Starting with the birdsong backdrop during their portrait session.

During their first dance, guests enjoyed watching our couple show off their moves.

While they were visiting tables, a Persian game between the bride and groom and their guests turned into a spontaneous dance party.

Mina and George are not the only ones who felt the inspiration to dance. Almost instantly everyone was on the dance floor.

Mina and George took center stage.

Taking a break from the music, for a few toasts.

A sweet slow song.

Girls just want to have fun… with the bouquet toss. This one taken by our associate, Brian Lee. The ladies had such a good time.

Boys! Boys! Boys! The garter toss. Mina giving George a little instruction about what to do and not to do.

One boy getting psyched up for the garter.

Closing the evening out with a lullaby, my favorite by Brian. This young lady was pooped from all the fun.

What a pleasure it was photographing Mina and George and their families, such fun spirits. Thank you for including us.

And much gratitude to the team of professionals who made their day so lovely:
Getting Ready Venue: San Ramon Marriott
Ceremony and Reception Site: Canyon View
Cake: City of D’lights
Floral design: San Francisco Florist
DJ: Aykut
Hair and Make-up: Victoria’s Salon
Wedding gown: Jenny Packham at Nouvelle Vogue
Invitations and other products: Lovebirds Stationary

Can’t get enough of this musical duo? I don’t blame you. For more of Mina and George, check out their engagement session, sneak preview, and slideshow.

Guests traveled from near and far. Even Mina and George came all the way from Chattanooga, Tennesee. One of the other exciting elements for everyone was the fabulous Tri Valley view. Mina and George chose the Canyon View because the terrace offered 270 degree views of the gorgeous California hills.

Mina and George both got ready at the nearby Marriott hotel. Dave hung out with George as he prepped.

Loving the detail on Mina’s shoes and best of all George did all of the crafty work to add the bling. Seriously. He put on all of the crystals. Pretty amazing, no?

When Mina arrived from the hair salon, it was time to get into her dress.

Mina and George didn’t have a traditional bridal party, but Mina’s best friend Sarah was the best unofficial maid of honor ever. She helped Mina get all gussied up, and kept the whole day running smoothly.

Loving all the details of Mina’s look, from her sparkly earrings…

To the stunning back of her dress. And everything in between.

As soon as Mina was ready, we brought George to the hotel garden where they would see each other for the first time. Check out the big smile on his face as Mina walks towards him.

We took a few portraits of our bride and groom before heading to Canyon View for the ceremony.

The ceremony was held on the terrace.

I was particularly taken with the officiant’s use of the iPad. Never would have thought of that, especially given how bright out it was, but it seemed to work great for him.

Part of the tradition is for family friends to hold a canopy above the couple during the ceremony.

When the officiant asks the bride for her hand on behalf of the groom, she doesn’t speak at first. He asks 3 times and finally she says "Baleh." This moment is full of joy and laughter. Here it was captured by our associate Brian.

And one of my personal favorite moments from the ceremony. Mina and George give each other a taste of the honey from the sofreh. Sweet and sexy.

And just a hint of what’s to come, here’s one from their portrait session.

More soon from their fabulous party.

But if you want to see more of Mina and George now, check out their engagement session PicFlick.

This might just be my favorite image from the day. It is very simple and direct, and I love the reflection of the sky behind them.

Judy and Burgess had lots of guests coming up and congratulating them. Judy looks so happy to receive the warm wishes.

Judy’s maid of honor shared a first look at Judy’s new name.

The speeches were hilarious. Perhaps Burgess doesn’t think so at this moment.

Everyone wanted to get involved.

Burgess and his groomsmen serenaded Judy.

Enjoying their first dance as husband and wife.

Later, Judy changed into her qipao. The games played during the reception are some of the most fun moments at a Chinese wedding. Judy and Burgess actually got their guests involved in the fun. What the guests did, Judy and Burgess did.

I had to share just one more image from the night. Clearly everyone was having an amazing time. But no one would have expected this fantastic hug attack. Too funny!

