When Heewon and Jimmy began planning their fall wedding at Cavallo Point Lodge, they weren’t just looking for a scenic backdrop. They wanted a setting that felt personal, reflected their life in San Francisco, and gave their traveling guests a true sense of place—bonus points for a Golden Gate Bridge cameo.
Their story started thanks to mutual friends playing matchmaker. “After we met, we found out we literally lived three blocks away from each other in San Francisco,” Heewon shared. After their first date, she already felt something shift. “I immediately knew I liked this person and wanted to get to know him better.” Jimmy described his realization as slower but steady. “The more we talked and spent time together, the more I saw the compatibility. Heewon’s confidence in us also inspired my own confidence.”
That mix of certainty and ease became the foundation for a wedding day that felt thoughtful without being overly formal, artistic without being rigid, and lively from start to finish.
What We Love About This Cavallo Point Lodge Wedding:
- A Caravaggio-inspired color palette featuring fruit, florals, and layered fall textures
- A first look in front of Cavallo’s historic Frank House
- Golden hour portraits with the Golden Gate Bridge in view
- An LED dance floor that quickly turned into a playground and party hub
- A last-song moment that turned into a full encore celebration
Picking a Location That Doubles as an Experience
With friends and family flying in from the East Coast and Korea, Heewon and Jimmy wanted their venue to feel like a destination in itself. After touring several spaces, Cavallo Point Lodge stood out immediately. The sweeping views, proximity to San Francisco, and connection to Marin—where they spend weekends cycling—made it an easy decision.
Once the venue was locked in, the rest of their planning began to take shape around the natural landscape rather than trying to compete with it.
Featured Vendor:
Vivian Chen Photography
Prioritizing Photography and Guest Experience Early
Photography and food topped their priority list from the beginning. Heewon had long admired Junebug vendor Vivian Chen’s work after seeing it featured years ago. “I told myself that if I ever planned a wedding, I’d want this photographer,” she said. When they realized Vivian was Bay Area–based, it felt like the timing lined up perfectly.
They loved how her images captured not only the celebration, but also the surrounding scenery. “We wanted her to help us capture the natural beauty of the area in and beyond Cavallo Point Lodge.”
As plans grew more complex, they brought on planner Katie Pehrson of 2 the 9s Events to manage logistics and production. That decision allowed them to stay present on the day itself. “She and her team were running the show all day until the very end of the night so we could focus on us and the party,” they shared.
Designing With Art References Instead of Trends
Rather than starting with a trend board, Heewon turned to art for inspiration. Caravaggio’s “Boy with Fruit Basket” became an unexpected design reference, influencing the color story and the use of fruit and floral elements throughout the decor.
Working with floral designer Marissa Zoetewey of The Wild Fleur Co., they focused on enhancing the venue’s natural beauty instead of overpowering it. “Heewon had a vision but didn’t have the technical knowledge on florals to bring it to life.” Marissa helped translate those ideas into arrangements rich in texture and seasonal detail.
One standout moment came when Heewon finally saw the cake florals in person. It ended up being her favorite design detail of the entire day.
Blending Cultural Traditions Into the Ceremony
The ceremony itself centered on two meaningful elements: personal vows and family traditions. Heewon and Jimmy wrote their vows separately without sharing drafts beforehand. “Somehow they played off each other and synchronized as if they were a conversation,” they said.
They also included a traditional Korean bow to their parents, a gesture of gratitude and respect that acknowledged both families and marked the start of their new chapter together.
Creating a Cohesive Look Without Going Overly Formal
Heewon described her bridal style as “classic but modern.” After traveling to Los Angeles to try on gowns, she found her dress at Vivienne Westwood. “When I saw myself in the mirror for the first time, it was an obvious decision.”
She followed a Korean skincare routine leading up to the wedding and worked with Jessica of The Pure Makeup to keep her look natural. “I was terrified makeup was going to transform me into someone unrecognizable, but she really understood what I wanted.”
Jimmy skipped the tux in favor of a dark grey three-piece suit that felt more appropriate for the outdoor setting at Cavallo Point Lodge. Groomsmen wore light grey suits for contrast, while bridesmaids chose cornflower blue lace dresses selected by the matrons of honor.
Handling Last-Minute Logistics Without the Stress Spiral
The day before the wedding came with a reality check. Packing and transporting materials took longer than expected, and the couple arrived late and exhausted at Cavallo Point Lodge. Still, they found a silver lining with a quiet dinner on-site that gave them space to reset and mentally prepare for the weekend.
Earlier gatherings helped set the tone, including a family banquet dinner that brought both families together for the first time, welcome drinks with friends near Union Square, and a rehearsal brunch hosted by their moms.
Creating Breathing Room Before the Reception Starts
One of the most emotional moments happened during their first look in front of the Frank House. “Heewon will always remember the way Jimmy looked at her when he turned around to see her in her dress for the first time.”
Later, during cocktail hour, they slipped away for golden hour portraits while a second shooter captured guest moments. As the ballroom filled, Heewon and Jimmy sat outside together, taking in a brief pause before their grand entrance and the reception ahead.
When the Dance Floor Becomes the Main Event
As planning progressed, lighting, music, and atmosphere became major priorities. Allowing kids at the reception turned out to be a highlight. “When the child guests saw the LED dance floor, they all piled onto it and were rolling around and playing on it all evening,” the couple said.
Their final song, “Opus” by Eric Prydz, carried personal meaning—it played during Jimmy’s New Year’s Eve proposal. When DJ Shazam dropped the track, the dance floor instantly filled. Afterward, guests chanted for another song, leading to a surprise encore of “One More Time” by Daft Punk that kept the energy going.
What They’d Do Again (and What They’d Skip)
Jimmy’s biggest takeaway surprised him. “I didn’t know our wedding would be so much fun. I wish I had invited more people,” he said. He also encouraged couples to treat wedding planning as a shared project that reflects both partners.
Heewon added, “The day goes so fast. Don’t freak out if things run behind schedule.” She even skipped her planned second reception dress so she could stay on the dance floor longer.
Both agreed that involving friends made the weekend more meaningful—from a close friend officiating, to custom watercolor invitations, to guest DJs and impromptu content creation. Those shared contributions turned their celebration at Cavallo Point Lodge into something that felt deeply personal and genuinely fun, not just visually beautiful.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Vivian Chen Photography
Event Planning – 2 the 9s Events
Venue + Catering + Cake – Cavallo Point Lodge
Floral Design – The Wild Fleur Co.
DJ – DJ Shazam represented by Love in the Mix
Live Music – SF Conservatory
Invitation Design – Oleksandra Barysheva
Makeup + Hair Styling – The Pure
Wedding Dress – Vivienne Westwood
Bridal Accessories – Loeffler Randall
Groom’s Apparel – Suit Supply
Rings – Harry Winston
Rentals – BBJ La Tavola
LED Dancefloor – Boogie Lights
Favors – Dandelion Chocolate
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