Who knew the charming Stow Lake Boathouse, where you can rent row boats and paddle among the mallard ducks, can also be an intimate wedding venue?

The charming Stow Lake Boat House in Golden Gate Park.

I asked the bride, Evelyn, how she came to decide on the Stow Lake Boathouse to hold her wedding. “We knew going into planning our wedding debt was not an option. We looked at several places and ultimately decided that the price for the entire boathouse was perfect. When I went to visit it for the first time it also just felt right. I imagined then and there how romantic it could be.”

Evelyn arrived in her late father’s classic 1963 Le Mans.

The bride arrived in her late father’s 1963 LeMans and was driven by her mother.

The stormy rainy weather didn’t stop these two from having a romantic first look on the boathouse dock.

The couples’ first look on the boat house dock.

The bride and groom share a kiss at the Stow Lake Boat House dock.

Guests piled into the Stow Lake Boathouse and it was a cozy and heartfelt ceremony, including a candle lighting to remember their loved ones not with them that day.

The ceremony inside the Stow Lake Boat House.

The wedding lasso tradition, place by the bride and groom’s mothers.

The wedding rings at this Stow Lake Boathouse wedding in Golden Gate Park.

The bride gave me a wonderful compliment when she said that, “I didn’t realize how important the photos were until I saw the ones you took.” As a photographer, that really makes my heart burst with joy! There were so many beautiful, genuine moments at this intimate and fun wedding, and I loved documenting them!

The bride and groom with their adorable daughter!

“From the bride: My mom, Rosa Amezcua, is so talented and one of her many trades is floral arrangements. She is basically responsible for all the decor. She made it easy for me to just decide if I wanted to include certain decorations.”

The bride and groom with their daughter at their sweetheart table.

From the bride: “As for any advice I could offer future brides...don't lose sight of why you are getting married. It was so important for us to have a fun day and all the things you have to do leading up to it can seem overwhelming. I just kept telling myself it will all work and come together.”

Time for champagne! The best man offers a private toast to the bride and groom at their sweetheart table.

Once the reception began, the barn style doors slid open and in marched a full mariachi band! It was a surprise gift from the mother of the bride. The bride’s godfather is a professional opera singer and he joined in. The boathouse was filled with warmth and lively music.

A full mariachi band filled the boathouse with lively music.

The cake cutting at this Stow Lake Boathouse wedding.

The bride and groom’s getaway car was her father’s classic 1963 LeMans.

Happy one year anniversary to Evelyn and Zach!

Vendors:

Venue: Stow Lake Boathouse in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park
Florals & Decor: the bride’s mother
Catering: Jacques Catering
Mariachi Band: Mariachi Arriba Mexico
Cake: Sunset Bakery

To inquire about photography for your intimate San Francisco wedding, contact Sonya here.

Thinking of an intimate boathouse style wedding? Check out this other great Bay Area wedding venue, the China Cabin in Tiburon.

Wintertime Stow Lake Boathouse Wedding in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park