Real Weddings: Catherine + Payton

Catherine and Payton’s wedding, although set in Northern California, has an amazing and authentic Southern feel.  Their wedding truly captivated me - the photography (the stellar A Bryan Photo)… the way that the couple incorporated family traditions… and the classic elegance of Catherine herself.

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Champagne bridesmaids dresses are my absolute favorite.  They will never go out of style!

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Catherine and Payton wanted to bring both Southern hospitality and charm and classic California traditions into their event.  A cable car (very San Francisco!) transported the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and Payton to the church.

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The photos from their ceremony, held at the Episcopal Church of St. Matthew, are so beautiful… there is no other word.

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Catherine carried a handkerchief from Ireland in her bouquet – the same handkerchief that her mother had carried in her wedding.

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A string quartet and banners with the Burke and Dobbs family crests greeted the guests as they entered the reception.

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The reception, held at a country club, featured a gold and white palette with just the palest of pinks.   Centerpieces of varying heights decorated the tables.

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Catherine’s great-great-grandmother’s linens lined the wedding cake table – the linens have been used by five generations of Catherine’s family.

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Milkshakes and grilled cheese at midnight!

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Their getaway car?  Catherine’s father’s red Jaguar!  Too perfect.

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Vendors:
Photography – A Bryan Photo
Bakery – Studio Cake
Ceremony location – Episcopal Church of St. Matthew
Gown - Rivini
Bridesmaids – Watters & Watters
Floral – Interior Plant Design and CMM Designs
Planning & Coordination – planned by Catherine’s mother, with day-of-coordination by Event Access
Banners – Fabric Banners
Family Crests – 4 Crests
Band – Hip Service
Transportation – Cable Car Classic

Even more lovely photos of Catherine and Payton’s wedding can be found on the A Bryan Photo blog.  Catherine, thank you for sharing the special details of your wedding with me!

we heart your comments!
  1. This is so classic! Love the bridesmaid dresses too.
    .-= Rebekah’s most recent blog post: Gatos de la hospital =-.

  2. Curious Bride writes... {January 14, 2010 at 8:25 pm}

    Who is the designer of the bridesmaid dresses? Love them!

    • Ami Elizabeth writes... {January 15, 2010 at 2:37 pm}

      hi everyone! i spoke with catherine and the bridesmaid dresses were by Watters & Watters. Style: 4421. Color: Cashmere. i loved them too!

  3. I love her bouquet! And that getaway car is fabulous.
    .-= Darci’s most recent blog post: Vintage Dior =-.

  4. Cyd writes... {January 15, 2010 at 11:44 am}

    Gorgeous wedding! Love love love the photos, too!
    .-= Cyd’s most recent blog post: Favor Ideas from Sunday Suppers =-.

  5. Melesha writes... {January 15, 2010 at 1:16 pm}

    Love the bridesmaids dresses. I also love the detail on the wedding cake.

  6. Catherine writes... {January 15, 2010 at 7:36 pm}

    Thanks Ami for taking an interest in our wedding! It was truly the most magical and wonderful day!! Everyone we worked with was AMAZING, and I highly recommend them all. Thanks to the incredibly talented Byran, the day is not only forever in our hearts but also in fabulous photos!

  7. Sheena Hampton writes... {February 13, 2010 at 1:37 pm}

    Hello! First off, these pictures are phenomenal! The wedding looks like a dream come true. Congratulations!

    I am absolutely in love with the wedding gown. Honestly, this is the dress I have dreamed and pictured myself in! I was wondering if you could help me find one! I read that it is a Rivini-what is the name of the style???

  8. Ami Elizabeth writes... {February 14, 2010 at 6:53 pm}

    hi sheena! catherine’s rivini gown is the “serena” in ivory. good luck with your wedding planning!

  9. Did she wear a different veil for her reception? I was simply wondering because in the pictures she is wearing a veil, and her chapel length veil in the ceremony pictures would be tough to dance in.

  10. Catherine writes... {March 31, 2010 at 11:30 am}

    Hi Sheena – yes, I changed into a shorter version of the same veil during the reception (right before we sat down to dinner).

  11. Ingrid writes... {July 7, 2010 at 2:57 am}

    Gorgeous! Love the cake!

  12. Beautiful wedding and such gorgeous pictures!! I just bought the same exact dress for my wedding next June – its so gorgeous both in person and in these photos. I’m wondering where the veil is from or who designs it? Its perfect for the dress.

  13. I was just wondering what type of flowers were used in Catherine’s and her bridesmaids bouquets? They are so pretty!

  14. christine writes... {January 7, 2011 at 12:41 pm}

    I absolutely love the bridesmaid dresses and found them online, however I am having trouble finding them at a store… is there a way to find out what store the bride found them in Nor. Cal??

    • Ami Elizabeth writes... {January 7, 2011 at 12:42 pm}

      hi christine! if you found them online, then any store in your area that carries watters would be able to order them! i believe this is what catherine did. :)

      best of luck!

  15. Rachelle Books writes... {March 5, 2011 at 3:53 pm}

    Absolutely love these bridesmaids dresses! The entire wedding is fabulous! What color are the dresses? I have looked on the watters and watters site but am having a hard time finding them.

  16. Kailey writes... {April 5, 2011 at 2:36 pm}

    were the suits rented?? if so, where?

  17. Marie writes... {July 27, 2011 at 1:02 pm}

    Hmm, try this link, then find your replicated wedding party!!!
    http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/Bridesmaid-Looks_Gold/results.aspx?type=3&colors=Gold&Wedding%20Details=Bridesmaid%20Looks

    I have been looking allll over the place for long, shiny champagne dresses and having no luck! I love your bridesmaids’ dresses. Seeing them reinforces my inspiration to keep looking!

  18. I agree with Sheena, these pictures are phenomenal. Wedding dress is amazing, and getaway car just perfect

  19. Hey I love everything related to this wedding..it is my inspiration for my own..I am trying to figure out what color shoes/jewelry the bridesmaids wore..Can someone please send me an email or answer me back on this website..thank you!

  20. I agree that the wedding dress is gorgeous, but I think that the cake is amazingly decorated as well!

  21. Lindsay writes... {January 25, 2012 at 2:08 pm}

    I love this wedding; I’m actually going to use the same bridesmaid dresses for my upcoming wedding. Are her table linens white or ivory?

  22. Great photos here! Champagne bridesmaids dresses are my favourite too. Thanks for the beautiful photos and ideas :)

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