Carmel Valley Ranch Wedding - Alice and Jason

January 16, 2013

Rain, rain go away! But it didn't damper this wedding day! What do you do when you're wedding is supposed to take place on the vineyard lawn and it's been raining for hours? Trust in your super team of experts to wrangle all the last minute changes for an indoor ceremony! Lauren of Downey Street Events, the team at Carmel Valley Ranch and Christine Cater pulled it together to make all the guests cozy and warm for the last minute indoor ceremony! As wedding day luck would have it, the weather cleared enough for an outdoor photo session and outdoor cocktails on the Carmel Valley Ranch terrace with raging fire pits. The fire pits continued to rage into the evening when guests wandered back out after dinner for handmade donuts by Harvey's Donuts (YUM!) and s'mores over the fires. Jason and Alice danced to "We've Got Tonight" by Bob Segar. A song I hadn't heard in YEARS and LOVE and continued to dance to a great set by DJ DNA Entertainment. What a BLAST of a wedding and gorgeous too! Congrats to Alice and Jason!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: Carmel Valley Ranch

Event Design: Downey Street Events

Florist: Christine Cater

Donuts: Harvey's Donuts

Entertainment: DNA Entertainment

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Groezinger Estate and Villagio Resort, Yountville California - Jess and Nick!

December 19, 2012

What a lovely and intimate Thanksgiving weekend wedding planned and styled by the ever-talented Dee Merz. Jess and Nick had THE picture perfect fall day in wine country for their Thanksgiving weekend wedding in Yountville, Napa Valley. The Villagio Inn & Spa grounds were bursting with fall color and the Groezinger Estate House was warm and cozy for the fireside ceremony and dinner with their immediate families by their sides. The flowers by Sue Buhagiar were lovely and included nice fall tones and those cupcakes by Perfect Endings were looking mighty lovely on the cake stands styled be Dee. When the wedding is tiny, there's a leisurely pace celebrating marriage, family and Napa Valley food and wine and the Villagio's catering did not disappoint. I loved this intimate wedding and loved that Jess' smile never left her face except when she was weeping during each toast given by each family member. What a lovely memory for these families and me too!

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Location: Groezinger Estate House in Yountville, Napa Valley Planner: Dee Merz Catering: Villagio Inn & Spa Flowers: Sue Buhagiar Cupcakes: Perfect Endings Linens: La Tavola Linen Rentals: Wine Country Party & Events

Merchant's Exchange Julia Morgan Ballroom Wedding - Allison and Justin

December 12, 2012

Classic San Francisco wedding at The Julia Morgan Ballroom in the Merchant's Exchange Building, San Francisco! So excited to share this wedding of Allison ans Justin. I love the The Julia Morgan Ballroom. The architecture is so gorgeous and such fun to shoot. It makes for a spectacular fall/winter venue with the dark paneled walls and huge fireplace and before dark, you can enjoy shooting around the city. What a perfect San Francisco wedding venue! I also LOVE shooting traditional Jewish weddings. They are so festive and full of joy and tradition. Justin and the guys even held a "Tish," which is a tradition where the men all meet to drink and toast the groom. They signed the Ketubah, got married under the Chuppah and of course danced the Hora. What fun was had by all! Congratulations Justin and Allison!

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Vendors involved in this wedding include:

Venue: The Julia Morgan Ballroom at the Merchant's Exchange Building, San Francisco

Day of Event Coordination: Christopher H. Lee, Leftwich Event Specialists

Catering: Global Gourmet

Florals: Spiral Hand

Paper Goods: Anne and Kate, Anne and Kate

Lighting: Got Light

Hair and makeup: Zindagi Salon

Rentals: Hartmann Studios

DJ: DJ Dave

Transportation: Avalon Transportation

Auberge Du Soleil Wedding - Eileen and Jerome

November 30, 2012

This classic and understated wedding at Auberge Du Soleil in Napa Valley was so wonderful to photograph. Jerome is French, and I thought the simplicity of the French style (which also harkens back to the simple weddings of years ago, even in the states) was refreshing. A morning wedding and lunch reception with classical music throughout is such a nice tradition. Choosing Auberge Du Soleil for their wedding luncheon was perfect to reflect Jerome's French heritage, as the food and wine there are the shining stars! The views aren't so bad either! Loved shooting at the charming wine country Holy Family Mission Church just south of St. Helena. We were able to incorporate a few shots of Eileen and Jerome in the vineyard right next door! Eileen and Jerome couldn't have been more laid-back and happy and their families were a joy! Loved listening to the lovely french speaking relatives! Congratulations to Eileen and Jerome!

Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Ceremony Venue: Holy Family Mission Church

Reception Venue: Auberge Du Soleil

Floral Designer: A. Hana Design

Bakery: Patisserie Angelica

De Young Museum Wedding - Khanh and Greg

November 9, 2012

I always love incorporating architecture in my wedding photography and San Francisco's de Young museum did not disappoint! I've only had the chance to photograph engagement sessions here in the past, but de Young is a wonderful place to have your wedding if you enjoy art and architecture. Certainly the case for Khan and Greg! We had fun wandering around the grounds before and after the ceremony, shooting their portraits as well as family and bridal party, and they and their guests were treated to phenomenal views during cocktail hour up in the observatory tower. The cafe transformed beautifully for dinner and dancing, and Svenja and her team at Chestnut & Vine Floral Design did an extraordinary job of creating artfully architectural floral designs for the room. I almost felt like I was being treated to a special viewing of Flowers to Art, which is an amazing spring show at the de Young that incorporates local florist's visions of flowers interpreted from the art in the museum. Oh, and the food was gorgeous and yummy, too! Grace Street catering always does an artful presentation and uses fresh organic ingredients that come together in wonderfully flavorful dishes! All-in-all a perfect wedding. Add in an intimate gathering (only 60 guests) and an obviously adoring couple and you have the perfect San Francisco wedding!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: de Young museum

Floral Design: Chestnut & Vine Floral Design

Catering: Grace Street

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The Log Cabin, San Francisco Wedding - Anthea and Patrick

October 25, 2012

This wedding is so sweet! I loved the intimacy of shooting a wedding at the Log Cabin in Presidio of San Francisco. It was very funny when the mother of my bride, Anthea, walked into the hotel room where Anthea was getting ready and exclaimed, "It's 50 degrees and windy in the Presidio!" Without missing a beat, Anthea retorted "Mom, it's always 50 degrees and windy in the Presidio!" Oh, everyone was in such good spirits even as the wind and fog whipped around us. The ceremony was short and sweet, as were our photo sessions so that everyone could move inside to grab a Manhattan and sip by the roaring fire. How cozy! Anthea is the cheese monger at BiRite Market, so the market did the catering and with Anthea's direction literally created a "cheese" cake. Layers of real cheese wheels made to look like a wedding cake! The cheese plates that were served as the last plate were truly out of this world. Anthea knows cheese! Congratulations to Anthea and Patrick!

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Thunderbird Lodge, Lake Tahoe Wedding - Aaron and Mary Ellen

October 17, 2012

My dear cousin married a wonderful woman a few weeks ago at the Thunderbird Lodge in Lake Tahoe, and I had the pleasure of being both guest and photographer! Aaron and Mary Ellen have a great love for Lake Tahoe and have lived here most of their adult lives, striving to make work pleasure in boating and skiing. Aaron is fortunate enough (and talented enough) to be a captain on the Thunderbird Lodge's historic boat, and Mary Ellen has worked as a docent and event planner on the property. Therefore, it was only fitting for the two of them to say their vows next to their beloved and incredibly blue Lake Tahoe on the property of the Thunderbird Lodge. Their guests were treated to a private tour of the property after the ceremony while Mary Ellen, Aaron and I walked around the gorgeous grounds taking photos. Then we were off to The Big Water Grille for a lovely dinner with view of the surrounding mountains. It couldn't have been a more lovely day!

