Private Residence

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

I'll just jump right in...


So, after attending the wedding of Chelsea and Jack in Tahoe on our way to a long-anticipated week of Grand Canyon whitewater rafting, we get off the plane in Las Vegas, and Allegra Coleman jumps up from a slot machine to surprise me -- she's coming on the rafting trip!! I was overjoyed and in disbelief at the incredibly sweet gesture of bringing the other person in the world who means the most to me in on this special trip.




Halfway through said trip, I got very sick and, as almost always happens in these circumstances due to my profession as a teacher, I lost my voice. On the day of the biggest rapids, a violent(ly fun for the healthy rafters) squall, and general crazy weather, I remained tucked in the back of the boat where the splash is minimal, sitting upright with my chin resting on my life jacket, straw hat tied into said life jacket to cover my face and hopefully not get blown away in a crazy gust, passed out for the majority of the day and generally feeling miserable at missing out. (SO MUCH BITTER FOMO.)




That night, we played one of our favorite group games at camp -- Loaded Questions -- because I could participate without speaking. Our group loves to laugh, and we had one of our funniest rounds yet with the submission of the phrase "Lemon Slice" in response to several different questions. (Kinda had to be there...) Trust me when I say it was uproariously funny to all those playing.






I did regain my speaking voice within a day, and felt mostly recovered by the end of the trip, which is punctuated by a magnificent helicopter ride out of the canyon in groups of 5-6. After waking up at 4.45am for a dark breakfast and the last rounds of packing/breaking down camp, we all lined up to be told our place in the helicopter line -- ostensibly decided by weight, luggage, and height.






We milled around, our group's numbers slowly dwindling down as we waited; my sister convinced me to wear contact lenses rather than the dorky-but-functional transition lenses I'd been sporting all week, through some inception-style wizardry that I can't fully recall. Nate reported that due to his "being a fatass" and also the tallest member of the group, we would be last to leave in the whole group, likely with the extra luggage and a random or two from the next departing rafting group. I was slightly disappointed to have to wait so long for my first helicopter ride ever, but shrugged it off.






That's when Nate asked me to come check out this cool area behind a few boulders and loose rocks to get a little privacy before leaving. I followed him around and down, and that's when the proposal happened. Before getting down on one knee, Nate told me he had been meaning to ask me something, but had grown concerned when I'd lost my voice -- so he'd created two handy notecards just in case. One said "YES," and the other, "NO (scribbled out) LEMON SLICE". I didn't even give him a chance to open the ring box before pouncing and saying yes.






We scrabbled back up to the helipad to the sounds of cheers and applause from a group of strangers in the next round of airlifts, and boarded a private helicopter ride that Nate arranged to be extended to 15 minutes rather than the standard 5. It was one of the most magnificent experiences of my entire life -- I've rarely seen anything quite so beautiful.






Once we landed, we were met with phones snapping pictures and our entire group -- all of whom were in on the surprise months in advance -- rushed us for hugs, photos and a look at the ring. I can honestly say it was one of the happiest moments of my life. When my newly minted fiancé suggested we leave our phones off until after lunch to avoid the Facebook insanity after a week away, I happily agreed.






Fast forward one small aircraft ride and a party bus lift to the Bellagio, where we'd long planned to stay for hot showers, private bathrooms and buffet indulgence after the week outdoors. Nate told me we had a 1.30 lunch reservation to celebrate with the whole Canyon group, so we checked in (receiving a cheap upgrade from the newlywed concierge, who was utterly charmed by our engagement story), cleaned up, and headed down to lunch.






We arrived two minutes early and were told we were the last to show up. I found this odd, especially given that at least one member of our group (rhymes with con...) is somewhat infamously tardy. Well, we strolled into a back room with closed doors... and the room not only had almost our entire rafting trip group at a table, but was also packed with my parents, my best friend&nbsp;Nathalie, a couple of our close friends, Nate's aunt Chris, Nate's cousin&nbsp;Ariel&nbsp;and his wife&nbsp;Yan &nbsp;+ family whom I adore, Nate's dad&nbsp;Phil&nbsp;and&nbsp;stepmom&nbsp;Sandi. My lifelong friend&nbsp;Maggie &nbsp;was unable to attend due to exams, but sent her regrets -- I was COMPLETELY surprised and overwhelmed by how much effort Nate put into making this day so unbelievably memorable and special. So many of my favorite people were there to celebrate and pig out with us, and I had no idea any of this was being planned for me behind the scenes.






