Just Married: A Wedding Amongst Friends

👖 A denim-on-denim event 👖

Aug 03, 2021

Last weekend I attended a wedding of the times. Two of my best friends and pillars of love in this ever chaotic city got married and hosted a tasteful ceremony in the park. It was an all-denim wedding (yes, you read that correctly) with family and close friends. Catered by Taqueria 24th from the Mission, there was tequila, carnitas, and alfajores for dessert. The bride wore a pastel yellow denim dress from ASOS with white Converse; the groom wore a patchwork blue jean jacket and matching bucket hat, white khakis, fitted black tank, and thrifted denim sandals. The mother of the groom officiated the wedding and the father of the bride cried. The sun came out and a grand time was had by all. The looks were mostly thrifted, well accessorized, and on theme. In such a tumultuous time with the pandemic threatening to come back stronger than before and my personal life feeling like the world’s biggest question mark, a day celebrating the love between these two people was exactly what I needed. When life feels like a riptide, this group of friends is my raft and to have two of them officially married proves once again that true friendship is a cornerstone to happiness.

Witnessing their love and the two families coming together, it was clear I am not the only one who feels this way. In our little corner of the world, we love each other hard and it was a big moment for these friendships that have been built in silence to be recognized by the government and their families far away. This was the first time we have all been together during the pandemic and it showed. Bonds grew deeper, new connections were formed, patience was tested but in the end, it only made me more confident in our community.

My gift to them was documenting this ceremony, so here are some testimonials to their new chapter (officially) together.

Blaze: So what are you looking forward to today?

Robin (friend): I’m looking forward to a celebration of friendship and love. Really taking friendship to the next level. And having some drinks, it’s gonna be a good time.

Blaze: What are you wearing today, Esme?

Esme (friend): Well this is a completely thrifted look. I made this jacket myself.

Blaze: The label?

Esme: NoLabels thank you very much.

Blaze: Any words for the Bride and Groom?

Esme: I love them, they’re the best. I can’t imagine two better, happier people for each other, also fuck the government.

Blaze: Any words for the Bride and Groom, Emily?

Emily (friend): I love them so much, they are the first friends I made in SF and I lived with them for years and I love them for always. I don’t know what I’d do without them and I just have no words to describe how happy I am that they’re married!

Blaze: What are you wearing today Tanner?

Tanner (boyfriend to the Bride): Justin boots - Goodwill find, Gap jeans, and a custom embroidered Goodwill denim shirt. Cowboy chic. Montana influenced outfit.

Reid (friend): I think this is the best type of marriage in my opinion.

Blaze: What are you wearing, Larry?

Larry (roommate to the Bride and Groom): Well the denim jacket was gifted from a friend, the shirt was thrifted—so like $10, these shorts used to be denim jeans that I cut, and besides the pink cowboy hat, all denim.

Blaze: Any words for the Bride and Groom?

Larry: Yes, I wish them the best of luck, I’m very excited for them for this new endeavor, new chapter, and I wish them well!

Blaze: What are you wearing today, Allie?

Allie (friend): Well I got this [bright pink mesh top] during the pandemic when I was like “I’m gonna buy all these cute clothes to go out in” that I’ve never worn for over a year from Azalea. These pants are the Gap, these shoes are Norstrom, my tooth gem is from Mothers, and nails by my nail lady Kim.

Blaze: Amazing, any words for the Bride and Groom?

Allie: I mean I’ve never been married or in a functional relationship so they probably don’t want to hear anything I have to say but don’t fuck it up.

Blaze: What are you excited about for today?

Allie: Just to hang out with my friends and celebrate love, the people I love and care about, and to drink, and hang out you know?

Austin (roommate of the Bride and Groom ): Today I’m wearing Nike [shoes], my jeans are from Target, Target brand, my shirt is Chubbies, Apple [watch], jewelry from my mom.

Blaze: Any words for the Bride and Groom?

Austin: I wish them all the best, even after all the sass, the attitude, the bitchiness I’ve gotten from them over the years. You know, I’m gonna be the bigger person and wish them well.

Lena (childhood friend): You guys are so hot, so beautiful, so full of life.

Blaze: What are you wearing today, Giana?

