San Francisco City Hall

Wedding Ceremony

Stable Cafe

Wedding Reception

Our Wedding

As Told By Marsha “Our Story” begins at the gayest place ever, PRIDE, in particular, Pride 2016. Adding some texture - this was the last year of Obama’s presidency (who knew what we were in for 🤦🏾‍♀️), Rihanna &amp; Drake were hitting “a one dance,” and Beyonce was getting everyone into Formation. In the background of this, Stara was spending her first Summer coordinating for Dyke March in San Francisco, and I (Marsha) was preparing for a stint as a Dyke March day volunteer. And this is where our worlds collided. Stara gave me directions to my volunteer post for the day; then, we saw each other again later in the evening at Uhaul’s Dyke March after party. I sauntered over to where Stara was sitting, sat next to her, and we talked for the rest of the evening. I could not keep my eyes off her smile, and she was intrigued by my off-centered afro 😆 On the way out, Stara asked for my number (which I always tell her was a boss move), and we started texting daily.&nbsp; The first few months of courtship were filled with long drives to deep East Oakland and countless explorations of San Francisco&nbsp;🌉. We scoured the Bay Area together, showing each other new viewpoints. The following years of our relationship saw four new apartments, many road trips to Portland 🏡, numerous queer day parties, a few career changes, the addition of a baby boy 🐶, and a global pandarama.&nbsp; Our story has seen a ton of chapters so far. Who knew that two girls born in such different worlds(Sacramento, CA and Kingston, JA🇯🇲) would end up here, in San Francisco, getting married and that you’d be reading about our gay a** wedding on our website. Thank you for reading it, by the way. There's a ton more we can share, but we won't let this get too long. And hopefully, instead of reading about our story, you’re just living it with us!&nbsp; With love,Stara &amp; Marsha

Our Story 

Photos

Traveling to San Francisco

The reception venue is in the heart of San Francisco in the historic Mission District. Parking is extremely scarce around the venue. We recommend using Lyft/Uber or Public Transportation to get to and from the reception venue. If you do prefer to drive, the closest parking garage is at the El Capitan Hotel about .5mi away for $15/day. If accessibility is a concern please reach out to either Stara or Marsha and we will help you coordinate a travel plan.

Public TransportationThose coming from other parts of the Bay Area are welcome to use public transportation to the venue. The closest Bart stop is 16th and Mission.For those coming from Sacramento, Amtrak is also a great option so you do not have to worry about parking a car. Amtrak has a direct line to Emeryville and Oakland where you can take a ferry or bus into San Francisco.

DrivingSan Francisco is about 1.5 hours from Sacramento, CA but with traffic, times could be &gt; 3hrs, so please plan accordingly. If you are staying for multiple days we suggest leaving your car at the hotel and using Lyft/Uber to get to the reception venue.

Flying For those flying into the bay area we recommend either San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK) airports. SFO is about a 20mins drive from the venue and OAK is about a 30mins drive from the venue. Once in the Bay Area, no need to rent a car! Public transportation and Lyft/Uber are plentiful and the best way to get around.

Travel

San Francisco has countless options for hotels and lodging. With most people being Bay Area adjacent we did not make any room blocks. But here are our picks for best options for the weekend.Marsha's pick: Hotel KabukiStara's pick: W San Francisco

Hotel Kabuki is a beautiful, urban hotel in Japantown, steps away from San Francisco's Jazz District. This option is great for those who want to have access to exploring the city and are comfortable with public transportation and Lyft/Uber. Hotel Kabuki is accessible to The Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Historic North Beach, and SF Fisherman's Wharf.

Hotel Kabuki

The W San Francisco is located downtown in SOMA. This option is great for those who want access to nightlife and easy access to every part of the city. The W has an award winning bar/restaurant as well as a spa.

W San Francisco

The Marriot Marquis San Francisco is located near world-class shopping, restaurants, arts districts and the cable car lines that make the city famous. This is a great option for those who want to be near it all and spend some time exploring.

San Francisco Marriott Marquis

Oakland's Waterfront Hotel is in Jack London Square, close to restaurants, bars, and entertainment. This option is more budget conscious and just across the bay from San Francisco. It is walking distance from the Ferry terminal which takes you to San Francisco in about 15 mins.

Waterfront Hotel

The Hilton Garden Inn is great for those who find comfort in familiarity. It is across the bay in neighboring Emeryville and is a good option for those driving into The Bay Area as it has parking. If you go with this option we do recommend still using Lyft/Uber to get to the venue, making sure to account for traffic.

Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge

Airbnb (where Stara works) is great and if a vacation rental is more your vibe there are a lot of options! Airbnb may be great for a larger family or for a group if you all want to stay together.

