Real Weddings, Advice, & Inspiration

Catalyst Wedding Company highlights weddings by and for game-changers. We seek to amplify and empower voices and viewpoints that are usually missing from the Wedding Industrial Complex. We're a community of badass wedding professionals who love all things funky, fresh, diverse, unique, and personality-driven; we convene twice yearly for (un)convention, a collaborative workshop, styled shoot, and dinner party. We're also the publishers of Catalyst Wedding Mag, a resource for couples looking for inspiration and affirmation that doing things differently in wedding-world is not only ok, it's wonderful!

San Francisco is brimming with charming, elegant venues to host post-City Hall nuptials.
For this shoot, we sought a unique and unexplored space. The interior of the recently opened Cambria Gallery in the SoMa neighborhood just south of City Hall was an inspiring discovery. We fell in love with the combination of colors and textures and the urban, modern décor. Marble, quartz, and exposed brick give the showroom a very dramatic and industrial look, particularly when paired with a bold, graphic print. The space inspired an urban, yet feminine vibe and a chic, modern, yet approachable look for our shoot.

For our models, we paired a flowing, floor-length peach skirt with a fitted lace top and set it next to tailored white pants and a black crop top. The soft and feminine is juxtaposed with the sleek and modern, creating a sophisticated, classic look. For contrast and pops of color, we went for bold floral arrangements: saturated deep reds blended smoothly with whites and peaches to create bouquets that took the foreground. We enjoyed the unusual and interesting shapes of the pincushion protea, kangaroo paw, and Leucadendron, and the color saturation from the Amaryllis and densely petaled ranunculus.

For the tablescape, a sharp, black matte place setting against the stark white of the table was softened with wood sculptures and florals. The "chargers" on the table are actual quartz samples from the gallery. The bespoke invitations, made from laser-cut metal, layers of translucent vellum, and marble patterns, complemented the look. The result was an inventive combination of raw industrialism and refined elegance.

Words and images by Eileen Marie of Buena Lane Photography

San Francisco City Hall Lesbian LGBTQ Elopement Styled Shoot by Buena Lane Photography

San Francisco City Hall Lesbian LGBTQ Elopement Styled Wedding Shoot by Buena Lane Photography

CREATIVE TEAM

Designer~Coordinator: Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events

Photographer: Eileen Marie of Buena Lane Photography

Venue: Cambria Gallery

Florals: Shannon LaVoie of Rare Sparrow Floral Design

Wedding Cake: Arlette Novelli of Three Little Cakes

Additional tabletop Décor/Napkin Rings: Jenny Wong-Stanley of Art of Plants

Rentals/Linens: Flatware (CB2), Glassware (Cost Plus World Market), China (Ikea), Cambria provided granite ‘chargers’

Custom Cloth Napkins: Dot and Army

Printing (Stationary & Invitations): Jordan Kentris of A Good Day, Inc.

Wardrobe: Ju.Lee Collection

Hair and Makeup Artist: April Foster Artistry

Bracelet (Custom Sea Glass Band): Designed by the Sea

Models: Ali Haas + Stella Kim

Buena Lane Photography specializes in working with adventurous couples who are planning a unique or non-traditional celebration. You're free to love who you want, how you want. Shouldn't your wedding be the same way?