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Nicole Blumberg

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Marines Memorial Club Wedding Photography | San Francisco | Megan and Jason

August 2, 2023

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Megan and Jason’s Wedding at Marines Memorial Club

Megan and Jason’s Marines Memorial Club wedding took place in San Francisco’s Union Square. It’s been a wedding venue since 1946, with gold-leaf ballroom ceilings and original chandeliers. Still, there’s a kind of old-world glamour here you just don’t find in a new build. Their day started at two different starting lines across the city. Then it all came together at the club for a beautiful ceremony. Afterward came a scenic detour around town, and an evening of dancing back at the ballroom.

Getting Ready — Megan at the Club, Jason Across Town

Megan got ready in one of the club’s own bridal suites. All the small details were there — her rings, her invitation suite, and a peony-and-hydrangea bouquet. She’d also picked out a pair of gold glitter heels she was clearly excited to wear. Meanwhile, across the city, Jason got ready at a nearby house with his groomsmen. There was a bottle of bourbon and a toast before anyone had even put on a tux. By the time they both arrived back at the club, the transformation from “getting ready” to “wedding day” was complete.

Gold glitter pointed-toe wedding heels on a glass tabletop against beige patterned wallpaper
Flat lay of a perfume bottle and a pink-and-orange peony bouquet beside Megan and Jason's monogrammed wedding invitation
Macro shot of a rose-gold keepsake engraved "Megan" and "Everlasting" on a dark reflective tabletop with blurred pink florals
Diamond engagement ring and drop earrings resting on a dark reflective surface with blurred pink and white flowers
Moody close-up of the bride's face reflected in a hand mirror as her hair is adjusted before her Marines Memorial Club wedding
Wide shot of the grand ballroom at Marines Memorial Club set up for a wedding ceremony, guests seated in gold chiavari chairs beneath tall arched windows with gold drapery
The groom in a black tuxedo reading his vows to the bride from a card, tan drapery backdrop
Megan's strapless ivory ball gown hanging from a dark wood armoire in her bridal suite at Marines Memorial Club
Pink-and-white peony bouquet beside a black quilted handbag on a glass table beneath an ornate lamp
Bouquet of pink peonies, white hydrangea, and coral roses next to the groom's black patent leather dress shoes
Flat lay of the groom's stainless steel watch, cufflinks, greenery, and a single peach rose
Megan and Jason's wedding invitation with a "J + M" monogram, tied with a gray ribbon beside a peach rose
A bottle of bourbon and rocks glasses of amber liquor set out for the groom's pre-wedding toast at the house where Jason got ready
Jason and his groomsmen toasting with bourbon in the living room of the house where he got ready, ahead of the Marines Memorial Club wedding
Close-up of the bride lifting her gown hem to put on her gold glitter wedding heel
Close-up of the groom adjusting his shirt cuff and cufflink at the house where he got ready
Portrait of the groom in a white dress shirt and black bow tie looking toward a softly lit window
The groom laughing while adjusting his black bow tie in the bright room where he got ready
Two groomsmen in tuxedos toasting with cocktails ahead of the ceremony
A groomsman having his bow tie adjusted before the wedding
A groomsman adjusting an older relative's tuxedo lapel as guests mingle nearby
Elevated daytime view of the downtown San Francisco skyline and the Transamerica Pyramid
Black-and-white photo of the bride in a robe embracing a bridesmaid, reflected in a mirror in her Marines Memorial Club bridal suite
The bride toasting with champagne alongside her bridesmaids while getting ready
A bridesmaid helping Megan step into her wedding gown in her bridal suite
Megan's bridesmaids fastening the back closure of her ivory wedding gown
Black-and-white close-up of two bridesmaids lacing up the back of Megan's pleated wedding gown
Black-and-white shot of the bride laughing with her arms raised as her bridesmaids finish adjusting her gown
Megan in her strapless ballgown being helped by bridesmaids in charcoal-gray gowns in her hotel-style bridal suite
A bridesmaid adjusting the bride's gown at the waist while another captures the moment on a phone
The bride putting on her gold glitter heel, lifting the hem of her satin gown, on a patterned rug in her bridal suite
Black-and-white close-up of a white orchid and drop earring being placed in the bride's upswept hair
Megan and Jason walking hand-in-hand down the aisle at their Marines Memorial Club wedding, all smiles
Black-and-white photo of the bride embracing a groomsman in a hallway before the ceremony
Black-and-white photo through a doorway of a guest laughing beside an older man in a tuxedo
Formal portrait of the wedding party and family in front of the ballroom's arched, gold-draped windows
Close-up profile portrait of a bridesmaid having a white orchid placed in her hair
Black-and-white close-up of the bride under her veil as her gown bodice is adjusted
Portrait of a bridesmaid in a gray one-shoulder gown holding a bouquet of pink peonies and coral gerbera daisies
A groomsman having his bow tie adjusted in the getting-ready suite
The historic lobby at Marines Memorial Club in San Francisco, with its coffered ceiling, crystal chandelier, and bronze ship's bell