If you would like to see more from Judy and Burgess’ wedding, definitely check out their PicFlick.

Judy got ready at Blackhawk Country Club, where they would also be celebrating their wedding ceremony and reception.

The boys arrived early enough to take a few portraits. Looks like they had a good time! Love that each one has a different expression- totally get a sense of their personalities.

The clouds were playing with the light, letting bits in here and there. The hills look luminous in this photo. Can you believe this amazing view from the ceremony site?

While waiting for the ceremony to begin, we always enjoy taking photos of the guests.

Then the fun began. Everyone was pretty excited to see Judy as she walked down the aisle.

Watching during the ceremony.

Judy listening to Burgess’ vows.

Putting the ring on. Sometimes this can present challenges.

No problems with the kiss, however.

Celebrating!!!!

The ring in question….

I just have to close with a couple of their portraits. So sweet together!

Lots more from the day and their details still to come, but if you need more right now, check out their engagement session story and PicFlick.

They then sent us a whole series of their friends, all of whom we actually met at their wedding.

First, Elaine and Eddie were married. They had another autumn wedding and chose the perfect venue to highlight the rich greens of fall in San Francisco- the Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park. Before their American ceremony, they participated in the Chinese tea ceremony at both their family homes. After the Shakespeare Garden wedding and taking photos around San Francisco, they celebrated with a fabulous Chinese banquet at House of Banquet.

Check out more from Elaine and Eddie’s wedding: Sneak Preview, The Scoop and their Slideshow.

A couple weeks later, Meredith and Bronson celebrated their wedding. Actually, Meredith’s mother Renn was the connection with Linda and Mike. After meeting us at Linda and Mike’s wedding, she brought Meredith and Bronson in to visit us while they were visiting from Portland. These two have such a great sense of humor; we had an absolute blast working with them and getting to know their families. They were married at StoneTree Golf Club in Novato. Their winter themed wedding was designed and coordinated by Grace Dugan from A Touch of Grace.

Check out more from Meredith and Bronson’s destination wedding: Sneak Peak, The Scoop, and Slideshow.

This past summer, we were able to photograph Becky and Danny’s wedding. Becky and Danny are friends with Linda and Mike as well as Elaine and Eddie. We actually sat at their table during Elaine and Eddie’s banquet. We felt like we already knew them quite well when they hired us to photograph their wedding at The Chanler at Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island and their bbq celebration in Preston, Connecticut. They are a lovely down-to-earth couple with great taste. We were so excited to celebrate with them.

Check out more from Becky and Danny’s destination wedding: Sneak Preview, The Scoop, The BBQ, The Details, and Slideshow.

All of our "generations" are so special to us. We really are so lucky to get to work with such amazing couples. A huge, huge thank you to all of our past brides and grooms who have referred their wonderful friends and family to us.

First mini-fam:

Sepi and Homan traveled from New York to get married at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. They had an amazing Persian wedding ceremony followed by great food and endless dancing. We definitely wanted to capture their city sensibilities during the portrait session.

Homan’s mom, Golie married Nader the following year. And we were able to photograph the intimate ceremony at their home in Los Altos Hills as well as the reception at the Four Seasons in San Francisco.

Second mini-fam:

Mark and Julie celebrated their wedding at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia.

They brought us Tricia and Paul who had their reception at the Fairview Park Marriott Hotel in Falls Church.

Third mini-fam:

Judie and Luen were married at Tilden Park‘s Brazilian Room in Berkeley, California.

They brought us Sau-Lai and Keith, who had a Chinese Tea Ceremony at their family homes and then a Chinese Banquet at the ABC Seafood Restaurant in Foster City, California.

Fourth mini-fam:

Augie and Lisa got married in Tahiti and came home for a Chinese Banquet at Yank Sing in San Francisco. After the wedding, we had the good fortune to photographer their friend Sofia and Adil’s wedding at the Alta Mira Hotel in Sausalito.

Fifth mini-fam:

Hilary and Scott married at the Los Altos History Museum in Los Altos Hills.

