Formal wedding portraits

August 26, 2011

I'm always up for a challenge -- and I knew I was up for a tough one when one of my recent bride's, Andra, asked me to take some very formal portraits at her wedding. Each bride and each wedding is different, and I pride myself on being a photographer who can read and match your style. I pulled from my classic training, and I was so happy to take these photographs of Andra. I thought I would share a few with you today for a little something different!

Featured: Leah and Jason's wedding on Elizabeth Anne Designs

August 22, 2011

Leah and Jason were married this spring in an incredibly classy wedding at Casa Real. And today, their wedding was featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs! Enjoy the feature on Elizabeth Anne Designs, or for even more photos, you can look at my blog post.

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

Family portraits: Henry's newborn photos

August 22, 2011

I had the pleasure of photographing Kelly and Eddie's beautiful, green wedding a little more than one year ago -- and I recently photographed their son's newborn pictures! Henry, their adorable baby boy, was born almost exactly a year after their wedding. So cute!

And here is a favorite photo from Kelly and Eddie's wedding. To see even more, check out this post!

Pink and green bouquets -- a beautiful wedding color combination

August 18, 2011

These vibrant bouquets are sure to brighten your Thursday! I just love the contrast of the fuchsia roses against the cool green orchids. Do you have a favorite wedding color combination?

An act of service

August 17, 2011

Acts of service in weddings are wonderful. A hand-written thank you note or a donation to charity in lieu of favors are heartfelt gestures that can mean so much to guests. One of my favorite wedding-related acts of service happened at Nhi and Daniel's Whidbey Island wedding -- the couple handmade pizza for their guests to enjoy. If you missed their intimate celebration, you can see it in this blog post. For now, I'll leave you with a few pizza pictures that are sure to make your mouths water!

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 1

Kim and Ken's Meadowood Resort wedding

August 16, 2011

Kim and Ken held a warm, elegant wedding at Grace Episcopal Church in St. Helena, followed by a beautiful reception at Napa Valley's Meadowood Resort. Maria Philbin Floral Design created gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces that featured apricot roses and lush greens. Such a beautiful summer wedding!

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 2

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 3

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 4

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 5

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 6

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 7

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 8

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 9

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 10

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 11

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 12

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 13

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 14

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 15

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 16

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 17

Meadowood wedding Julie Mikos Photographer 18

Vendors involved in Kim and Ken's wedding included:

Ceremony location: Grace Episcopal Church

Reception location: Meadowood Resort

Bridal Gown: Vera Wang

Florist: Maria Philbin Floral Design

Stationary: The Painted Tongue

Featured: Kelly's gorgeous Melissa Sweet gown on Perfect Bound

August 15, 2011

Kelly looked stunning in her Melissa Sweet wedding gown, and photos showing her impeccable sense of style were recently featured on Perfect Bound! Please check out the feature on Perfect Bound, and for even more photos from Kelly and Eddie's wedding, check out this blog post.

Vendors involved in Kelly and Eddie's wedding included:

Location: Headlands Center for the Arts

Caterer: Katie Powers Catering

Florist: Bloomies

Family portraits: The Orth family

August 10, 2011

I photographed Bridgett and Jim's Chicago wedding years ago and have been thrilled to watch and photograph the family grow since the birth of their first daughter. I get a call every year from Bridgett to ask when my next visit to Chicago will be. Lucky my family is there and I'm there often. Their family has grown to two beautiful girls and now their darling boy, Burke, and this session is my most recent with them. If you'd like to see how their family has grown since the last time I photographed them, check out this post!

Featured: Melissa and John's Healdsburg Country Gardens wedding on I Do Venues

August 8, 2011

I Do Venues has featured photos from Melissa and John's summer wedding at the Healdsburg Country Gardens! Check out I Do Venues feature, and for even more photos from this wedding, check out my blog post.

Creative centerpiece ideas

August 8, 2011

My clients and their talented florists and event designers have come up with some pretty creative centerpieces and table toppers. Today, I wanted to share a few favorites with you. Kelly and Eddie, along with Bloomies, designed tablescapes of mismatched vases and deep, full flowers; Didi and Tim dotted their tables with wine bottles covered in a custom label; Andra and Christopher kept things simple with airy, delicate baby's breath; and Trish and Bronson, with the help of Kate Stanley Design and Covenant Coordinating, used trimmed trees and bright blooms to decorate their tables.