An Elegant Ceremony at Marines Memorial Club

Megan and Jason exchanged vows in the club’s grand ballroom, under a crystal chandelier and rows of gold chiavari chairs. Meanwhile, a string duo played softly as guests took their seats. It’s a genuinely beautiful room — tall arched windows, gold drapery, and gilded ceiling details. Altogether, it made for a ceremony that felt both intimate and a little bit grand at the same time.

The empty ballroom at Marines Memorial Club set for the ceremony, gold chiavari chairs lining the aisle beneath a crystal chandelier
Ceremony floral centerpieces of manzanita branches, red carnations, and white hydrangea
A ballroom hallway with tall arched windows, tasseled gold curtains, and ornate wall sconces
A violin duo performing in the ballroom as guests take their seats for the ceremony
Black-and-white close-up of a violinist's hands mid-performance during the ceremony
A small floral arrangement of pink gerbera daisy, coral rose, and dusty miller tied to a gold chiavari chair
Black-and-white photo of a string trio performing in the ballroom, backlit by sheer curtains
Three guests in fitted cocktail dresses walking across the ballroom before the ceremony begins
The bride's veil seen from behind as she stands with an older relative near a string musician, moments before the processional
Wide shot of Megan walking down the aisle on her escort's arm beneath the ballroom's ornate chandelier
Megan and her escort walking down the aisle as guests take photos on their phones
Black-and-white close-up of the newlyweds holding hands, the bride's peony-and-hydrangea bouquet between them
Close-up reflection of the bride's face in a hand mirror as she finishes getting ready
Wide shot of guests seated in gold chiavari chairs beneath the ballroom's arched, gold-draped windows
The groom reading his vows to the bride during their Marines Memorial Club wedding ceremony
Wide ceremony shot of the ballroom's gilded coffered ceiling and gold chandeliers as the couple stands at the front with their officiant
Panoramic ceremony shot of the bride and groom at the altar with bridesmaids and a groomsman nearby
Wide ceremony shot beneath a candle chandelier and gilded arch, with the club's interior "Fire Escape Window" signage visible
Megan and Jason embracing at the altar of their Marines Memorial Club wedding, beneath a chandelier and gilded arched niche
Close-up of a groomsman adjusting his cuff in the house where the groom got ready
Megan and Jason walking back down the aisle together as guests clap on either side
Black-and-white close-up of the newlyweds embracing near a doorway just after the ceremony
Wide shot of the wedding party posed in front of the ballroom's tall arched, gold-draped windows
Detail of a pink and coral floral arrangement tied to the back of a gold chiavari chair
Megan and Jason with four bridesmaids in slate-blue gowns holding coral bouquets, in front of the ballroom windows
A second group portrait of the wedding party smiling in front of the ballroom's arched windows
Black-and-white version of the wedding party laughing together in front of the arched window
A composite portrait of the wedding party and family posed together in the ballroom
Megan laughing with her bridesmaids in blue-gray gowns in front of the gold-curtained window
The wedding party gathered around Megan in a wood-paneled library lounge at Marines Memorial Club, with a stone fireplace and built-in bookshelves
Megan in silhouette by an arched window, and a warmly-lit embrace with Jason, her peony bouquet between them
Jason smiling at his veiled bride as their coordinator looks on, near the ceremony space

Portraits Around Town, Including Grace Cathedral

After the ceremony, we took some time to explore the city for portraits. One stop was Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill, with its twin Gothic towers and rose window. Its ornate bronze doors make it one of my favorite backdrops in San Francisco. We also caught golden hour at a fountain plaza nearby before heading back to the club for the reception. It’s one of my favorite parts of a San Francisco wedding day: the city itself becomes part of the photos.

