When we started looking for venues, I quickly realized it was going to be tough to find a venue that a. would hold the number of guests on our guest lists; b. was the type of place we wanted to get married; and c. was within our budget.

Considering we had over 200 people on our guest list (what up to my giant Irish and Italian family), our budget was very tight.  Based on this, I came to the realization that what we needed to find was a venue which was publicly owned, and allowed us to bring in our own catering and alcohol.

After calling 20+ venues, we narrowed our options and went to see three in person.  We saw the Shadelands Art Center:

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Which I quickly determined was not quite “our style.”

We also looked at the UC Berkeley Student Union:

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Which I really liked, but unfortunately was not available on any date near what we were looking for.

In the end, we chose the Lucie Stern Community Center for our day.

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It was perfect, with it’s high, beamed ceilings, fireplaces, and old-world charm.

We took all of our posed pictures outside the venue before the ceremony.  It ended up being an idyllic setting and the perfect time of day, just before sunset (as we got married on the second shortest day of the year!)

All images courtesy of Iris and Light

Honestly, the best thing I did for my wedding, by far and away, was choose vendors I was comfortable with.  Each and every person hired played such an important role in the look and feel of our day, and we certainly could not have pulled the event off so seamlessly without them.  I don’t have enough words in my vocabulary to give adequate praise to each and every person involved in our day.

To those of you who are planning your wedding right now, the number one piece of advice I can give you is this: hire who you’re comfortable with.  Hire who you trust.  Go with your gut on these things.  I didn’t necessarily hire people who were the most popular, or who had the most experience, the most reviews online, or were the most expensive.  I hired people who I felt a connection with.  People who I thought would support us on our wedding day.

And you know what?  The day went off without a hitch.  I felt so calm, so supported, so loved; all in large part because of the people listed below.  So in the event that any of our wonderful vendors happen to see this post: THANK YOU.  I can’t put into words how much your work meant to me (and KC, and our whole family, for that matter).  You were responsible, in large part, for the amazing day that we had; and for that, I can’t begin to express my gratitude.

Vendors

Photography: Iris and Light

Videography: Aubrea Felch Video

Day-of Coordination: Emily Figueroa of Monarch Memories Event Coordination

Venues

Getting ready portraits: The Westin Palo Alto

Room Block: The Westin Palo Alto and Sheraton Palo Alto

Ceremony and Reception: Lucie Stern Community Center

Posed Portraits: Lucie Stern Community Center courtyard

Attire

Groom and Groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse (rented)

Bridesmaids: JCrew (cardigan and flats of their choice)

Junior Bridesmaids: Max and Cleo purchased from RueLaLa

Wedding Bands: mine is Christopher Designs purchased at Spitz Jewelers, KC’s  is from Shane Co.

Stationary

Save the Dates: Made by my aunt

Invitations, Rehearsal Dinner Invitations: Borrowed and Blue Invitations

All reception signs made by me (with help from KC and my mom)

Decor

Bouquets & Boutonnieres: Made by a family friend

Centerpieces and other plants/flowers: purchased from Trader Joe’s and Costco

Linens and Rentals: A Party Place

Catering

Catering and Staffing: Just Us Catering

Cake: Made by my sister

Dessert buffet treats: Made by family and friends

Music

Piano during the ceremony: Played by my uncle

Reception music: Mark Haggerty of Denon and Doyle