The Hamlin Mansion Wedding, San Francisco - Mona and Ian!

June 4, 2013

Wow! Total Great Gatsby! Loved Mona and Ian's style which fit in with the gorgeous and classic Hamlin Mansion in San Francisco. So excited Sharla Flock Designs was doing the flowers. She's so talented and the colors in Mona's bouquet were gorgeous. You can't go wrong with spring peonies and ranunculus either! Also, Mona's look was so elegant and classic. That hairstyle by Wak Shack Salon was so original and Nikol Elaine Artistry did a classic, but slightly retro look with the makeup. Mona and Ian were so sweet together and looked like they had the time of their lives. Congrats!

Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: Hamlin Mansion

Floral Design: Sharla Flock Designs

Hair: Wak Shack Salon

Makeup: Nikol Elaine Artistry

Bridal Gown: Elizabeth Fillmore

Caterer: Elaine Bell Catering

Palm Event Center - Christine and Scott Sneak Peek!

May 29, 2013

Thought I would share a few from Christine and Scott's wedding at Palm Event Center! Will publish the rest soon!

The Palm Event Center Wedding - Lindsey and Chris

May 28, 2013

Lovely bride and groom, and such pretty light for shooting! Loved the intimate indoor candlelit ceremony. Cozy for a potentially rainy day, but no rain, so plenty of fun shooting around the lovely grounds of the Palm Event Center! And OMG! Those cakes by Cake Creations by Bev were so lusciously gorgeous! I LOVED them! Pretty in pink were the bridesmaids in dresses by Jasmine Bridal. Lindsey and Chris were such fun to shoot and had a terrific time at their wedding!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: Palm Event Center

Cake Baker: Cake Creations by Bev

WedSpring has launched!

May 1, 2013

This was such a fun and gorgeous little party! Such a success, too. Melia and Matt, founders of Wedspring, San Francisco, which is a bridal resource library, 7x7 Magazine, St. Germain and Mumm Napa were the major sponsors for this event and we had a turnout of 300 people! A representative from St. Germaine was pouring lovely champagne, St. Germaine cocktails, Mumm Napa was pouring champagne, yummy passed hors d'oeuvres were passed by Feast Catering and sweet treats were abundant by Cake Bloom and A Spoonful of Sugar. Michelle Walker and I photographed and there was a super fun photo booth by Magnolia Photo Booth Co. . WedSpring is a wedding planning service and resource library that offers complimentary services to brides, and I'm pleased to be represented! I encourage you to come and visit WedSpring, San Francisco!

Vendors involved in the launch party include:

Catering: Feast Catering

Baked Goods: Cake Bloom and A Spoonful of Sugar

Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co.

Champagne: Mumm Napa

Location: WedSpring

Palm Event Center Wedding - Lindsey and Chris Sneak Peek!

April 30, 2013

Oh how dreamy! Just thought I would share a few teasers from Lindsey and Chris' Palm Event Center wedding! Keep your eye out for the full post in about three weeks! Congratulations Lindsey and Chris!

Featured: Erin and Justin on Style Me Pretty!

April 30, 2013

Every single detail of Erin and Justin's Kansas wedding was breathtaking, so I was delighted their big and beautiful day was also featured on Style Me Pretty! I'd love for you to check out the feature, here, and for even more images and inspiration, be sure to look at my blog post!

How to host an outdoor Greek Orthodox ceremony

April 10, 2013

Since Andra and Christopher's gorgeous wedding, I've often been asked how other brides can host an outdoor Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. And who better to answer that question that Andra herself? I reached out to her on behalf of my other brides, and here is what she said: Brides need a "special dispensation through the Archbishop," according to Andra, to have a ceremony outside of the church. In her case, Andra had a grandfather who would have difficulty traveling between multiple venues -- and so, her priest made the dispensation request on the behalf of the couple. "I am not sure how easy it is to get and if it would be granted in situations where there is no pressing health need," she says, but it doesn't hurt to ask! And just for fun, here are a few shots from their outdoor ceremony! You can check out their full wedding post here, too!

Rancho La Puerta Photos

April 4, 2013

I'm lucky enough to be heading to Rancho La Puerta about every six months now to shoot photography to help them re-build their photography library. Rancho La Puerta is a health and wellness spa located just south of San Diego, nestled on 3,000 acres 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. It's become one of my favorite places on earth, and I would highly recommend going to rewind and re-energize! If you go, let them know I sent you! I get a little prize! Everyone loves prizes! This last assignment was hiking. The mountains were gorgeously green like I've never seen them and the mountain lilac was in full bloom. I actually burst into "The Hills are Alive" from the Sound of Music during one of the hikes! This was a short visit for me (usually I stay for a week) so not too much to share, but gorgeous none-the-less! Hope these photos inspire you to go to Rancho La Puerta!

