Meeting Amanda and Ittai for the first time wasn’t the smoothest — the cafe at which we first planned to meet in SoMa was commandeered by what we guessed was a startup’s quarterly team building pep rally (sans mascot), so we pinged yelp for some alternatives. The next couple of places we tried were either closed or too full, which led us to a nondescript family restaurant built into a convention center parking garage. We TRY to use cool spots to meet couples, keep it #onbrand, but if we wanted this thing to happen that night, this would have to do. We were quietly apologizing in our heads the whole time about the Old Fashioneds made with crushed ice that we had to turn into Manhattans on the next round and resigned ourselves to taking this one on the chin, but much to our amazement, it turned into a great time! What looked like an “L” early on turned into a case study of the adage “It’s not where you are, but who you’re with”.
Amanda and Ittai are definitely that couple who hosts awesome parties at their place effortlessly; they are both imminent conversationalists and generous with their attention and ready to invest in getting to know you. Along with their active enthusiasm in everything we shared, there was a poise and cool about them that you can’t help but love. These cats are just cool. Learning that they booked their wedding at the Deco-laden and decidedly old-school-awesome University Club of San Francisco, it all made sense. To us, that venue is one that we always coveted working because we find it innately stylish, with an elegance that is not a bit fussy — after meeting them for just a short while, we couldn’t think of a better fit.
The dark woods and dramatic flare of the University Club was a perfect complement to the speakeasy vision for their wedding. They both represented this motif: Amanda with a perfect birdcage veil and feather fan, Ittai with an impeccably tailored blue suit, period-appropriate tie pin and pocket watch. Shades of Boardwalk Empire right on Powell Street. It’s to their credit that none of these had the hint of affectation, that they might merely be dressing up; knowing them more, despite their decidedly modern professions and lives, there is something about them that is a callback to simpler times. Part of this was the love they had for their families — Amanda had some incredible moments with her family, and we were regaled by Ittai’s father with anecdotes of literally death-defying family vacation moments. All of this was experienced by them with a joy that was big enough to fill a reception hall, but would have been just at home over a dinner at home, and was indicative of how close they have been. There was a feeling that they knew that days like this are about family, and that message was in their bones.
We also loved how they did things that were true to them and indicative of what was truly important to them — nothing was done just because it was de rigeur. We loved that instead of doing parent dances, they decided to honor all their parents by hosting a dance for them; the left turn of having a California Lottery Scratcher toss rather than a garter or bouquet toss was also popular with the crowd. We loved that they were present enough during their day to pay mind to an impromptu dance-off between Ittai and Amanda’s father, featuring some Chivari chairs.
That said, Amanda and Ittai put on a GREAT celebration, top to bottom. The environs of the University Club accentuated the heart of the ceremony, and really gave their reception a decidedly glamorous, old-Hollywood look with city skyline behind them. We loved exploring the venue with them and their bridal party, where it seemed we couldn’t take a bad frame if we tried — just like them, the University Club was a star in every photo.
Many thanks and congratulations to Amanda and Ittai for their marriage and absolutely splendid wedding day — we were honored to experience it with them!
