Mark and Kat's Inn Marin Easter wedding

June 29, 2011

Mark and Kat planned such a sweet Easter weekend wedding at the quaint Inn Marin. The colors were right out of the Easter egg coloring of our pasts, complementing the lush green surroundings perfectly. When I saw Mark in his morning suit and top hat, I was charmed even more! Kat's family and friends were in from England and we were all super lucky that the weather held up for us, as early spring in the Bay Area can be rainy! Congratulations Mark and Kat!

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Julie Mikos Photography wedding ceremony

Vendors included:

Venue: Inn Marin

Florist: Grant Avenue Florist

Cake: Nora's Patisserie

Caterer: Inn Marin

Featured: Trish and Bronson's wine country wedding on Elizabeth Anne Designs

June 1, 2011

Trish and Bronson's beautiful wine country wedding -- filled with incredible, colorful details like tabletop trees and men donning pink pants -- has been featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs! This couple and their talented vendors poured tender love and care into every inch of this wedding, and it really shows. Please enjoy Elizabeth Anne Design's feature, or to see more images from Trish and Bronson's wedding, check out my blog post!

Vendors involved in Trish and Bronson's wedding included:

Wedding Coordinator: Stephanie Beer of Covenant Coordinating

Catering: Grapevine Catering

Cake: Fleur de Lisa

Florist: Kate Stanley Design

Featured: Beka and Josh's DIY wedding on The Budget Savvy Bride

May 19, 2011

Beka and Josh's beautiful wedding is one for the books -- with help from family and friends, they pulled off a totally do-it-yourself and budget-friendly wedding that was both stunning and fun. I'm delighted that their wedding has been featured again, this time on The Budget Savvy Bride! Read the feature to see just how much time and thought went into crafting each detail of their wedding, or check out this post on my blog for some additional images from the wedding.

The perfect summer wedding at Healdsburg Country Gardens

May 17, 2011

When I think about the best things about summer -- cherries, bright, bold blooms, refreshing drinks served outside and picnics on checkered blankets -- Melissa and John's wedding jumps immediately to mind. This couple's Healdsburg Country Gardens wedding embodied all I love about summer, and I think it can be a huge inspiration to brides planning a sweet summer fete. Here's a few of my favorite details from their wedding, or check out this post for the full feature!

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Leah and Jason's Jewish wedding at Casa Real

May 11, 2011

I think I say this every time I post a Jewish wedding, but they are so great, I have to say it again! I love all the traditions at a Jewish wedding and although I'm not Jewish, I even tried to convince my husband to incorporate the circling of the bride and groom into our own ceremony, but he didn't go for it. I think it's one of the single most wonderful things I see at wedding ceremonies -- it's steeped in Biblical texts that say a woman encompasses and protects a man. As the bride circles her groom, he prays, and it's believed that when the ritual is complete, the pair are united in souls. I also love the craziness of the Hava Nagila dance that usually precedes dinner and at Leah and Jason's wedding, the very traditional "Tish," a table filled with snacks and drinks where family and friends celebrate with the groom before the ceremony.

Leah and Jason are currently living in Israel and did much of the planning from overseas with help from the great staff at Casa Real, which is where the wedding took place. The circular seating at the ceremony was especially nice as well as the gorgeous flowers and gold tablecloths. Such a festive and gorgeous wedding!

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Vendors involved Leah and Jason's wedding included:

Location: Casa Real

Florist: Karl Eckel from Delford West Flowers

Cake: Cake Creations by Bev

Coordinator: Shannon McGrail, of Casa Real

Roses for your house and for your wedding

May 9, 2011

The roses are blooming! The roses are blooming! I love the early bloom season of roses in the Bay Area and the garden at my home is bursting right now! I dug out an old silver plate pitcher that was my late Aunt's, polished it best I could, put the dented side of the base at the back of the arrangement and viola! A gorgeous bursting summertime bouquet supplemented with a cherry blossom (also from my yard) and some green blooms from Trader Joe's! I know, I know, I AM NOT a florist, but it's really fun to play with flowers and cheap when most are from your own garden! Happy spring!

