On Friday night, we had the rehearsal, followed by the rehearsal dinner and cocktail party.
The dinner was quite amazing--I'm not sure how many courses of wine we went through John made a wonderful FOB toast (with everyone at the table saying "don't screw up" before he opened his mouth).
By the time we had finished the first course ("Seafood on the Rocks"--seafood crudo, shrimp cocktail, cervice, and oysters) and the second course ("Organic Iceberg Salad with Garlic, Gorgonzola and buttermilk dressing for me and "Dungeness Crab and potato leek soup for John), we thought the dinner was over....then the Pork Porterhouse and roasted rack of lamb showed up. With each course we were served both white and red wine- specifically chosen to pair with the food. Then dessert came and we had both champagne and a sweet dessert wine with our "creme brule and the Upside down apple cake with vanilla ice cream. After all that, we took the private SFO trolley (running an ongoing loop from the restaurant back to the hotel) and went on to the cocktail party.....
On Saturday, we took the trolley (2 trolleys running a continuous loop between the hotel and the Ferry Building where the wedding was held.).
The trolley pulled up to the Ferry Building The Ferry Building is one of the major architectural icons in SFO-- opened in 1898 with a beautiful clock tower (modeled after one in Seville, Spain). As we got out of the trolley, we stepped onto a white carpet flanked by six 5 foot planters filled with white hyacinths. It was like walking into a red carpet event. The carpeting went up the stairs to the second floor. As we walked in, we were met by a staff of tuxedoed waiters with trays of champagne and wine. The Ferry Building architecturally is reminiscent of the old magnificent train stations- huge arched windows and this feeling of grandeur.
John and Ann
They made the space very intimate with draperies and soft lighting, tall glass vases with branches and floating candles surrounding the circular wedding seating. It was very unusual- a wedding in the round. The center of the floor (all mosaics) was a patterned circular mosaic-covered with flower petals in lilac and white and purple. Surrounding this were rows of white chairs. While we sipped champagne, a 3 piece orchestra played classical music.
The ceremony itself was quite lovely--the mayor of SFO (Gavin Newsome) was extremely charming as the celebrant.
Stephanie was absolutely gorgeous--she literally glowed--and John fulfilled his father of the bride walk down the aisle so well.
Instead of doing traditional readings, they had their friends and family speak. First, Jim's "brothers" spoke about family and it was quite touching. They truly have embraced Steph as part of their family--quite a tribute to her, because she not only had to make Jim fall in love with her- but also his two kids and the entire swooping family of 5 "brothers", mother and 13 kids.
After the brother/cousins, they had the couple who introduced them talk about friendship,
then had two of their closest friends talk about how to have a long, happy marriage. Then the vows--and it was over!
While the family went outside for photos--the rest of the group were moved to a huge room overlooking San Francisco Bay--with a bar at least 20 feet long. They had a clown and magician there for the kids. (During the day on Saturday, they had a trolley that took the kids to the Children's Museum for a scavenger hunt). 
While the guests were enjoying the view and the drinks, the room where the wedding had taken place was transformed by a staff of what seemed like 1000's- into the wedding dinner and dance.
The tables were spectacular. Steph's new "mother in law" , Ann, is not only beautiful, charming, interesting and beloved by her entire family, she also designs jewelry. She designed Steph's wedding ring (gorgeous beyond belief)--and also made 200 beaded napkin rings for the wedding.
Dinner was wonderful--the first course- safrron poached pear salad - served with a 2007 Chalone Estate Chardonnay. Second course- a filet of beef tenderloin (perfectly cooked--how do they do that when they're serving 200 of them?) with sweet potato and chive puree, garlic-braised broccolini and spinach tamarind demi-glace. Served with a 2007 Chateau de Beaucastel Coudoulet Rouge....
Third course--a dessert trio of banana split trifle (layers of graham-cracker crust, toffee, banana custard and vanilla-bean whipped cream), chocolate caramel tartlet (dark chocolate tart shell filled with vanilla-bean caramel, macadamia nuts, coconut and topped with dark-chocolate ganache and gold salt and finally, snicker bites (mini bars of caramel, peanuts and gianduia chocolate with a crisp rice crunch)--served with a 1986 Chateu D'Yquem.
The wedding cake was very unusual (never did get to try either the "chocolate with candy bar cream" or the chantilly with raspberry sauce" slices.) 
After dinner, the band started. They were SO good!...a black band that played R&B and great old songs. We were on the dance floor immediately--and stayed there for most of the night. Two of Jim's brothers joined the band and played bass guitar with them....perfectly.
After dinner, the band started. They were SO good!...a black band that played R&B and great old songs. We were on the dance floor immediately--and stayed there for most of the night. Two of Jim's brothers joined the band and played bass guitar with them....perfectly.
