Jan
06
Last May, we had the good fortune to photograph Sara and Mike’s gorgeous wedding at Kennolyn in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We adore Mike and Sara for lots of reasons, but one of the things I liked best about their wedding choices was their commitment to being super environmentally friendly. Sara worked really hard to select a florist who could enact her green vision, with local and seasonal floral arrangements. She chose Amanda from Laughin’ Gal Floral and then gave her free reign with choice of flowers and color, and the end result was amazing.
First up, take a look at Sara’s colorful and textured bouquet.
Next, you have got to love the variety and detail in the boutonnieres. Each was color coordinated to match a bridesmaid and her bouquet.
And the ladies’ bouquets, also coordinated with the ribbons they wore at their waists.
The flower girl carried an assortment of all of these flowers in her basket…
She then sprinkled them down the aisle.
Amanda continued her theme of vibrant colors and textures in the room decor. My personal favorite, sunflowers, decked the walls.
One of the table centerpieces…
A cocktail hour arrangment…
And finally the cake- I love when real flowers are used to decorate the cake. These are such a nice way to tie in the whole look.
These flowers totally blew me away. If you would like to see more photos from Sara and Mike’s special day, definitely check out their sneak peek, the scoop and their slideshow. And if you are interested in more Green Wedding Ideas, check out Being Green on the Way Out.
Dec
18
Stylish. Fun. So sweet on each other. Leah and Dave are a joy to be around and were so much fun to photograph on their wedding day.
A few of my favorite bits from the day:
Dave purchased his tux. He knew it would be tailored perfectly if he owned it and he wanted to look his absolute best for Leah. He even spent some time ironing earlier in the day.
Leah gave Dave a special cologne and Dave gave Leah a special perfume as a wedding gift. They had learned that emotion tied to scents are uniquely suited to bring back memories; they selected new scents for their special day so they had another way to recall their joy. I love this.
They wanted the first time they saw each other to be private and intimate. It was so beautiful.
Leah didn’t even blink at the cold, and it was cold. She looked totally relaxed for all of their portraits, and there were lots. She’s one tough lady.
Dave and his twin brother Mark took a moment before the ceremony. I don’t know what they said to each other, but I loved watching their closeness.
The look on Leah’s dad’s face when he was giving her away.
When Emily (wife of Dave’s brother Mark) and Steve (husband of Dave’s sister Lauren) had a special welcome for Leah as the newest in-law.
Oh boy, I have a lot of favorites. I could go on all night. But perhaps I should get to some photos….
So here’s the rest of their story. Starting with the ceremony.
I love this photo of Dave waiting for Leah to walk down the aisle, with Mark watching him. Dave has already seen Leah on their wedding day, in her wedding dress. And there is definitely something different and equally special about this moment. You can see it in his eyes.
Their ceremony was held under the stars in the pavilion on the grounds of Wine and Roses in Lodi, California. The candles, lanterns and flowers added so much romance to the space.
Leah’s parents enjoyed the ceremony…
As did Leah.
It was also filled with emotion.
Dave’s dad found the newlyweds after the ceremony for a congratulatory hug.
Leah and Dave’s reception was in the ballroom, a beautiful warm lodge-like space. They sat a sweetheart table in front the fireplace and enjoyed a toast to their new status.
First dance.
I mentioned this toast by Emily and Steve. Emily not only welcomed Leah to the family, but also shared advice on living with one half of a pair of twins. Emily is married to Dave’s twin and so she knows all about it.
Then the party got underway.
Some guests were caught up in the romance of the day.
Others got into the dancing frenzy with Dave.
The dance floor was never empty, to be sure.
What a great night, all around! And for those who can’t get enough, a little PicFlick….
If you want to see more from Leah and Dave’s stunning wedding at Wine and Roses, definitely check out their slideshow.
And a big thank you to all of the professionals who helped make their day so special.
Event planners: Emily Mattos and Kristen Jensen from Sugar Rush Events
Ceremony and Reception Venue and Catering: Wine and Roses
Gown Designer: Reem Acra
Make-up artist: Mina Drake
Cake: River City Cake Company
Floral Designer, lighting and room decor: The Big Bang
Rentals: Stuart Rental Company
Ceremony musician: guitarist Davis Ramsey
DJ: Music By Brian
But the greatest thanks go out to Leah and Dave. We have so loved getting to know you both and are thrilled that we could be a part of your celebration. And so much gratitude to your wonderful families. We love you all!
