“We got engaged in prison. Well…that’s what my Mom likes to say – we got engaged on Alcatraz!” newlywed Kristin told me. “We both have a fascination with prison documentaries and we ADORE San Francisco. So, Brian took me to Alcatraz and surprised me with a ring. If you walk to the back of the prison by the water, you get the MOST gorgeous view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. This is where he asked me to marry him.”
Kristin & Brian’s unconventional but beautiful engagement was perfectly reflected in their glamorous wedding on Friday 13th May. “Our inspiration was a combination of vintage, old Hollywood glam, and a bit of Rock n Roll! I wanted to be in black and white,” continued the bride. An all-white dress was never an option for me.”
“I had a very specific idea of what I wanted my dress to look like from day one. I knew I would have to customize one. I found a plain dress that I loved the shape of, and then altered it completely to make it my dream dress. I was slightly nervous because I didn’t actually see the final product until 3 days before my wedding. I ordered the dress about 8 sizes too big so they could cut out the back. Originally, it laced up. We added a zipper and then 90 black swarovski crystal buttons all the way down the long train. Originally, the seamstress just wanted to put them halfway down. I said, nope, all the way down, give me some drama! Then we added the black sash and vintage brooch. The look was EXACTLY what I had imagined in my head.”
The wedding took place at The Citizen Hotel, Sacramento, a art deco inspired building that also added a lot to the theme of their day. “Our starting point for our theme was our venue. The lobby looks like somewhere the Rat Pack would be hanging out, smoking cigars and drinking martinis. We took this and ran with it. My whole look was 40’s inspired – from my platinum hair, red lips, and vintage jewelry. We kept up that theme for the reception decor, with crystal lamps and dark red roses. The result, although 40’s inspired, was also very timeless and classic.”
“Instead of a champagne toast, we did a whiskey shot. Whiskey is us, and we knew champagne just wouldn’t do for the most important toast of our lives. Our first dance was a HIM song, “When Love and Death Embrace.” It was beautiful, but also intense, a bit gothic, and PERFECT for us. The bridal party walked out to Led Zeppelin, and I walked down the aisle to an acoustic version of “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters.”
“We wanted our pictures to be city-inspired and a bit gritty. We went back behind alleys and took the most gorgeous pictures on streets lined with dumpsters and grafitti. We wanted edge, and our photographer gave us the most gorgeous, edgy pictures we could have imagined. We also wanted to incorporate rock music where we could, as we are HUGE fans. We cut the cake to Motley Crue and we played string quartet versions of songs by Metallica, Guns n Roses, etc before the ceremony. We wanted people to leave that night thinking that our wedding was “So Brian and Kristin.” I think we accomplished that!”
Big love and thanks to Kristin & Brian and their photographer’s True Love Photo for sharing this wedding with us today.
Big love and thanks to Kristin & Brian and their photographer’s True Love Photo for sharing this wedding with us today.
