Welcome back to the third and most exhilarating chapter of our unforgettable wedding weekend celebration! If you’ve just joined us, you might want to catch up on the previous posts that led us to this joyous occasion:
Part #1: The Welcome Dinner
Part #2: Getting Ready, The First Look + The Ceremony
Today, we’re diving headfirst into the heart of our San Francisco wedding celebration: the reception. For us, this wasn’t just any party; it was a wild, energetic, and wonderfully sweaty dance party, shared with 135 of our dearest friends and family. It was everything we dreamed of and more, a true reflection of our personalities and our love for a good time. But before we surrender to the rhythm of the night, let’s rewind a bit and pick up right where we left off, newly married and ready to celebrate.
With “I do” officially spoken and rings exchanged, C and I found a few precious moments to ourselves, tucked away from the delightful whirlwind. This brief interlude was essential. We savored the feeling of being husband and wife, replayed the ceremony’s charming imperfections with laughter, and even managed a few attempts at bustling my gown (a huge shout-out to D&D for their expert assistance – I promise to practice for your future weddings!). This quiet time, albeit short, allowed us to truly internalize the magnitude of what had just happened, providing a much-needed breath before the festivities resumed.
Meanwhile, our cherished guests were enjoying a vibrant cocktail hour. The air was filled with joyous chatter, clinking champagne flutes, and the tantalizing aroma of delicious appetizers. Though we were momentarily separated from the main celebration, the thoughtful staff ensured we weren’t left out. A plate of delectable bites was brought our way, and I swiftly devoured three miniature sourdough grilled cheeses and as many tuna poke crisps as I could manage. We also heard rave reviews about the crab cakes and the impressive charcuterie table. While a small part of me regretted missing the social buzz, the peaceful pause to refuel and reflect was undeniably appreciated, especially amidst the exhilarating chaos of a San Francisco wedding day.
As the cocktail hour drew to a close – after what felt like both an eternity and a mere blink – our amazing DJ announced our grand entrance. We didn’t just walk in; we plunged straight into the energetic heart of the Hora! This traditional Jewish wedding dance was a significant cultural element we were eager to share. It was incredibly special to introduce C’s family and our many non-Jewish friends to this vibrant piece of our heritage, watching their faces light up with excitement and curiosity. The Hora symbolizes joy, community, and the collective celebration of the newly married couple. The sight of us being lifted high above the crowd, surrounded by cheering faces, was truly exhilarating. A massive thank you to all the strong individuals who enthusiastically stepped up, lifting four rounds of delighted people – you were absolute champions and set an incredible tone for the evening’s festivities!
From that moment on, the night transformed into a beautiful, joyful blur. The sheer happiness and energy of the celebration made time fly, leaving me with a collection of vivid impressions rather than a detailed timeline. I even had to text Mama Maven later to piece together some of the evening’s finer points, as everything was gloriously hazy – for all the best reasons, of course!
When C and I began planning our dream wedding, two priorities stood head and shoulders above all else: a full, open bar and an epic, unforgettable dance party. We’re both self-professed homebodies, content with quiet evenings, but give us a dance floor, and we transform! Our very first night together ended with us dancing until dawn, and our time living in NYC was often spent busting a move wherever the mood struck. C is notorious for starting impromptu dance sessions in the most random places – I distinctly remember one time in a department store, he twirled me around, and a lady asked if we were newlyweds… that was four years ago! So, yes, dancing wasn’t just a preference; it was *the* numero uno priority for our wedding reception. Anything that threatened to detract from the sheer joy of dancing was swiftly re-evaluated.
Following the high-energy Hora, everyone took their seats for the speeches. Our decision to forgo a traditional wedding party streamlined this segment beautifully, ensuring that each speaker truly represented a significant part of our lives. My parents shared heartwarming words, followed by C’s wonderful mother, and then his sister, Lauren, delivered a truly touching speech. C wrapped up the segment with some heartfelt, quick thank-yous. Leading up to the wedding, I hadn’t given much thought to the speeches beyond setting a five-minute cap for each speaker. However, looking back, these heartfelt moments surprisingly became one of my absolute favorite parts of the entire day. Each speech was so beautifully crafted, so sincere, and imbued with such deep emotion. They truly underscored the incredible network of love and support surrounding us as we embarked on this new chapter of our relationship. A particularly poignant moment was C’s mother reading from a speech his late father had begun writing. It was so characteristically “Frank” – full of his unique charm and wit – bringing forth smiles, laughter, and a flood of tears, all while reminding us of his cherished presence.
Once the last heartfelt word was spoken, dinner was served. While we, unfortunately, don’t have any photographs of the culinary delights, let me assure you, it was absolutely delicious! Our incredible venue, the Presidio Golf Course Clubhouse, handled all the catering, and honestly, every dish was exceptional. As I mentioned, an epic dance party was our paramount priority. We wanted the food to be outstanding, yes, but not so elaborate or drawn-out that it kept our guests glued to their seats. Our wish was granted: the food was fantastic, but the lasting memory for everyone (including us!) was undeniably the dance floor. It’s a testament to the excellent quality that it could be so satisfying yet seamlessly flow into the evening’s main event.