Dec
14
I am always excited when I talk to a groom and he is as into the wedding details as the bride. That doesn’t happen very often mind you, and that’s fine; I just think it is so cute when the gents get excited about the whole shebang. So when I had my preconsultation phone conversation with Dave and Leah, I was amazed. Leah knew all of the details, to be sure, and she was on top of all the organization, but Dave was right there alongside her. And they each had their own projects. Dave even gave us a special tour of his favorite spots at Wine and Roses, their wedding venue. Together, they made their wedding day so special and memorable for each other and for their guests.
Just to give you a taste of their amazing style and their joyous day, here’s a sneak peek of all the fun before the ceremony….
First a few details.
Leah got ready in the bride’s changing room, above the Garden Ballroom. She was surrounded by her mom and her bridesmaids. Love the matching track suits- and the super cute "bridesmaid" tees.
Then she donned her glimmering dress.
Definitely star appeal in this number. So much sparkle.
Leah is stunning.
Dave got ready in his twin brother, Mark‘s, room. Mark made sure that Dave looked very dapper.
Check him out! What a handsome fellow.
Once they were both all set. They met up in a secret location to see each other for the first time on their wedding day. The privacy of their special locale made the moment even better.
Leah took a step back to get a good look at her groom. Big smiles all around.
Enjoying their alone time.
After we finished all of the portraits, the whole group went back to Leah’s getting ready room to relax, freshen up and warm up.
The boys clowning around…
Before the ceremony… I love the way Dave looks at Leah. Could he be sweeter?
Of course, this is just the beginning. Definitely check back for photos from their beautiful ceremony and their awesome party.
Dec
04
And laughter and tears, pretty much all at the same time, and it certainly made for a great day. Joy and beauty enveloped Sarah and Bryan for their wedding at Stern Grove in San Francisco, California. Jo and I are captivated by Stern Grove on it’s own- it is a place of nature (the redwoods are stunning) and music (each year hosting the Stern Grove Festival). Now I add "love" to the list, as Stern Grove was the back drop to this amazing wedding.
I started the day with Sarah and her girls at the Clubhouse.
Sarah walked down the aisle with her mom and dad on each arm, and tears of joy in her eyes.
This image says it all. Sarah’s dad gave Bryan a warm welcome into the family, before the ceremony even got underway.
Check out their ceremony site. So beautiful among the trees.
Watching.
Under the chuppah, sealed with a kiss.
Then they took a few moments for their portraits and to enjoy their newlywed status.
Let the party begin. Friends and family got things started with some music.
Sarah and Bryan kicked off the dancing with their first dance.
Did I mentioned laughter? Because there was tons of it. I am still laughing over the toast by Sarah’s cousin in which she explained the origins of the Jewish tradition of breaking the glass. Her explanation was one I had not heard before, and it had everyone reeling from laughter.
More dancing followed dinner.
Shosh and Jon, who introduced us to Sarah and Bryan, took a spin on the dancefloor.
The guests definitely enjoyed themselves.
And for that matter so did Sarah.
Thank you so much, Sarah and Bryan, for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day. I had such a great time working with you and am thrilled to share the rest of your photos with you. But first, a little PicFlick….
For more of Sarah and Bryan, check out their slideshow.
Nov
30
Twelve years ago, Tyler met Amber. He knew she was the one. And last month they were married.
For their the quintessential San Francisco wedding, Amber and Tyler chose the venerable Westin St. Francis Hotel which was built before the 1906 Earthquake. This historic Union Square hotel has hosted presidents and movie stars alike. It was the perfect backdrop for Amber and Tyler’s elegant city wedding.
For this wedding, I teamed up with our associate, Christine, and we started the day with Amber as she was completing the final touches to her look.
I set up a few photos of the shoes and the dress.
Love the light.
Making sure everything is just right.
We had a little time before the ceremony so we took the opportunity to take some portraits of Amber. She was simply striking.
She looked so glamorous; we had to capture her amazing fashion and style.
Then off to the ceremony, where Amber and Tyler said their "I do’s." and then this image which comes from the end of the ceremony would be the “We did’s”.
The portraits are often the first alone time our couples have on their wedding day. We were happy to step back and let them enjoy the moment.
Tyler with the bouquet in one hand and the new ring on the other. Definitely a married man. Welcome to the club, Tyler!
Such a touching and romantic first dance…
The night just got better and better as Tyler surprised Amber by serenading her with a red rose in hand.
