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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

Healdsburg Country Gardens Sonoma Wedding - Jen and Dario

July 20, 2012

I couldn't believe it when I heard Jen did all of the detail projects for the wedding! Loved the burlap signs and the light and airy feel to the whole wedding. Healdsburg Country Gardens is one of my favorite venues for a wine country wedding. It's small, intimate and lovely and the owner of the property couldn't be nicer and more accommodating. Maria Philbin is a wonderful florist and as usual, I had fun photographing the flowers and all the little details Jen provided. She made everything from chalkboard signs to burlap table runners! Jen and Dario and I had a great time on a rainy evening in SF shooting their e-session and it makes for such a relaxing time for all of us during the wedding day photo session. They did great and seemed to have a terrific time while we were shooting. They are a sweet and special couple and had a gorgeous wedding! Congratulations Jen and Dario!

Vendors involved in Jen and Dario's wedding included:

Venue: Healdsburg Country Gardens

Florist: Maria Philbin

Day-of coordinator: Megan Terry

Caterer: PBS Catering

Bakery: Jeanette Wallace, friend of the bride

Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas

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

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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Baker: Jill Branch of

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Caterer: Michael Woodward

Happy Four Years To My Hubby!

June 5, 2012

It was four years ago Sunday my hubby and I got married. It was a Tuesday in Yosemite Valley with immediate family. What a lovely day we had!

Kansas Wedding - Erin and Justin!

April 13, 2012

So pleased to share photos from Erin and Justin's Kansas St. Patrick's day wedding! (You got a sneak-peek of their wedding a couple weeks ago!) The location was Stony Point Hall in Lawrence, KS. Erin and Justin really lucked out with weather for their outdoor ceremony! It could have snowed, but luckily we had nice weather and an early spring. I found a lovely drive lined with blooming trees for their "first look" and a few portraits, and then we moved on to Stony Point Hall for some lovely "in the field" portraits and the rest of the festivities. Erin outdid herself by hand-making fabric-covered needlepoint rings. Loved the various patterned fabrics used throughout. Even some fabric roses in the bouquets, fabric tied napkin rings and fabric tied bouquet stems. Of course there were some St. Patrick day surprises, including dancing back down the aisle by the bridal party incorporating various St. Patrick's day goodies! Congratulations Erin and Justin!

Vendors involved in Erin and Justin's wedding included:

Location: Stony Point Hall

Event Design and Coordination: Red Door Event and Design

Florist: Red Door Event and Design

Caterer: Culinaria Food and Wine

Newborn shoot - Deborah and Kwong's Love Grows! Indeed How Sweet it is!

April 12, 2012

I photographed Deborah and Kwong's lovely Casa Real wedding a couple of years ago and just as we completed their wedding album, they welcomed Jayden into the world! It's always an honor when former wedding clients welcome me into their home to capture another milestone in their lives. I was so happy to see Deborah and Kwong in their new roles in life and to see the ultimate outcome of their union!

Here are a few photos from the couple's beautiful vineyard wedding!

Featured: Michelle and David's wedding on Ruffled!

April 2, 2012

Michelle and David's lovely pastel wedding had so many sweet details, including hand-stamped table numbers and a bed of fresh rose petals that covered the aisle. I'm delighted that their wedding has been featured on Ruffled! I hope you enjoy the feature on Ruffled, and for even more images, be sure to check out my blog post!

Kansas Wedding - Erin and Justin Sneak Peek!

April 2, 2012

My dear friend Angela's sister got married in Kansas this past Saturday and I was fortunate enough to be asked to photograph. The Midwest has been blessed with an early spring and when scouting for shooting locations the day before the wedding I came upon this avenue of flowering trees. Erin and Justin agreed to have their first look in this spot (sight unseen!) and I also asked if we could have the flower girls ready to go since I knew it would be a gorgeous setting. I was so thrilled by the light and the beauty of my bride that I had to post a few peeks. Also, I was thrilled to see the lovely chair Erin had brought to the venue for pictures. Wanting to use the Kansas countryside, I had the groomsmen place the chair in a field for some pretty shots. More to come when the edit is done!

Nicholson Ranch - Sonoma Valley

January 9, 2012

Can't reveal my B&G on this one, but wanted to share some pretty photos of the setting. Nicholson Ranch is "nestled in the southern foothills of the Sonoma Valley," according to its website, and is a gorgeous setting for intimate weddings. I loved the Terracotta walls and the Italian style. So fitting with the vineyard and California hillsides! My bride even made the sweetest homemade jam as a guest favor. So sweet!

Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Catering: The Girl and The Fig

Cake: Scandia Bakery

Floral Design: Viola Floral Design

Day of Coordination: A Noble Affair

Venue: Nicholson Ranch

Paradise Private Residence, Sonoma – Desiree and Jarrod’s wedding

December 20, 2011

Now that Desiree and Jarrod's wedding has been featured in San Francisco Bride's current issue, I am so excited to share their images here on my blog! Desiree and Jarrod's lucky number is 13, so the couple decided to get married on the 13th of the month, which happened to be a Wednesday. The couple also drew inspiration for their wedding from their lucky number, creating in intricate Alice in Wonderland theme at a private residence in Sonoma. Rosemary Hattenbach of Rosemary Events planned a gorgeous wedding and Eden of End-Design did such an incredible job making the estate a dreamy wonderland for this intimate destination wedding. Cake Coquette also made the gorgeous and delicious cakes!

