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Love story · September 2026

A San Francisco Botanical Garden Wedding and La Mar Reception

Ginny and Gilbert used two very different San Francisco settings for their 79-person wedding: preparations and a first look downtown, a Celebration Garden ceremony at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, and a waterfront patio reception at La Mar.

San Francisco Botanical Garden and La Mar

Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception

The whole story

A wedding is more than a portrait session. These are the people, accidents, nerves, weather, dance-floor decisions, and quiet seconds that made this one its own.

Ginny and Gilbert used two very different San Francisco settings for their 79-person wedding: preparations and a first look downtown, a Celebration Garden ceremony at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, and a waterfront patio reception at La Mar.

Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception

A downtown first look before the garden

Both sides prepared at the Hyatt Regency and Ginny and Gilbert met there for their first look. They traveled together to the Botanical Garden and completed family photographs before guests arrived.

Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception

A Celebration Garden ceremony

The 3:30 ceremony took place beside the Thomas Church Pavilion in the Celebration Garden. Afterward, guests had time to explore while the couple made a short portrait loop through the garden.

Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception

A waterfront dinner at La Mar

Shuttles carried guests to La Mar for cocktails on the patio and a family-style dinner. The Embarcadero and Bay Bridge were close enough for a short evening portrait walk before cake and the end of photography.

Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception
Ginny and Gilbert's San Francisco Botanical Garden wedding and La Mar reception

Vendor credits

The people who made the day

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