Kelsey and Andrew | California Academy of Sciences Wedding
Kelsey and Andrew’s wedding was a stunning blend of elegance, nature, and discovery, set within the breathtaking California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Their day was filled with thoughtful details that highlighted their love for exploration, from an immersive rainforest experience to a reception surrounded by African wildlife.
The day began at the Fairmont San Francisco, where Kelsey got ready with her closest friends. The morning was filled with laughter and anticipation before she and Andrew shared a private first look on the Fairmont’s rooftop, with sweeping views of the city as their backdrop. They then spent time capturing portraits with family and friends before heading to the museum for the main event.
Their ceremony took place against the lush living wall inside the museum, where ground floral arrangements of dahlias, delphinium, Queen Anne’s lace, silverberry, and calycina framed the couple beautifully. The soft, organic design created by Flower Girl Em, complemented the museum’s natural surroundings, creating an intimate and serene atmosphere.
Guests were then ushered into the museum’s four-story rainforest bio-dome, where they could explore its winding pathways, vibrant greenery, and countless butterflies. Cocktail hour followed in the aquarium, home to over 40,000 live animals, including an albino alligator, tropical coral reefs, and glowing jellyfish. One of the most striking design moments of the night was the escort card display—a lush floral arrangement adorned with handcrafted butterflies, each painted with a guest’s name and table number. Featuring delicate blooms like dahlias, pale blue delphinium, Queen Anne’s lace, calycina, and smilax vines, the display was a perfect nod to the butterflies in the bio-dome.
The reception took place in the African Hall, a dramatic setting lined with dioramas of African wildlife. Kelsey and Andrew’s sweetheart table sat in front of a colony of African penguins, adding an unexpected and playful touch to the evening. The floral design introduced warmer, honey-toned hues here, with arrangements featuring "Honey Dijon" garden roses, anemones, ranunculus, scabiosa, light blue tweedia, and honeysuckle vines. The combination of these warm tones with the museum’s cool, immersive setting created a striking contrast that felt both elegant and natural.
From the thoughtful floral choices to the incredible venue, and stunning designs by their wedding planner, Hilary Marie Events, every element of Kelsey and Andrew’s wedding reflected their adventurous spirit and appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. It was a celebration unlike any other, one that their guests will remember for years to come.
