When I first met Michelle and Mike to talk about their Moongate Lounge wedding, I was immediately excited about working with them. I could tell they were all about focusing on the fun energy of weddings and approaching things with a laid-back vibe with the backdrop of the formality of black tie attire. The day began at the Fairmont SF where the Michelle and Mike got ready in the light-filled suites overlooking San Francisco. They then went down to the courtyard for their first look and then were joined by the rest of the wedding party for some group photos.
From there we headed to Fay Park, a small public park nestled into Russian Hill. The ceremony setup was designed by Yoko and Ono from Two Perfect Events. I loved modern feel the transparent chairs added in the context of a quaint park space. The ceremony arch was put together by Green Petal Designs. The service was officiated by a close friend of the bride and groom, offering a more personal glimpse into their stories. He did a great job hitting emotional notes and bringing humor to the role. After we knocked out the family photos, we headed to Ina Coolbrith Park for a set of portraits before heading into Chinatown for the reception.
The Moongate Lounge sits above Mister Jiu’s, the iconic Michelin restaurant in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown. We took advantage of the empty lounge before guests arrived for portraits–a particular favorite spot was making use of the velvet lounge chairs. As guests trickled in, Michelle and Mike hid behind the curtain with their entourage as guests enjoyed cocktail hour. After critical mass had arrived, the wedding party and newlyweds were introduced into the crowd to cheered applause.
Dinner was catered by Mister Jiu’s over multiple courses. After the speeches, the couple visited the tables before coming back into the bar area for the first dance and parent dances. Michelle and Mike’s Moongate Lounge wedding continued with their guests celebrating and dancing together into the night.
