Anatomy of a Bespoke Wedding
When artist and model Ivy Love Getty married Tobias Alexander Engel earlier this month, the union was more than two families celebrating love and turning traditions head over heels. And, in my opinion, it was one of the most magical and most bespoke weddings of the century.
This wedding, from start to finish, was the very definition of bespoke.
From the invitations to the lace in the wedding veil (created by the master John Galliano) to the sumptuous dessert room at the reception, just about everything was one-of-a-kind.
Getty, an artist and model, the great-granddaughter of J. Paul Getty, and Engel, a photographer, were married in a ceremony officiated by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at City Hall in San Francisco. Oh, and this was not your typical City Hall wedding.
And photographer Jose Villa captured everything
What Makes a Wedding Bespoke?
In this case, it was a sense of place. Getty, inspired by her late grandmother, Ann, a legendary figure in San Francisco who married into one of the world's wealthiest families and created a world of style, culture, and philanthropy, never considered anywhere other than the home Ann had built for the wedding reception. Getty told Vogue, "Her presence is everywhere in that home. The theme of my entire wedding is the house and my grandmother."
Event planner and designer Stanlee Gatti, along with wedding planner Jocelyn Arelt of Arelt Events followed Getty's lead. They incorporated the home's art, paneling, spirit, and memories into the save-the-dates, the invitation suite, the colors, florals, everything, including the most fantastic wedding cake.
Related Wedding Events Are Also Bespoke
The wedding weekend began with a British Invasion Mod Party at The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The inspiration was the 1968 sci-fi film, Barbarella, starring Jane Fonda. Guest phones were locked away before entering to dancers in clear plastic bubbles, DJ Mark Ronson on hand, and Earth, Wind & Fire taking the stage.
The following day, guests joined the couple for a picnic lunch at the Log Cabin on the lawn of the Presidio, overlooking the city—IV drips were at the ready for anyone in need of help recovering from the night before.
The wedding day started with a pajama party in the penthouse suite at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San Francisco. The bridesmaids went from their Morgan Lane PJ’s to couture dresses. designed by John Galliano.
Getting ready with cousin Vanessa Waibel and actress Anya Taylor-Joy in the 6,000 square foot penthouse suite at the Fairmont Hotel, designer John Galliano was on hand to make sure that all was perfect. Ivy wore John Galliano for Maison Margiela Haute Couture down the aisle, paired with a couture veil and headdress. Christian Louboutin shoes, designed in collaboration with John Galliano, completed Ivy’s look along with pieces borrowed from her grandmother’s jewelry collection.
WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A BESPOKE WEDDING?
In the theme set by Getty – her grandmother’s memory – event designer Stanlee Gatti, and his team carpeted the entire rotunda of San Francisco’s City Hall with bright teal and pink Persian rugs, completely transforming the space. The archways on the second floor and first floor were draped with turquoise and rose-pink velvet drapes with 12” long gold thread fringe. Thousands of pale pink dendrobium orchids were hung in waterfall style. Large stone urns on pedestals were filled with pastel roses were through the rotunda and a top the staircase. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi officiated the wedding!
A Bespoke Wedding is All About the Details
The final bespoke element was a designer gown for Ivy’s rescue, aptly named “Blue!”
