Tilden Botanic Gardens and BROC Cellars - Kirsten and Tim!

OK, not only is Kirsten my dear friend, she is also my former studio-mate and an incredibly talented photographer. Photographing her wedding was an honor and a great gift I could give to my dear friend and her new husband.

I loved their intimate day. Berkeley is their home and they decided to treat their friends and family to a wedding Berkeley-style with a very sophisticated and austere twist. Honoring Kirsten's Los Angeles style and Tim's love of the outdoors became a great theme for this simple and lovely wedding focused on family, friends and their love of food and wine! Surrounded by family and friends in the sequoia grove at the Tilden Botanic Gardens, their ceremony was quiet, intimate and special. Kirsten and Tim seemed to be glowing both inside and out as I photographed them saying their vows.

Kirsten hired an all-star Berkeley cast of vendors too! I was more than thrilled when Kirsten told me she was going to work with Svenja of Chestnut and Vine on the flowers. I love Svenja's sophisticated, artistic and quirky style and it fit right in with Kirsten and Tim's day. Standard Fare Berkeley catered the yummy food and of course the wine was all BROC Cellars - Kirsten and Tim's favorite local winery and the location of the fun and simple celebration reception. With wine and food in the tasting room and games galore outside, adults and kids alike had a great time celebrating Kirsten and Tim. So did I and couldn't be more thrilled for this couple whom I grown to love to so much. They are so perfect for each other in so many ways. Plus they look pretty darned great in front of the lens too!

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Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch Wedding - Megan and Oli!

It's rare that one of my favorite parts of the day is taking the getting ready photos. I like it, but I'm always thrilled to get to the venue to start photographing the big event! BUT, Megan and Oli got ready on a very special family property about thirty minutes from the Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch which is where the wedding and reception were to take place. When I drove onto this remote property up near Geyserville, I instantly fell and love and knew why it was such a special place! A family property shared by both architects AND stylists, it was simple and lovely and decked out for the wedding festivities! I especially loved the wedding night tent set up for the newlyweds on a remote part of the property.

Megan wore a BHLDN ready-to-wear dress for all the pre-shooting on this rural property and I loved being shown around to the couple's favorite spots for our photo session with California Oaks, vineyards and gorgeous views of both the Napa and Sonoma Valleys as backdrops! How lucky am I that I get glimpses into these special places!

Then off we went to the Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch and I was excited to start photographing the loveliness of THAT property and the combined creativity of our bride and her stylist Stepmom, Margaret Turnbull. All was seamlessly woven together by our fabulous wedding planners from ROQUE Events. Megan stunned all when she walked out in her Delphine Manivet Hyppolite gown and the flowers by Mae Flowers were especially fitting creating a feel of freshly picked wildflowers. I absolutely loved the guest favors of loose leaf organic tea in glass tubes. Megan and Oli had fun incorporating their combined heritages too. I loved all the Austrian touches representing our couple's home country and Oli's birth country.

Friends and family and a big party were the goal and they succeeded! The evening was warm and clear and the couple's bluegrass band was even made up of friends and all gathered when Megan and Oli shared their first s'more at the "campfire". What a stunning wedding and a stunning couple. I was honored to photograph this incredible day!

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Headlands Center for the Arts - Kristen and Brian!

It's always an honor when someone in the industry asks me to photograph their wedding and Kristen was no exception! As the Marketing Director for Got Light, she knows her stuff about gorgeous weddings and the wedding industry! Also, an extremely creative knitter, she has her own YouTube channel called "Studio Knit". Check it out! A woman of many talents and boundless energy, Kristen took on her wedding like she seems to take on everything - with a passion and talent rarely seen, Kristen made this the DIY wedding of all time!

Creating 1,000 paper cranes as a backdrop for their ceremony was just a start for Kristen! I also loved the paper butterflies she added to the lanterns. She added buttons down her back from her mother’s 1967 wedding dress, symbolizing that her mother “had her back” during the wedding. For her adorable flowergirl Delilah, Kristen created a pomander wand with hand dyed French silk ribbons and daisies in her favorite color – purple! With her exquisite eye for design and color, she put her graphic arts and paper folding skills to work. She designed all the wedding collateral, creating the whimsical cohesive branding of their wedding, even adding hand made paper cranes to the wedding invitations!

