Michaela Joy Photography

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Eden & Mike // Stanford Memorial Church Wedding // Palo Alto, CA

Eden and Mike are a true powerhouse couple. They are, furthermore, the kindest and most down-to-earth humans we’ve ever met. 

Mike proposed to Eden underwater while on a scuba trip. That fact alone should give you a hint as to how they are so very cool and adventurous.

The days setting began with the usual story of Eden and company at a GORGEOUS Airbnb in Palo Alto. Paralleled to Mike and his entourage prepping their style at the Stanford Park Hotel.

A takeaway : we are still obsessed with Eden’s Carolina Herrera gown; as well as her stepdad Smitty’s, lusciously long and handsome hair. 

In case you were wondering: Eden received her undergrad from Stanford, which was why they were able to get married at the Stanford Memorial Church. As you may or may not know, you have to have attended Stanford in order to be married in their nondenominational church.

Furthermore, once someone in your family has been married there, it opens the door to your continuing lineage to be married there as well. Kind of like a rad, super-exclusive marriage club. This fact alone makes ceremonies there that much more special. 

That’s not all that makes THIS particular wedding so special. It was the styling in this wedding which was hyper classic, yet just modern enough. It’s one of those weddings that will be TIMELESS. Perhaps 40 years from now they can open their album and their grandkids will say, “Wow, this wedding looks like it happened yesterday.”

I mean, who knows what style will be like in 40 years, but that’s how timeless this wedding day felt to us.

Nest Stop, the Reception.

Allied Arts Guild is a unique venue in the way that it’s an operating artist community that also hosts weddings and events. With a gorgeous garden and landscape, there’s a beautiful photo to be taken everywhere you turn. We loved the staircase, the long walking path through the garden, and all of the trees––complete with a perfect dance floor area.

We really do love this venue. As well as Lisa and her sweet team of Riley Loves Lulu events -who executed the day flawlessly. Not to forget Flora + Flour, who created delicate table designs to pair with the exquisite floral scape already present at the venue.

As Eden and Mike also come from an artistic background, they had the unique idea to have custom-made blue aprons at every chair. It was a heartfelt take-home gift for guests that they could use while cooking. What a unique way remember their celebratory time with Eden & Mike. 

Dinner featured some amazing barbecue from Blue Heron Catering and the incredible food of Brown Sugar Kitchen. If you’ve heard of Brown Sugar Kitchen, you know that it (and its powerhouse executive chef Tanya Holland) is an Oakland institution. Tanya is also a friend of the family. Needless to say, their dinner was epic. 

Some other fun tidbits from their day. . . Their invitations were some of our favorite. With delicate florals, pops of color, and adorable hummingbird graphics, it’s the sort of invitation that we would definitely pin on our fridge.

Eden also put a penny in her shoe, which is the British version of ‘good luck’.

Hello Pantone : cobalt/navy blue style = fave.

We are delight that it was deemed the -oh so- popular color this year. This happens to be one of our favorite colors, as well as our new branding color, so we kind of, really adored the styling in this wedding.

Check out their unique fire free “Sparkler exit”! Achieved by using those simple and elegant ribbon wands that they had at their ceremony as well.

Wishing the happiest of days to Eden & Mike in their marriage!

Thank you to our fellow creatives!

Ceremony | Stanford Memorial Church
Reception | Allied Arts Guild
Wedding Planner | Riley Loves Lulu
Catering | Blue Heron Catering | Brown Sugar Kitchen BBQ
DJ | MVMNT DJs
Florals | Flora & Flour
Cake | SusieCakes
Gown/Boutique | Carolina Hererra | Jin Wang
Tuxedo | The Black Tux
Stationary | Citrus Press Co.
Watercolor Artist | JAF Portraits 
Photography | Michaela Joy Photography