DIY Oakland German Tourist Club Wedding

DIY German Tourist Club Wedding in Oakland

Alice and Chris threw a wonderful, Oakland German Tourist Club wedding (also known as Nature Friends). Their budget was tiny, but they made every dollar count. They prioritized what mattered most: great photos and a fun, unforgettable party with their friends, and they absolutely pulled it off.

Dinner came potluck-style, with an iPod DJ keeping the music flowing, pitchers of mixed drinks, and cold beer on ice. A friend roasted a pig onsite, another set up a photo booth that worked perfectly, and a relative put together a cheese spread that people are probably still talking about. Alice wore a dress she found online that needed just one alteration, and Chris rocked a suit he already owned. The food was not only delicious but impressively organized, and all those DIY touches came together to create a celebration that was as sweet as it was fun. Photographing their day was an absolute blast.

When I suggested doing their cake cutting and first dance out on the deck, Alice and Chris paused for just a beat before springing into action. The light was golden, the temperature perfect, and the energy too good to take indoors. They embraced the moment, and it was magic—an incredible couple, a joyful celebration, and a German Tourist Club wedding I’ll never forget.

Want to take a look at a wedding that is a little less DIY? Check out this Sonoma wedding I shot recently.