Headlands Center for the Arts is one of my fave bay area venues and their official caterer, Katie Powers of Katie Powers Catering knocked the socks off - as always - with the food and I was also thrilled when I arrived and saw my friend Erica of Erica Rose Designs was doing the flowers. Add in the talented Got Light team and Jasmine Rae Bakery, and you truly have an all-star team!

Kristen and Brian's union was over 25 years in the making, so when they tied the knot, I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the house - especially when two of the members of Brian's former band Veil of Ashes played a love song from their band days during the ceremony. I was crying behind the lens! These two know how to have fun together, love beautiful things and great music and it all came together on their wedding day. Congrats to Kristen and Brian!!!

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Venue: Headlands Center for the Arts

Caterer: Katie Powers Catering

Cake: Jasmine Rae Bakery

Event Design: Chambray Event Design

Lighting: Got Light

Florist: Erica Rose Designs

Hair and Make-up Artist: JT Artistry

Officiant: Rhythm & Light

 

 

San Francisco Ferry Building Wedding - Tina and Spencer

When Tina and Spencer and I photographed their e-shoot, I knew I would LOVE photographing their wedding too. Such a sweet and in love couple! 

Amy Nichols of Amy Nichols Special Events always does a stunning job of event design and coordination and this was no exception! We've worked at the Ferry Building together before and I knew how stunning it could be, but Amy once again blew my socks off with the lovely navy blue and white theme which was so suited to this waterfront location. The florals by La Fleuriste were simple and elegant and of course the food by Paula Le Duc Fine Catering and team was incredibly good. I loved that they served lamb chops for dinner. How much more elegant can you get!

Tina and Spencer were just as in love and glowing on their wedding as day as at their e-session. We had a blast walking from our first look at The Four Seasons over to Yerba Buena Gardens for our photo shoot and even though the gardens were crowded on a Saturday, we managed to make it look like we were the only ones around. Then off to the Ferry Building for such a lovely ceremony and after that fabulous dinner, a kick-butt dance party with band Pop Fiction.

Tina and Spencer, congrats. I'm so fortunate that I have such sweet couples!

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Event Coordinator: Amy Nichols Special Events

Venue: Ferry Building

Floral Designer: La Fleuriste

Caterer: Paula Le Duc Fine Catering

Musicians: Pop Fiction

Invitations: Coral Pheasant

Hair and Make-up Artist: Katie Nash

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Linen Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental 

Stylist: Kelly Oshiro

 

Panoramic Hills, Berkeley - Amber and Aryeh

This wedding was such a treat for me! When I first moved to the bay area, I lived right off of a fire trail in Berkeley called Claremont Canyon. Up at the top of the steep hike there was a house that had amazing views but was hard to see because of the landscaping and walls, but it looked from what I could see, like a little hobbit house tucked into the hill. I always thought it would be such a treat to be able to see what the house looked like. Well, fast forward 14 years and I found myself photographing Amber and Aryeh's wedding at this very house and it really IS a hobbit type house! Sometimes being a wedding photographer gets you into the most incredible places!

The ceremony was on the lawn perched at the edge of the property with amazing panoramic views of the San Francisco bay and bridges. As the sun set, Amber and Aryeh said their vows and then everyone gathered for the yummy food buffet by Le Mediterranee and ate and drank on an incredibly warm evening with crickets chirping, the moon rising and a gorgeous starry sky. It was truly magical and was hard to leave when the time came for me to go home.

I didn't have much time with Amber and Aryeh for our portrait session because it was all about being with family and friends for them, but getting to use even a portion of the ivy covered walls and doors of that house was incredibly fun for a photographer! But ultimately I was happy to pass them along to enjoy their star and moonlit evening dancing the night away and watching the moon reflecting on the bay. Simply gorgeous.