I've also included a sneak peak of a recent wedding I photographed -- the bride's and bridesmaids' bouquets featured roses! Check back later this week for more of this gorgeous wedding.

Featured: Today's Bride San Francisco 2011

May 4, 2011

It was a delight to have my photographs featured in Today's Bride San Francisco 2011 edition! Trish and Bronson's wedding was stunning, filled with vibrant details that were a true treat for the eyes. Please check out Today's Bride on the newsstands, and see more of Trish and Bronson's wedding on my blog!

Vendors involved in Trish and Bronson's wedding included:

Wedding Coordinator: Stephanie Beer of Covenant Coordinating

Catering: Grapevine Catering

Cake: Fleur de Lisa

Florist: Kate Stanley Design, in Calistoga

Beautiful ranunculus bouquets

April 12, 2011

I recently bought a bunch of ranunculus at Trader Joe's and I was reminded of how beautiful the bloom looks in bridal bouquets and arrangements. Here are a few photographs of my tabletop ranunculus, and the beautiful ranunculus bouquets from Kasia and Keith's wedding.

Penny and Sean's wedding featured on Aisle Candy

April 8, 2011

Penny and Sean's gorgeous wedding -- a sweet Valentine's Day affair with the couple's closest friends and family -- has been featured on Aisle Candy! Penny and Sean we wed amongst the redwoods of Tilden Regional Park, then celebrated with champagne before leaving in a vintage car. What a wonderful wedding story the couple will have for future generations!

Enjoy the feature on Aisle Candy and for more wedding photos, check out Penny and Sean's wedding on my blog.

Vendors involved in Penny and Sean's wedding included:

Florist: Freshly Cut

Formal Wear: Armani, purchased at Nordstrom in Walnut Creek, California

Location: The Botanic Gardens of Tilden Regional Park

Shoes: Prada, purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue in San Fransisco, California

A Whidbey Island wedding

April 4, 2011

This couple—a private pair who asked that their names not be released—contacted me more than a year ago to photograph their Bay Area wedding reception, warning me that they could gather weeks before for an intimate ceremony on Whidbey Island. A few weeks ago, they contacted me to see if I could fly up photograph their vows. As I scouted for our portrait session and saw what gorgeous scenery I had to work with, I fretted it would be too cold and rainy to do an outdoor portrait session. Not only did it rain the following day, but the couple remained terrific sports as winds whipped across the straights of Juan de Fuca. During the shoot, I marveled at how comfortable the groom was in front of the camera. But it wasn't until I retouched their photos that I saw how hauntingly beautiful the bride is. After our portrait session, we were off to the couple’s intimate ceremony at a friend's home. Then the bride and groom donned aprons and made everyone homemade pizzas! Darling!

A Mexican treat before I leave: Carli and Craig's Cabo San Lucas wedding

April 1, 2011

Though Carli and Craig's wedding day was a little stormy, we did a day-after session and the weather was gorgeous! In fact, Carli wore a bikini beneath her dress so she could sunbathe between shots and locations. At one point, one of the locals offered to carry Carli's dress back to our boat, which explains the picture of her dress hung over a man's head. This is one of my favorite pics of all time! Alas, today, I'm not going to the beach. But I am going to Rancho La Puerta, just below the border and southeast of San Diego. The resort is located on 3,000 acres of mountains, and has its own organic farm and cooking school, too. How lucky am I to be able to spend a week shooting the spa for their marketing materials! I will try to share some of the images next week!

Featured: Deborah and Kwong's wedding on The Wedding Chicks

March 23, 2011

Deborah and Kwong's captivating Casa Real wedding was featured today in The Wedding Chicks' real weddings section! Katherine of Custom Celebrations coordinated the gorgeous affair, while Taylor Pham did Deborah's hair and makeup. They couldn't have done a better job! Enjoy the feature, and for more photos of Deborah and Kwong's wedding, be sure to check out my blog post.

