Marie and Griffin know how to have fun, and their friends know it! But no one suspected their engagement party at the Phoenix Hotel in San Francisco would evolve into a wedding. The request for formal attire on the invite should have given a clue to guests, but with a history of throwing fun and fabulous parties, Marie and Griffin had them all fooled.
When choosing a venue for the wedding, Griffin had one request; it had to be late night and all weekend long. If you know Bay Area venue hunting, then you know meeting those requirements is nearly impossible. So it was a no-brainer considering the historic party spot of San Francisco, the Phoenix Hotel. With a rich history of hosting rock bands, reggae festivals, and daytime raves, and with an adjoining restaurant and hip bar the event would have it all. And to add a fun twist, Marie loved the idea of turning their engagement party into a surprise wedding.
With four months to plan, Marie and her family jumped into full swing. As seasoned party planners, they designed all printed materials, sourced all the vendors, and created the eclectic vintage blue china tabletop design Marie has always dreamed of. Up and down the San Francisco Peninsula, they hunted for antiques at all local thrift shops, acquiring plates, votive holders, candelabras, and flower vases. Any gaps in this one-of-a-kind design were filled with Theoni Collection rentals, adding vintage flatware, etched wine glasses, and modern black chargers to add a fun contrast to the design.
If planning a wedding and engagement party in four months wasn’t hard enough, Marie had a vision of her perfect wedding dress which she couldn’t find, so she commissioned a local gown designer. The Ellen Wise Couture design team pulled off the impossible, designing and hand-crafting an elegant and seamless gown with 350 hand-sewn fresh water pearls draping elegantly over the modern dress. It was unique and stunning on the gorgeous bride!
As April 20th arrived, Poppy Group Planners were ready to run the show. The happy couple dressed in their engagement attire, greeting each guest at the bar entrance, giving no hint of the surprise ahead. One hour into the party, Marie and Griffin grabbed a microphone and dropped the surprise. Shocked guests found their way to the back of the building and into the inner courtyard, where the ceremony was set, and an incredible night unfolded.
Photographer Nirav Patel and his team captured the day to perfection. The handsome couple floated through the event with a rush of excitement hard to top! Perhaps it was the warm spring day, the Aperol spritz, and the bottomless espresso martinis, or perhaps it was the high of pulling the biggest surprise off of your life. Nevertheless, after hours of drinks, dancing, and delight our Poppy Planners said a final goodnight to the happiest couple still raging on the dancefloor at midnight. Well done!
Congratulations to Marie and Griffin!