When you can’t decide between nature and the city… Find a spot that has both. Nick + Jade love all things classic and timeless, but also want to pay tribute to mother nature and her beautiful landscapes. They also loved the idea of having two separate venues for their wedding, offering guests a memorable experience every step of the way. They landed on Fairview Crystal Springs for their ceremony, about 15 miles outside of San Francisco offering incredible views. Back in the city, they celebrated at The Palace Hotel in a luxe reception within its grand walls. Below, photographers Andrew and Mashaida Tran share the GORGEOUS black tie wedding images (including lots of chic portraits of the grooms in their Alexander McQueen looks).
Name a more perfect venue for a black tie wedding…. we’ll wait.
The couple explains, We really did not have a theme that we were stuck with, but we wanted the mood to be romantic, elegant, festive with a hint of seduction where our guests could express themselves in their own unique ways. Our colors are British racing green (or forest green, Nicholas’s favorite color) and gold (Jade’s favorite color), which was mostly seen in our reception venue. We would joke with each other that our wedding might look like the Emerald City because of our chosen wedding colors.
They chose Fairview for its natural beauty—they didn’t even feel the need for flowers during the ceremony—so they and their guests could feel at one with nature.
Mother nature did not disappoint us because during our ceremony, behind us was a carousel of different weathers. Sun was out and then the fog rolled in making it look like we were flying with the clouds, it became over cast and windy then the sun came out again. It was perfect!
Then we took our guests to San Francisco California, the place where the first LGBTQ marriage occurred in the U.S.A. The city that fought and still fights for our rights as human beings. This was where our reception venue was located, The Palace Hotel. We chose The Palace not only because of its visually pleasing to the eyes classical architecture and with its million dollar chandeliers in a beautiful atrium, a great wedding menu and an amazing staff and crew but partly because there is a rich history behind it. A history that we both as a couple appreciate and love.
Planner Natalie Choi and floral designer Max Gill helped the grooms bring their emerald and gold color palette to life in so many stunning ways.
N + J originally planned to tie the knot in 2020… after a long two year engagement! Luckily, their vendors came through for them when they needed to postpone, and the extra year allowed them to cut out anything they didn’t absolutely want in their wedding… and add the Summer 2021 Alexander McQueen tux line in.
This stunning sculptural wedding cake was by cake genius Jasmine Rae, of course!!
Their advice for those planning… Be open to new ideas, feel free to only invite who you want and if you know and trust all your vendors then please don’t stress out on your wedding day. Your team has your back! What really matters is that you both get to say your I do’s and vows to each other. Enjoy the flowers, touch them and smell them, savor the food, the drink and the night because it will fly by.
Photographers: Andrew and Mashaida Tran | Planner: Natalie Choi | Ceremony Venue: Fairview Crystal Springs | Reception Venue: Palace Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco | Floral Design: Max Gill Designs | Makeup: Amrita Mehta | Hair: Duran Debbie | DJ: Khoi Quan | Rentals: Standard Event Rentals, Theoni Collection, & La Tavola Linen | Cake: Jasmine Rae | Paper Goods: Daniel Tran