Grace Cathedral and The Westin St. Francis - Alissa and Scott!

November 14, 2011

Another classic The Westin St. Francis wedding, and with a bride who is reminiscent of Sophia Lauren! I just love those fluffy short veils and oh my, what a handsome groom. So many great classic pictures from this wedding, it was hard not to convert them ALL to black and white! Off to Mexico for another shoot at Rancho La Puerta in Mexico for a week! See my previous post from the ranch. This time I'm going to photograph the spa! Yippeee!

The Clement Hotel, Monterey - Kim and Matt!

November 13, 2011

Such a sweet couple! Kim and Matt met at their gym and are super fit! Everyone laughed that they actually ate sugar (wedding cake!) at their wedding. Loved The Clement Hotel in Monterey. It juts out over Monterey Bay and the architecture and design is lovely. Matt sent me the nicest e-mail EVER when they decided they wanted me to photograph their wedding, and I loved the feedback I got when they saw their photos! Matt said: "We are blown away! You are nothing short of amazing! Thank you so much for everything and capturing our day beyond perfect. The beauty and emotion of it all was perfectly depicted. Now the hard part of choosing our favorites!" Congratulations Kim and Matt!

Vendors involved in Kim and Matt's wedding included:

Location: The Clement Hotel

Florist: Florist de Monterey

Cake: Layers Sensational Cakes

San Francisco Ferry Building - Eugene and Christine!

November 11, 2011

Eugene and Christine's darling red balloon e-session was just published on Brooklyn Bride and now, here is their gorgeous and classic San Francisco Ferry Building wedding! I loved their circular ceremony set-up, and Paula LeDuc Fine Catering did an amazing job of transforming the same area into the dining area while guests were at the cocktail hour. No small feat! What a classic and beautiful San Francisco wedding!

Vendors involved in Christine and Eugene's wedding included:

Venue: San Francisco Ferry Building

Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering

Coordination: Shannon Leahy Events

Floral Design: Poppy's Petalworks

Cake: Inticing Creations

Hair and Makeup: Penny Do Artistry

Carneros Inn, Napa Valley - Susan and Billy!

November 8, 2011

I was so happy to photograph at The Carneros Inn--a cottage resort nestled in 27 acres of vineyards and valleys in Napa Valley--for my first time. The Carneros Inn is a newer venue in wine country and I just loved its simplicity. The staff and the food there are also pretty great. The ceremony was held in the budding apple orchard and I just loved the bright freshness of the green apples and green and white colors throughout. My bride Susan has impeccable taste and it made for a bright clean look with plenty of pretty details. I just loved the twine touches around the dinner menu and invitation and the wheat grass setting for the escort cards. Such simple beauty. Oh, and Susan and Billy couldn't have been any sweeter. What fun I had photographing this wedding!

Vendors involved in Susan and Billy's wedding included:

Venue: The Carneros Inn

Coordination: The Carneros Inn

Catering: The Carneros Inn

Florist: Julie Stevens Design

Cake: Fleur de Lisa

Paper products: Paper and Pinafore

Lauren and Nick's Healdsburg Country Gardens wedding

October 28, 2011

Oh pink! I just loved the shabby chic, pink frilly-ness of this wedding, and loved that it was Lauren's vision and Nick was totally open to it. It made for a gorgeous wedding at Healdsburg Country Gardens. Lauren and Nick, the sweetest couple, had the time of their lives on their wedding day! Lauren put so much of her own creativity and energy into this wedding -- she handmade the favors, escort and place cards, guest book, cork place card holders and the drink flags, which she found on Martha Stewart Weddings. I'm glad that on THE DAY she was able to relax and enjoy.

Vendors involved in Lauren and Nick's wedding included:

Location: Healdsburg Country Gardens

Florist: Blue Orchid Floral

Event designer: Grisez and Co. Event Design

Caterer: Park Avenue Catering

Cake baker: Sweet on Cake

Happy one month to Lauren and Nick!

October 18, 2011

Some teasers from Lauren and Nick's Healdsburg Country Gardens wedding! I'm off for a little vacation, so more next week!

Healdsburg Country Garden Wedding - Austin and Brian

October 14, 2011

What a special wine country wedding location and a special couple! I just posted a single image of Austin on my blog because while I was editing, I was so struck at how pretty she is! LOVED those curls. And when Brian saw her walking down the aisle? Look at the look on his face -- it says it all. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. I thought the rustic details at this wedding were fun. Loved the zinnias and bright colors nestled into simple baskets on each table. Pretty, pretty, pretty!

Vendors involved in Austin and Brian's wedding included:

Location: Healdsburg Country Gardens

Florist: Floral Designs by Heather Hendrickson

Caterer: Park Avenue Catering

Cake baker: Costeaux Family Bakery

Featured on Auberge Du Soleil's blog

October 13, 2011

Auberge Du Soleil is a fabulous Napa Valley wedding venue, and I've been fortunate enough to photograph two recent weddings there -- Michele and Ron's wedding, and Michelle and David's wedding, both of which have been featured on Auberge Du Soleil's blog. The resort's blog includes some amazing wedding inspiration and news about Napa Valley, so please be sure to check it out as well as my work featured there! And for more images from Michele and Ron's wedding, and Michelle and David's wedding, be sure to check out my blog!