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Carmel Mission and the Memory Garden, Monterey - Katey and David

October 3, 2012

When Katey first contacted me to shoot her wedding, she was in Afghanistan! Katey and David are both in the military and I was happy to be available to shoot their wedding for them and that Katey is back safe and sound. I was also happy to be back at the Carmel Mission church. It's such a gorgeous location for wedding photographs and their wedding was one of the last before the church starts their big renovation. I also loved Katey and David's vintage forties theme and all the personal details. Katey wore her grandmother's wedding gown, adding her own personal flair of blue lace at the bottom! And guests were treated to bottles of Limoncello, made by the bride's aunt with her great-grandmother's homemade recipe. The lemon's came from David's grandmother's tree! I thought the invitation RSVP was especially clever and I loved those fun robes Katey gave her bridesmaids. They all looked so vintage and colorful for the getting ready photos! Congrats to Katey and David!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: Carmel Mission church

Coordination and Catering: Grapes of Wrath

Florist: Big Sur Flowers

B.R. Cohn Sonoma Wedding - Kristy and Charles

September 25, 2012

So excited to share Kristy and Charles picture perfect Sonoma Valley wedding at B.R. Cohn Winery. Leslie Struble of Dandelion Events planned a lovely wedding with mini olive trees, old shutters to hold place cards and a color scheme that was bright and cheerful. I loved the fruit that PoppyStone Floral Culture sprinkled throughout the floral arrangements too. The hill of oak tress surrounded by vineyards was a spectacular place for the ceremony and I'm sure every guest was amazed at the light and beauty. Then the wonderful surprise of Kristy arriving in an antique to-die-for convertible! GORGEOUS! We had such fun during our photo session too, taking advantage of the beautiful late summer light, the vineyards and the car! Congratulations, Kristy and Charles!

Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: B.R. Cohn Winery

Event Planning: Dandelion Events

Florist: PoppyStone Floral Culture

Catering: Sonoma Meritage

Hair and Makeup: JS Makeup Artistry

Ferry Building Wedding, San Francisco - Emilie and Andrew!

September 6, 2012

I'm always thrilled and flattered when an industry expert chooses me to photograph their wedding! Emilie is the sales and catering director at The Fairmont San Francisco Hotel and she approached me last spring to photograph her own San Francisco Ferry Building wedding. I was beyond thrilled to do so! We had fun at their e-session and then their day couldn't have been more perfect. Perfect weather, perfect timing, perfect venue. Gorgeous! Chelsea Bowman of Chelsea Events and Floral Designs did a fantastic job of working with Emilie to create the perfect event. She also worked with Nelya of San Francisco's Amazing Flowers & Events on the floral arrangements and as usual, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering team catered a flawless event. I loved the fresh green and white colors Emilie chose for the linen and flowerss. So simple and pretty. I also loved the way Andrew sneaked peeks at Emilie throughout the day. SO in love!

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Vendors involved in Emilie and Andrew's wedding included:

Venue: San Francisco Ferry Building

Floral Design: Amazing Flowers & Events

Event Design: Chelsea Events and Floral Designs

Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering

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September 5, 2012

Emilie and Andrew were fortunate to be able to have their welcome dinner in the Penthouse Suite of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Originally designed as a private residence, the suite was designed by Julia Morgan and has four bedrooms, a living room, dining room, circular two story library and a Moroccan tiled billiard room! What a gorgeous setting for the night before their wedding!

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Private Ranch Wedding - Flora and Andrew!

August 24, 2012

Congratulations to Flora and Andrew! What a gorgeous wedding! Alicia of Alicia K Designs and her team did a phenomenal job transforming a working ranch and hundred-year-old barn into a festive and intimate location for a wedding. The ceremony site was set with hay bales covered with pink fabric, a very sweet detail. But that was hardly the only sweet detail of the day! The couple included a popcorn bar complete with a reclaimed wood top, stunning bouquets of pink and coral roses by Nasrin and Momo of La Lavande and a cupcake display filled with delicious creations by Sibby's Cupcakery. (Did I mention you could choose your cupcake flavor from an antique cabinet?) An old-fashioned, upright piano and player set an Old West tone during cocktail hour. But the barn was truly transformed for the DJ's set later in the evening, when everyone let loose for loads of dancing. Serious fun was had by all at this wedding!

Wedding coordination and design: Alicia K Designs

Flowers: La Lavande

Event Rentals: Blueprint Studios

Additional event rentals and lighting: Hartmann Studios

Catering: Gerald's Paella

Stationary: Painted Tongue Press

Calligraphy: Papineau Calligraphy

Cupcakes: Sibby's Cupcakery

Linens: La Tavola

Ceremony Music: Blossom String Quartet

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Tra Vigne Restaurant, Napa Valley Wedding - Athena and Arthur!