Airbnb

Lodging

San Francisco is Marsha's second home after her hometown of Kingston, Jamaica and Stara has grown to love this city just as much if not more than Marsha. We invite you to explore the city, here are some of our favorite things to do!

1. Bike or walk down to The Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market

The market is widely acclaimed for both the quality and diversity of its fresh farm products, and artisan and prepared foods. It is renowned throughout the country as one of the top farmers markets to visit. On any day, especially Saturdays, some of San Francisco’s best known chefs, and most famous farmers, can be seen at the market.<a href="https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Learn More Here</a>

2. Have a sunset bonfire at ocean beach

Ocean Beach is a long beach spanning the entire Sunset District of San Francisco. Head out in the late afternoon to secure a firepit and catch the sunset. Firepits are limited so plan accordingly.

3. Head to Oracle Park for a San Francisco Giants Game

Head to the ballpark and catch a baseball game! The SF Giants are one of the oldest and most successful teams in professional baseball, with more wins than any team in the history of major American Sports. Keep an eye on ticket prices, sometimes you can snag them for as low as $6.

4. Take a bike ride or walk through Golden Gate Park

From the Panhandle (so named because it resembles the handle of a pan) to the Japanese Tea Garden, the de Young Museum, &amp; the Academy of Sciences; Golden Gate Park has a ton to offer and allows for traffic-free walks and rides throughout its massive landscape. Lots of fun to have here paid or free!

5. Walk through Chinatown and visit City Lights Books

Chinatown is one of the few neighborhoods that has been able to keep the force of gentrification at bay. A walk through the Dragon Gate is an opportunity to take a walking history lesson. Interesting fact, the architectural facade that you'll see in Chinatown today was created post the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to make Chinatown tourist-friendly and keep it from being pushed to Hunters Point, which was something local politicians at the time were attempting to do. Once you exit Chinatown at the end of Grant Street, you'll enter the North Beach district. Take a stop by City Lights Books, an independent bookstore and publishing house!

6. Have a drink at one of SF's oldest lesbian bars - Wild Side West 

The Wild Side West is a truly San Franciscan establishment. Opened in 1962 by out and proud lesbians, Pat Ramseyer and Nacy White. You would never know from the outside, but WSW has one of the most beautiful beer gardens in the city. They boast an eclectic feel with a sports bar touch - Go Niners!

Explore San Francisco

Welcome to the Gipson-Nunes Wedding

We are so excited to spend time with some of our favorite people! For those who are traveling into the Bay Area, we invite you to spend some time exploring the city and all it has to offer.

Thursday September 22, 2022 6:00pm

Welcome Drinks and Dinner

For those who will be in town on Thursday we invite you to meet us at Parklab Gardens in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco. Parklab Gardens is a food truck park with a beer and sangria garden. With over 150+ partners, you are bound to find your favorite cuisine. Come by, say hi and enjoy a drink or two. Accessibility: Again parking isn't the best in this area. But you can usually find parking within 2-5 blocks. Lyft/Uber is the best option. There are no stairs to get to this venue and there is ample seating.

Friday September 23, 2022

We are having a small, private ceremony before the reception. We look forward to greeting you all at the reception and making memories with our loved ones.

Time: Friday September 23, 2022 at 4:30pmLocation: Stable Cafe2128 Folsom StSan Francisco, CA 94110Attire: CocktailAccessibility: Please see the travel page for options on getting to the venue. The venue does not have any stairs to enter the main door, but there is a small slanted step down into the garden (wheelchair accessible). There are two single stall gender-neutral bathrooms.

Saturday September 24, 2022

Wrap-Up BBQ

Please join us on our rooftop for a BBQ! We'd love to spend a few more hours with all of you. Food and drinks will be provided. Time: Saturday September 24, 2022 at 12:00pmLocation: 150 Van Ness AveSan Francisco, CA 94102Notes: Please ask the front desk to let you to the roof when you arrive. Note the entrance to the building is actually on Hayes St. A few doors down from Starbucks. Accessibility: Once again parking is difficult in this area. There are metered spots within the surrounding block, but the area can get busy. City Hall has an underground parking garage for a fee which is about a 6min walk away. Uber/Lyft are the best option for transportation.There are no stairs to get into the venue or to the rooftop. If accessibility is a concern please reach out to Stara or Marsha.

Schedule

National Black Justice Coalition - <a href="https://nbjc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.nbjc.org</a>Hack the Hood - <a href="https://hackthehood.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.hackthehood.org</a>Girls Inc. - <a href="https://girlsinc-alameda.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.girlsinc-alameda.org</a>United Playaz - <a href="https://unitedplayaz.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.unitedplayaz.org</a>

How Can I contact you if I have questions?

<a href="https://wa.me/19165170145" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Contact Stara</a><a href="https://wa.me/14153051406" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Contact Marsha</a>

Stara & Marsha

Stara & Marsha

Registry