Amber’s reaction.
Then a passionate embrace.
I have many favorite images from the day, but this is Jo’s favorite. It pretty much sums up their passion, their tenderness, their class, their glamorous hollywood style, and the feel of the whole wedding.
Thank you, Amber and Tyler, for inviting Christine and I into your most amazing day. We are so glad we could be a part of it.
Also many thanks to the pros who helped Amber and Tyler make their wedding a beautiful reality!
The team at the Westin was fabulous! It was wonderful to work with you.
Ceremony Venue: Borgia Room at The Westin St. Francis
Reception Venue: Alexandra’s at The Westin St. Francis
Hair: Antonio Cabral
Make-up: Aida Morano from Aida’s Custom Cosmetics
Gown Designer: Romona Keveza
Bridesmaid dresses: Siri
Groom’s tux: Canali
Groomsmen’s tuxes: Selix Rentals
Cake: Shinmin from I Dream of Cake
Floral Design: Jeffrey from J Floral Art
Band: Keith Johnson and AM Radio
Ceremony Musician: Amber’s stepfather, Carl Weimer
Invitations: William Arthur
If you would like to see more from Amber and Tyler’s city soiree, definitely check out their slideshow.
Nov
19
It’s time. That’s right, Angie and Mike are back. That means transformers and dancing, but first a bit more from the earlier part of the day.
These two have a million ways to smile.
Angie taking a moment with her dad.
I love this photo for lots of reasons. Partially because the couple on the right, Hilary and Scott, are a past bride and groom of ours; it was really fun to see them at Angie and Mike’s wedding. Also all of these guests are so engaged in what they are doing. And what they are doing is looking at photos. Angie spent hours and hours and hours putting together boxes of family photos. She printed them all in black and white, set each box (all were different) on a table for guests to enjoy. It was so much fun!
One such photo of Mike and his sister made the rounds because it was hilarious. A moment in history that I had never expected. Of course, that meant we had to re-enact the photo. Kind of reminds me of a recent Modern Family episode.
Mike’s transformative nature…??? According to his best man, it appears that Mike can go to dichotomous extremes. For one, he is not fond of hippies, but he himself is a vegan. In a similar vein, he was a self-confirmed bachelor, but found the love of his life and went in the other direction with full force, completely committing to Angie.
And then of course, there are the actual transformers. Every single speech alluded to his special collection of Transformers, a full wall in his man cave devoted to them. Dave, of course, took this as a sign that we needed to purchase a Transformer as a prop for their ring shot. (Dave was absolutely giddy as we were shopping in the toy aisle.)
Mike wasn’t the only kid who enjoyed himself at his wedding. The chocolate cupcakes were a huge hit with the youngin’s.
We took a break from the laughter to smile at the sweetness of Angie and Mike’s first dance.
And then more laughter and cheers ensued. Angie had a special surprise in store for Mike. At this point, he had no idea what was ahead for him. So he apparently needed to steel his nerves.
And what was in store for him? A fabulous dance number choreographed by Angie and her friends. A little background… Several months before their wedding, Angie and Mike had arranged a little dance-off competition for their wedding- Angie & her friends vs. Mike & his friends. It seems that Mike allowed things to fall by the way side, but in secret Angie was masterminding her routine. And not only was it a complete surprise to Mike, Angie put in a special tribute to her mom, selecting a song that Angie had won a talent competition with when she was in elementary school, a song her mom would know and appreciate.
Mike’s dance number? Maybe it wasn’t choreographed but it sure was cute.
And a little movie in celebration of Angie and Mike…
Special thanks go out to the professionals who made Angie and Mike’s day so amazing:
Venue: Fort Mason Officers Club at 1 Fort Mason
Catering: Eden B. at Organic Chef Catering
Floral Design: Lidia Sadoun at la fleuriste
Ceremony Musician: Guitarist Kenneth Schwartzman
Lighting: Hayley Bramble at Got Light
Dance Floor: Jeff Bickner- Bickner Dance Floor Rental
And of course, many many thanks to Angie and Mike for including us in your most wonderful day. We had such a great time with you guys- and kept laughing and smiling while working on the images. Thank you!
If you would like to see more from Angie and Mike, check out their engagement session, sneak preview, rehearsal dinner, and slideshow.