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Venue: Skyfall

Caterer: Le Mediterranee

Cake: Anne Lewis

Band: Blues Defenders

Penthouse Suite Wedding, Fairmont San Francisco - Allyn and Andrew

I love, love, love getting to go up that nondescript elevator off of the main lobby of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, Whoosh up you go to the spectacular Julia Morgan designed penthouse suite at the top of the original hotel building. Have I mentioned a million times how much fun it is sometime to be a wedding photographer and to get to go into these incredible places? This suite is spectacular with a two story round library room, a billiard room with floor to ceiling moroccan tile, a living room, three bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen and a dining room that can seat up to 60 for a formal dinner. Oh, and the lovely terrace with views of the Trans America tower and SF bay? Truly one of my favorite places in San Francisco!

OK! I can't forget about my bride and groom with the impeccable taste who had their intimate wedding here! Allyn dressed in her gorgeous Amy Kuschel gown in the master bedroom of the suite, they married on the terrace surrounded by their closest family and friends and took full advantage of that dining room seating all of their guests for an incredible formal multi-course meal prepared by the fabulous chefs of the Fairmont. Irish coffee, billiards and dancing followed along with lots of photos on the terrace as the sun set and the SF skyline lights went up. What a gorgeous and intimate wedding with understated elegance (not overpowering the rooms) designed by Marisa Canoles of Rebecca Reategui Weddings and Special Events and florals by Katherine of Cherries Flowers. Allyn and Andrew couldn't have been a sweeter couple and seemed to have the time of their lives surrounded by those they love in such an intimate and special setting. Hands-down one of my favorite SF wedding locations for a small wedding! Congratulations to Allyn and Andrew!

Venue & Caterer: Fairmont Hotel

Event Designer: Rebecca Reategui Weddings & Special Events

Cake Designer: Inticing Creations

Floral Designer: Cherries Flowers

Bridal Dress: Amy Kuschel

Ring Designers: Palladium Fine Jewelry

Invitations: Susan Gildea Personalized Printing

Stationer: Flemings Printed Affair

Hair and Makeup Artist: Meaganne McCandess

DJ: DJ Chris Debol

Linen Rentals: La Tavola

Rentals: Classic Party Rental

The Exploratorium, San Francisco Wedding - Maddy and Matt

What a cool wedding venue! I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about the new San Francisco Exploratorium as a wedding venue, but when a couple of science fanatics (Maddy and Matt!) and one of my fave coordinators (Elizabeth Bainbridge of 2 the 9s Events) contacted me about this wedding I was intrigued. I ended up loving this venue! The views of San Francisco Bay are stunning, the staff is super nice and helpful and the outdoor deck for cocktail hour was a huge treat for guests. Plus everyone got to play a little and learn a bit about science while there!

Maddy and Matt were so low key and fun on their wedding day and I loved that Elizabeth Bainbridge helped them choose Angella Floral Arts for the terrific florals that fit right in. I loved the use of science beakers, books and terrariums! The food stations by caterer Betty Zlatchin Catering were really lovely and festive. It was such an easy going-wedding all around and in a fabulous setting. Congrats to Maddy and Matt!

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Venue: San Francisco Exploratorium

Event Coordinator: 2 the 9s Events

Floral Designer and Signage: Angella Floral Arts

Catering: Betty Zlatchin Catering

Ice Cream Sandwiches: Curbside Creamery 

Mini Fruit Pies: Delish Designs

Invitations: JPress Designs

Hair and Make-up Artists: Artists by Sherrie Long 

Musicians: Denon and Doyle

Lighting: Got Light

Furniture: CORT Event Furnishings


Campovida, Hopland Wedding - Maria and Nate

What a festive traditional Mexican themed wedding at Camopvida in Hopland! I always love photographing at this stunning location because as the sign there says it's a "garden of gardens" and I LOVE gardens! It's truly magical and what made this wedding even more special is that the bride grew up on this property way back in the day when her family lived on site! What fun for the family to come back and celebrate the wedding of one of their own. It was fun to walk around during our photo sessions and listen to the bride say things like "we used to catch frogs over there!" and "we used to play hide and seek in the barn!". I feel so lucky they chose me to photograph this very special day!