August 16, 2012

Sweet, sweet, sweet! Athena and Arthur are such a super sweet pair! She is definitely the Yin to his ultra-silly personality Yang and I just loved shooting their intimate wedding at the lovely and oh-so-good Tra Vigne restaurant in St. Helena, Napa Valley. I've never shot a wedding at Tra Vigne and have heard nothing but raves about the food and was pleased to finally see it. What a lovely courtyard setting and wonderful food. Set in St. Helena, it's the perfect location for an intimate weekend wedding. Athena and Arthur seemed to have a ball socializing with their guests and enjoying a long, leisurely dinner despite the fact that Athena was sick with bronchitis! You would have never guessed. She looked gorgeous and glowing as Arthur entertained the crowd! Congratulations Athena and Arthur!

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Vendors involved in Athena and Arthur's wedding included:

Venue: Tra Vigne

Bakery: Sweetie Pies

Flowers: By a family friend

Napa Wedding at Brix - Marilyn and Michael

August 1, 2012

Bright fuchsia and grapevines make this a super cheerful Fourth of July wedding in Napa Valley. I just LOVE the outdoor area of Brix restaurant. With the organic garden, vineyard and mountains in the background, I think it's one of the prettiest and most intimate spots in Napa Valley. Dee Merz did a wonderful job creating this super colorful and cheerful setting for Marilyn and Michal's intimate gathering. This was a destination wedding for bride and groom and guests (all were in from Canada) and I'm sure it was the perfect day for them that it was meant to be. Great atmosphere, gorgeous weather and family are all you need for a perfect wedding day!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: Brix Planning: Dee Merz Weddings and Special Events Catering: Brix Hair and Makeup: Monique of Unique Sonoma Salon Flowers: Sue Buhagiar Cake: Perfect Endings

Running Rabbit Ranch - Sonoma Wedding of Marisa and Ryan

July 9, 2012

Lovely summer details in such a perfect sunny wine country setting! Marisa and Ryan found Running Rabbit Ranch, a lovely little venue tucked in Sonoma wine country complete with a white barn and green vineyards. They hung colorful lanterns from the gorgeous oak trees and used sunny sunflowers to brighten all the tables. Marisa was like a sunflower herself, glowing in the summer light with huge smiles brightening everyone's day. Gorgeous!

Vendors involved in Marisa and Ryan's wedding included:

Location - Running Rabbit Ranch

Floral Design - Myrna and Patsy Vandenberg

Catering - Pacific Connection Catering

Cake - Caroline Besse

Stationery - Crescent Moon Paper Company

Rancho La Puerta Take Three!

June 15, 2012

Oh, what a good gig! For the third time in a year I've been lucky enough to go to what I'm now considering might be the most special place in the world. Rancho La Puerta is a spa/health ranch located just south of San Diego, nestled on 3,000 in Tecate, Mexico. It was founded in the '40s by a health-conscious couple and has grown into a lovely, healthy getaway. It was voted two years in a row as "best destination spa in the world" by Travel and Leisure magazine readers. The fitness program is top-notch, with full time instructors plus weekly visiting instructors in various disciplines. The food is vegetarian with a bit of fresh fish, and a lot is grown on their own gigantic and gorgeous organic farm. Oh, and the spas and the spa staff are phenomenal! Last time I was there, I got something called a "four hands" massage. Two burly guys working on you completely in sync. Incredibly decadent! Best part about the ranch is it's not pretentious in the LEAST. Most people describe it as "summer camp for adults". Everyone comes in on Saturday and stays until the following Saturday. With mostly communal tables in the dining room, you get to know a lot of the other guests by the end of the week. I've met some fascinating people every time! This visit's assignment was trying to get more men in the pictures to encourage more men to visit. I brought my hubby and he pops up in some of the pics!