Nov
16
Angie and Mike are such a completely fun couple; their wedding day was all about enthusiasm, joy, wit and playfulness. We had a great time getting to know them during their engagement session and couldn’t wait to meet their family and friends. We were so lucky to be able to join them for their Bonfire and Burritos Fiesta/Rehearsal Dinner on Ocean Beach. What a great way to set the tone for the next day’s celebration!
When I arrived at Angie’s hotel room to photograph her getting ready, I felt right at home with her crew. They were so warm and welcoming the day before; and the wedding day was no different. Not to mention that they were great about taking care of Angie- getting her whatever she needed (aka champagne) as well as helping her finish up and getting Angie and her dress to the ceremony site.
While Angie’s stylist worked on her hair, Angie put on her own make-up. Multi-tasking at its best.
Did I mention champagne?
While the girls were hard at work (and play) over at the hotel, Mike and the boys arrived at the Fort Mason Officer’s Club with some necessities- a few decor items to complete the look for the welcome tables and beer.
The florist had already done her part for the ceremony. I absolutely love these bright orange ribbons with citrus orange and yellow orchids lining the aisle. So fresh and cheerful.
Mike still had lots to do to get things ready. He must have needed a quiet place to organize things- what better spot than the closet?!!
Angie’s flower girl was adorable- she looks like a purple fairy princess. She took to the part with ease and got some practice walking (okay so maybe she was running) on the lawn before the ceremony started.
This was such a funny moment. When our purple princess made it down the aisle, she wanted to stay with Mike as Angie entered. I don’t blame her, that’s the best view in the house.
Smiles all around as Angie walked down the aisle with her mom and dad.
Some smiles were accompanied by tears.
Angie and Mike chose to personalize their ceremony by having their dear friends as the officiants- one officiant for each of them.
I have to close with this wide view of their ceremony because it was simply gorgeous. Autumn in San Francisco is definitely the nicest time of year, and it absolutely does not get better than this. They had perfect weather- warm and sunny- and this stunning view of the San Francisco Bay.
Stay tuned for more- because I haven’t even touched on Mike’s transformative personality or Angie’s surprise dance number. These two will keep you smiling all day long!
Nov
11
We have had the great pleasure of watching Duke’s family grow- I say it that way because first Duke had Maya, then he added Drew and, most recently, Mason to his family. And we knew Duke first, as he is our boy Max’s brother. We have enjoyed getting to know the whole family and have had the opportunity to photograph them from Maya and Drew’s engagement session to their wedding to their first family portrait to this most recent session with Mason. In preparation for the holidays, we captured these portraits of Maya, Drew, Mason and Duke at Piedmont Park.
From Duke’s perspective.
A better look at the humans in the family.
Mason just happens to be absolutely adorable, no suprise given his genes, and a lovely little guy to boot. He offers huge smiles for his mom. Maya’s entertaining Mason and Drew behind our cameras.
Kisses.
The pensive boys.
Maya taught me a few of her tricks to get Mason to smile for me. He did so a couple of times, but it is clear he loves his mom’s version of the ABC’s best.
The weather had been a little iffy so we wanted to keep Mason warm. We decided to head back home for a few with Mason having the spotlight all to himself.
Duke is such a good protector and big brother. He is so calm and is happy to allow Mason to sit cradled in his lap. So precious.
Then one final image with Maya and her first boy.
It is always a pleasure getting together with Maya, Drew, Mason and Duke. Thank you so much for inviting us into your lives.
If you would like to see more, check out their slideshow.
Aug
17
It is with great pleasure that I share Lauren and Steve’s wedding. They were married in true California style with an outdoor ceremony and reception all on a private estate in Carmel Valley. They were surrounded by friends and family for a weekend of festivities. Though relatively close to home, their wedding definitely had more of a destination feel. We had an amazing time sharing in their celebration.
Without further ado….
Lauren’s gorgeous dress, in the master suite at the private residence.
Lauren getting ready with her bridesmaids, a good friend and her sister-in-law Emily.
The finishing touches…
The true fun begins, Lauren walks down the aisle on her father’s arm. Her smile made everyone in the area smile along with her.
Their ceremony was held on the front lawn of the estate under a gorgeous old oak tree.
During the ceremony, Lauren’s Spanish family shared a reading.
After the ceremony, we took a few moments for portraits around the estate. I love how her magenta bouquet matches the bougainvellia.
A little into the evening, we stepped out for a few minutes to capture some images as the sun set. The light was absolutely stunning streaming through the valley. And Lauren and Steve were able to enjoy a few private moments.