Also, bringing in the tradition of a mariachi band marching in before the groom to start the ceremony and then leading everyone to the cocktail hour was truly wonderful. Although Maria did a lot of the work herself in the planning, Kelly & Company Wine Country Weddings did a great job of putting it all together and Park Avenue Catering provided such a festive buffet of summer BBQ!

Maria and Nate's first dance under the Mexican cuttouts fluttering in the fading evening light to a song from the band who they saw on their first date made this wedding day even more special and the fact that their 4 month old daughter Lulu was the little flower girl pulled into the ceremony in a Red Flyer wagon put everything over the top. Sheesh. This one was truly a loving and festive family affair! Congrats to Maria and Nate!

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Corinthian Yacht Club and The Landmark Gardens, Tiburon Wedding - Laurel and Lee

Oh, Laurel my bride who looks like a movie star! So gorgeous in her Matthew Christopher gown! She was the picture of gorgeousness in these classic Tiburon wedding locations! Elizabeth Bainbridge of 2 the 9s Events and her team put together such a lovely day starting with the garden ceremony overlooking Richardson Bay at Landmark Gardens and then on to a fun bay photo shoot including a ride in the bride's Uncle's classic orange Mercedes!  

Then it was really time to wow the guests with views of San Francisco across the bay at this lovely evening reception at the Corinthian Yacht Club. Guests were treated to cocktail hour on the outdoor porch and indoor sunroom both overlooking the bay and then on to a cozy dinner in the wood paneled yacht club dining hall. The candelabra florals by Mill Valley Flowers on the head table were stunning and then it was on to a big dance party with the bride's family friend leading the band The Bad Jones

Evening descended on the bay and the lights of San Francisco came up and everyone lingered well into the evening. What a perfect wedding day! Congrats Laurel and Lee!

Event Coordinator: 2 the 9s Events

Ceremony Venue: Landmark Gardens

Reception Venue and Caterer: Corinthian Yacht Club

Floral Designer: Mill Valley Flowers

Cake: Krumbs Cakes

Hair Stylist: Dagaz Salon

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Musicians: The Bad Jones

Bridal Gown: Matthew Christopher

The Round Barn and Church of One Tree Wedding, Santa Rosa - Lisa and Ian!

What lovely and sweet locations for Lisa and Ian's wedding! I've never photographed at either The Church of One Tree or The Round Barn in Santa Rosa and each was really charming! The Church of One Tree was actually built using the wood of only one tree and is such a lovely church nestled among redwoods with the entrance to the church right on a huge public park. Totally charming.

Loved the style of this wedding reception in The Round Barn. Given the unique structure and white wood, I thought Elsa Vera of Elsa Vera Productions did an amazing job with design. I loved the linens from La Tavola and the white and green florals and printed material with touches of silver and gray throughout was so fresh and inviting. Loved that they had a game area on the catwalk on the second floor where they held cocktail hour and dancing. Everyone had a blast and when the giant Jenga game crashed down, the whole room roared. I just loved Lisa and Ian. What a sweet couple and such nice families. So happy I had the chance to photograph them twice! See their e-shoot blog post too! 

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Ceremony Venue: The Church of One Tree

Reception Venue: The Round Barn

Event Coordinator: Elsa Vera Productions 

Floral Artist: Dragonfly Floral

Caterer: Park Avenue Catering

Cake Artist: Your Sweet Expectations

DJ: A Long Music

Linen Rentals: La Tavola

Rentals: Encore Events Rentals

Hair & Make-up Artist: Salon 12

Guest Favors: Amphora Nueva

Bridal Gown: Marisa Bridals

Bridal Boutique: Flares Bridal

Wedding Bands: A Wedding Ring Experience

 

Oakland DIY Wedding at The Pavillion at Scott's Seafood - Katharine and Vic!

