Ivy Getty and Tobias Engel tie the knot with a wedding fit for royalty
Words by DIANE DORRANS SAEKS
Photography by JOSE VILLA
Ivy Getty and Tobias “Toby” Engel’s wedding celebrations were among the most glittering ever in San Francisco. The many months of COVID-related travel delays made the elaborate celebrations that much sweeter for the couple.
The newlyweds depart city hall.
“The whole week was pure bliss, starting with the early arrival of John Galliano and his assistants and seamstresses for my gown fittings,” recalled Ivy of the dazzling parties and ceremony last November. “Our guests — family and friends from all over the world — arrived, and our year of planning came together.”
The heiress and model became engaged to photographer Toby in the summer of 2020, three years after they met at a party in London. The New York-based couple’s dream for their nuptials was to be surrounded by childhood friends and many cousins in her hometown of San Francisco.
From left: Ivy and Toby arriving at a rustic picnic in the Presidio. Ivy wears a custom Alexander McQueen dress. Ivy wears a Factory New York by Paul Burgo gown.
Gordon Getty, Ivy’s grandfather, hosted the reception at the palatial Getty family residence in Pacific Heights, designed by Ivy’s late grandmother, Ann Getty. Event designer Stanlee R. Gatti created an Italianate pergola in front of the residence, with a dance floor, rose garden, bars and pink rose arbor photobooth.
“My grandmother always said the best times are spent with family and friends”
Ivy Getty
Ivy’s diaphanous, glittering ceremony gown, pink reception dress, and 12 bridesmaids’ and two junior bridesmaids’ gowns were all created by John Galliano for Maison Margiela Haute Couture. With fittings finalized with the designer, Ivy was free to spend spa days with her girlfriends (including actor Anya Taylor-Joy) and prepare for the wedding week, which included a mod British Invasion party (a nod to Tony’s mom’s side of the family), a rehearsal dinner at Quince, picnics overlooking the bay and evening frolics at the Fairmont San Francisco hotel penthouse.
The bridal party, including Anya Taylor-Joy to Ivy’s right. The bride’s ring, custom-crafted with Getty family diamonds and a sapphire from Toby’s mother.
Ivy and her bridesmaids wearing custom silk Morgan Lane pajamas at breakfast in the penthouse of the Fairmont San Francisco.
Toby and his groomsmen.
From left: The bride’s ring, custom-crafted with Getty family diamonds and a sapphire from Toby’s mother. Shoes by Christian Louboutin.
Ivy Getty in her mirrored ceremony gown by John Galliano for Maison Margiela Haute Couture.
The wedding ceremony in the palatial beaux arts rotunda of San Francisco City Hall was superbly designed by Gatti, a longtime Getty family friend. Galliano embroidered Ivy’s personal story into his veil design with loving symbols of her late father and grandmother, so they could be with her on her wedding day. “The mirrored gown sparkled like Ivy herself and also reflected all the love in the room surrounding the couple,” noted Vanessa Getty, Ivy’s aunt. “It was a true family affair, with my daughter Veronica a junior bridesmaid and my sons Nicholas and Alexander and their cousins as groomsmen.” She adds, “With all the excitement surrounding her, Ivy was vividly very present and enjoyed every moment. They were truly joyful and immersed themselves in the whole experience. She navigated the week beautifully with Toby by her side.”
The San Francisco City Hall beaux arts rotunda, where Nancy Pelosi married the couple, was transformed by event designer Stanlee Gatti with silk velvet curtains trimmed with gold bullion fringe and thousands of pink dendrobium orchids.
Ivy and friends celebrate in the pergola rose garden.
A “sweet” study designed by Ann Getty, Ivy’s late grandmother, continues the Getty party tradition of candies, cakes, truffles and petits-fours for guests to enjoy or take home.
A Peña Pachamama dancer performs in the Getty residence atrium.
Denise Hale, who first met Ann Getty, Ivy’s grandmother, in the ’70s, was one of the 450 guests in attendance, along with Galliano, Talita Von Fürstenberg, Rickey Thompson, Olivia Rodrigo, Mark Ronson, Marc Quinn, Balthazar and Rosetta Getty, Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece and other notables. “Without a doubt, this was the most beautiful wedding ceremony ever at city hall,” Hale pronounced. “It was exquisite, from the string quartet playing quietly, to Stanlee Gatti’s sumptuous decor and the roses on the landing framing [the officiant] Nancy Pelosi.”
Hale especially applauded the carefully planned rich colors of velvet chairs for guests, and the golden late afternoon light illuminating the bride and groom. “Ann adored Ivy and wanted her to have the most beautiful wedding,” said Hale. “The interior of the rotunda is very grand, but the ceremony felt intimate and very private. And Ivy and Toby looked so happy.”
Makeup: Pat McGrath Team
Bride’s Hair: Bobby Elliot
Planner: Arelt Events
Stationery: A Day in May
Cake: Flour & Bloom
Drinks: Rye Bar
Groom’s Tux: Tom Ford
Feature image: Ivy Getty and Tobias “Toby” Engel depart from San Francisco City Hall after the wedding. Ivy wears a pale pink lace gown by John Galliano for Maison Margiela Haute Couture.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of C Weddings.
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