Though they first met on a night out with mutual friends, it didn’t take long for Jacob and Emily to realize their connection was something rare. “We instantly hit it off and couldn’t stop talking,” shares Emily. Years later, their romantic proposal took place under a gazebo in Paso Robles. “Our siblings and parents came out to surprise us after,” recalls Emily of the special day.

When deciding where to say “I do,” the couple chose San Francisco: the city where their love story began. “Jacob is from San Francisco, and I grew up loving the city. When I met the city boy, it made so much sense,” Emily confirms. The couple spent a year and a half planning every detail of their nuptials, determined to make it a memorable experience for themselves as well as their 280 guests, many of whom traveled from out of town.

For the bride, planning was as much a personal journey as a logistical one. “We were young when we first started the wedding process. We were only 25 years old. Jacob and I were also the first in our families to get married,” Emily explains. “My mom also passed away from breast cancer the year before we got engaged, so I didn’t get much advice prior and had to figure it out on my own and trust myself.” Guided by her mother’s spirit and the loving support of her father and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Emily and Jacob poured themselves into creating a day that felt meaningful and elegant.

“Our day was truly perfect in every way, full of love, meaning, and unforgettable joy.”

Opting for a traditional church ceremony with no first look, Emily saw her groom for the very first time as she walked down the aisle on the arm of her father. She recalls the moment she saw Jacob as her most memorable moment of the day.

Following the “I dos,” the reception took place at the iconic Palace Hotel in San Francisco, where a seated dinner was served to loved ones.

The aesthetic embraced a sophisticated palette of white with gold tones, creating an atmosphere that was both elegant and timeless. Floral arrangements of white roses, orchids, and hydrangeas adorned the ballroom, while towering centerpieces and abundant candlelight transformed the space into a dreamy city soirée.

A seven-tier wedding cake decorated with cascading roses echoed the floral story of the day, and decorative chocolate bars topped with camellia blooms served as stylish favors.

One of the couple’s favorite elements? “The old-school San Francisco vibe,” shares Jacob. “We wanted to play into this because not only are we an old-soul kind of couple, but we wanted our guests to feel this and experience a classic San Francisco wedding.”

Guests danced under chandeliers until midnight, celebrating not just the wedding of Jacob and Emily, but a love story deeply rooted in family, Palestinian tradition, and the magic of San Francisco.

Looking back, the couple says they wouldn’t change a single thing. “The day was perfect, and we credit all of it to our parents who made our special day so perfect, and to our guardian angel in heaven, my dear mother. Our day was truly perfect in every way, full of love, meaning, and unforgettable joy.”