Joey + Alysha by Marcus Jolly Weddings

We designed our wedding around being outdoors and letting nature lead.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We live in San Francisco, just a short walk from the ocean—a place that perfectly reflects how we like to spend our time.

Alysha grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and spent many summers growing up on the island where we ultimately chose to get married. Joey is originally from New Jersey and moved to San Francisco ten years ago, drawn by the coastline, the outdoors, and a lifestyle centred around surfing and being outside as much as possible.

We both love our friends and the outdoors. We love the simplicity of a good beach day, sunset walks, dinner parties, and slow days with friends and family. Community has always been central to our lives, and that value shaped not only how we live day to day, but how we envisioned our wedding weekend as well.

For us, joy comes from the communal —whether that’s hosting friends, exploring new places, or creating meaningful experiences with the people we love most. Our wedding felt like a natural extension of that: a gathering rooted in nature, connection, and celebrating the relationships that mean the most to us.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met at Outside Lands, a music festival in San Francisco, in the most organic and unexpected way. Two groups of friends came together through a casual introduction, and in the middle of a crowded festival, we found each other. Despite being surrounded by thousands of people, the moment felt surprisingly intimate— effortless, unforced, and rooted in a shared sense of ease.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

We designed our wedding around being outdoors and letting nature lead. The landscape itself was so striking that we felt it didn’t need much embellishment, so we kept the styling intentionally minimal and thoughtful.

Our welcome dinner took place at Sundown Point Farm, a beautiful stretch of land with calm ocean water on either side. We hosted all 90 of our guests at one long communal table, which felt incredibly special. The table was dressed with pared-back florals, blue linens reflecting the ocean, and soft yellow tones that mirrored the surrounding grasses.

For the wedding day, we carried that same philosophy through. We were married on a full moon—something we later realised mirrored the night of our first date. To honour that, we created a large marigold circle made from over 700 flowers on the front of the barn, and echoed the moon motif inside with a warm orange spotlight during dinner.

We also loved incorporating elements guests could take home. On Friday, guests were invited to keep the table napkins, and on Saturday, we sourced vintage champagne glasses so everyone could choose one for the first toast and bring it home as a keepsake.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

One of our favourite parts of planning was getting to know our vendors and collaborating with them throughout the year. They were incredibly creative, and working so closely together made the process feel collaborative rather than overwhelming. Watching ideas slowly take shape and come to life was deeply rewarding.

We’d encourage couples to get clear on what truly matters to them—and what doesn’t. Wedding planning can feel daunting, especially without a traditional planner, but knowing where to focus your energy makes all the difference. For us, prioritising connection, atmosphere, and time together allowed other details to fall into place naturally.

Clarity, flexibility, and trust in your team go a long way—and ultimately help create a day that feels authentic and joyful. Staying flexible and welcoming change made the experience much more enjoyable.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We truly couldn’t have asked for a better group of vendors. From florals to food to photography, everyone brought such care, creativity, and professionalism to the weekend.

Chef Deb created an unforgettable meal for our Friday night welcome dinner, and Chef Heidi Hart crafted a stunning Saturday dinner using ingredients sourced entirely from the island. Marcus captured the weekend beautifully through his photography, while Miranda helped guide us from start to finish with calm and clarity. Molly’s florals grown on the island were thoughtful and perfectly aligned with our vision.

What made the experience especially memorable and seamless was that we were married on a small island, where many of our vendors already knew and trusted one another. That familiarity created a collaborative environment and allowed everyone to work together effortlessly. We felt incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive, creative team.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Joey wore a fully custom suit from Tailors Keep in San Francisco. Every element—from the jacket to the shirt and trousers—was handmade, making the process as meaningful as the final result. Designing something entirely from scratch felt like a special way to mark the day.

Alysha wanted a dress that felt comfortable and true to her; she chose a Danielle Frankel gown with a clean, simple silhouette and a dramatic open back. To highlight that detail, she collaborated with a jeweller in New York, Zanni, to create a custom necklace designed specifically for the dress. She also had a custom clutch made by a friend and artist, Dom Haury, who created a custom piece carved from cherry wood.

Alysha’s hair and makeup were done by two close friends, which kept the day and getting ready relaxed and personal.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Our wedding rings were made by a close friend, Kelsey Lim, founder of Able Objects, in New York. We were lucky enough to sit with her in her workshop and design both rings entirely from scratch.

Working with a friend made the process incredibly meaningful—exactly what we wanted for pieces we’ll wear every day.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

The most important thing we chose to invest in wasn’t a thing but time. We designed the entire weekend to allow space for meaningful moments with our guests—unhurried conversations, shared meals, and the feeling of being fully present.

Because we were married on a small island, we arranged for everyone to stay together across the lake from our venue. Having all of our friends and family in one place for the entire weekend created a sense of togetherness that extended far beyond the ceremony itself.

And, of course, food. On Friday night, Chef Deb surprised us with a menu we didn’t see in advance, which added an element of excitement and trust. On Saturday, Chef Haidee Hart made a meal that was made entirely from ingredients sourced on the island within 24 hours. Those communal dining moments felt elevated, intentional, and deeply aligned with our values.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

One of the most unforgettable moments for us was watching our guests read the handwritten letters we placed at each table setting. Every guest received a personal note, and as they sat down, the room grew quiet. From behind the draping, we could hear and feel the emotional response ripple through the space. It’s a moment we’ll treasure forever.

Another deeply meaningful moment was spending the morning of our wedding together, just the two of us. We chose to exchange our vows privately before the day began to set the tone for the day.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Being married feels less like a shift and more like a continuation of what we’ve already built. It didn’t change how we feel about one another—but it gave us a meaningful moment to pause, celebrate, and gather the people we love most around us.

One of our favourite rituals is our weekly Thursday date night. Each week, one of us surprises the other with a restaurant or place we’ve never been before. It’s our way of continuing to explore the place we live and keeping a sense of curiosity alive in our relationship.

For us, marriage is about shared experience, both in big moments and in the simple rituals that make life feel full.