That night, we enjoyed a fantastic engagement dinner at Momofuku, one of my favorite restaurants from my days in NYC, with a carefully selected menu (by Nate, of course) that even included a surprise ramen course (my favorite).






I never could have dreamt up a more spectacular proposal, and I certainly never imagined I'd be lucky enough to be marrying someone so wonderful. Cheers to continuing to share my life with this amazing human!

Our Engagement Story, told by Aislinn

Our Story

SF Restaurant Recommendations

Nate's SF Restaurant Ideas

Burma Superstar

Burmese place that is one of my favorites in SF. Better for lunch maybe, there can often be a wait but if you call ahead during dinner you can get on the list for the Richmond neighborhood location. There is also a location in Oakland and in the Mission District.



Hong Kong Lounge II Dim Sum



Really enjoyed the dim sum at this place, excellent baked pork buns, sticky rice, and all the other favorites.



Deli Board sandwiches



In SOMA so a little further away. A Cleveland-style sandwich place, with some of the best quality meats and brown Cleveland stadium mustard. Get the Carzle.



Tony's Pizza



They have a ton of different ovens for pizza. &nbsp;My favorites are the Detroit style and New York style. But it's my favorite pizza place on earth. Another crowded place, so you might want to plan on getting on the list, then doing something else for 90 minutes. It's in North Beach.



Swan Oyster



Another place that is fantastic. If you go, try the italian crudo that isn't on the menu, raw fish with olive oil in addition to the oysters. &nbsp;Another place that's a shlep though, long lines and small counter place. When I go I get there right when it opens at 9:30, but that might be a little early for seafood for sane people. Closes at 3.



El Farolito and La Taqueria burritos



El Farolito is my personal favorite burrito place on earth. I really enjoy the Al Pastor. &nbsp;La Taq is more famous now, their burritos don't have rice which some people enjoy more. The carnitas is best there



Lers Ros Thai



The original is in the Tenderloin, a gross neighborhood. But it's probably the best version of their food. They have other outlets in nicer neighborhoods though. &nbsp;Northern Thai cuisine. Anything with red curry, duck larb salad, coconut soup, pork shoulder appetizer are my favorites.



Zuni



Their huge chicken for 2 is a SF classic dish, as is their late night burger.



State Bird Provisions



Very tough to get into, but worth it. They serve dishes dim sum style by bringing them around. Worth checking out.



Griddle Fresh



In my friend Brian's neighborhood, Noe Valley. It’s up there for best breakfast in the city and isn’t crowded on the weekdays.



Tartine



Actually have never been, but considered an amazing bakery.



Liholiho Yacht Club



James Beard award winner, I actually didn't think it was that amazing personally but everyone else seems to love it. Hawaiian themed cuisine.



Kokkari Estiatorio



Some of the best Greek food you'll have



Off the Grid food trucks



I'm not sure where they are at various times during the week, you'll have to check the website, but it's definitely fun to grab a few items from the different trucks and share. &nbsp;



Nopalito



Very solid &nbsp;and creative modern Mexican food. &nbsp;Ask for sides of some of their salsas, the habanero (it's pink) in particular. &nbsp;It's not crazy spicy but might be my favorite salsa that I've had. Run by same people as Nopa



NOPA



A classic SF new American restaurant in&hellip;..NOPA



Marufuku Ramen



Considered by most the best ramen place in the city.



La Ciccia



Sardinian food, meaning lots of great seafood pasta. Another small restaurant but they do at least take reservations.



Roli Roti food truck



If you’re in the city on Saturday they’re at the Ferry building. This is the best Porchetta sandwich I've had.



Bi-Rite



Famous ice cream in the Mission across from Dolores Park. Nowhere to sit here though, but you can bring your ice cream across the street to Dolores Park.



The Chairman



Formerly a food truck, now has a bricks and mortar store. Just outstanding baked or steamed buns. I prefer the baked personally, and consider the pork belly and braised beef to be the best.

Details

Photos

Allegra is my&nbsp;cooler, much tanner and more outdoorsy older sister; she lives in Kailua, Hawai'i with her partner Colin and rescue dog Sadie, and loves to surf, hike, paraglide and make&nbsp;her family eternally nervous&nbsp;with her dangerous hobbies. One of my&nbsp;greatest accomplishments in life has been meeting my&nbsp;personal goal of&nbsp;growing up&nbsp;to be 5-6 inches taller than my older&nbsp;sister. This will be Allegra's tenth turn as a bridesmaid.

