Noa and Pete were wed in the tranquil setting of a 3 acre zen garden estate – Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and Henry Matsutani landscape design (Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park) at the Maynard Buehler House in Orinda, California.
Every detail of their celebration was chosen or crafted with deep reverence and love, honoring heritage, family, and their unique personalities. The couple included the groom’s two children in their ceremony and at their sweetheart dinner table. Noa made her own wedding gown from her great great grandmother’s tablecloth. She and her mother made all the floral arrangements and her bouquet by hand – paper flowers and foliage, and fruit from a friend’s garden among table centerpieces.
After the couple signed the ketubah, twelve flower girls preceded Noa and her mother down the aisle. The couple exchanged rings they designed themselves under a chuppah made by the bride’s grandmother, another family heirloom. The wonderful rabbi Rebekah Stern officiated the service where the couple performed Jewish traditions of circling, sheva b’rachot (seven blessings) and breaking of the glass.
Noa and Pete, with their big loving hearts, filled the venue with dear family and friends. There were endless bear hugs when they emerged from yihud, post-ceremony seclusion. All gathered around for toasts and a modified tradition as they “cut the cheese” – a four tiered “cake” of cheese wheels. Together they all broke bread of all kinds! (challah, herb focaccia, sourdough, olive bread, etc. etc.) and were led to an amazing Spanish feast catered by Ñora Spanish Catering.
And the food and drink and love and blessings flowed all night. May it continue on and on!
Great job documenting the day!