Wedding Reception: Morgan and Mike (Esparto, CA)

Remember all the sweet moments from this intimate City Hall wedding? Me too, I love their photos! A few weeks after saying their vows, Morgan and Mike enjoyed a celebration with all their friends and family. I was lucky enough to join in the fun again and take photos of their wedding reception, held at a beautiful rustic setting. It was laid back and casual, making it a great time for the newlyweds to enjoy time with the people they care about most.

I was treated to some hamming-it-up for the camera, which I always appreciate.
The dance floor got awesome.

Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero (Purchased from: Gesinee’s Bridal)
Wedding Dress Alterations: Gesinee’s Bridal
Bride’s Makeup: Stesha Kay Thuemler
Groom’s Suit: Marc Ecko
Venue: Historic Oakdale Ranch (Esparto, CA)
Catering: Chipotle (nom-nom)
Wedding Cake: Timothy’s Bakery
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Light in the Box
Wedding Coordinator: Events by Wise
DJ: Firehouse Entertainment, Nick Hinesley
Flowers: Strelitzia, assembled by Tracy (bridesmaid)

Wedding: Brianna & Arnott (Oakland, CA)

With an engagement shoot being so fun, I was looking forward to Brianna and Arnott’s wedding day. Their special day was full of so many personal touches and sweet surprises that both the bride and the groom planned for one another. It was a real treat to capture this day as it unfolded. Both are very caring towards one another, but also towards every person in their bridal party and their family and guests. Congratulations to you both!

The couple wrote their own vows, with Brianna’s being just a little bit longer than Arnott’s.
The groom’s sister asked the newlyweds to play a little game during her speech, seeing if they answered questions about his/her habits the same way. Needless to say, it inspired a lot of laughter. Oakland Outdoor Wedding Arnott surprised Brianna by learning to play guitar, then playing the song from their first dance. He finished up with a rap he wrote about the two of them and their bridal party.

Venue: Piedmont Community Hall
DJ: B Wild Entertainment
Caterer: Fig Tree Catering Co.
Groomsmen suits: Men’s Wearhouse

Wedding: Lisa and Kurt (Livermore, CA)

Lisa and Kurt decided to come to California to share their vows with one another. Their intimate wedding took place on a beautiful spring day in the Livermore wine valley, amidst family and friends who joined them on their special day. As soon as I arrived on site, I enjoyed the relaxed energy and every lovely detail included in the day. I also loved their color scheme with lots of purple – my favorite color (the bride even chose a purple dress)!

All three of us went into the pool for a few fun photos at the end of the night. I was game, since it meant some fun images for the bride and groom!

Venue: The Purple Orchid
Makeup: Jacey Sheets

San Francisco City Hall Wedding: Morgan & Mike

When I got in contact with Morgan and Mike about their upcoming wedding at San Francisco City Hall, I got really excited. I’ve been wanting to photograph a wedding at this venue ever since I had first considered photographing weddings, the building is beautiful. It doesn’t get any better than this – because these two are so easy to spend time with. And they were excited about the venue too, and taking photos at some picturesque locations around the city. Congratulations to you both! San Francisco City Hall Wedding

Keep an eye out for the celebration with friends and family, which I’ll be attending in a couple weeks. Looking forward to spending more time with this couple!

Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero (Purchased from: Gesinee’s Bridal)
Wedding Dress Alterations: Gesinee’s Bridal
Groom’s Suit: Marc Ecko
Bouquet: Orna Maymon (at The Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco)
Venue: San Francisco City Hall

Wedding: Emily & Marc (Berkeley, CA)

Almost a year later, but the photos are still so beautiful! I’ve always wanted to shoot at the Brazil Room in Tilden Park and finally had the chance! Nearby, the botanical gardens are the perfect place to wander and take wedding photos. This wedding was nothing short of awesome, with the sweetest bride and the nicest groom to work with. Emily & Marc were as much fun on their wedding day as they were at their engagement shoot, two fun people seriously in love. From the first look at an overlook of the entire Bay Area, to the traditional Greek dancing, the whole day was great. As always, many thanks to Renee of Renascent Photography for having me along as her second shooter.