Years of non-optional&nbsp;friendship: 30

Three words to describe Allegra: optimistic, courageous, independent

Allegra Coleman

Dave and I&nbsp;have been friends since we met at Tulane in 1999.&nbsp; We lived together for 2 years in college&nbsp;and I was the best man at his wedding in 2007.&nbsp;











David Floyd

Maggie has known me&nbsp;my entire life; our fathers were best friends in the fourth grade, and have stayed in touch and vacationed together with our&nbsp;close-knit families&nbsp;all these years between Toronto and California. Maggie is passionate about health, fitness and wellness; a former gymnast and physical therapist, she is currently studying to be a chiropractor in San Jose, where she lives with her fiancé Vince and their adorable&nbsp;German shepherds,&nbsp;the mischievous&nbsp;Max and new puppy&nbsp;Nora. Maggie has been one of my&nbsp;most steadfast friends, having seen me through some of the lowest points in my life,&nbsp;and is in fact more akin to an older sister than just a friend along with her twin sister, Emily.

Years of friendship: 30















Three words to describe Maggie: kind, conscientious, insightful

Maggie Dunlop

Ryan, Mike Kisgen and I were inseparable (except for when I'd go home from the bars 90 minutes earlier than they would) from essentially the moment we set foot on campus for law school at University of Arizona in 2004.&nbsp; We lived together our 2L and 3L years in Tucson.







Ryan Adams

Ross and I met at Tulane in 1999, and have been great friends ever since a memorable road trip to Panama City for spring break in my 2-seat Mazda RX-7.&nbsp; I was a groomsman in his wedding in 2009.







Ross Berkoff

Nathalie and I&nbsp;have been friends for 29&nbsp;years and counting; in fact, one of my earliest memories is (hazily) meeting Nathalie and playing with a Fisher-Price kitchen set at the tender young age of one. Nathalie lives in Seattle with her partner Matt, where they recently bought a house together; she works as an ICU nurse, loves to ride her bike around Seattle, and is both a native-level French speaker and a fluent Spanish speaker. Nathalie spent much of her childhood searching for and successfully finding various items that I was perpetually losing; even today, I'm often tempted to call her up and ask her where she thinks I left my Kindle last night.

Years of friendship: 29







Three words to describe Nat: selfless, considerate, principled

Nathalie Cartal

Risé and I met freshman year in high school, and immediately bonded over our&nbsp;shared English nerdery, our&nbsp;love of all things Hawaiian, and a mutual inability to stay out of trouble/mischief, especially when&nbsp;together. She currently&nbsp;lives in Foster City and works as corporate counsel for&nbsp;Stella & Dot.&nbsp;One of my favorite memories with&nbsp;Risé dates back from senior year of college at NYU;&nbsp;Risé came to visit for Thanksgiving, and while I was away working at a SoHo&nbsp;restaurant all afternoon and&nbsp;night,&nbsp;Risé slaved away in my&nbsp;tiny Chelsea kitchen so that when worked ended, I&nbsp;would be greeted with a massive dinner-for-ten intended only for the two of us.

The food was demolished by 2pm the following day. Only one other diner contributed.











Years of friendship: 18







Three words to describe&nbsp;Risé: witty, incisive, delightful

Risé Hirahara

Mike and I have known each other since the start of law school in&nbsp;2004, having lived together in 3 separate places for a total of over 4 years including at the start of our legal careers in Walnut Creek.







Mike Kisgen

Liv is Nate's younger half-sister, and is easily the best cook in the entire family on either side. She currently lives and works in Chicago with her partner Eric, where she is a talented mixologist and bar manager of Osteria Nico. In addition to her bridesmaid duties, Liv will be gifting the wedding with signature cocktails (and mocktails) to enjoy throughout the evening. She was the first of Nate's family members to meet me, and immediately endeared herself by providing me&nbsp;with&nbsp;an escape from the sports bar I'd been stuck in all day to celebrate Nate's birthday.

Years of friendship: 3.5















Three words to describe Liv: hilarious, engaging, gracious

Olivia Duncan

Ethan is my brother. He is doing this because he has to.







Ethan Goldman

I met Rachel, an avid yogi, rock climber and DIY builder, in&nbsp;December '16 during a monthlong intensive&nbsp;Yoga Teacher Training in Chicago with our&nbsp;teacher/mentor, Carmen Aguilar. Though we'd practiced in the same spaces and even taken photos together before, it wasn't until we ended up in the same room for 200 hours that we realized how effortlessly we click. We spent much of our limited downtime studying, chatting, talking story and motivating each other to keep going during&nbsp;that month. Rachel&nbsp;moved to the Bay Area to pursue a career in yoga last year, and is the person you're most likely to find hanging out with me&nbsp;either practicing, snacking, endlessly discussing yoga or watching Broad City&nbsp;at my house in Berkeley on any&nbsp;given day.

