Joyful San Francisco Presidio Pop-up Wedding
Shirley and Todd’s Renegade Presidio Pop-Up Wedding
Shirley and Todd had a joyful Presidio pop-up wedding in San Francisco this October. Their original plan was to have a medium-sized wedding at a private residence in Sonoma County. But as we have discovered this year, original plans are not for 2020. This is the year for original plans. When Shirley and Todd mentioned they were considering a pop-up wedding, I was all ears. I suggested a few locations. The Presidio was settled on. They went on several scouting missions. We came up with worst-case scenarios. The final plan came together, and the wedding went off without an issue.
Getting Ready at the Inn at the Presidio
If you’re planning to go rogue and have a pop-up wedding in one of the many gorgeous public spaces around the Bay Area, one of the best things you can do is invest in a solid home base. For Shirley and Todd, the Inn at the Presidio was the perfect choice. With its beautifully appointed rooms, incredibly helpful staff, and unbeatable location nestled in the heart of the Presidio, it provided a calm and elegant anchor for the day.
When I arrived at the Inn, Shirley and Todd were getting ready together, laughing, chatting, and putting the final touches on their florals. Their connection was easy and joyful. These two had known each other for more than half their lives, reconnected in recent years, and found that old spark still glowing. Before heading off to their ceremony site, we made a quick stop at Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line, a quiet, artful trail that felt like the perfect place to mark the start of their wedding adventure.
Family Portraits and the Pop-Up Wedding
Shirley and Todd had carefully scouted the perfect spot in the Presidio for their pop-up ceremony—a beautiful, tucked-away doorway framed by greenery and old stone. With much of the Presidio still closed due to COVID, they were able to take advantage of the quiet and privacy the closures offered. After several visits to the area in the weeks leading up to the wedding, they felt confident it was a safe and beautiful location to host their intimate celebration.
Guests brought their own chairs—and tables, if they wanted them. Shirley and Todd provided everything else. They set out boxes for trash and recycling, and arranged for their caterer to prepare elegant, individually packed lunches. Coolers were stocked with great beer and canned wine. After the ceremony, we stepped just around the corner for relaxed family portraits. One of my favorite moments came when a musician rolled up with a wagon-mounted amp strapped to his belt, filling the space with music and kicking off a joyful celebration.
Couple Portraits around the Presidio and at the Golden Gate Bridge
Just before sunset, we snuck away for a quick portrait session with Shirley and Todd. We hit a few of my favorite spots in the Presidio, including a dramatic overlook with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The fog was playful—drifting in and out like a curtain—but we caught glimpses of the bridge between its wisps, adding a little magic to the moment.
When we returned to the Inn at the Presidio, their guests were gathered around the fire pit in back, swapping stories, laughing, and enjoying the cozy, intimate evening. It was the perfect end to a relaxed and heartfelt celebration.
I left feeling thankful for the flexible, humorous, interesting people I work with. These are trying times, and it is nice to be reminded that we can still gather and laugh, and celebrate love. Check out Allison and Eliot’s wedding for another tiny pandemic-era affair. I have plenty of pre-COVID work in the Presidio. To get you started, check out Sarah and Matt’s Presidio Cabin Log Wedding.