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WedSpring's Grand Opening!

April 1, 2013

Join me for the grand opening party of WedSpring! Melia and her lovely husband, Matt, have opened this gorgeous space on Polk Street in the heart of Russian Hill for brides to visit in a comfortable environment to do research for their wedding and honeymoon! The launch party will be Thursday, April 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and I hope you can join us for cocktails and sweet and savory treats.

San Francisco City Hall Wedding By Julie Mikos 1

San Francisco City Hall Wedding - Loretta and Ross

March 28, 2013

Last week I was scheduled to photograph a wedding at San Francisco's City Hall and arrived an hour early. As I waited for the elevator while scouting for light and shooting locations, I noticed a stunning bride getting married in the rotunda. As I stood there I noticed it was just the bride, groom and their parents and noticed no photographer! Gasp! I watched until the elevator came and then went up a couple of floors. By the time I came back down the ceremony had just ended and I saw the newlyweds wander off. I stalked and then couldn't stand it anymore. I had to photograph that bride! So I asked. They were thrilled, and here are the results of our five minute shoot! Congrats to Loretta and Ross and THANK you for allowing me a few precious minutes of your very intimate day.

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Credits for this wedding include:

Venue: City Hall

Bride's Fashion: BHLDN

Wedding Photos - Best of 2012

February 26, 2013

Happy Valentine's day! Congratulations to the newly engaged couples and congratulations to all my newly-weds from 2012. I finally put together a best of 2012. Almost impossible to edit so many great moments down. There are so many more and I hope you take the time to go through all the previous posts to view, but in any case, here's a recap. What a great season of wonderful couples and gorgeous weddings! Here's to an even better 2013! NOTE: The embedded video below will play in low definition video, so it is best viewed in its current size. Please click here for high definition, full screen viewing.

San Francisco Engagement Session Photos - Colette and Kevin

February 25, 2013

We had such fun on this engagement session. It was a bit cold, but taking photos around and about where Colette and Kevin spend a lot of their time was great fun. We even took the California cable car up to Nob Hill which is part of their commuting transportation. This e-session was loaded with personal meaning for Colette and Kevin, and I was so pleased to be able to capture their lifestyle with them! Watch out for their Marin Art and Garden Center wedding photos in April!

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Newborn Photo Shoot - Welcome Harlow!

February 23, 2013

I photographed Jodi and Shane's wedding a few years ago and was so excited to be invited into their home to photograph their two-week-old baby girl, Harlow. What a little darling! Here are some photos from our session along with some photos from their wedding at the Kohl Mansion in Burlingame. Jodi was such a gorgeous bride and I remember how gorgeous those flowers by Nancy Liu Chin Floral & Event Design were!

And here are a few photos from Jodi ad Shane's wedding!

San Francisco Wedding - Kate and Erik!

February 23, 2013

I can't disclose the location of this wedding or publish photos from the ceremony or reception, but rest assured, it was lovely! What I can share are some fun getting-ready photos and portraits of this adorable couple. Kate and Erik got married on the day the Blue Angels flew in downtown San Francisco. As they exited the Clift Hotel where they got ready, as if on cue, the Blue Angels did a fly-by! I loved everyone's reactions when it happened. It was so exciting! What a perfect San Francisco city wedding! Amy Nichols Special Events and Main St. Floralgardens did an exceptional job of coordinating and designing this lovely wedding. Wish I could share more, but here are some that I CAN share! Congratulations to Kate and Erik!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Event Design and Coordination: Amy Nichols Special Events

Floral Design: Main St. Floralgardens

Barbara Llewellyn Catering - Hip Oakland Warehouse 50th Birthday Party Bash!

February 7, 2013

Wow! Oh the places you'll go - right here in Oakland! The theme of the party was "Where in the World is (the birthday boy)." Barbara Llewellyn Event Planning & Catering did an AMAZING job creating an original and spectacular event, where every food station represented a different country. There were two large rooms and an outdoor space at Uptown Body and Fender - an autobody shop in Oakland that was completely transformed into a hot night party spot! The outdoor space represented Russia, and I thought it was the most spectacular because it had an ice-topped bar featuring Russian vodkas and caviar, imitation-stuffed polar bears, cushy seating and roaring fire pits. Inside, there was a German beer garden setting that served sausage and short ribs, complete with picnic tables! There was also a Mexico room with mini margarita shots and tacos, and an equally fabulous U.S. station with a replica of the Statue of Liberty and the Trans America tower serving mini burgers and fries! I think the guests were all amazed, and they all played their parts by dressing as the citizens of the world. It was not hard to guess where in the world some of the guests were from! Everyone danced the night away to the Notorious band. What a BLAST of a party!