Tiffany and Adam's wedding featured on I Do Venues

March 15, 2011

Two years ago, Tiffany and Adam wed at eco-friendly Cavallo Point, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. The couple and their adorable daughter, Capri, were a pleasure to photograph and seeing their photos appear on I Do Venues again is a real treat! Be sure to check out the feature, and while you're there, you can snag details on how to save 50 percent on weddings booked at Cavallo Point for May and June!

Intimate Valentine's Day wedding amongst redwoods and rain

March 9, 2011

Sean and Penny were determined to get married on the hilltops of Tilden Regional Park, amongst the redwoods and beautiful botanical gardens — even if that meant holding their intimate Valentine’s Day ceremony in the rain. With their parents, Officiant and maid-of-honor in tow, we traipsed through the showers and puddles to a secluded redwood grove, where Sean and Penny exchanged vows. As the rain poured harder and harder, everyone simply laughed, stayed in good spirits and had fun.

Sean and Penny were incredibly generous — they let me take control of their walk back to the park’s visitor center so that I could could get the few shots that I did. Back at the visitor center, the couple celebrated with a glass of champagne and Valentine’s Day chocolates before leaving in gorgeous vintage car that clanked with cans tied to its back.

What a wonderful wedding story Sean and Penny will have for future generations! It is always these little civil ceremonies that capture my heart. My own wedding was on a Tuesday, out in nature, with only immediate family in tow.

Florist: Freshly Cut

Formal Wear: Armani, purchased at Nordstrom in Walnut Creek, California

Location: The Botanic Gardens of Tilden Regional Park

Shoes: Prada, purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue in San Fransisco, California

Featured on I Do Venues

February 15, 2011

Fun to see Susan and Trevor’s Stryker Sonoma wedding featured on I Do Venues! It was originally posted on Martha Stewart's blog. Venue: Stryker Sonoma

Coordinator: Stephanie Beer of Covenant Coordinating

Catering: Pacific Connection Catering

Flowers: Wine Country Flowers

Sonoma Mystery Shoot - Sneak Peek!

February 9, 2011

I'm not revealing anything about this shoot yest, but wanted to post a sneak peek!

Half Moon Bay Golf Links - Sam and Jeff

December 20, 2010

The Half Moon Bay Golf Links ceremony location and staff are just great. I always love shooting there! Plus the bonus golf cart ride to the beach for the portrait session is such fun! We had perfect light for our near sunset portrait session and Sam and Jeff had a lot of fun getting away for a little while. Venue: Half Moon Bay Golf Links

Caterer: Mullin's Bar and Grill

Florist: Jane Myers

Cake: Shannie Cakes

Featured on Style Me Pretty Today!

December 15, 2010

So excited to see Melissa and John's darling Healdsburg Country Gardens BBQ themed wedding on Style Me Pretty today! Even though there's a winter chill I'm sure there are a lot of 2011 summer brides doing their planning now so check it out! Floral and Design: Erica Rose Designs

Wedding Coordination: Gillian Shenon with Alison Events

Here's the link: Style Me Pretty - Healdsburg Country Gardens

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Wedding Chicks - Published today!

November 19, 2010

This wedding at the Marin Art and Garden Center was recently published on I do Venues and now picked up by "The Wedding Chicks"! Love it when that happens and so much fun for the Joanna and Padraic (the bride and groom)! Click this for a direct link, but here's a sneak peek:

Featured Today on Style Me Pretty!

November 12, 2010

I'm thrilled that my good friend Beka's DIY wedding is featured today on Style Me Pretty! I flew to Arizona in September to photograph and had a blast shooting all of the pretty little details that Beka hand-crafted. Check it out on SMP and my own blog post will be up here later today to follow up! Direct link: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/11/12/handmade-wedding-by-julie-mikos/#respond

Here's a little sneak peek. Abby always does such a great job with the design layout of each story!