Years of friendship: 2



Three words to describe Rachel: capable, empathetic, dynamic

Rachel Wang

Walker and I were cubicle neighbors as paralegals in Chicago, though our friendship was tested early when he found out I'd scored 1 point higher than him on the LSAT. Nevertheless, we've remained close and I was a groomsman in his wedding in 2013.&nbsp; Walker can't be with us for the wedding as he's expecting the imminent birth of his second child the same weekend, but his sister Hayley and cousin John will be in attendance to show the Wells flag.





Walker Wells

Dina and I met through friends of&nbsp;mutual friends&nbsp;when I moved to Hawaii after finishing my post-NYU&nbsp;world travels during a night out in Waikiki, though we didn't begin to form a friendship until we'd each respectively had our lives upended by the predictably questionable decisions of an&nbsp;early-20-something;&nbsp;over the course of the remaining&nbsp;time I lived on Oahu, we spent many an afternoon together dissecting&nbsp;life, taking group naps, hoovering candy&nbsp;and surfing or&nbsp;relaxing on the beach. Dina lives in Honolulu with her cuddly rescue dog Rasta and sweet&nbsp;blind rescue cat Makana Ray, where she spends her days teaching yoga and&nbsp;working with animals at The Humane Society,&nbsp;a veterinary office, and outside walking doggos. In addition to having&nbsp;a rare&nbsp;talent for home decorating and repurposing furniture, she&nbsp;has without question been one of&nbsp;the most fiercely loyal friends I've been lucky enough to have in my life.









Years of friendship: 6









Three words to describe Dina: poised, perspicacious, driven

Dina Knight

Matt and I&nbsp;have known each other since 1985, when I was forced to go to a birthday party at his house with a really bad clown and spent the entire time sequestered from the other children waiting for my mom to go home. Fortunately our friendship has proved more fruitful since.&nbsp; Matt was probably my most influential friend in getting me into writing and podcasting about the NBA.









Matt Lurie

Rose and I&nbsp;met in the fourth grade, and were quick friends; however, we&nbsp;truly cemented our&nbsp;lifelong friendship when we&nbsp;ended up attending the same high school. We&nbsp;spent many an afternoon singing along to Céline Dion in&nbsp;Rose's Mustang convertible, and were virtually&nbsp;inseparable during those four years; I couldn't have gotten through high school without her, and in fact, my and another friend's shenanigans nearly ensured that none of the three of us would make it through&nbsp;high school at all. (Spoiler: We made it.) During our college years, Rose visited me at NYU often from nearby Vassar,&nbsp;helping immensely to alleviate any feelings of homesickness or loneliness.&nbsp;Rose works and lives in Paris&nbsp;with her husband Alex and two stepchildren Elizabeth and&nbsp;Pierre-Alex. **Update: Rose is going to be giving birth to her first child about two weeks after the wedding, and so will not be able to attend the wedding after all for this very happy reason!**

Years of friendship: 22











Three words to describe Rose: accomplished, elegant, intelligent

Rose Reynes

Brian and I have known each other since 2011, when I was a late entrant into his fantasy football league.&nbsp;&nbsp; I was the officiant at his marriage to Noelle Mosely in 2017.&nbsp;&nbsp;He counts skiing and dishwashing among his&nbsp;passions.





Brian Singerman

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

We have a block of rooms available at the Westin Palo Alto for $159/night or the adjoining Sheraton at $139/night. Those rates are available the nights of Friday August 31 through Sunday September 28; this is why we recommend people come in Friday and stay through Monday morning rather than coming in on Thursday. Please mention the Coleman-Duncan wedding when making your reservation, or click the link to the hotel and it should take you directly to the special rate page. Shuttle service to the venue will be provided for all hotel guests.

The Westin Palo Alto

There will not be any parking available at the wedding venue; for your convenience,&nbsp;we will be providing valet parking +&nbsp;shuttle service to and from nearby Menlo School&nbsp;on the afternoon/evening&nbsp;of the wedding. Alternatively, Uber and Lyft rides are easy to order in the area.&nbsp;

Menlo School

Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel

Travel

We would love for you to stop by our informal Sunday luncheon poolside at the Sheraton Palo Alto the day after the wedding (Sunday, September 2)&nbsp;between 12:30 and 2:30 pm.&nbsp; No need to RSVP, it will be a very casual affair.

Aislinn + Nate

Aislinn + Nate

Photos