The Palace Hotel - San Francisco. Photography by Suzy Clement. Flowers by Kathleen Deery Design. Wedding cake by Perfect Endings. Music and entertainment through Innovative Entertainment. Chocolate station by CocoaBella. Printed materials by A Day in May Design. Calligraphy by Barbara Callow Calligraphy. Bridesmaids dresses by Bella Bridesmaid. Bride's gown by Vera Wang.