By Liese Gardner

Every once in a while a couple comes along that is the epitome of the song verse – “Laugh and the world laughs with you.” At the wedding ceremony and reception of Maryana and Will it was open bar on smile, which was just what they wanted. They had come to us  with one request: to make their wedding reflect their personalities, which meant make it big fun!

It was certainly going to be big! Being  of Irish heritage, Maryanna had a large family. She had 10 bridesmaids and groomsmen, the feeling of the day was boisterous and rollicking -- from the photos of the couple and their wedding party to the big Oscar De La Renta gown Maryanna wore.

The day began quiety with quality mother-daughter time until all the bridesmaids arrived. While the ladies celebrated, the next generation got into the act too! 

 Then it was time or the ceremony at St. Patrick’s Church in Larkspur. The couple arrived in style in a vintage Rolls Royce.

From the invitaion to the ceremony to the dance floor, we incorporated the family’s Irish heritage. At the ceremony, a cousin played Uillean pipes (the Irish equivalent of bagpipes). For the invitation we created a custom logo for the wedding – the couple’s initials  surrounded by the Irish Claddagh ring pattern. Later at the reception, we had that same pattern projected on the dance floor of the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon. There, Irish dancers cut the rug on the dance floor.

 On the tables, we created tall floral sculptures which included the first of the spring peonies, Dutch parrot tulips and white lilac. And of course, they all included the Bells of Ireland!

A couple notes that were very sweet and a lovely way to include family traditions … The priest who married Maryanna’s parents 25 years ago travelled from the East Coast to officaite joined by Will’s family priest from St. Louis, Missouri. And, for the rehearsal dinner, Maryanna had her mother’s wedding dress shortened to wear, keeping the love going  from one generation to the next.

Bride’s Dress: Oscar De La Renta

Bridesmaid Dresses: Joanna August

Photographer: Rachel Blackwell Photography

Cake: Branching Out Cakes