Real Wedding: Lizzie & Jarrett

There are so many reasons I love Lizzie and Jarrett's wedding... not only are Greg Slick's photos stunning, not only are the details darling, but the wedding also took place at one of my very favorite venues, the Marin Headlands Center for the Arts. But enough of me telling you why it's so wonderful - see for yourself!


Lizzie and Jarrett chose the Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, California because it is such a beautiful, unique place, and it's been one of their favorite places to "get out of the city" for years. Says Lizzie, "We wanted the feeling of our wedding to be very natural and organic, and that is exactly the feeling you get from the Headlands Center for the Arts. I didn't want anything to be overdone, but I also wanted it to have a bit of our personality incorporated. We didn't need to do much to the space because it so beautiful."


A friend of the couple made wedding signs to make sure guests didn't get lost on their way to the venue.


The invitations were designed by Good On Paper Design and printed by Paper Monkey Press.


Natalie Bowen designed and arranged all of the day's flowers. Lizzie wore a Vera Wang dress which she had altered by Louise Austrie in Oakland (510-839-8419).


Jarrett wore a Hugo Boss suit.






Lizzie wore shoes by Christian Louboutin.


To display family photos, Lizzie and Jarrett used jewelry clips to pin them to the outside of a large vintage bird cage.


Table numbers were made from old metal numbers purchased from a flea market. Lizzie wasn't sure at first how to use the metal numbers, so a designer friend made frames out of old crown moulding and hung the numbers in the frames.


Jarrett is a scientist, so flowers were arranged in old glass beakers and flasks. In addition to Shiner Bock, red and white wines, champagne, lemonade, iced tea and coffee, guests enjoyed Cazadores margaritas.




Katie Powers, the exclusive caterer for the Headlands Center for the Arts, also happens to be a good friend of the couple. She is known for organic menus made with local, seasonal ingredients. I just had to share some of the menu with you - it had my mouth watering! Smoked trout crostini, lamb skewers with cucumber-mint yogurt sauce, apricots stuffed with chevre and wrapped in prosciutto, artisan cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery, seared halibut with olive-meyer lemon tapenade, cauliflower with fried garlic and capers... yum! And if that doesn't get you excited, how about this: some couples are choosing to have their wedding at this venue just because they love Katie's food so much!




For dessert, guests enjoyed chocolate mousse cake, and red velvet and vegan coconut cupcakes.


Lizzie and Jarrett love photobooths, so they rented one from Denon & Doyle to serve as both a fun activity and a guest book.


Lizzie explains these photos and shares one of her favorite parts of the day: The best surprise of the day came via my dad. He is from New Zealand, and most of our Kiwi family and friends made the trek for the wedding. During my dad's toast at dinner, he started talking about New Zealand traditions and how he wanted to share them with all of our guests. Next thing you know a Maori burst in the door, in full traditional dress, including a grass skirt, war-painted face, and wooden staff. He then broke into the Haka, a traditional posture dance of the Maoris, meant to represent a challenge. The dancer was staring at my husband, Jarrett, the entire time, thus challenging him! It was a huge hit among the guest and was such an surprise. That was was definitely one of our favorite moments.




I love Lizzie's advice to other brides: Another piece of advice is to try to hire people who share your tastes, and remember you can only manage so much, so don't hesitate to give up some control to them. They are the professionals know what they are doing. And in the end, all that matters is that you enjoy yourself. If you do, then everyone else probably will too.



A huge thank you to Greg Slick at Once Studio for sending these beautiful photos my way, and of course to Lizzie and Jarrett for sharing all the fun details of your wedding day. Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness!