Real Weddings: Mekleet & Gerald

Black African American bride Mekleet groom Gerald ceremony reception wedding marriage married tie the knot color palette winery Northern California Bay Area Napa wine rust terracotta burnt orange outdoor ranch green outdoor winery

Mekleet, an experiential marketer in the tech industry and Gerald, a privacy lawyer, met when they were students at the University of the Pacific. Things started off platonically until each approached graduation, and that’s when they began seeing each other in a romantic light. Mekleet was by her boyfriend’s side while Gerald pursued his law degree. It was already a given that the couple would eventually tie the knot, though Mekleet assumed that wouldn’t happen until a good while after Gerald graduated with his juris doctorate degree and settled into a job. But Mekleet was in for a surprise. The couple live in San Francisco, and Gerald had just the spot to coax Mekleet to: a hilltop overlook. Though it was necessary to hike to the spot, and Mekleet unknowingly felt harried as she was prepping for their international trip they’d be taking the very next day, so she declined to go on the hike. Gerald used his lawyer-level skills of persuasion to get Mekleet to walk with him. She quickly found out why he was so intent on bringing her to the top of the hill, where he proposed. Gerald then whisked her off to a celebratory mini-engagement party luncheon where family and friends were waiting. The path to the altar was not straightforward for the pair, however, due to Covid. Mekleet and Gerald faced date rescheduling and even a fire burning down their original venue. Finally, after waiting patiently, in September of 2021 the couple was able to make their union official at a lakeside, outdoor ceremony near a giant weeping willow tree before 180 guests. The 40-acre venue served up everything a couple could need for an epic wedding weekend, which included two wedding ceremonies, one traditional American and one cultural. “Our entire wedding party and our immediate families stayed onsite for the entire weekend, and it felt like summer camp,” Mekleet gushed. Gerald and Mekleet incorporated Ethiopian traditions to honor Mekleet’s background into their special day, including doing “anasgebam,” which is a ritualized first look. Family members and the wedding party block the entrance to the bride’s “home” and the groom’s family must shower her with flowers and gifts in an attempt to open the door. Finally the groom must attempt to get past his groomsmen and convince the bridesmaids to let him see his bride. Once he sees his love, everyone in the room can dance and celebrate. This was one of Mekleet’s favorite parts of the entire wedding because it was a little pre-party that set a joyous tone.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Vacaville, CA

TIME OF YEAR: Fall

WEDDING STYLE: Tuscan, natural, elegant

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Yin Ranch

MENU: Extra-long charcuterie grazing board, a whiskey-based signature drink called the Tall & Handsome, and a tequila, grapefruit and jalapeno and Tajin drink called the Short & Spicy. For the main fare, a local seasonal green salad with apples, pears, toasted nuts, and gorgonzola tossed in a house vinaigrette was the starter. This was followed by a juicy, marinated tri-tip, flame-grilled and served with au jus, a pan roasted bone-in chicken breast served with Chardonnay butter blonde sauce or a tortellini alla funghi made of wild forest mushrooms sauteed with marsala wine and garlic, finished with cream, scallions & parmesan.

DESSERT: Wedding cake and ice cream sandwiches served from a cart

FIRST DANCE SONG: “You are the best thing” by Ray LaMontagne

INSPIRATION: the Northern California scenic backdrop and wineries

SPECIAL FEATURES: Ethiopian-American cultural influences and traditions; two-day long celebration; venue had tennis and basketball courts, a lake, archery and a mini-zoo; couple sought to utilize as many POC-owned businesses and all but two of their vendors were POC-owned; the bride wore a custom gown by Liberty & Lace; Ice cream cart that passed out ice cream sandwiches; an “audio guestbook”, where guests left voicemails using an old-fashioned phone that the couple can listen to forever; bride DIY’d some elements such as her signage; in lieu of favors, the couple gave a donation to a charity of their choice

HONEYMOON: Postponed due to Covid

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