Sweet and Romantic Asian Art Museum Wedding

We've worked at a lot of weddings at the Asian Art Museum, but no matter how many times we've been there, we are still very much in love with this classic San Francisco landmark venue, especially when it comes to weddings.

Earlier this year, I posted some pictures of Danielle and Jonathon's destination wedding in San Francisco. It was such a delight for us to work with this down to earth, sweet, Boston-based couple! Because we are so use to working with out of town couples, the planning was extremely smooth and efficient. Danielle, Jonathon, and Danielle's parents took 2 trips out here during the whole duration of the planning, and accomplished all that they needed to--site visits, tastings, meetings, etc. The rest was done via email, dropbox, google docs, and skype.

Now, I get to relive the prettiness all over again, through the lens of talented photographer, Sarah Peet! Kudos to Sarah for documenting the day so perfectly, from the limitless love between this adoring couple, to the unspoken emotions between the families, to the eye candy all throughout the wedding.

The morning of the wedding couldn't have started off on a better foot. While Danielle and the ladies got dolled up under the magic of Mimi & Taylor's team, the suite they were in at the Mandarin Oriental provided them spectacular views of the city and its renown landmark buildings and bridges.

Jonathon and his men took it easy that morning with a casual brunch before getting into their tuxes. For Danielle and Jonathon's "first look", we decided to head up to the 40th floor deck in the hotel. Due to high wind issues, we couldn't remain outside, but still got to maximize the great lighting there.

A vintage rolls royce took them to the pier, and to Mission Dolores park (where Danielle's grandmother and grandfather had their first date!) for photos. The bridal party and families were not far behind in a luxury shuttle by Pure Luxury Transportation.

Danielle and Jonathon married inside the old Mission Dolores church. Though small in size, the church is big in character and history.

After a meaningful, and personal ceremony, guests were shuttled off to the Asian Art Museum for the reception....beginning with a festive cocktail hour on the Loggia, where guests were entertained with the art exhibits on the second floor in between delicacies by Componere Fine Catering.

Following the cocktail hour, the drapes to Samsung Hall were swag opened, revealing a sweet, romantic setup for 100 guests. A combination of long farm tables and round linen tables wrapped around the room, with a spacious dance floor in the center. Eclectic, vintage furniture were placed by the dance floor, offering a cozy setting for those that wished to kick back and watch the dancing. When guests entered the room, they were immediately awe-inspired by the 4 tier wedding cake which sat perfectly atop the vintage sewing table provided by One True Love.

After a fantastic dinner by Componere Fine Catering, which included a surf and turf entree of Butter Poached and Cast Iron Seared Filet Mignon, Maine Lobster-Green Garlic-Morel Mushroom Fricasee Asparagus, and Smoked Potatoes, amongst other amazing courses, the guests danced the night away to the tunes played by DJ Jason Mitchell. In between all the dancing, guests were treated to a Nitro Ice Cream Brownie Sundae Station, where they had made-to-order ice cream with -320 liquid nitrogen.

To satisfy everyone's sweet tooth further, guests got to leave with an assortment of fresh macarons made by Componere Fine Catering's own pastry chef, Erin Emmett.

As always, this wonderful wedding couldn't have happen without an amazing team in the background.....

Event Planning + Production--Jubilee Lau Events
Event and Floral Design--Nancy Liu Chin Designs
Ceremony Venue--Old Mission Dolores Church
Reception Venue--Asian Art Museum
Photographer--Sarah Peet Photography
Videographer--Weddings on Film
Caterer--Componere Fine Catering
DJ--Jason Mitchell
Vintage Furniture--One True Love
Lighting/Draping--Enhanced Lighting
Cake--Inticing Creations
Rentals--Classic Party Rentals
Makeup/Hair--Mimi & Taylor
Vintage Rolls Royce--NLS Limousines
Shuttle Buses--Pure Luxury Transportation
Hotel Room Blocks--Mandarin Oriental & Omni Hotel
Paper Goods--Lucky Luxe
Calligraphy--Little Miss Press

Cindy and David's Wedding at Asian Art Museum

We were back at the Asian Art Museum this summer, for Cindy and David's Asian-inspired wedding, working with many of our favorite people in the industry. Though we've produced numerous events there in the past, this was our very first time where we had both the ceremony and reception inside Samsung Hall. Fortunately, the museum now gives clients the option to buyout Samsung Hall for the whole day, which makes it possible to execute a lot of fantastic design ideas that otherwise may have been nixed due to the timing and logistics of the venue. 

