Golden Gate Club at the Presidio

The Wedding

Our Wedding

It might sound a little cliché, but this story begins in a bar—though not just any bar.&nbsp;Alexa and Sean met on a balmy August night out in Oakland at an uptown establishment called Cafe Van Kleef, known affectionately by locals for its greyhounds made with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice.&nbsp;It was over a round of these refreshing drinks that our lovers were first introduced by a mutual friend—more on her later. From that momentous encounter, Alexa and Sean went their separate ways, though not for long.&nbsp;You see, Alexa was throwing a party at her house the next day: a going-away party for her brother, who was leaving to study abroad for a semester.&nbsp;Like a dutiful big sister, she bought a keg for him and all his lacrosse buddies.&nbsp;What she didn’t know was that most of them were out of town.&nbsp;The mutual friend had a solution: “I’ll text Sean.&nbsp;Sean can drink beer.” Sean came to the party.&nbsp;As promised, he drank beer—though in full transparency, they would hardly make a dent in that keg.&nbsp;Our young friends laughed, played games, and danced.&nbsp;It was during one of the dancing interludes that Sean took particular notice of Alexa.&nbsp;Later in the night, he asked for Alexa’s number and told her he’d like to make her dinner—their mutual friend rolled her eyes.&nbsp;It would be sometime before he had that pleasure, but Sean left the party lovestruck nonetheless. Days passed—Sean didn’t want to seem thirsty.&nbsp;Alexa thought Sean was nice, but she was still riding high off of what she and her friends termed their “single summer.”&nbsp;One day, Sean called her out of the blue.&nbsp;Alexa was taken aback—pleasantly so (don’t people just text these days?).&nbsp;She accepted his invitation to hang out—with their mutual friend present. This friendly hang gave way to dates.&nbsp;Alexa started to realize Sean was actually kind of interesting, (sometimes) funny, and smart.&nbsp;He also texted back promptly and was a good communicator, which was a breath of fresh air.&nbsp;Sean was enamored with Alexa’s beauty, carefree attitude, and discerning intelligence.&nbsp;They realized they were both passionate about music.&nbsp;Late-night conversation revealed a lot of overlap on fundamental worldview stuff. Dates soon gave way to road trips, and our lovers brought each other home to their families (to this day, every time the couple leaves town on vacation, they make a playlist themed after their destination).&nbsp;They each noticed that the other placed a lot of importance on family, and they liked that.&nbsp;It was around this time that Sean confessed to their mutual friend at work one morning; Alexa was the one. The couple continued to grow and took increasingly bigger steps together.&nbsp;They moved into an apartment and discovered a shared interest and style for interior decorating.&nbsp;Alexa and Sean got a dog (who is really more like their child).&nbsp;Now things were getting serious. In June 2022, Sean took Alexa away for a spa weekend at the nearby Claremont Hotel in Berkeley.&nbsp;There, on their private terrace above the tower suite, he got down on one knee and asked Alexa to marry him (she said yes).&nbsp;From that spot, they looked out at the Bay Area where they first met, where they fell in love, and where they’d created so many memories over the past five years together. Then the couple set a date: Friday, August 18, 2023.&nbsp;Exactly six years from the day they met—which was also a Friday.&nbsp;Remember their mutual friend?&nbsp;Their matchmaker Stacey will be there to finish what she started (read: officiate). Sean and Alexa can’t wait to celebrate with all their favorite people and dance the night away.&nbsp;They hope to see you there!

Our Story

Photos

Despite growing up minutes away from each other and playing each other on youth soccer teams, Brittany and Alexa didn’t meet until their freshman year of college at Saint Mary’s through mutual friends.  Little did they know at the time, what would ensue was a friendship of epic proportions.  They spent a legendary fall semester together “studying” abroad in Rome and traveling all over Europe (you’ve heard the stories…)  A dynamic duo whenever they’re together, Alexa couldn’t imagine the big day without her partner-in-crime by her side.  

Brittany Bandy

Sean met Chris during their freshman year at UC Santa Cruz.  They first connected over a shared love of hip-hop and reggae, chasing unforgettable acts around the Bay Area and catching one especially serendipitous free ride from a Rastafarian cab driver.  Back at their on-campus apartment, the pair threw back beers and cheered on Don Nelson’s raucous Warriors team as they made an unlikely postseason run.  These days, Sean and Alexa love meeting for double dates with Chris and his wife, Kelly, and spending time with their beautiful family.

