San Francisco Garden Wedding
Nothing like a pretty DIY wedding fresh off the presses to feast our eyes on. So this morning we’re going to San Francisco to relish these gorgeous images by Stephen Hughes Loewinsohn. Britta and Kyle’s handmade fete was perfectly in sync thanks to coordinator Vera Devera of Va De Vie Events. We’re loving the garden setting, the vintage mix and pops of color everywhere. View all images from this colorful DIY wedding in the gallery.
Stephen Hughes Loewinsohn. Britta and Kyle’s handmade fete was perfectly in sync thanks to coordinator Vera Devera of Va De Vie Events. We’re loving the garden setting, the vintage mix and pops of color everywhere. View all images from this colorful DIY wedding 
From Vera Devera of Va De Vie Events: Britta and Kyle had been together for 10 years before tying the knot; these Midwest “kids” met in Arizona, moved to Costa Rica for a bit of adventure and recently settled in Oakland, CA last year after getting engaged.
Details of the wedding included colors of jadite, saffron and coral popped with accents of charcoal. We did a lot of hands on work, including hand-dying muslin ribbons in those colors to hang above her head table, to creating invitations with designer Lilli Keinaenen, mason jar escort cards, and more. Pilar Zuniga created a whimsical bouquet that was literally buttoned up with vintage buttons and fashioned handmade flower boxes.
Stephen Hughes Loewinsohn. Britta and Kyle’s handmade fete was perfectly in sync thanks to coordinator Vera Devera of Va De Vie Events. We’re loving the garden setting, the vintage mix and pops of color everywhere. View all images from this colorful DIY wedding View all images in the gallery
Notes from Britta:
The most memorable part of our wedding day was when Kyle and I exchanged our vows. We had written our vows independent of one another, following the same format, and asked our officiant, a close friend, to put them together. As it turns out our thoughts on love and marriage are identical. They were funny, personal, and heartfelt—an honest reflection on our 10 years together and our hopes for the future. Other memorable moments were the toasts, all unique and sincere, my dance with my dad which he had taken lessons to prepare for, and the photo booth picture of a friend kissing my grandma.
Advice for other brides:
1. Hire a wedding coordinator! The number of minute details that go into planning a wedding is mind-boggling. Find a great one that you can trust who will let you call the shots.
2. Do as much ahead of time as possible. Leave nothing to the last minute.
3. Keep things in perspective. Your wedding is about bringing together family and friends to witness and celebrate the start of a new life. Not the party.
Wedding Vendors and Venue (San Francisco, CA):
Venue: Floral Grubb Gardens / Wedding planner: Va de Vie Events / Photographer: Stephen Hughes Loewinsohn / Cake: Alison Okabayashi, Two for Two Cakes / Caterer Venue: Devoted Catering / DJ: Brett Smith ([email protected]) / Guitar Player: Frederick Boette / Flowers: Pilar Zuniga, Gorgeous and Green / Lighting: Henry Perez, Event Magic / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Hair: Jenna Bates ([email protected]) / Makeup: Vanessa Beckrum ([email protected]) / Security: Vladimir V. Butenko / Transportation (Limo & Shuttle): Dyer Limos / Officiant: Paula Turner (friend) / Photo booth: Green Cheeze Photo Booth
I love the lushness of the reception hall – it’s almost like being outside. And their colors are so pretty and cheerful!
What a gorgeous wedding! I love all the details…especially the ombre cake w/ the “K” and “B”…so sweet! XO, Katie
I love everything about this wedding! Especially the colors they used. This is definitely the type of wedding that I love!
This is amazing! So so pretty! 🙂
Loving the colors! Beautiful venue and personal details!
that venue is pretty stellar.
Love all the natural elements and the range of colors. Wonderful!
That photo against the graffiti wall is amazing!
Can you tell us a little bit more about your vows? My fiancee really wants us to write our own vows, but he is a much better writer and more creative than I am. He’s also more comfortable speaking in front of people. I make break out in hives just thinking about it. Sounds like you figured out a way to have the best of both worlds.
Wow, I love the colorful chairs! It’s amazing how big of an impact chairs have on the overall decor of an event.
awesome wedding!
I love this indoor garden reception.
To answer the question about our vows…Kyle and I each wrote 10 vows following the pattern “I vow…” The first and last vows were the same, but we came up with the ones in the middle. Then we had our officiant put them in order, type them out, and give them to us at the wedding so we wouldn’t know what the other said. Here’s the idea:
Kyle: I vow to love you.
Britta: I vow to love you.
K: To always be on your team.
B: To let you have your space.
K: To make you laugh.
B: To make time for you everyday.
K: To eat whatever you cook.
B: To make you pot roast and mashed potatoes.
K: To love you as long as I live.
B: To take care of you so you can outlive me.
Etc…
K: Do you vow to be my wife?
B: I do. Do you vow to be my husband?
K: I do.
This was a really easy way to do our own vows. Doing them line by line made it easier to write and recite. It takes a lot of the pressure off. Good luck!