There's so much to love about each of these different looks! Do you have a favorite?

Wedding reception lounge areas

August 5, 2011

Lounge areas at wedding receptions have become increasingly popular, and I can see why! They are a great way to add instant interest to your wedding decor, and they create a special, intimate space for guests to socialize. I've seen so many nice lounge areas, but really loved Jennifer and Shawn's. Here are a few photos of their lounge area, and for more photos from their wedding, visit this blog post!

Featured: Birgitt and Stephen's wedding on Elizabeth Anne Designs

August 3, 2011

Birgitt and Stephen's wedding focused on fine food and wine and creating what they called a “rustic, Californian aesthetic” through beautiful blooms. Elizabeth Anne Designs, too, took notice of this couple's gorgeous decor and published Birgitt and Stephen's wedding on their blog! Please check out Elizabeth Anne Designs' feature, and for even more photos from this beautiful wedding, check out my blog post.

Vendors involved in Birgitt and Stephen's wedding included:

Location: Headlands Center for the Arts

Caterer: Katie Powers Catering

Florist: IXIA Flowers

Bridal dress: COAN Couture

Bridal Shoes: Alfani from Macy’s

Bouquet inspiration

August 2, 2011

I've seen so many beautiful bouquets through the years, so I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you. Maybe one will inspire your own bouquet!

A favorite photo

August 1, 2011

This photo, from Carli and Craig's destination wedding in Mexico, is one of my absolute favorites. As we ended a long day of shooting on the beach, Carli shed her heavy wedding gown for a bikini and a local man offered to carry it back to our boat for her. It's an image that makes me smile -- at the generosity of strangers, and at that poor man buried beneath that dress!

TGIF!

July 29, 2011

Here's a favorite photo from Kelly and Eddie's wedding, which was recently published on I Do Venues. I hope it brightens your Friday and makes you laugh. Oh, and TGIF!

Sweet ceremony kisses

July 27, 2011

Now this is a kiss! If you're a sucker for the sweetness of ceremony kisses, you'll love this photo I snapped of Jason and Leah's ceremony kiss. There is so much love, passion and excitement in this moment. For more great images from Leah and Jason's wedding at Casa Real, check out this blog post.

Monte Verde Inn wedding

July 25, 2011

This couple (who asked their names be withheld) exchanged vows in a beautiful, simple ceremony on Whidbey Island this spring. This month, they hosted a Korean tea ceremony and traditional reception for their family and friends in northern California. Both services were held at the Monte Verde Inn, a gorgeous property in the Sierra foothills owned by a husband and wife team who tackle all aspects of a wedding and reception themselves. For this wedding, the owners provided planning services, catering and the cake -- quite the incredible team! I hope you enjoy these photos, and in case you missed this couple's Whidbey Island ceremony, check out this blog post.

Featured: Headlands Center for the Arts wedding on I Do Venues

July 22, 2011

I just loved Kelly and Eddie's creative, green wedding at the Headlands Center for the Arts -- and I'm delighted that I Do Venues has featured photos from their event! Check out the I Do Venues feature, or for more photos from this gorgeous wedding, look at my blog post.

San Francisco City Hall wedding -- Ann and Marty Part 2

July 20, 2011

My good friend and very talented wedding photographer Ann Hamilton was wed at San Francisco City Hall weeks ago and I, along with a troop of other photographers, had the honor of photographing her wedding. We had an incredible time, and the wedding was so beautiful that I couldn't resist sharing a few more with you.

Healdsburg Country Gardens wedding - Megan and Sean

July 20, 2011

It didn't rain on THEIR parade! The Bay area has had the wackiest weather this past year or so, and yet it continues. We had rain on Megan and Sean's wedding day (rain is a rarity between the months of June and October!) but thankfully the ceremony was at a church and Healdsburg Country Gardens has a barn! Elsa of Elsa Vera Productions was quick to make the decision to hold dinner in the barn rather than the garden and by the time the guests arrived, the barn was set up with gorgeous long tables for the wedding feast! During cocktail hour the weather broke and guests were able to wander the lovely grounds before and after dinner. Everyone had a wonderful time drinking and dancing and eating amazing food! Sometimes it just doesn't matter what the weather is if you're got the right place, attitude and crowd!