A sweet modern couple from San Francisco (but living across the country) find love and return to tie the knot in their favorite city. Their location of choice? Hip San Francisco dining hotspot, Foreign Cinema. This unique venue offers a beautiful ceremony space with a covered patio usually used to screen films during dining hours. This is the story of Christine and Younggi told in their own words with photography by Meg Perotti.
Can you tell us a little bit about you and your husband?
After spending the last two years in Philadelphia and New York, we returned to San Francisco last fall. We love spending time with our friends and family, rooting for our Bay Area sports teams, hitting the slopes, and finding the best restaurants and bars around town.
How did you you meet?
Younggi and I met and fell in love in San Francisco. The first time we saw each other was at my joint birthday party with my friend Willa. Willa and Younggi were fraternity brothers at University of California, Berkeley and after that night Younggi tried to find a way to hang out with me. He suggested a Tahoe trip. We really got to know each other on the 7 hour snow storm filled drive to Tahoe. Amazingly, we chatted the whole drive up and probably could have lasted a few more hours!
We’d love to hear about the proposal. Can you tell us about it?
Younggi planned a birthday getaway weekend for me at Cavallo Point in Sausalito. We hiked up a hill to a spot overlooking the Bay. Younggi brought a bottle of wine and a picnic blanket and we just sat, chatted, and soaked in the amazing views of the City. Before heading to our room, Younggi got down on one knee and popped the question and I said “yes!” It was a surreal moment we’ll never forget.
We love that your wedding was at Foreign Cinema. How did you choose the venue?
A few years ago, I attended a private event in Foreign Cinema’s art gallery space and I absolutely loved the food, the service, and the ambiance. In our wedding venue search, we knew we wanted a unique and memorable venue in San Francisco with great food and a vibe which fit with our personalities. Foreign Cinema had it all – extraordinary service, delicious food, and a vintage, romantic, elegant yet casual atmosphere.
What was your favorite memory from the big day? What was your husband’s?
That’s a tough one – I’m going to narrow it down to two. My first favorite was when I accidentally said “I do” before our officiant had finished the vows. Everyone including myself had a good hearty laugh at my premature reply. My second favorite was right after the ceremony when Younggi and I had a few minutes to ourselves in the director’s room upstairs. It was the perfect time to reflect and truly come to the realization that we had dedicated our lives together surrounded by the people we love. Younggi’s favorite memory was sitting at our table out on the patio and witnessing all our loved ones sharing in our celebration.
What was the inspiration for the feel of your wedding day?
The inspiration for the feel of our wedding day was San Francisco! We wanted all our friends and family to fall in love with San Francisco just like we did. Naturally beautiful, charmingly unique, and a whole lot of fun!
What was most important to you when planning your wedding?
We really wanted our wedding to be an epic celebration. Our friends and family mean the world to us and the purpose of this celebration was to express our gratitude for the love and support we’ve received individually and as a couple from these special people.
What advice do you have for other couples planning their wedding?
Start with figuring out what your goals are for the day and from there focus on the major things to help accomplish those goals. Pick vendors who you’d want to be friends with, making sure personality and communication styles mesh well. Have fun! It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, but remember to take a step back to cherish and enjoy your engagement and planning period. It’s such a unique, fun, and exciting time in your relationship!
Want to see more? Watch the video, then leave a comment below.
Hair And Make Up: Kari Li Premeir
Floral: Natalie Bowen Designs
Location: Foreign Cinema
Coordination: Leftwich Event Specialist
Photography: Meg Perotti
Videography: Kevin Chin Photographer and Cinema
Getting Ready: Hotel Vitale
