1. Real Weddings

A Glamorous Gold and Ivory Ballroom Wedding at Merchants Exchange Building in San Francisco, California

Jenny McCullum (28 and a writer) and Jamien McCullum (34 and a Vice President of Business Development) first met while attending as guests at a weddin

Jenny McCullum (28 and a writer) and Jamien McCullum (34 and a Vice President of Business Development) first met while attending as guests at a wedding. Although Jenny had a date, the two of them enjoyed talking on the bus and at the reception dinner table. At the end of the night, Jamien asked the bride to give him Jenny’s number if she was ever single. Jenny and the man she was dating broke up a few months later, and Jamien was thrilled to get the call from the bride letting him know. While Jenny was visiting San Francisco to see some friends, her and Jamien met up for their first official date. One year later, Jenny and Jamien were steadily dating and living together in San Francisco. Jamien woke Jenny suddenly to tell her that their skylight had leaked and told her to meet him on the roof. Jenny collected herself and slowly made her way to the rooftop. To her surprise, there was a bottle of champagne with two glasses and Jamien down on one knee. The couple got married at Julia Morgan Ballroom in the Merchant’s Exchange building of downtown San Francisco. Elegant neutrals were used to decorate the venue built with dark mahogany wood and a graphic ceiling. Jenny’s bouquet was filled with ivory hydrangeas (her favorite flower) while the venue space was decorated with green garlands and branches.

Save-the-Dates were postcards of San Francisco, where the couple lived and fell in love.
"As a contributing writer for California lifestyle magazine, C Magazine, Jenny knew finding her wedding dress would be as much of a sartorial decision as a romantic one," says Jamien. "Typically drawn to sleek, minimal silhouettes, Jenny surprised herself when she tried on a ballgown from Oscar de la Renta's Spring '12 bridal collection and knew she had found her dress."
Jenny carried a simple bouquet of ivory hydrangeas, which are her favorite flowers.
Pink Calla Lily Bridesmaid Bouquet
Jenny Approaching Jamien, First Look
Jenny and Jamien First Look
Glass Golden Ceiling and Clock
Jenny and Jamien were married underneath a traditional chuppah inside the Merchants Exchange Building in San Francisco, California. The historic room had intricate ceiling patterns and gold walls that needed little extra decor.
White Simple Ceremony Program Cards
The couple were married underneath a white chuppah that was decorated with green garland at the ceremony.
First Kiss Under White Chuppah
Intimate Shot of Jenny and Jamien
Walking in Urban Streets of San Francisco
Ivory escort cards were organized next to gold shot glasses on an elegant mahogany wood table. A lush arrangement of ivory orchids, peonies, calla lilies and hydrangeas was positioned behind the cards.
Ivory Escort Cards and Gold Shot Glasses
"We selected the ballroom for its rich history as part of the city," says the couple. "We both loved the art deco ceiling, rich dark wood, and downtown feel the space had. It totally encapsulated the timeless beauty and glam vibe we wanted our day to have."
A gold framed table number was placed in front of an ivory hydrangea centerpiece on a dining table at the reception.
"Given the graphic ceiling and dark mahogany of the ballroom, the palette always revolved around a spectrum of elegant neutrals to let the space really standout," says Jenny. Tables were decorated with tall tree centerpieces with hanging votives.
Gold Crusted White Plate, Linens and Menu
The three-tiered ivory wedding cake was decorated from top to bottom with a ruffled design. The cake was positioned on top of a glamorous gold and black stand.