Marin Art and Garden Center - Ashley and Bob

June 12, 2012

Marin Art and Garden Center is such a hidden gem! Ashley and Bob recognized it for all it's charm and beauty and for all of the wonderful early summer blooms! What a backdrop for a garden wedding. Also, Marin is blessed with such gorgeous weather. It was freezing and foggy all over the rest of the bay area, but in Ross it was all sunshine and warmth. Ashley and Bob couldn't have been a sweeter couple and their families and friends all had a blast. I always love working with Sarah Hyde of "sHe" hair and makeup and LOVED the simple makeup and lovely side-swept ponytail with orchid accent she created for Ashley. So simple and lovely. Congratulations Ashley and Bob!

Vendors who were involved in Ashley and Bob's wedding included:

Venue:

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Gown: White by Vera Wang Hair and Makeup: Sarah Hyde of

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Florist: Josette Brose-Eichar of

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Caterer: Michael Woodward

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December 9, 2011

I was fortunate enough to go back to Rancho La Puerta for a second time to photograph their marketing materials. The last time I was there I photographed the resort's fitness program and cooking school. This time my assignment was the spa. I've sprinkled some from the last shoot in here as well so you can get an overall feel. This place is truly special. Everyone who goes — and some people have been going every year for thirty years! — describes it as "summer camp for adults." I do think that's the best description. It's active, it's relaxing, it's social and healthy. It as everything I would look for if I was going to a spa — and many people agree with me, as it was recently voted "best destination health spa" by Travel and Leisure readers for the second year in a row. My days, when I'm not shooting, start with an early morning hike, healthy breakfast, 9:00 a.m. stretch class, 10:00 a.m. tennis clinic or yoga, 11:00 a.m. swim class, noon lunch and then afternoon of pool time or spa time. Healthy dinner with fun friends met at classes or at community dining tables, and then early to bed unless going to a special presentation — this time, they had some wonderful musicians who did almost nightly performances. The spa treatments I got this time, much needed at the end of the wedding season, were unbelievable. The most amazing experience was a Watsu massage, which is a water massage in the pool. The visiting practitioner is one of the best in the world. I ran into one of my former brides the last time I was there (she was there with her mother and sister), and she told me about the "four hands" massage. Truly one of the most decadent things you can ever do, but absolutely the BEST. Mike and Jesus worked in absolute unison on BOTH SIDES of my body! They were like synchronized swimmers! Chiropractic, deep tissue, cranial sacral therapy. All of that combined with healthy eating and loads of exercise, gosh, was my body feeling good when I came home. I would highly recommend a visit to this truly special place! Enjoy the photos!

Michele and Ron's wedding at Auberge Du Soleil

September 28, 2011

I've been so fortunate this was the third time this year I shot at Auberge Du Soleil. This exclusive, understated Napa Silverado Trail resort was the choice for this New York couple who wanted to wow their destination wedding guests with the view of Napa Valley. The food at Auberge Du Soleil is also truly wonderful. Michele continued attention to detail with their family crest, even showing up in frosting on their lovely cake by Cake Coquette. Loved the little thank you gift pouches and gorgeous invitations! Michele looked pretty stunning, too, and I enjoyed shooting in the light filtering through the olive grove in the sculpture garden. Gorgeous! Congratulations Michele and Ron. You are truly such sweet people!

Vendors involved in Michele and Ron's wedding included:

Day of Wedding Coordination - Gloria Atherstone and Stacey Cataylo

Location: Auberge Du Soleil

Florist - Poly of Valley Flora

Music - Lee Waterman of Silver Moon Big Band

Cake - Gabrielle Feuersinger of Cake Coquette

Video - Jennifer O'Grady of Jennifer Anne Film & Video

Photo Booth - Alex of Magnolia Photo Booth Co.

Sara and Max's gorgeous Campovida wedding

September 20, 2011

Here are some teaser images from Sara and Max's GORGEOUS wedding at Campovida in Hopland, CA. LOVED this new location and the event design by Kelsey of Alison Events was perfect for this truly special venue. The very talented Sabine Scherer helped me shoot this wedding because I was still shooting on my broken foot and she deserves equal credit for the lovely photos. Can't post too many venue/detail shots here because we are working on a very special outlet for publication! Congratulations to Sara and Max!

Vendors involved in Sara and Max's wedding included:

Location: Campovida

Event Design: Alison Events