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Vendors:

Event Planning, Flowers and Food: Barbara Llewellyn Catering & Event Planning

Lighting - Got Light

Band - Notorious

Rentals and Props - Blue Print Studios

Russia - So Fine Event Design and Classic Party Rentals

Ice Sculpture - Clear Memories

Cake: Debbie Does Cakes

Auberge Du Soleil Wedding - Amie and Christopher

February 5, 2013

Loved this tiny Christmas week wedding at Auberge Du Soleil. As usual the team at Auberge Du Soleil in Napa Valley provided the perfect food and service for Amie and Christopher and despite the very cool weather, everyone was cozy and warm by the fire at their intimate dining table, with arrangements by Seasons Floral Design. When it's only 12 people and just family, you have hours to eat drink, celebrate and catch up with each other! Given Amie and Chris are both active military it was a nice break to be able to relax with their family and get married while they were at it! And Amie looked so very sweet in her Allure bridal gown!

Vendors involved in Amie and Christopher's wedding included:

Venue and catering: Auberge Du Soleil

Floral Design: Seasons Floral Design

Bridal Gown: Allure

Lost Trail Lodge - A Sierra Christmas!

January 22, 2013

It started out a dream come true! My husband and I planned what we hoped to be a snowy Christmas trip to the Sierras and as the date drew near, we were worried we wouldn't have enough snow to snowshoe in the four miles to the back-country Lost Trail Lodge outside of Donner Lake. Be careful what you wish for! The Tahoe area got an almost record-breaking 4-5 feet of snow the two days before we hiked in. Wow! What we didn't realize was that 1/2 of the trail would not be groomed (about two of the four miles). Oh my! The hike started out lovely with a groomed trail and plenty of sunshine, but soon grew really hairy as my husband blazed a trail through four feet of fresh powder. It took us 6 1/2 hours with full backpacks and lots of worry (not a clear trail and it got dark and cold!) to hike in, but the lodge was absolutely picture perfect for a white Christmas. We joked the whole time that if someone asked a set designer to design the perfect back-country lodge at Christmas, this would be IT! Wonderful! It started out so easy and sunny:

Rancho La Puerta Wellness Spa Mexico

January 22, 2013

As some of you may have read in previous posts, I have the pleasure of going down to Rancho La Puerta -- a wellness spa and health ranch located just south of San Diego, nestled on 3,000 in Tecate, Mexico -- every six months or so to shoot photos for their marketing materials. Lucky me, because Rancho La Puerta has been voted for years as “best destination spa in the world” by Travel and Leisure magazine readers! It was founded in the ’40s by a health-conscious couple and has grown into a lovely, healthy getaway. 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. Rancho La Puerta has become almost my favorite place in the world -- right behind being at home with my hubby. It's like summer camp for adults with GREAT organic vegetarian food and exercise and beauty galore! Enjoy the most recent photos!

Interior Design Photography San Francisco

January 22, 2013

Many of my clients don't know that I used to photograph home interiors and gardens for the national interior design magazines. Although my primary focus these days is weddings, I still do some shooting for local San Francisco and Bay area interior designers, architects and contractors. I recently shot a few interiors for a wonderful designer named Sylvia Brown of designHouse. I'm hoping Sylvia will be building her website soon with some of these lovely interiors. She's TERRIFIC with color! Enjoy!

Castlewood Country Club Wedding - Cassidy and Brandon

January 16, 2013

Sweet details and such a sweet couple too! I've never photographed at Castlewood Country Club and had a blast posing Cassidy and Brandon around the lovely grounds. Cassidy spent a lot of time thinking about the sweet details for her mostly DIY wedding and it paid off! Loved the little flags hanging down the aisle and the darling cupcake table! She also used heirloom succulents in her bouquet, which was made by Megan Haney Designs, and brought that theme to the table centerpieces and guest favors. Cassidy thought of everything to make their day lovely and fresh and light and fun. I just loved her Ann Taylor gown and Badgley Mischka shoes, too! Such a sweet and beautiful couple!

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Vendors involved in this wedding included:

Venue: Castlewood Country Club

Florist: Megan Haney Design

Dress: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Badgley Mischka