Olivia + Nic’s fun, modern wedding took place at a super unique venue that you certainly don’t come across everyday — the rooftop of a parking garage, overlooking the San Diego bay! The most important detail to this laid-back couple was that their guests would mingle + enjoy each other’s company, so they kept it simple and achieved the feel they wanted with stylish seating areas that encouraged conversation, and by serving guests snacks + drinks in a relaxed, cocktail-style setting. Here’s more from Olivia about what prompted them to choose such an untraditional location:
In the beginning, I envisioned a very natural venue (mountain top was my dream!) but after every option fell through, the idea of a parking garage came up. “Nah…” was our first reaction. But my wheels started turning and the planning began. With a mix of vintage + modern furniture, and the help of organic greenery and plants, the space was transformed from a concrete parking garage to an incredible place for people to mingle and celebrate our joy + love. It was unforgettable. And the views of the San Diego Bay and city lights didn’t hurt either…
Thank you so much to John Newsome for the awesome photography and big congrats to Olivia + Nic!
I’m a big fan of Olivia’s fun bouquet which layers so many different types of greenery!
Majorly love this simple, modern sign welcoming guests to Olivia + Nic’s ceremony!
And their inventive, geometric-inspired escort display is so, so fun…
Processional: Groom + Bridal Party: Strawberry Swing – Coldplay; Bride: Promise – Ben Howard
Recessional: Daylight – Matt and Kim
First Dance: I Had a Real Good Lover – The Shouting Matches
Be sure not to miss their sweet wedding video by Jack and Hannah!
1. Enjoy the process. Be kind and appreciate everyone who lends a hand.
2. If you like it, do it. You don’t want to look back and regret doing (or not doing!) something just because some didn’t like the idea. Most of the time, you’ll end up proving them wrong! :)
3. Take mental snapshots! It goes by way too fast.
photography: John Newsome // venue name: The Columbia Garage in San Diego, California // wedding dress: designed by bride and made by Juliette Lunger // groom attire: Zara // videography: Jack and Hannah // calligraphy: paperweight // cake: mother of the groom // desserts: groom's aunts // floral design: Andrea Fakhouri // furniture rentals: Pow Wow, Lauren Sharon Vintage Rentals, bride + groom // signs: paperweight
On the rooftop, yes! So awesome.
Gorgeous wedding…..in a way it WAS on a mountain top! Would love to know the story behind the brown shoes…….. :)
Fantastic idea to have it on the rooftop! The downtown views are very striking.
The wedding on the rooftop…. just awesome!
Wow, on the rooftop! Such an interesting idea!
Wow! What a great location. I also love the bridesmaids in all white. Very clean and crisp looking.
Does someone know why is she washing his feet? It is sweet, but I don’t understand… :)
This scripture was read in reference to a heart and life of serving each other (Jesus’example with his friends; he washed their feet to illustrate serving others):
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Thanks for the answer, I knew Jesus’ example before, but I didn’t thought that it is the reference.
So gorgeous! The bridesmaids and grooms attire were a good choice. Very classy and modern rooftop wedding :)
I forgot to give credit to my mom, Beth Weeks, for the beautiful calligraphy sign and nail/string art! She’s amazing. Hire her.
[email protected]
Hi Olivia!
I have a few questions about the logistics of how you did your gorgeous wedding…
Can I get in touch with you via email for some advice? If not I’d be glad to ask on here :)
Amy
Ps – love the scripture reference you chose!
Sorry Amy! I just now saw this!
Here’s my email in case I’m not too late :)
[email protected]
Hi Olivia! I’ve been sweating your wedding for quite some time.. especially that wedding sign. It’s perfect. I’m curious, do you know what font your mom used for the sign? My mother-in-law is super crafty and can easily create signs using her Cricket. I appreciate it :)
We loved the creating process so much, we created our own business since then!
http://www.mypaperweight.com/
These photos are simply stunning|! Love the greenery in the flowers, and the bridesmaids mis matched shoes
I really love everything about this wedding. Before I found this post I was already planning for my wedding March ’14, to have a very similar color scheme. The brides dress is so elegant, the bridesmaids so beautiful in shorter white dresses, the bouquets go perfectly. I love the mismatched suits, the rooftop setting, foot washing, greenery backdrop, and well, EVERYTHING! well done. well done. I can’t stop going through these pictures :) Now, if you would be so kind as to explain how the seating chart/nail art worked? Its beautifully done, I just can’t figure it out! I’d love to do some fun escort display like this, so if you wouldn’t mind explaining how this sat your guests, I would love to hear!
Hi Malia!
The nail string art was actually our spin on a guest book. Guests found their name (which was given a number) and had to follow the string to a certain category. They wrote answered things like “where will we be in twenty years?” and “what should we name our kids?”
I really like this idea. I’m curious on logistics such as bathrooms and who did you talk to about setting this up? I love the outside feel!
Hi Meredith!
There was a bathroom in the office on the first level which was open for guests. As far as setting up, we created a detailed map which showed where everything was supposed to go and passed it along to some friends to set up in the morning :)
Hi Olivia I was hoping to get some info on how you were able to rent the parking garage.
Hi Alie,
It was actually a huge favor from a friend who owns the garage!
Hi Olivia,
I absolutely LOVE the parking garage wedding venue! I see you had a friend who owned the garage, do you think they would be interested in renting it to anyone else? If so, I’d love more information! Shoot me an email if they’d be interested! [email protected]
Where did you get that “welcome to our beginning” sign? I love it! Would love to have one like it in my upcoming wedding in May
Wedding is beautiful. My daughter is getting married on a rooftop at the coast and I am struggling on the lighting. How did you hang overhead “fairy: lights?