To be completely candid, amidst the whirlwind of joy and celebration, the specifics of the dinner itself have become a bit hazy – a testament to how fully immersed we were in the moment and the anticipation of dancing. However, I distinctly remember the thoughtful menu choices. We started with a refreshing Waldorf salad, artfully prepared with crisp pears and rich Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese. For the main courses, guests had the choice of a perfectly cooked filet mignon, a beautifully prepared seasonal fish (the exact type escapes my memory now, but I remember it being exquisite!), and a creamy risotto option for our vegetarian guests. During our tasting, every dish was a culinary delight, reflecting the venue’s commitment to local, seasonal, and organic ingredients. We knew we were in good hands, and they certainly delivered on flavor without compromising our vision for a vibrant, dance-centric reception.
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, which wasn’t quite our style, we opted for a magnificent, sprawling cookie platter later in the evening, accompanied by fresh fruit. Guests raved about the cookies, though I confess I was too busy celebrating to even remember seeing them! But the choice was intentional: these weren’t just any cookies. They hailed from Marla Bakery, our absolute favorite bakery in San Francisco. Their chocolate chip cookies, in particular, are nothing short of life-changing and utterly addictive. It was a delightful and personal touch, offering a casual, crowd-pleasing dessert that perfectly complemented the relaxed, celebratory vibe of our San Francisco wedding reception.
Okay, enough about the delicious food and meaningful speeches – let’s get to the dancing, the heartbeat of our celebration! We officially kicked off the dance floor with our first dance, a moment made even more special by my best friend, Erica, who beautifully sang our chosen song, “Sunday Kind of Love” by Etta James. Erica and I have shared a bond since we met at summer camp at the age of eight. Having her living so close by in San Francisco these past few years has been a true gift, and her singing on our wedding day was an incredibly personal and emotional touch. C and I adore “Sunday Kind of Love” not for any grand, elaborate reason, but simply because its lyrics resonate deeply with us. Finding my other half, someone who cherishes lazy Sunday mornings on the couch with our dog and a stack of pancakes, truly feels like my life’s greatest achievement (and I’m fairly certain C would wholeheartedly agree). Erica’s rendition was absolutely stunning, though I confess I wish I could have watched her more closely; we were a little too preoccupied gazing into each other’s eyes! Thankfully, several guests captured videos, preserving that precious memory forever.
Immediately following our first dance, we transitioned into the equally meaningful parent dances: the father-daughter dance and the mother-son dance. My dad and I swayed to a beautiful, slower acoustic cover of “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright.” Having already performed seven father-daughter dances together (a long story for another time, perhaps!), we had our routine down to a comfortable, heartfelt art. It was a sweet, familiar moment that highlighted our special bond, filled with both laughter and a touch of sentimentality.
Meanwhile, C and his mom were having an absolute party of their own on the dance floor! Their mother-son dance was a whirlwind of pure joy and energy, reflecting their vibrant relationship perfectly. It was a beautiful contrast, both dances equally cherished for their unique expressions of love and connection. These dances marked the official opening of the dance floor, and from that point forward, the energy in the room was electrifying and absolutely unstoppable.
What can I truly say about the rest of the night, other than it escalated into the most magnificently rowdy, gloriously sweaty, and endlessly joyful dance party imaginable? Tequila shots flowed, laughter echoed, and the dance floor became the pulsating heart of our San Francisco wedding reception. We danced for a solid three and a half hours, and I’m genuinely convinced that even when the house lights came on and the music finally faded, our guests (and certainly we!) continued to sway, sing, and celebrate. My dream of hosting the ultimate dance party unequivocally came true. The photographs from this part of the evening perfectly capture the uninhibited energy, the sheer euphoria, and the collective spirit of celebration that enveloped us all.
At some point during the incredible dance party, our fantastic photographer, Sierra, whisked us away for a quick session of golden hour shots. These easily became some of my favorite images from the entire day. By this time, the immense relief that all the months of hard work and planning were finally complete washed over us. It was truly happening, and we were officially, joyously married! You can undeniably see this raw, unfiltered sense of relief, happiness, and newfound marital bliss radiating from every single one of those golden-lit photographs. The soft, warm glow of the San Francisco sunset perfectly encapsulated the magical feeling of our Presidio wedding reception.
And then, with renewed energy and hearts full of love, we returned to the dance floor. We danced, and danced, and then danced some more, soaking in every single moment of our incredible San Francisco wedding reception. A huge shout-out is due to my amazing 8-year-old nephew, who was absolutely tearing it up on the dance floor from the get-go, setting the perfect, high-energy tone for the entire night! As the official reception concluded, an after-party ensued, which, to be honest, C and I graciously opted out of. I hear tales that it involved a lively bar in the Richmond district and that much fun was had by all who attended. And, as the old saying goes, what happens at the after-party, stays at the after-party!
Completely blissed out and wonderfully exhausted, C and I made our way back to the luxurious comfort of the JW Marriott, calling it a night filled with more joy than we could have ever imagined. While the reception was the epic dance party of our dreams, the wedding weekend wasn’t quite over. We still had a brunch to attend in the morning, where we’d get to share more laughs and reflect on the amazing memories created. More on that delightful conclusion in our very next post!
Planning a San Francisco wedding or just looking for inspiration? Here are the incredible vendors who helped bring our vision to life:
Photography: Sierra Ashleigh Photography (digital + film)
Invites: Minted
Dress: Blush by Hayley Paige
Shoes: Raye Laurel Heel (sold out unfortunately!)
Venue + Catering: Presidio Golf Course Clubhouse
Dessert: Marla Bakery
Flowers: We did them! DIY post coming soon
Hair: Sarah Jordan from Harper Paige Salon
Makeup: Nikol Elaine
DJ: Fox Sounds