Photos by Annalee Photography
Zach and Jonathan got married in September 2025, starting at San Francisco City Hall and ending at ERIA in Sausalito, California, with a black-tie waterfront party overlooking the San Francisco skyline. Guests were asked to wear all black, and they did.
They met in June 2020, when the city had gone quiet. Their early dates were long walks through San Francisco parks, dinners in parklets and hikes around the Bay Area, so coming back to the city five years later to get married felt right.
San Francisco City Hall, the Golden Gate and a red convertible
The day started under the dome at City Hall, on the grand staircase and in the rotunda, with the wedding party gathered on the front steps. Both wore black tuxedos. From there came portraits with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them and a ride in a vintage red convertible.
An all-black dress code on the water
Zach and Jonathan wanted a modern black-tie wedding that felt editorial, so they asked guests to wear black. On ERIA’s terrace, the effect was striking: a crowd in black against the gray-blue bay, with the bridesmaids in blush. As an LGBTQ+ wedding, it mattered to them that the day felt inclusive and joyful and reflected the community that has supported them. They designed most of it themselves, from layouts and timelines to the rentals, working with planner 415 Events by Angelina, and they credit ERIA and their vendor team with bringing the ideas to life.
Calla lilies, out of season
They were determined to have calla lilies, and they weren’t in season. Le Bouquet got them anyway, for their personal flowers, the tablescapes and installations. The sculptural shape suited the black-and-white tables. If you have your heart set on one flower, ask your florist early.
Sparklers, CO2 and Dixie Bee
Cocktail hour had live acoustic music and bay views, and dinner was a plated menu of Northern California food. Then the night flipped. Zach and Jonathan changed into white dinner jackets, and the reception turned into a high-energy party with cold sparklers, CO2 effects, dramatic lighting and multiple performances from drag artist and Karol G impersonator Dixie Bee.
Get the look
Editor picks inspired by this wedding, not what the couple wore.
- Suitsupply Tailored Fit Havana Dinner Jacket in Off-White, $649 at Suitsupply. A shawl-lapel dinner jacket in wrinkle-free wool, for an evening change like the switch to white dinner jackets here. Some sizes have already sold out, so order early if it needs tailoring.
- Birdy Grey Hannah Chiffon Dress in Blush Pink, $109 at Birdy Grey. The bridesmaids wore blush, the one soft color in a crowd dressed in black. Hannah is a Birdy Grey best seller with flutter sleeves, pockets and a maternity-friendly empire waist.
- Baltic Born Layla Tulle Maxi Dress in Black, $114 at Baltic Born. If you ask guests to wear all black, give them a link. This floor-length tulle gown with sheer smocked sleeves comes in XS to 3XL, which covers a lot of a guest list.
Their advice
“Focus on creating a wedding that feels authentic to you rather than trying to meet expectations or trends,” they say. “Most importantly, remember that the wedding is just one day. The real celebration is the life you build together afterward.”
Wedding vendors
- Venue: ERIA, Sausalito, CA
- Photographer: Annalee Photography
- Event planner: 415 Events by Angelina
- Floral design: Le Bouquet
- Officiant: Officially Hitched
- Performer: Dixie Bee
- DJ: Second Song
- DJ: Nate Antwine Live Entertainment
- Makeup artist: Face by Deeba
- Makeup artist: Jackie Maness
- Equipment rentals: SL Party Rental
- Equipment rentals: Amigo Party Rental
- Equipment rentals: Vargas Event Rentals
- Second shooter: Bonita BTS
