Two lives, one extraordinary evening. You are warmly invited to celebrate with us.
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
Welcome
An Invitation to Celebrate
We are overjoyed to share this momentous occasion with those who have shaped our lives. Please join us for a celebration as rich and layered as the love that brought us here.
18The Date
October 18 2025
Saturday Evening
5The Hour
5:00 PM
Ceremony begins promptly
SFThe Venue
The Palace Hotel
San Francisco, California
A Reflection
"To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved — that is everything."
— T. Tolis
The Celebration
October 2025
A Night Unlike Any Other
An intimate evening designed to be savored — from the ceremony at golden hour through to dancing beneath the Garden Court's soaring atrium.
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
Kindly Reply By September 1
Will You Join Us?
Your presence would honor us deeply.
Our Story
How We Began
Every love story is beautiful — but ours is our favorite.
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
The Journey
Moments That Made Us
Autumn 2019
First Meeting
A mutual friend's dinner party in the Mission. Mei arrived late. James had saved her a seat without knowing why. They talked until the restaurant closed.
Spring 2020
The Slow Build
Lockdown gave them something unexpected — time. Long calls, shared playlists, and doorstep drop-offs that turned into hours on the stoop.
December 2021
Tokyo
Their first trip together. Wandering through Yanaka in the snow, James knew. He waited until New Year's Eve in Shinjuku to say it out loud.
March 2024
The Proposal
Back in San Francisco. The Palace Hotel. The same city, a full circle. He got down on one knee. She said yes before he finished the question.
About Them
Who We Are
Mei is a textile designer with a love of Japanese ceramics and very strong opinions about noodles. James is an architect who spends weekends in used bookshops.
Together, they are quieter than you'd expect, funnier than they let on, and more in love every single day.
A Reflection
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul — that makes us reach for more."
— Nicholas Sparks
Kyoto, 2022
The proposal evening
Engagement portrait
Golden Gate, early morning
First anniversary
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
Ready to Celebrate?
Let us know you'll be joining us for this extraordinary evening.
The Details
Every Detail, Considered
Everything you need to arrive, celebrate, and depart with complete ease.
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
Ceremony
5PM
The Palace Hotel Grand Ballroom
2 New Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94105
Guests seated by 4:45 PM
Reception
7PM
The Garden Court The Palace Hotel
Cocktails, dinner & dancing until midnight
Black tie preferred
Dress Code
Black Tie Preferred
Tuxedos and formal evening gowns are encouraged. Come dressed as if the evening matters — because it does.
Palette
Jewel Tones Welcome
Rich emerald, sapphire, deep plum, and gold complement the evening beautifully. Please avoid white, ivory, and champagne.
Note
Comfort Matters
The Garden Court has a marble floor — block heels or flats are welcome. The evening runs late and we want you dancing all night.
The Evening
Order of Events
4:45 PM
Guests Arrive
Welcome cocktail in the lobby
5:00 PM
Ceremony Begins
Grand Ballroom
5:45 PM
Cocktail Hour
Patio & Lobby, passed hors d'oeuvres
7:00 PM
Dinner & Toasts
The Garden Court — five courses
9:00 PM
Dancing Begins
Live band & DJ until midnight
12:00 AM
Farewell Send-Off
Lantern release & late-night bites
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
Registry
Your Presence Is Gift Enough
If you wish to celebrate further, we have curated a registry. Contributions toward our honeymoon in Japan are welcomed with deep gratitude.
Zola Registry→
Honeymoon Fund→
Cash Gift→
Travel & Stay
Plan Your Visit
San Francisco in October is golden hour personified. We've curated everything you need.
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
Where to Stay
Curated Accommodations
Venue Hotel — Block Rate
The Palace Hotel
Art nouveau grandeur and the convenience of never leaving. Mention Chen-Harrison for the room block rate.
From $385 / night
Boutique — 4 Blocks Away
Hotel Zeppelin
Counterculture chic, walking distance, a perfect base for exploring the city before or after the celebration.
From $225 / night
By Air
Flying In
SFO is 14 miles away — 30 min by BART. OAK is often cheaper at 40 min by rideshare.
By Car
Driving
Valet at The Palace Hotel — $55 per vehicle, overnight available. Garages on Mission & 3rd are a 3-min walk.
By Transit
BART & Cable Car
Montgomery St Station is a 5-min walk. Powell St cable car runs nearby. We encourage transit.
Local Guide
Mei & James Recommend
Our favorite places in the city, curated for guests making a long weekend of it.
Breakfast
Tartine Bakery
Mission District — worth the queue
Dinner
Bix Restaurant
Jackson Square — jazz & martinis
Coffee
Sightglass
SoMa — best pour-over in the city
Cocktails
Pagan Idol
Financial District — tiki done right
Culture
SFMOMA
World-class, 10 min from venue
Escape
Sausalito
30 min ferry — pure magic
Questions?
We're Here to Help
If you have any questions about logistics, accessibility, or anything at all — please reach out.
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
Your Response
Will You Join Us?
We would be honored by your presence. Please let us know by September 1, 2025.
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
RSVP
Your Reply
RSVP DeadlineSept 1
2025
Please respond before the first of September so our team can finalize seating, catering, and accommodations.
Registry
Your Presence Is Gift Enough
If you wish to celebrate further, we have curated a registry. Contributions toward our honeymoon in Japan are welcomed with gratitude.
Frequently Asked
Good Questions
Are children welcome?
We adore your little ones. This is an adults-only evening — we recommend arranging childcare so you can celebrate freely.
Will there be parking?
Valet at The Palace Hotel is $55. Public garages within a 3-min walk charge $20–30. We encourage BART or rideshare.
Can I bring a plus-one?
Our venue has a capacity limit. Your invitation specifies the number of guests included. Please reach out if you have questions.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes — The Palace Hotel is fully ADA accessible. Note any accessibility needs in your RSVP and we will ensure your evening is seamless.
Can I update my RSVP?
Life happens. Please email us directly and we will accommodate changes before September 15.
Will there be a shuttle?
A complimentary shuttle will run from The Palace Hotel every 30 minutes after 11 PM. Details to follow closer to the date.
Need Help?
Reach the Couple
Questions large and small are welcome. We want every detail of your experience to be as considered as the evening itself.
General Inquiriesmeiandjamaes2025@gmail.com
Day-of CoordinationProvided closer to the date
Hotel Block Reservations+1 (415) 512-1111 — mention Chen-Harrison
Accessibility & Special Needsmeiandjamaes2025@gmail.com
Mei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San FranciscoMei ✦ JamesOctober 18 · 2025The Palace Hotel · San Francisco
October 18, 2025
Mei & James
We cannot wait to celebrate with you. Thank you for being part of our story.
