A Romantic Black-Tie Wedding at San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco, California

Christina Kwong and Thomas Dang put their own spin on a city hall wedding by throwing a romantic black-tie bash in San Francisco City Hall’s striking Beaux-Arts Rotunda. “We both share a passion for eating good food and taking pictures during our travels, so everything from the gowns to the flowers, the cake and the food were all selected to be picture-perfect and enjoyed by everyone in attendance,” Christina says. The venue’s dramatic architectural details set the tone for the décor. A palette of white, gold, gray and blush tied in seamlessly with the refined feel of the setting, while lush arrangements of full roses, peonies, ranunculus and zinnias delivered an element of romance and softness to the space. For the ceremony, large bouquets of peonies were placed on pedestals at the back of the aisle and along the grand staircase where the couple exchanged vows. Rows of classic blooms in shades of ivory and blush ran along the length of the aisle, guiding the way toward the staircase. To give the proceedings a touch of personal flair, the couple wrote their own vows and, Christina walked down the aisle to the Beauty and the Beast theme song performed by a string quartet. The reception was the picture of elegance and romance. Warm candlelight illuminated the skyward-reaching arrangements and garland of peonies that dotted the reception tables. Gilded glassware and dinnerware was placed at every seat and topped off with a laser-cut wood place card bearing the name of each guest. For added visual drama, the blush table cloths featured intricate paisley embroidery. To make their guests feel extra special, Christina and Thomas laid out a red carpet at the entrance of City Hall and incorporated an interactive photo booth with plenty of fun props. At the end of the night, guests were gifted a box filled with a mix of the couple’s favorite treats. The duo also paid tribute to their Chinese heritage by incorporating a traditional tea ceremony and door games into the festivities.