They shared our info with Arianna and Jesse who held their Jewish wedding ceremony in the redwood grove of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden and then the rest of their wedding celebrations at the Brazilian Room in Tilden Park.

Check out more from Ariana and Jesse’s wedding: Engagement Session, Sneak Peak, The Scoop, and Slideshow.

Sixth mini-fam:

This one is a little hard to say who came first. Perhaps they are more like twins as both couples found us around the same time.

Teresa and Kyle were married at the Mission Santa Clara de Asis at Santa Clara University and then celebrated their reception at the Hotel DeAnza in San Jose.

Angela and Michael celebrated their wedding at The Lodge at Sonoma and followed with a private portrait session at Chateau St. Jean.

Check out more from Angela and Mike’s wedding: Sneak Peak, The Scoop, and Slideshow.

Seventh and final mini-fam:

Another mini-fam of twins. I believe Elsa and Tim found us. When Elsa came in to meet with us, she brought Emily along. So we actually met them both at the same time.

Elsa and Tim held their wedding ceremony at The Palmdale Estates, in their lovely gardens. They followed this with a lovely Chinese Banquet at the ABC Seafood Restaurant in Foster City.

Check out more from Elsa and Tim’s wedding: Engagement Session, Sneak Peak, The Scoop, and Slideshow.

Emily and Erik were married at the Mad Art Gallery in St. Louis Missouri. This totally hip art space is a converted jail designed in art deco style.

Check out more from Emily and Erik’s wedding: Engagement Session, Dress Fitting at Vera Wang, Sneak Peak, The Scoop, and Slideshow.

You may recall the ceremony was held at Palmdale Estates in Fremont. We started the portrait session there. The surroundings were beautiful and filled with color. And Elsa and Tim were very much in celebration mode- so happy!

Elsa, Tim and the gang then went off to relax for a bit and grab a bite to eat.

We met up again in Foster City. The gazebo and surrounding gardens are a perfect place to take pictures- there’s great color and great architecture. We started with a few of the bridal party.

Then we took a few with Elsa and Tim alone.

Then we headed across the street for the party. Elsa and Tim celebrated with a traditional Chinese Wedding Banquet at ABC Seafood Restaurant. The banquet room had been re-decorated since we last shot a wedding there and it looks great. Elsa and Tim added to the decor with their gorgeous flowers and other special touches.

The party really got started with the speeches. Best-Maid-of-Honor-Ever Judy gave a killer speech and had everyone, including Elsa, in stitches of laughter.

Elsa changed her dress and then she, Tim, and their parents went around and toasted the tables. This is always such fun.

Everyone was in good spirits throughout the night.

Elsa’s dad shares some familial love with Tim’s dad.

The cake cutting followed soon after the last course. Everyone gathered around to get a peak. This young lady snuck her way to the front.

We concluded the evening with the bouquet and garter toss. Elsa threw the bouquet with gusto. Best-MOH-Ever Judy was ready with a baseball glove, but unfortunately she was no match for the basketball star behind her. Sorry, Judy, the pictures don’t lie. (Don’t worry we did get the shot of you touching the ceiling- check out the full set of images.)

All in all, a very awesome day!

Elsa and Tim, thank you so much for choosing us to be a part of your wedding. And thank you to the ladies and gents of your wedding party; they were so much fun and so easy to work with.

Ready for more? Check out their wedding slideshow & gallery plus Elsa and Tim’s engagement session, their sneak preview.

This way to Tim and Elsa’s wedding photos….

We started off Elsa and Tim’s day with each of them getting ready, separately of course. First Dave popped in to see the boys at the hotel. Then we went to the Palmdale Estates, their ceremony site, where Elsa put on her dress. She arrived after coming from the salon and she looked gorgeous. Her cousin did her hair and it was a perfect look for her- soft and flirty and curly. I couldn’t wait to see her complete the picture with her dress. While her bridesmaids buttoned her up, we captured a few of her in the mirror.

Then it was off to the get married. The venue was so picturesque. Elsa and Tim were surrounded by gorgeous trees and flowers as they said their vows.

