A Wedding to Remember: Pivoting to a Renegade Celebration at the Palace of Fine Arts
As a San Francisco wedding photographer, I've encountered many wedding day surprises, but the story of Bethanie and Paul's March 2022 celebration stands out as one of true resilience and love.
The day before their wedding, Bethanie received the news that no bride wants to hear: she had tested positive for COVID-19. It was a devastating blow for the couple who had already delayed their wedding though the early pandemic years, meticulously planned their big day over the past year, and flown family in from 3 different continents. Having waited patiently through the elopement era and the micro-wedding craze, they were long envisioning a waterfront ceremony in their dream wedding venue with a whopping 150 guests.
The county's strict health regulations meant that their original venue had to cancel the event. It felt like everything they had dreamed of was unraveling in front of their eyes. But, instead of giving in to despair, superstar fiancé Paul spent the next 24 hours pivoting their plans entirely and planned a guerilla wedding at the iconic Palace of Fine Arts.
beautiful Wedding Photography at the Palace of Fine Arts
With all the stress of pivoting their wedding plans, the couple was so wiped they wanted to skip their posed wedding photos! I seldom insist on much when I photograph weddings, but I know from my experience as a San Francisco wedding photographer that this was a once in a lifetime moment and I couldn't leave without taking some art wedding portraits. With 8 minutes on the clock, we went to the rotunda and got some fantastic wedding pictures. I was amazed at how many unique backdrops we were able to get in a short amount of time. I kept the couple moving with lots of direction to capture the kind of editorial wedding imagery I love to create.
An iconic San francisco wedding venue
This historic San Francisco location, with its grand architecture and serene surroundings, has long been known as the backdrop for iconic wedding photographs. It's a public space where couples often go for their engagement sessions, marriage proposals, or for wedding portraits after an elopement or destination wedding. I often come here with my city hall wedding couples to take additional portraits and family photos after their wedding ceremony. This landmark location offered the perfect backdrop for their impromptu celebration. Bethanie, wearing a fairy tale princess crown and embroidered Italian couture gown, and Paul, looking dapper in his tuxedo, exchanged vows in an outdoor ceremony in front of the fountain on the front lawn. The scene was surreal, with the intricate columns and the lagoon nearby adding to the romantic atmosphere. It was truly the perfect location for their San Francisco wedding.
Guys, this was one of my favorite weddings. The ceremony was a testament to their creativity, tenacity and love, underscoring that, sometimes, the most memorable moments are the ones that don't go as planned. In the face of unexpected challenges, they focused on what truly mattered: their commitment to each other. After they exchanged vows the popped some Dom Perignon and served it in plastic cups.
a wedding reception on a stunning san francisco rooftop
Throughout the day I was reminded of the beauty of spontaneity and the power of love to overcome obstacles. The San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, a location I've often praised for its romantic and timeless charm, provided the perfect stage for a story that will be retold for years to come.
As the sunset cast its golden light on the happy couple and their beautiful community, a friend offered to host the reception on their rooftop in the city. The original caterers agreed to drop off the food but not serve it, so they created a self-serve buffet. On the Noe Valley roof deck, SF sparkled in the twilight with 360 degree skyline views.
In the end, Bethanie and Paul's wedding wasn't what they had originally envisioned—it was even better. It was a celebration of adaptability, community, and the undeniable magic of a San Francisco icon that never fails to inspire.