Now THIS was a DIY wedding! Loved that Katharine and Vic were so focused on family and friends and the DANCE party for their wedding and did it all on a budget! It was so about family and friends that they really only wanted me to do ten minutes of portraits! They ended up giving me a little more - phew! But really it was about the party for them!

I've never photographed at the Pavillion at Scott's Seafood in Oakland even though I live in Oakland! I had NO IDEA that that on the public square right on the marina in Jack London Square, Scott's Seafood erects this Pavillion for special events. Seriously. They are able to take the whole thing down after the event and it converts back to public space. When it's up, it's a light and airy venue and because of the white paneled semi-translucent walls, it has great light and views of the marina! Great spot on the dock for cocktail hour and pretty views during the ceremony - but be prepared for a few pigeons flying around!

Really though, the star of this wedding was all the DIY touches that family and friends contributed. Vic's mom designed and handmade the invitations, menu cards, table cards, and name card for every single guest. Plus, the maid of honor, Dawn, designed and printed all the goody bags that were filled with local candy and given out as the guest favors. Katherine's gorgeous dress was designed and made by Rose Mary Jameson, you could tell that Katherine felt so amazing wearing it. Not to mention, Vic's brother was their amazing officiant, Katherine's jewelry was her grandmother's, and Vic's cufflinks belonged to her grandfather. It was amazing to see how many different family members were involved in their special day!

Add a few lovely flowers by Flowers by Anne, evening lighting and a great DJ to rock the house and you've got a lovely and fun budget wedding that's family and friend focussed and right on the water! Congrats Katharine and Vic for pulling off such a lovely little wedding right here in Oakland - and what a sweet couple too!

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Venue and Caterer: Scott's Seafood

Floral Designer: Flowers by Anne

DJ: Just Koolen Productions

Wedding Dress: Rose Mary Jameson

Tres Leches: Market Hall Bakery

Featured: Ceremony Magazine!

I was lucky enough to have two of my shoots published in this year's Ceremony Magazine! I so excited to share these photos. Here are the links to Champagne & Caviar and Into the Woods.

Venue: Meritage Resort  Rentals & Linens: Classic Party Rentals  Desserts: Recherche Du Plaisir  Stationary: Dreammaker Designs  Floral Design: Bella Vita Event Productions

Terra SF Wedding - Sara and Eric!

Yowsa! This wedding was all about the details! What a gorgeous urban wedding set in the stunning event space, Terra SF. Emily of Downey Street Events and her team knocked themselves out making this such an incredibly stunning wedding. I was more than thrilled to photograph such a gorgeous space and beautiful details. Always a treat to photograph florals by Sharla Flock and the food by Global Gourmet was simply gorgeous.

OK. But not only was it a stunning wedding, Sara and Eric are such a sweet couple! Sara's daughter Lola almost stole the show with her coy glances at the camera and guests and her sweet dress and head wreathed with flowers put her over the top! BUT, she couldn't have stole the show with a bride in that gorgeous blush pink Monique Lhuiller bridal gown. Eric's face was priceless when he saw Sara at their first look.

Sara and Eric, family and friends alike all had a great time and the multi-course dinner and long cocktail hour allowed for a lingering time for conversation and shared joy. What a stunning wedding! Congratulations to Sara and Eric!

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Venue: Terra Gallery & Event Venue

Event Coordinator: Downey Street Events

Floral Designer: Sharla Flock Designs

Caterer: Global Gourmet

Cake Designer: The Whole Cake

Stationary: Aerialist Press

Hair & Make-up Artist: Meaganne McCandess

DJ: Big Fun DJ

Cocktail Hour Musician: Ben Ahn Music

Ceremony Musicians: San Francisco Conservatory of Music Strings 

Macarons: Chantal Guillon Macarons and Teas 

Lighting: Got Light

Linen Rental: La Tavola Fine Linens

Dress Designer: Monique Lhuillier

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Rentals: Frances Lane