We picked the day first was one of my favorite sayings from Nicole on her wedding day.  Who would of known that when she picked the date (2 months earlier) that the Giants would win the World Series and be getting the key to the city at the exact same time her wedding was planned at San Francisco City Hall.  People asked “Why didn’t they reschedule?”  because they couldn’t.  Mark, the new groom, was on leave and this was the only day they could get married and have time to take care of everything legal before he had to go back.  It was a beautiful day in the city, unusually warm, bright blue skys, and an extra million people to celebrate.

I can honestly say it was a real adventure to photograph this couple.  Because of how many people were expected to be in the city etc., I decided to stay in the city the night before.  As I was getting ready  to leave for the city hall ( 2.5 hours before the ceremony and I was only about 10 blocks away), I received a call from the bride’s mother that they forgot to get flowers. Thank goodness for the Concierge at Sir Francis Drake to call Union Square flowers.  They were amazing and he had a bouquet made up for me to the bride’s specifications within 15 minutes and I was on my way. To even get to city hall I had to take the Bart because I couldn’t cross Market because of the parade, so I had to go underground.  I thought this wasn’t too bad everyone was still at the parade and the subway was actually kind of empty.  That was because everyone was either at the parade or already at  City Hall and it was mayhem.   When I came out of the ground and saw the mass of people I thought how I’m going to get in to this place?  It was 90 minutes and counting to the ceremony and I had a sea of thousands of people to get through. I stopped and talked to a cop and some firemen to ask how I could get through.  They shrugged their shoulders and told me “good luck”.  So I started my trek.  In fact, I was working my way through the crowd pretty good and then just came to a dead stop.  I stood there for 10 minutes gridlocked and kept thinking the ceremony is in 90 minutes and I can’t move.  There was no way but to shove your way through. Thank goodness for the 6’2, 300 pound, claustrophobic giant who started to push his way through the crowd.  I hopped in to his wake and just kept saying I’m with him. Honestly 60 minutes and two fights later, I get to the blockade where the media is.  I tell them my story and they bring me in to their area.  I’m thinking I’m in thank you Jesus! But then they proceed to tell me that  I need to talk to the police to get to the other side where the wedding would be held.  So luckily for me somehow I befriended a woman lawyer who needed to be in court at the city hall.  She had hopped in behind the wake of the big guy too and we were now just a few feet from the front doors.  We went to tell the police why we needed to get in and lucky for us they were busy with something medical and we were able to walk right in with the medical crew.  So, I”m finally inside and yet another obstacle, I still have to go threw security.  The security guard kept saying if your not an employee then you can’t come in.  So just imagine a mob of angry Giant fans and me drenched from head to toe in sweat, backpack full of camera gear, and holding the bridal bouquet up so that it didn’t get damaged.  By the grace of God security let me through I guess bringing flowers helps I arrive and the  mother of the bride looks at me and says “your a hot mess and Nicole (the bride) isn’t here yet.”  We laughed and I was just excited that I made it.

In all of the years I’ve been photographing weddings I can say that was the most stressful hour ever but it was all worth it. We had the best time with their photographs.  In fact, when the bride arrived she walked in looking all cool and collected.  She was getting married and nothing was going to ruin it.  So with both their parents and the bride’s grandma they exchanged vows in the Rotunda, with a judge wearing a Giant’s shirt, and thousands of fans screaming as the SF Giants received the key to the city.

As we headed out, the streets were filled with the music of  Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing!”  and congratulations were shouted at the couple.  I loved how many people came up to Mark and told him thank you for his service and congratulations to the newlyweds.  One woman even stopped them because she wanted to pray for them.  They were polite and received her blessing,  but we all cracked up as we left and she yelled “Consummate! Consummate!”  Nicole joked and laughed that more people came to her wedding then Princess Di it really was a party. By clicking on San Francisco Elopement you can view more of their day and the fun we had walking the city.  Make sure you leave them some love below so they know you’ve visited.  Enjoy!