Chris Borjian

Supermom, chef, design- and homesteader-extraordinaire (think Joanna Gaines but cooler), Alexa can’t wait to gain Kate as a sister.  She is warm, fun, and the most easygoing person - what more could you ask for in a sister-in-law?!  Alexa and Sean love spending time at Kate’s playing games with the whole family and enjoying delicious farm-to-table meals from her beautiful garden, honeybees, and chickens.  

Kate Beidelman

Sean and Nick became fast friends at Gordon family gatherings, where they delight in annoying the bride-to-be with their antics.  Nick keeps Sean young with the next generation of college party games, weightlifting routines, and running some late night Call of Duty.  Sean counts himself lucky to have Nick by his side on the big day and can’t wait to call him brother.

Nick Gordon

Stacey introduced Alexa and Sean on Friday, August 18, 2017 (what would become their wedding date).  Years prior, Alexa and Stacey became friends while on the Saint Mary’s College Division 1 Rowing team and Sean and Stacey became friends running summer camp together at Moraga Valley Pool in Orinda.  For years, the three joked that Stacey would officiate their wedding one day - and Alexa and Sean wouldn’t have it any other way.  Stacey is coming all the way from Winnipeg, Canada to stand by their side. 

Stacey Laye

Brochacho.  Hermano Salchicha.  Spendo.  Known by many names, Spencer’s influence on Sean can be felt from day-one of their kinship.  The night Sean’s sister, Kate introduced them, the pair nearly burnt Spencer’s Costa Mesa apartment to the ground, trying to fill Sean’s knock-off Zippo with the wrong type of lighter fuel. 
Shenanigans aside, Spencer has long stood as an inspiration to Sean as a husband, father, and as a professional.

Spencer Beidelman

Camila and Alexa met their freshman year of high school where they, along with Cameron, became known for their hilarious class projects in the form of videos.  Alexa always cast Camila as the lead because she knew she could handle the most sophisticated roles - from a 1920s gangster to the great Hamlet!  Alexa knows Camila always has her back - even if they ever have to approach a sketchy couple’s hoarder van in the middle of the night to buy activated carbon charcoal for a water filtration project again.  Now, Alexa, Camila, and Cameron enjoy triple dates together with their partners who all get along too!

Camila Chica

Sean and Alex met in middle school, where they developed a shared infatuation with their drama teacher.  Over the years, they livened up the school day with collaborative artwork that was, shall we say, NSFW.  Even though they now live on opposite coasts, Sean and Alex always pick up right where they left off.  Recently, Alexa joined Sean in New York for a work trip (and visit with Alex), and the three of them cried laughing at a Broadway production of "The Book of Mormon." Sean is overjoyed to have his oldest friend at his side on the biggest day of his life.

Alex Fairweather

Alexa and Cameron became friends in high school, but few know that their moms had actually met first and had been telling the two they would get along (moms know best!)  Alexa’s favorite high school memories are all with Cameron and Camila.   After over a decade of the three sharing each others’ milestones together, Alexa and Camila were so happy to stand by Cameron’s side this past December at her wedding at a beautiful castle in Scotland.  And now Alexa is thrilled to have Cameron by her side just months later at her own wedding!  

Cameron Leininger

Sean and Dean met working at the campus bookstore in college, where they ran the computer department in relative harmony.  It was Dean who invited Sean to come live at the infamous High Street House, where they braved squalid conditions that strengthened the bonds of brotherhood.  To that end, Dean has always been like a big brother to Sean.  The two recently drove overnight to Las Vegas — on Christmas — through rain, sleet, and snow, to watch the Raiders pummel their divisional foes in a beautiful new stadium, a memory Sean will cherish forever... Vegas, baby, Vegas.

Dean Harter

Alexa met Sabrina (along with Bailey) on the 2nd night of college at a mixer in front of their dorm - and after they discovered they’d all see each other at rowing practice the following week, they were fast friends.  Together, Alexa and Sabrina have shared many laughs, post-work happy hours, and special memories in Sabrina’s beautiful hometown of Cayucos.  Sabrina was also an early witness to Stacey’s matchmaking success, and Sean even disclosed to Sabrina after several weeks of dating that Alexa “checked all the boxes” and he was falling for her. 

