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A Retro-Inspired Black-and-White Wedding in San Francisco

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  • Photography: BN Photography
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    The Theme

    Lights, camera ... I do! Influenced by the style and glamour of Old Hollywood, a pair of film buffs set the stage for a showstopping celebration.

    "I wanted it to feel like a film from the '50s," says Courtney, a florist who designed her wedding celebration with the help of friends.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Venue

    The ceremony and reception took place at the historic Green Room at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center.

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    Painted Decor

    Giant trompe l'oeil sets, inspired by those in "An American in Paris," served as backdrops. Courtney and Jose's ceremony was marked by a voluminous "curtain" that was hand-painted by the couple's friend and flanked with urns of garden roses, dahlias, and ostrich feathers.

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    Invitations

    The stationery suite included a response card written in both English and Spanish, Jose's first language, and Greta Garbo stamps.

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    Blue Ribbon

    Courtney's "something blue," an antique duchesse satin ribbon with Jose's name inked in calligraphy, was sewn inside the hem of her dress.

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    The Bouquet

    Courtney's good friend created her bouquet of blush-pink garden roses trimmed with black velvet leaves, crinoline, and a gold satin ribbon.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Programs

    Additional Postage Required created the stationery for the event, including the ceremony programs, which were wrapped with gold ribbon.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Boutonniere

    Cherries provided the event's florals, including the peach flower boutonnieres wrapped with gold ribbon.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    The Wedding Party

    Male family members and close friends wear black-and-white ties in different patterns.

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    Jumping for Joy

    Jose, in Calvin Klein, catches some air after taking pictures with his new bride, in Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal.

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    Portraits

    Here, the bride, a Nebraska native, and the groom, who hails from Puerto Rico, pose with their families.

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    Cocktails

    The signature drink was a lemonade libation called the Chantilly Pink, a play on Courtney's middle name, Chantelle.

    Get the Chantilly Pink Drink Recipe
  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Retro Signage

    A sign pointed guests outside for cocktails.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Fabulous Fare

    Devoted Catering provided breads, cheese, and jams.

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    Time to Celebrate

    Jose topped off the rose Champagne tower.

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    Centerpieces

    Courtney and Jose's cocktail reception featured centerpieces of garden roses, dahlias, carnations, and sweetpeas.

    How to Make These Centerpieces
  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Table Decor

    Seat-yourself tables were dotted with "Mad Men"-esque matchbooks and bowls of mixed nuts.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Wedding Shoes

    The bride wore these white sparkling pumps by Martinez Valero with her tea-length dress for the ceremony, and changed into black versions for the reception.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Ballroom

    The regal decor of the Green Room at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center played into the couple theme of Old Hollywood glamour.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    First Dance

    Courtney added a sheer black wrap to her wedding-day ensemble for the reception.

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    Dessert

    The couple's friend painted the monogrammed Parisian backdrop for the dessert bar, which had a scrumptious spread of cookies, cakes, cotton candy, and more.

  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Sweet Display

    Swabs of cotton candy were presented in coordinated tiered displays.

    How to Make the Cotton Candy Display
  • Photography: BN Photography
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    Treats

    The table also included caramel-covered apples with black-and-white striped straws.

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    Sources

    Location: The Green Room at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center
    Event Planning: Arianne Nichol
    Catering: Devoted Catering
    Cakes: Beaux Gateaux
    Wedding Photography: B&N Photography
    Murals: Ian Garrison (ceremony), Sergio Paez (dessert)
    Flowers: Cherries
    Gown: Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal
    Menswear: Calvin Klein (groom's suit), Thomas Pink (shirt, bow tie, and cuff links), Kenneth Cole (shoes)
    Stationery: Additional Postage Required
    Rentals: Blueprint Studios (decor), La Tavola Linen (linens), SF Party (cotton candy machine)

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