Giana (friend): I’m wearing vintage and I don’t know. I’m so happy for you guys to be fake married. I don’t know. Don’t interview me.

Blaze: What are you wearing today, Jordan?

Jordan (brother of the Groom): A little Banana, a little Levi’s. Every time you have a denim on denim look, you really gotta make sure the uniform is set.

Blaze: Amazing, any words for the Bride and Groom?

Jordan: I wish them all the best of luck, the world is their oyster and today totally proves that so.

Mother of the Bride: Okay we met Chase the first day of college and we’ve loved him ever since and we wish them … however long they want to be happy together.

Blaze: And Chase, what are you wearing today?

Chase (Groom): Today I’m wearing Esme’s friend’s mom’s jacket, some shoes that Emse found at Buffalo Exchange, [pants are] Levi’s and [tank top] is Hanes, so hot. I’m excited about the friends, the family, the sun, this beer.

Blaze: Any words for the bride?

Chase: Words for Paige are… I love you.

Blaze: To the Bride, what are you excited about today?

Paige (Bride): I’m excited for all of our family and friends to be together since college graduation, and to my dear husband, we’ve had nine beautiful years together and I can’t wait for the rest of our life as partners.

Father of the Bride: Wow everyone’s here today. Lena and Austin going all the way back to high school when they used to hang out and smoke immeasurable amounts of herb in our backyard. When college came around we didn’t know where Paige would end up. Her brothers went to UCLA but Paige didn’t want that, so just by finding USF and her home, meeting Chase and Emily and everyone. We knew it was right. And now we’re still here in SF and we’re lucky that Paige found an extended family and they’re part of our family.

Mother of the Groom: I’m honored they asked me to say something today. This is a little planned and a little off the cuff, it’s coming from the heart. When we brought Chase to school almost 10 years ago, little did we think we’d be standing here today. Like any parent, when you have an empty nest, I was kind of apprehensive and excited for him, wanting him to have the best experience when he got to school.

I remember I walked down the hall and saw Paige and her mom unpacking and I just walked in the room and introduced myself like I knew her for 20 years.

Chase (Groom) interrupts: I was so embarrassed. I was like fuck, god damn.

Mother of the Groom continues: So I said, “Hi, I’m Michelle, I’m Chase’s mom, he lives next door, take care of him and be friends with him because Paige looked like a California girl and like someone who would do that, and she has all these years. Literally. I gave her permission to smack him when he needed it and support him when he needed it—like we all do.

I asked them to come up with three words to describe each other. Paige said “loyal, vivacious, and warm-hearted” which I couldn’t have put any better. Chase said, “steadfast (which was similar), grateful, and my rock”.

Just how they described each other to me summed it up. Clearly, the people who are here today mean so much to them and I know how much family means to them too and so my only hope is that 10 years from now we can reconvene and celebrate what will only be 10 years of good things. Congratulations.

Congratulations to all my friends for staying together; holding each other up when we’re down and cheering each other on when we’re high.

Shit We’re Loving: WATCH

Blaze’s Pick: WEDDINGS!

I mean, watching my friends get married. Duh. Also watching my friends get progressively annoyed with me interviewing them every 5 seconds while they’re trying to have fun.

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Show Your Support: National Black Business Month

Founded in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Fredrick E. Jordan Sr, National Black Business Month is focused on supporting and promoting Black-owned businesses while driving “the policy agenda affecting the almost 3 million African-American businesses.” Black business owners account for about 10 percent of U.S. businesses and about 30 percent of all minority-owned businesses. Instead of one specific charity, we’ve pulled together some online resources that put shopping Black-owned businesses right in your hands.

THE NILE LIST is an online directory of Black-owned businesses. The site knows a Black maker for everything on your list. Simply type in what you’re looking to buy (I searched “candles”) and an impressive list of online brands and stores pops up.

THE BLACK MALL is also an online businesses directory, but also a marketplace that connected the Black community with Black-owned businesses and products. They also cater to Black businesses that don’t have brick and mortar locations by hosting vendor or trade shows, called Ujamaa Markets.

Next time you feel that Leo shopping kick, check out this huge list of Black-owned businesses to find some awesome new places to shop. And, as always, check out your local neighborhood Black-owned businesses!