It gives me goosebumps to see their joy. They were so happy after the wedding ceremony. I love their exuberant smiles.

We took a few portraits at Palmdale Estates. Elsa was surrounded by her best ladies and her new sister.

Then we snuck away with Elsa and Tim to tour the grounds. These two have an absolutely fabulous sense of humor and love to laugh and play together. It was such fun. But it was also great to see their romantic side. Tim is so sweet on Elsa, totally cute.

Following the ceremony, Elsa and Tim went with their family for lunch. We met up with them again for portraits before their Chinese wedding banquet at ABC Seafood Restaurant. The restaurant is across from the Foster City Gazebo and a beautiful park. Here’s a preview of what’s to come….

More images soon. If you just can’t wait, check out their engagement session in San Francisco’s North Beach and Financial District.

I am thrilled to share the reception portion of Jesse and Ariana’s wedding day. As you may recall, they held their ketubah and bedeken ceremonies in the Berkeley Botanic Garden and then celebrated their huppah ceremony on the Brazilian Room patio, all in Tilden Park. The reception continued immediately following the ceremony. Because we took the formal portraits down in the Botanic Gardens, Ariana and Jesse were able to kick-back and enjoy the cocktail hour.

The fun really got started once everyone headed inside. I so love the Israeli dancing. They kicked off several of my favorites with the Horah. I think this series of images totally captures their experience from before they get lifted through the dance to the relief when they are once again safely on the ground.

First, the look- “Oh my, what are we in for? Well whatever it is, we are in it together.”

Togetherness- “Hey, we got this covered! No problem.”

The relief- “We’re alive! Wasn’t that fun? Let’s do it again.”

Perhaps it is a bit like a roller coaster. And Ariana and Jesse added an extra element of the unpredictable. They were sitting in foldable chairs. Their friends were great, though, and totally kept them safe and secure.

After dinner we were serenaded by some very talented friends and family. What a treat!

Ariana and Jesse’s love was certainly infectious. And this couple has the distinct honor of having introduced Ariana and Jesse on the fateful Alaska backpacking trip.

Ariana’s dad was quite the dancer. He took her out for a turn on the dance floor.

And later enjoyed a dance with Ariana’s mom.

The evening closed with the traditional prayer after the meal. A group gathered around the candle-lit table to chant together.

The Brazilian Room is such a gorgeous venue. It looks beautiful at any time of day or night.

Congrats again to Ariana and Jesse and huge thank you’s! You had a super amazing, beautiful and fun wedding day- we are so glad we could be a part of it.

Check out more of Ariana and Jesse’s photos: engagement session, sneak preview, and wedding slideshow.

Ariana and Jesse met during a backpacking trip in Alaska. They love the outdoors and felt their wedding needed to reflect that. They chose to have some of the Jewish ceremony in a Redwood Grove at the Berkeley Regional Botanical Gardens in Tilden Park. Ariana was surrounded by her family and friends as she waited for Jesse to walk towards her. She looked so beautiful and happy.

As is customary, Jesse arrived amidst singing, surrounded by his family and his friends. He couldn’t have been happier when he saw Ariana waiting for him.

The setting was perfect. And the love of all those most important to them engulfed them as they embraced their parents during the bedeken and ketubah signing ceremonies.

Following these Jewish customs, we took photos by the redwoods. Here’s Ariana with her friends, enjoying the process.

According to Jewish tradition, once the ketubah is signed, a couple is officially married. Ariana and Jesse were so relaxed after that part of the ceremony and their joy emanated from them.

After the portraits, we traveled the short distance to the Brazilian Room for the ceremony and the reception. Ariana walked towards Jesse for this ceremony and they met under the huppah.

Ariana’s niece and flower girl sat down to enjoy the ceremony.

One last image, just to give you a taste of the beautiful colors and vibrancy of the day…

We can’t wait to share the rest. So definitely check back soon.

If you would like to see more of Ariana and Jesse, check out their engagement session with their beautiful girl Athena.