Dave captured this image of their reflection in the pool. I love the dreamy, watercolor quality of it- all done in camera.
The reception got going with a fabulous meal, great speeches, and good times all around. There were definitely tears during the ceremony. But once the party got started, Steve and Lauren were cracking up non-stop.
All of their guests surrounded them when they took the dance floor for their first dance.
They danced to an upbeat swing song. The movement was so much fun, absolutely perfect for these two.
Lauren dancing with her dad.
Steve with his mom.
Our closing photo from the evening. What a idyllic way to celebrate, under the stars, under the lights, on a perfect evening.
We have so many people to acknowledge and thank for making Lauren and Steve’s wedding a dream come true.
First, Heather from Colette Cuccia Wedding & Event Design. She and her partner made sure everything about the day ran smoothly. A huge success!
Also, a shout out to Ginger at Studio 519 for Lauren’s beautiful hair, with touch-ups by Lauren’s fabulous sister-in-law to-be Leah. And to Justin Alexander Bridal who completed her look with that gorgeous gown.
For the lovely bridesmaids, kudos go out to Jasmine Bridal for their B2 collection. And to Jos. A Bank for the guys.
The paper goods and gifts set the tone for their day:
Invitations: Union Street Papery
Save-the-Dates and other printed materials: Little Lulu
Favors: beau coup
The party and party design were amazing. Huge congrats and thanks to the following:
Caterer: Paradise Catering
Wedding Cake: Layers
Floral Design: Kathryn Smith Flowers
Lighting Design and Plants: Plant Tenders
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
DJ: Daryl Lowery
Video: Dream Media Weddings
And lastly, to Lauren’s dad Phil, you are amazing! The flowers you planted around the ceremony site brought the space to life. All I can say is: Wow!
Thank you so much, Lauren and Steve, for including us in your wedding day. We are so glad we could be a part of it.
And for those of you who would like a few more from this gorgeous wedding, check out their Sneak Preview and their Slideshow.
Aug
12
On her wedding day, I asked our wonderful bride, Lauren, if it felt real. And then followed up with, "When did it feel like this was your wedding day?" Her response was, "When David [of Allegro Photography] arrived." I smiled.
And then later, when she was about to put the dress on, and Lauren was kicking out all of the men, except aforementioned David, because as she put it, "He’s family; he can stay." I laughed. Of course, all of us who weren’t helping her put on the dress, still closed our eyes or turned our backs until she was ready.
And then still later in the evening, when Lauren’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, Leah (whose wedding to Lauren’s brother Dave we will be photographing in November) checked on us to make sure we had eaten something. Actually, come to think of it, we were being offered food all weekend. Definitely family.
You see we have been a part of Lauren’s family since her brother Mark married Emily. We started with their engagement session and then photographed their wedding, which was when we met the rest of their families.
When Lauren got engaged in the winter of 2008, she called us up almost immediately to share the news. We were so excited for her. She knew she wanted us to be a part of her celebration, and we were looking forward to it. At that time, she hadn’t chosen anything else; she wanted to make sure we were available- how cool is that?! So throughout her planning process and decision making, we were a part of things. From her initial plan to get married at a destination resort in Mexico to her ultimate decision to create her dream wedding at a private estate in Carmel Valley.
When the big day finally arrived, we were so excited. Excited for Lauren and Steve, excited for both their families, and excited to see everyone. In honor of this, I dedicate Lauren and Steve’s sneak preview to family. Enjoy!
Lauren’s mom just after Lauren put on her dress.
Lauren and her dad after he walked her down the aisle.
Steve’s parents, being absolutely adorable, during the reception.
The families together.
Lauren’s adopted parents from her time in Spain, also being rather cute.
Lauren and Steve are clearly devoted to their mom’s. They gave each mom a beautifully embroidered handkerchief.
And they included family wedding photos as decor.
Now for the sibs.
Steve with the groomsmen, which included Lauren’s bothers and Steve’s brother.
Lauren looking up to her "little" twin brothers Dave and Mark.
Lauren getting ready with the help of her bridesmaids, which included her sister-in-law Emily (Mark’s wife) and her sister-in-law-to-be Leah (Dave’s fiance).
And I just want to close with one of my favorite photos from the wedding, one of the newly formed family unit, our gorgeous bride with her handsome groom.
What a totally fabulous and wonderful wedding! I can’t wait to share more of the happy couple and their gorgeous day. Definitely check back soon!
