This Two-Part San Francisco Wedding Included A Chic City Hall Elopement AND A Timeless Celebration In Tomales Bay

Karen + Jimmy’s approach to tying the knot is a great reminder to us all that there really are no rules and that, when planning your wedding, everything really is on the table.

“Our wedding was unique in the way that we just did whatever we wanted,” say Karen + Jimmy. For them that meant an intimate city hall ceremony for just two of them where they made everything official AND a joy-filled wedding weekend at Straus Home Ranch in Tomales Bay, about an hour north of San Francisco on the California coast. 

Their San Francisco City Hall moment—total elopement dreams—was chic and personal with killer tailored wedding day looks for them both.

When it came to their wedding weekend at Straus Home Ranch, Karen + Jimmy collaborated with event designers and planners from Three Summer Days Events to create a celebration that felt clean, simple, and elegant. Personal touches paid tribute to their history, and all the friends and family who’d traveled in from around the world were treated to tons of clever touches and fun. 

Photographer Jana Contreras captured some stunning photos of the happy couple on their elopement day and throughout their big Tomales Bay celebration! Let’s take a look!

Elopement Day

Karen + Jimmy decided to do things a little differently and start their private, just-for-them wedding day with an engagement shoot!

Photographer Jana Contreras captured all the pre-ceremony excitement in the intimate setting of the couple’s home.

City Hall

San Francisco City Hall—a stunning Beaux-Arts building that opened in 1915—has gotta be up there with the prettiest places to have a civil ceremony.

Check out our tips on how to make your courthouse wedding or civil ceremony special.

Karen’s white jumpsuit came from Reformation, and that excellent fringe trim white blazer came from Nasty Gal.

Take a look through our list of chic courthouse wedding dresses if you’re searching for an elopement outfit, or check out our fave chic bridal suits if Karen has you inspired to go after a more tailored look.

LOVING Jimmy’s white sneaks. Such a fun way to add chill energy to a wedding suit.

A Wedding Weekend In Tomales Bay

Now for the big party!! Love this pic of Jimmy seeing Karen for the first time in her low-back lace detail Miss Scarlett gown. Karen tried her dress on for the first time at Fabulous Frocks Bridal during a trip to visit Jimmy’s hometown of Kansas City. “I knew I wanted something super simple and elegant,” Karen say. “As silly as it sounds, I wanted a dress that I can easily go to the bathroom in and not have someone hold my dress.” When she started feeling like the look needed some drama, she added these amazing detachable sleeves from Hera Couture!

Karen’s bridesmaids all chose their own different but cohesive looks, and we love this palette of muted florals and solid dresses from ASTR The Label and Show Me Your Mumu that they put together!

Also, California Native Design created the day’s florals, and these baby’s-breath-filled bouquets are so delicate and timeless!

Jimmy and his groomsmen all wore matching sand-tone suits from J. Hilburn. How sharp do they look?! And love Jimmy’s cognac dress shoes from To Boot New York.

The Ceremony

Our Musical Choices
			
Processional: "A Moment Apart" by Odesza (acoustic version)
			
			
Recessional: "Electric Love" by BORNS
			
			
First Dance: "Across the Room" by Odesza & Leon Bridges
			
		

The Reception

Those rolling NorCal hills!! Karen + Jimmy made use of the sprawling Straus Home Ranch property.

Always down to do things a little differently, Karen + Jimmy were announced at the reception with their bridesmaids and groomsmen and then immediately faced off in a good ol’ game of flip cup.

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding
If we have to pick one, the most memorable moment was indulging in ice cream and realizing that all the most important people in our lives are all gathered in one place. A lot of the advice we got from our friends was to make sure to take in the moment as it goes by so fast. Our friends and family from all walks of life coming together to celebrate us was definitely special, seeing how they interacted with each other and have fun together. But also, getting all the bridal party to play flip cup was so fun too. The ladies won.

A family friend created all of Karen + Jimmy’s signage and paper goods. Each table at their reception represented a place where the couple had spent time over the years. Check out our rundown of unique wedding seating chart ideas!

Encore Events Rentals and Heirloom Events came together to create these charming reception tables that were timeless and elegant while also capturing the rustic vibes of the rural venue.

Each place setting had a personal thank you note and a taiwanese pineapple cake that Karen’s family brought all the way from Taiwan!

Karen’s loose waves and classic makeup look were created by Ritual Salons.

You do what you gotta do to get the shot! Karen’s totally fine climbing hills in her strappy white sandals from Alohas.

Would it be a Northern California wedding without some super romantic fog?

Our Advice To Those Planning Now
Have fun with the planning process. And don't be shy to ask for help and delegate, that's what your bridal party is for.

Don’t miss the amazing video of the day that photographer Jana Contreras created!

Congratulations, Karen + Jimmy, on your chic and timeless elopement AND wedding weekend!! GWS wishes you all the very best!