Adam and Maryam’s day was nothing short of magical. As a nod to where they met (Lightning In A Bottle Festival) the pair went with a music fest-esque theme, featuring woodland camping and a dress code that encouraged fairy tale costuming. All that, set against towering redwood trees and the enchanting California coastline, and you’ve got what Maryam and Adam describe as their dream wedding.
One hundred and fifteen of the couple’s fave folks scored a ticket to this love-fest. But don’t worry, photographer Bonnie Jenkins was there to get it all on camera. Scroll on to see. But first, let’s chat with the newlyweds, who strongly encourage you to “throw convention out the window!”
PICTURESQUE PESCADERO – THE PERFECT SETTING
“Adam had repeatedly talked up the artichoke bread in the sleepy seaside town of Pescadero (near his hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area), and about how he went there to eat it on visits throughout his childhood. Adam told Maryam she had to try this bread on several occasions, but Adam forgot to take Maryam there each time the two went to visit Adam’s parents. When wedding planning came, Maryam looked specifically in Pescadero since Adam had raved about it, and found an incredible retreat center that could serve as a wedding venue! Finally, they had artichoke bread at their wedding.”
DIY WEDDING DETAILS
“We put up a Moroccan tent, Maryam got festival flags from Thailand, did lots of antiquing of chairs and candles, Adam put together the wooden signs with his dad and his mum (a graphic designer/artist) painted them… basically the whole wedding was DIY!”
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
“Our nine-year-old son Isaac’s speech stole the show! Completely improvised, incredibly charming and delightful. Also Adam’s college roommate was our officiant, playing the role of a woodland wizard casting magical bonding spells over us throughout the ceremony.”
EMBRACING THE FESTIVAL VIBES
“Because we didn’t hire help, we like to joke that it was a bit of a ‘Burning Man experience’ for people being ‘radically self-reliant’ needing to carry their own plates to be washed, helping us set up chairs and tables in the beginning… our lovely guests were so kind, putting in communal effort to make it all come to fruition!”
YOU DO YOU!
“Be true to yourself, throw convention out the window! This is your day to express your vision, however bold, wacky, unique, and beautiful you want it to be!”
Vibing with Maryam and Adam’s ‘I do’s? Check out more heartfelt weddings featuring a good dose of quirkiness, or click for destination wedding inspo. If you’re keen to recreate this coastal/woodlands vibe in the southern hemisphere, start by exploring these coastal venues and charming country spots we rate.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Bonnie Jenkins Cinematographer Wahab Rasooli (Family) Event Planner Ana Flores Events Florist Nigella SF Stationery Minted Venue Venture Retreat Center Catering Rotary Club of Foster City Food Trucks or Carts Seasoned Kabob & Grill Cake Maker Stacey Mork Collins (Family) Sound Hire Rotary Club of Foster City, Megahertz Audio Visual Signage Jeanette Courtin (Family) Entertainment Private Affair Band Celebrant Adam Walker (Friend) Rings Loose Grown Diamond THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Berta Pre-Wedding Outfit Leo Lin Hair & Makeup Krystal Art THE GROOM Suit Indochino via Nordstrom Shoes Nordstrom Grooming Birds Barbershop Groomsmen Gifts Amazon
