After chatting online via OK Cupid, Kevin Wada and Chris Beckmann met for a drink—and the rest, as they say, is history.

For their special day, the couple focused on recognizing the power of relationships and spending time with their family and friends: "As a gay couple, tradition generally takes a backseat to an authentic celebration," says Beckmann, noting that they skipped the conventional wedding parties and instead celebrated all the loved ones who had supported their journey together.

Only a stunning architectural backdrop would be appropriate for the occasion, given Wada's role as an illustrator (you may know his cover art for the Marvel series "She Hulk"), so the pair took to Golden Gate Park for a venue full of contrasts: The ceremony took place in the serene sculpture garden, framed by the cantilevered steel roof of the de Young Museum.

The lovebirds wore complementary earth-toned wool suits as they stood before 180 of their friends and family, and LOLed with the group as their officiants recited anecdotes infused with just the right amount of fiction. They were a bit nervous, but their friends' disarming and hilarious banter broke through to ease their jitters. They read their vows, and for the grand finale, their chocolate lab, Temko, made his way down the aisle with the rings.

After the ceremony, guests headed to cocktail hour in the Hamon Observation Tower, where the massive steampunk-style structure set the scene for music from the San Francisco Music Conservatory, hors d'oeuvres, and spirited conversation set against 360 degree views of the city at twilight.

Following the cocktail reception, dinner was served in the museum's Wilsey Court, where the space had been transformed into a dining room awash with the otherworldly green glow of Gerhard Richter's digital mural Strontium (2005).

Wada lent his skills to the decor, personalizing each table with a unique and clever marker. Once dinner was served, there were emotional speeches and an ice cream sundae bar by Humphry Slocombe.

Venue:de Young Museum

Ice cream bar: Humphry Slocombe

Caterer:Taste Catering and Event Planning

Photographer: Viera Photographics