The wedding was held at the end of July, beginning at the lovely boutique Hotel Vitale, right across from the San Francisco Ferry Building...

Hotel Vitale is one of the best hotels for the bridal party to get ready in. Their circular and terrace suites are extremely spacious, with lots of natural light for beautiful photography and videography. It is conveniently located in the city, and close to many picturesque places nearby. For these reasons, many of our clients choose to stay there for their wedding.

Cindy and David had their "first look" on one of the terraces at the hotel, and they invited all of their bridal attendants to be present for that. It was a a clear and gorgeous day with a panoramic view of the bay right behind them!

They were picked up by a classic cable car trolley, and were whisked off to get some photos in front of San Francisco City Hall, before taking a stroll across civic center park to the red carpet that awaits them at the entrance of Asian Art Museum.

Guests arrived shortly after that, and were invited to walk up the awe-inspiring grand staircase, adorned with orchid-filled branches on modern white pedestals. Ushers passed out programs and ribbon wands before escorting guests to their seats inside Samsung Hall.

Cindy and David were married by their good friend Kathy, witnessed by all 210 of their guests. After sharing their first kiss as husband and wife, they led their guests out to the Loggia, where everyone feasted on elaborate hors d'oeurves created by Componere Fine Catering. The second floor museum galleries were opened for guests' enjoyment, as well as the Magnolia Photobooth (aka Magbooth) that remained busy throughout the evening. 

While guests were enjoying the hour of art and libations, we were moving at lightening speed inside Samsung Hall to transform the room for dinner. It really takes a village to flip a room like that in an hour, and we sure had a great village for this wedding!

When we reopened the doors to Samsung Hall to invite guests in for dinner, everyone was in awe at how different the room looked from merely an hour ago.

For the dinner menu, Componere's culinary team started off with an Amuse course of shaved poached prawn, watermelon, mosaic, meyer lemon, and fried mint. The first course was a cherry tomatoes salad with crispy tofu croutons, compressed cucumber, black pepper candied bacon, opal basicl, and mizuna. For the main entree, guests indulged in a black garlic-red wine braised beef short rib, served with crispy buckwheat noodle cake and broccolini.

As if that wasn't enough, Componere set up their famous Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Bar after dinner, featuring ice cream made to order with -320 degree liquid nitrogen. Guests had a blast building their own sundaes there! 

Ofcourse, to help guests work off all that extra calorie, DJ Jason Mitchell was kept busy all night long playing music that kept the dance floor crowded. During the dancing, Componere even passed out Momofuku Pork Buns to keep the energy high! Cindy and David stayed till the very end to bid their guests farewell, before retiring back to their lovely suite at Hotel Vitale...

Congratulations, Cindy and David, and thank you for including us in your memorable event! 

All images above by Cliff Brunk Photography

Kudos to the hard working "village" that worked alongside us that day:

Event Planning, Production + Hospitality: Jubilee Lau Events

Event Design + Styling: Gloria Wong Design

Venue: Asian Art Museum

Caterer: Componere Fine Catering

Photography: Cliff Brunk

Beauty: JBeautique

Floral Design: Hunt Littlefield

Lighting + Draping: Enhanced Lighting

DJ + MC: Jason Mitchell

Transportation: Classic Cable Car

Photobooth: Magnolia Photobooth

Wedding Cake: Studio Cake

Furniture Rentals + Red Carpet: Hartmann Studios

Tabletop Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Paper Goods: Wedding Paper Divas