Sabrina Scott

Sean also met Alex at the campus bookstore, where the groom sold his new friend a computer — and his room in the High Street House.  It was only after they inked the deal that everyone realized Dean and Alex had grown up together, thus a triumvirate was formed.  With Alex, you can always expect epic conversation, especially by firelight.  Sean fondly remembers their warehouse jam sessions, camping trips in the Sierras, and comparing notes as Frenchie dads.

Alex Walker

Bailey and Alexa bonded over their rowing erg test anxiety (erg is a medieval torture device, better known as an indoor rowing machine) and their love of cinematic masterpieces like Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre.  Since then, Alexa and Bailey have shared countless laughs, inside jokes, hikes, dirty palomas in “Turnt”lock, and other amazing memories from the Bay to Tahoe to Colorado.  Every year Alexa, Bailey, and Sabrina look forward to their annual Tahoe trip (and Alexa affectionately refers to them as her taHOES.)  

Bailey Minardi

Sean met Brandon bartending together in Pasadena, where B showed the groom-to-be the ropes — perhaps most importantly, which charcuterie ingredients to pair for an unsanctioned mid-shift snack in the walk-in freezer.  They would discover a shared love of quality take-out from local spots like Slaw Dogs, which always set the perfect backdrop for their post-shift movie nights.  Brandon also inspired in Sean a newfound interest in photography, which would take them on late-night photo missions up and down their home state.

Brandon Shapiro

Taylor and Alexa met in college on the - you guessed it - rowing team, and quickly became friends after running into each other at the same parties when they knew they had to be up early for practice the next morning!  Taylor was a coxswain, which is the person at the front of the boat that motivationally yells at the rowers to go harder and faster than they think possible.  Taylor can rally and cheer on anyone - whether in the boat or before a night out - and Alexa is grateful to have her all the way from Winnipeg, Canada to hype her up and stand by her side on the big day!   

Taylor Boss

Despite being raised miles from one another in Burbank, Sean wouldn’t meet Alex until they were all grown up —relatively speaking.  When Sean came back home after college, these two ran the beer pong tables from Sun Valley to El Sereno.  Fellow banana slugs, Sean and Alex both found themselves in Oakland as they each pursued postgraduate degrees. Dependable, light-hearted, and passionate, Alex has always felt like family.

Alex Salgado

Pierre Gordon-Brennan

Wedding Party

Q + A

There are lots of lodging options in and around the Presidio, and they run the full range in terms of budget.&nbsp; Note that the Inn and the Lodge at the Presidio, while on the pricier side, are both walking distance from the venue and include complimentary breakfast - and evening wine and cheese!&nbsp; The other options listed below are all a short drive (or Uber) to the venue.

Inside the Presidio

5 to 7 minute walk to venue. Books up months in advance - early reservations recommended. Most immediate family members will be staying here or at the Inn (below).

Lodge at the Presidio

5 to 7 minute walk to venue. Books up months in advance - early reservations recommended. Most immediate family members will be staying here or at the Lodge (above).

Inn at the Presidio

Fisherman's Wharf

About a 15 minute drive from the venue. Located in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf and a block from Ghirardelli Square.

Argonaut Hotel

Cow Hollow/Marina

Below are some other great options located just outside of the Presidio: Hotel Del Sol <a href="https://hoteldelsol.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://hoteldelsol.com/</a>Infinity Hotel SF <a href="https://www.infinityhotelsf.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.infinityhotelsf.com/</a>Chelsea Inn (complimentary parking) <a href="https://chelseamotorinn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://chelseamotorinn.com/</a>Coventry Inn (complimentary parking) <a href="https://coventrymotorinn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://coventrymotorinn.com/</a>Cow Hollow Motor Inn (complimentary parking) <a href="https://cowhollowmotorinn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://cowhollowmotorinn.com/</a>

Alexa & Sean

Alexa & Sean

Q + A

What time should I get there?

What should I wear? Is there a dress code?

What will the weather be like?

Where are you going on your honeymoon?