Angel Island wedding – San Francisco Bay

Angel Island sits in the bay just off the coast of San Francisco. We had the opportunity to photograph the wedding of Jackie & Jacob at this beautiful state park on a sunny summer day. While the logistics of getting ourselves, our gear, and a complete photobooth set-up across the Bay on a ferry, the experience was totally worth it.

Such an adventure to get picked up at the ferry dock by one of the few vehicles on the island. Mischa posted a snapshot of our sweet ride on Instagram:

 

 

To give you some background on the island and its history, here’s the “About the Island” description from the California Parks & Recreation web page:

Angel Island State Park, the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, offers some of the best views of the surrounding Bay Area. With great hiking trails and many other recreational opportunities readily available, Angel Island is truly a hidden gem in the midst of the urban Bay Area.

Angel Island is truly a walk through time! Beginning with the earliest inhabitants, the Coast Miwok, Angel Island was a seasonal hunting and gathering location for the local native tribes, a safe refuge and supply stop for Spanish explorers like Juan Manuel de Ayala, one of the first to map the San Francisco Bay.

From 1910 to 1940, the U.S. Immigration Station processed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, the majority from China. During World War II, Japanese, and German POWs were detained at the Station before being sent to facilities farther inland.

The Island has been a cattle ranch and beginning with the Civil War at Camp Reynolds, the Island has over 100 years of military history. With the outbreaks of WWI and WWII thousands of troops both returning and embarking for conflicts around the world were processed through Angel Island. In the ’50s and ’60s, the Island saw its last military service as a home to a Nike missile base.

In 1954 the transition of Angel Island as a California State Park began. Starting with Ayala Cove on the western side of the Island, park visitors had the first opportunities to enjoy the beauty of this amazing Island. In the early 60’s the final departure of the military allowed the rest of Angel Island to become park lands

Summer in San Francisco is unpredictable and often quite chilly. We lucked out with the weather with clear skies and temperatures that bordered on ‘too hot’… which is extremely odd and notable.

The ceremony and reception were both held at “Camp Reynolds“, a waterfront area with a large brick building and a sprawling view of the Golden Gate Bridge

Camp Reynolds Angel Island

 

Angel Island ceremony

 

Angel Island wedding

 

The bride and groom got ready in a nearby restored building referred to as ‘Officer’s Quarters 10’

Officer's quarters 10 dress

 

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Officer's quarters 10

 

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The bride and groom have been together for many years already and have two beautiful children that were incorporated into the wedding.

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Their vision for the day included lots of color:

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bridal hair flowers

 

colorful floral bouquet

 

Jackie and Jacob are a fun and light hearted couple. We had lots of fun letting them get goofy for the camera.

Angel Island wedding couple

 

Angel Island wedding couple

 

Angel Island wedding couple

 

The ceremony was heartfelt and sincere, family members spoke in support of them individually and as a couple.

Angel Island wedding couple

 

Angel Island wedding couple

 

Angel Island wedding couple

 

As soon as the ceremony ended, the party began. The reception tent was decorated with mismatched succulents planted in wooden boxes and wildflowers in mason jars. White linens and burlap covered the long family-style tables.

Angel Island wedding

 

Angel Island wedding

 

Beyond the tent there were games to be played: corn-hole, giant jenga, and a custom disc golf course. (Note the deer calmly snacking near the disc golfers)

Angel Island wedding

 

Angel Island wedding

 

Disc Golf Angel Island

 

Cocktails and hors d’ouvres were served in the brick building: absolutely delicious freshly handmade lumpia and a unique savory salad of nuts, beans and olives

lumpia

 

salad

 

The cakes and desserts were made by a family friend and besides being perfectly presented, were absolutely scrumptious. The disc golf groom’s cake was a humorous highlight.

disc golf groom's cake

 

bark and birdie cake

 

cupcakes

 

cupcakes

cupcakes

 

Inside the big brick building, festive decorations hung in bright colors like coral and aqua.

wedding banner

 

wedding banner

 

The afternoon faded into evening and brought with it an epic sunset. We took a few photos with the bride and groom as their guests continued to enjoy the party.

 

Angel Island wedding

 

Angel Island wedding

 

Angel Island wedding

 

There is absolutely zero photo shop in this well timed jumping shot

Angel Island wedding

 

Angel Island wedding

 

Angel Island wedding

The evening ended with some light painting on the beach. The party going strong in the background. Though we were able to catch the last ferry back to the city, many of the guests (including the DJ!) stayed all night, camping out under the stars. We hope you enjoyed the images from this wonderful, romantic, fun-filled day on Angel Island celebrating Jackie & Jacob.

Angel Island wedding

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