Black-and-white photo of Megan and Jason walking together on a San Francisco street at dusk during their around-town portrait session
Black-and-white photo of Megan and Jason climbing the stone steps toward Grace Cathedral's Gothic towers and rose window
Megan and Jason on the steps of Grace Cathedral, its twin Gothic towers and rose window rising behind them
Black-and-white close-up portrait of the newlyweds embracing during their Grace Cathedral portrait session
Black-and-white portrait of Megan and Jason together on a San Francisco sidewalk
Close-up of Megan and Jason in bright daylight during their around-town portrait session, her coral-and-dusty-blue bouquet between them
Full-length shot of Megan and Jason on the steps of a grand stone San Francisco building, her cathedral-length veil catching the breeze
Black-and-white photo of Megan and Jason at Grace Cathedral's ornate bronze doors, a replica of Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise"
Megan laughing back over her shoulder with Jason in front of Grace Cathedral's bronze relief doors
Megan and Jason kissing beside an ornate fountain on a San Francisco plaza at golden hour
A close, romantic moment between Megan and Jason with soft florals in the foreground during their portrait session
Close-up of Jason adjusting his boutonniere during the around-town portrait session

A Reception Full of Dancing

Back at Marines’ Memorial Club, the same ballroom that hosted the ceremony was transformed for dinner. Red and gold uplighting, a tiered cake, and place settings marked simply “Jason & Megan” set the scene. After toasts and a first dance, the dance floor filled up fast. It pretty much stayed that way for the rest of the night. The evening ended exactly how you’d hope. Megan and Jason walked hand-in-hand through a tunnel of sparklers held by their friends and family. Finally, they stepped out onto the San Francisco street to close out the night.

Passed hors d'oeuvres on a gold tray, ready for cocktail hour at the Marines Memorial Club reception
A server presenting a tray of rolled hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour
The Marines Memorial Club ballroom reset for dinner, round tables and gold chiavari chairs beneath red-and-gold uplighting
A reception table dressed in gold beneath the ballroom's swagged drapery and arched window
Reception stationery details including a menu card, floral accents, and a favor box printed "Jason • Megan"
A coral floral centerpiece and folded napkin at a reception place setting
Megan and Jason's three-tier wedding cake with gold-banded tiers and a single coral flower accent
A guest giving a toast at the reception as Megan and Jason laugh at the head table
Megan and Jason holding champagne flutes and smiling together at their reception
Megan and Jason's first dance on the ballroom floor beneath an arched window and chandelier
A closer shot of Megan and Jason's first dance, smiling face to face
Black-and-white photos of Megan and Jason dancing beneath the ballroom's crystal chandelier and coffered ceiling
A guest laughing joyfully on the dance floor during the reception
Guests dancing and laughing on the ballroom floor during the reception
An older couple dancing together as other guests join in around them
Bridesmaids laughing together near the reception tables
Guests in evening gowns and tuxedos talking and laughing on the dance floor
Megan and Jason walking hand-in-hand through a tunnel of sparklers held by their guests, capping off their Marines Memorial Club wedding

Planning a Marines Memorial Club Wedding?

Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel is a wonderful choice for a San Francisco wedding. It’s a historic Union Square venue with ballrooms built for exactly this kind of celebration. There’s also an on-site hotel for your out-of-town guests. If you’re considering it for your own wedding, here’s what it’s like to work with me. And I’d love to hear about your day — get in touch here.

The Details

Venue- Marines Memorial Club

Floral Design- Fiori Designs

Cake- Branching out cakes

DJ- The Spinheads

Caterer- Marines Memorial Club

Hair Stylist- Camellia  Bertteridge 

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