Wedding Reception: Tiffany & Curtis (Pleasanton, CA)

Back in May, Tiffany and Curtis celebrated their wedding with an intimate ceremony in Yosemite National Park. Recently, they got to celebrate with friends and family at their reception that was a bit closer to home. It was a relaxed affair on a beautiful summer day, where everyone had a good time. For the dessert table, Tiffany’s family pitched in to bake loads of cookies and her grandmother baked their beautiful wedding cake. Then, there was some dance floor antics, as is always appropriate at a fun wedding. Enjoy!

Venue: Handles Gastropub

DJ: G-WREX

Bride’s dress: Blossoms Bridal

Wedding: Karen & Willie (Oakland, CA)

When I met in person with Karen, she told me she had waited a long time, but she had found the love of her life. That was the moment I knew I wanted to capture their wedding day for them. Karen is the absolute sweetest person and Willie is such a gentle person, they make a great match. Their wedding day was a great celebration with friends, held at the church they both attend. I wish both of you all the best!

Wedding: Tiffany & Curtis (Yosemite National Park, CA)

Tiffany had the idea for awhile that she would like to be married in Yosemite someday; when Curtis proposed, the idea started to become a reality (and it’s a perfect fit, since they both love the outdoors!). They had a very small and intimate ceremony on a beautiful Sunday morning, with a group of close family gathered at Glacier Point. Brunch followed afterwards at the legendary Ahwahnee Hotel, where the newlyweds were celebrated. All bride and groom photos were taken after the main events, which allowed time to incorporate the natural beauty of Yosemite into the photos and enjoy soaking in the sunshine and love.

Almost all the guests spent the weekend at the Wawona Hotel, so the weekend was full of relaxing and laughter each afternoon and evening. Still to come is a bigger celebration at a reception with friends and family, stay tuned for those photos. All around, a great event in a beautiful relationship, congratulations Tiffany & Curtis!

Wedding Celebration: Natalie & Andy (San Francisco, CA)

Such a blast to photograph wedding, because there was so much personality, so many unique touches and so much of their friendships that were a part of the celebration. Friends pitched in to bake the cake, DJ the dance floor, perform the ceremony, emcee the whole evening (this one dressed in full drag, with a performance later in the evening), arrange the decorations, make the invitations, brew the beer and the bride’s parents sang a song to start the festivities.

Natalie and Andy had already gotten married at city hall, but wanted to gather their friends and family together to have a big celebration. The Stern Grove Trocadero Clubhouse in San Francisco was the venue, with the ceremony in a nearby open field and the reception held inside. Despite so many unique touches, my favorite had to be the bride and groom’s first dance – excuse me, choreographed swing dance – that was a great performance and resulted in some epic photos. Congratulations to you both!

Venue: Stern Grove Trocadero Clubhouse (San Francisco, California)
Catering: Square Meals
Florist: Not Just Flowers
Bride & sisters’ dresses: ModCloth

Wedding: Stephanie & Dilip (Walnut Creek, CA)

Such an absolutely lovely wedding! Stephanie and Dilip are both such fun people. Stephanie was so excited, but calm, and absolutely glowing throughout the day. Dilip was cracking jokes all day and hamming it up for the camera. Even more, they are such a sweet couple. Their joy and their love was fully evident on their wedding day and it was truly infectious. These are the days, and the photos, that remind me why love is so beautiful and precious. I am, as always, honored to be able to capture this.

I got the chance to second shoot alongside Renee, of Renascent Photography, and enjoyed working among friends. For this wedding, I spent a lot of time with the guys as they got ready and took portraits. A lot of fun, since this is a great group of friends.

SD Wedding Faye Champlin Studio

Venue: Shadelands Ranch Museum in Walnut Creek, CA
Flowers: Eunice Venetta of Pairs and Pieces in Danville, CA
Cupcakes & Cake: Vanessa Comfort of Angel Bites Bakery
Catering: Maverick’s BBQ & Catering of Concord, CA
DJ: Kyle Wharton of A Perfect Impression
Video: Shaun Pugmire (see the trailer)
Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero from J’aime Bridal in Pleasanton, CA
Hair & Makeup: Danielle Ashlee