In September 2006, to everyone’s delight, Katie and Adam told their parents they were getting married, and scheduled the wedding for the following summer. Since the couple lived in Boston, and the wedding would take place in the Bay Area, most of the research, planning, and communication would be via the Internet. Katie’s parents, Amy and Ming, were designated (and excited!) to do the footwork.

From the beginning, Amy and Ming realized that four words would describe Katie and Adam’s planning priorities: family, friends, informal, fun.

Venue: In the fall of 2006, after an Internet search and recommendations from friends and family, Katie and Adam sent Amy and Ming to various wedding venues. They looked at a variety of sites: B & Bs, wineries, art centers, and then e-mailed photos to Katie and Adam. Kristy and Nik, Katie’s sister and her husband, suggested the Marin Headlands Center for the Arts, part of the National Recreation Area just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Katie and Adam liked it immediately. It suited their style, and more important, its location was close enough to San Francisco so that their friends and families from out of town could do some sightseeing.

Food: The on-site caterer, Katie Powers, was extremely personable and professional, and her tasty and varied menu offerings reflected the philosophy of using fresh, local, and organic foods whenever possible.
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Katie and Adam chose their favorite dessert – cookies and milk! After receiving suggestions via email from friends and family, Katie and Adam again sent Ming and Amy on a Bay Area cookie-tasting tour (it’s a tough job, but someone had to do it!). The selection was Bakesale Betty from whom they ordered 50 dozen chocolate chip, oatmeal, pecan shortbread, and ginger molasses cookies, and brownies!

Attire: Katie decided on an off-the-rack yellow dress from JCrew. Each bridal attendant chose their own style of red dresses from Jenny Yoo. The guys wore their own suits, with matching red ties from Filene's Basement.

Invitations: Katie and Adam created save-the-date cards by carving linoleum blocks and stamping a design with the dates of both the California wedding and the Wisconsin party, which would follow the ceremony two weeks later. They designed, drew, and printed their own invitations and thank-you notes, using a Gocco machine they purchased online.

Decorations: Simplicity was the key for the historic, rustic Headlands setting, with the added advantage that expenses, set-up, and clean-up could be kept to a minimum. Glass bud vases from Target were filled with dahlias from the farmers market. Amy made the bridal bouquet and the bridesmaids’ bouquets from the same flowers, and tied them with green ribbon. Family friend Marcia helped Amy make the ten boutonnières and six corsages. Dried branches and flower arrangements were placed in various locations. White Japanese paper lanterns covered the bare light bulbs. The ceremony area was embellished with two tall metal containers, filled with dried flowers and branches. Adding to the décor were five large glass containers filled with a variety of candies. Nearby, small Chinese take-out cartons filled with candy were ready for everyone to take home. Kristy made a photo guestbook in which the guests wrote lovely advice and memories, as well as a slideshow of photos of Katie and Adam growing up.

Ceremony: The wedding party entered to Katie’s favorite songs, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World” sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and to Adam’s favorite – the Beatles version of “Til There Was You.” In keeping to the theme of family and friends, they selected brother-in-law Nik to serve as officiant. Nik obtained the required one-day license, interviewed family, and worked diligently on a speech, which brought laughter and tears from everyone. Good friends, Chris and Valerie, traveled across the country to read selections, offer advice and extend good wishes.

Music: Adam and Katie wanted a DJ rather than a live band, and did their research online. They selected, and were thrilled, with Chad from Denon & Doyle, who played several polkas at the couple’s request. Guests danced nonstop.

Afterwards: The celebration continued with a barbecue in Katie’s family’s backyard the following day. Two weekends later Adam's family hosted a reception for 200+ in Shiocton Wisconsin, and a barbecue at his family’s home the next day.