Look familiar? You’re not seeing double; I had the chance to shoot in the same location in short order. So today we have another Fort Mason General’s Residence wedding, but this time with Reese and Ryan. Don’t worry – definitely not the same Ryan as last time; that would probably be strange. I loved Reese and Ryan from our very first meeting. Although I always try to work with couples that I get along with with, I had an instant connection with Reese. Every piece of mail she sent me was covered in rabbits, and full of emoticons. I’m not saying I automatically get along with every person using excessive smiley faces out there, but it definitely helps.
On the wedding day itself, we ran almost 2 hours behind, and yet, somehow managed to get everything in! Major props to my second photographer, Susannah from Susannah Gill Photography, for keeping me sane and to Dreams on a Dime for their impeccable day of coordination. And without further ado…!
Kamla and Ryan came to me with their Fort Mason General’s Residence wedding literally a couple weeks before I met… another couple with a Ryan that was having their wedding at the same place, but the week after! So if the blog post after this looks super familiar, don’t say I didn’t warn you! Props this week to Nicole Cross of 43rd. Avenue Photography for being my second photographer at this one!
From her blue shoes to her mehendi, it’s clear that Kamla was no ordinary bride. Similarly, Ryan was a fun-loving groom – I mean, just check out the groomsmen photos below! They met in North Carolina originally and actually had their engagement photos done there as well. At the wedding, everyone agreed it was something of a Southern affair, and as I watched Ryan tuck his coat around Kamla to protect her from the cold during our portrait session, I could see it was true. I’m lucky if my boyfriend gives me his hand to hold! 🙂 Just kidding, honey! It was so easy taking romantic photos of these two, and really, that’s how I know people are really in love – they just go for it, and let me stand back and capture their love.
I’ve been having a lot of trouble writing this blog entry for Chris and Jessika’s California backyard wedding up in Danville. You might remember their engagement session from two years ago (!) (click here!) and, well, ever since then, Jessika and Chris have been my most ardent cheerleaders. I felt the pressure on their wedding day to really make sure they loved their wedding photos as much as they loved their engagement photos, and they did! Phew! Props to Amber McReynolds of Mr. N Mrs. Photography for being my second photographer as well, keeping me calm and sane as always! 🙂
And then there’s, really, just the sheer perfection of their wedding day itself that I find so difficult to write about. As a classic Pinterest bride (hey! her words, not mine!), Jessika had big dreams for her day, and in the end, I think it really was everything a bride could ever want. The love that her family and friends brought to the day that filled in all the gaps that they might have missed or thought they could do without were was also nothing short of amazing. From a surprise visit from Stomper, the Oakland A’s mascot, to a surprise Oakland A’s themed wedding cake, I was really floored by the giving their loved ones just pushed onto them. Sniffles! Pull out your tissues, guys! This blog post is going to be a LONG one – I just love these two so much!!!
Seriously, though, it’s hard to say no to such a fun-loving couple!
We started out at Danville Congregational Church, where Jessika’s mom works, for the ceremony and getting ready… (more…)
When Pete and Tonja first described their intimate Testarossa Winery wedding, I was already in love. Large weddings are fun too, but when you get to spend several hours with the people closest to you, it’s always magical. First of all, Testarossa Winery is a small winery nestled in the foothills of Los Gatos (practically my backyard!). The architecture is from a time when Jesuit monks owned the place and made all the wine for Jesuits in the area! I feel like it’s surely an often overlooked part of the history here. You should all totally visit! And drink wine!
How can I describe the many ways I love Pete and Tonja? You may remember their sweet engagement session (link here!) at the water temple. D’awwww! I remember when we first met, they couldn’t tell me the exact time of the ceremony because they had to consult their astrologer first. That’s how you know they’re my kind of people. I’m just glad that I was able to provide photography without having to ask the question, “So… what’s the significance of this lady statue over in the corner?” It was an absolutely beautiful handfasting, scheduled so that they could exchange rings exactly at sunset.
They were running late the whole day, but the later it got, the more beautiful that sunlight became, and I had so much fun capturing everything about their little wedding.
After a lengthy break, going up today are Eric and Laura’s Mountain View Cemetery engagement photos! I know cemeteries are a controversial topic out there, but when you visit this place, it’s clear that it’s really more of a park with gravestones. It’s a favorite jogging place and even advertises on its website that it’s a great place for families to visit on the weekends. I’ve even seen a wedding done there!
Eric and Laura went on their first date at Mountain View Cemetery, and so they wanted to continue the trend by taking their engagement photos there. Despite rush hour’s best efforts to derail me, we had a pleasant stroll through the place. Up hills…down hills…watching dogs run around…and, most importantly, making faces at each other! It was so much fun; plus the lighting was gorgeous! I’m not sure I’ve ever had more fun with a couple! Their wedding later was equally awesome. Keep an eye out for those photos!
First, we start out with a nice showcase of the location…
For your consideration today, a Pietra Santa Winery wedding! Nora and Robert are an amazing L.A. couple who came up to Hollister to get married at the Pietra Santa Winery on a Wednesday! As one of the speech givers noted, it’s a testament to the love that Robert and Nora inspire in others that the winery was packed, for a wedding full out of out of towners, in the middle of the week!
I’m always a little worried when I know a couple is planning their wedding from out of town – being at a distance makes everything difficult, including meeting up to even get to know each other before the wedding day! Still, Robert and Nora managed to plan one whirlwind weekend in the area, where they met with every vendor, from make up to, well, me! and all my worries vanished. They both knew what they wanted and made it so easy to understand the photos they absolutely wanted from me.
With wonderful family and friends, geeky details, and a fantastic, hilarious slew of speech givers, their wedding is definitely one of my favorites of the year!
Funny story: the night before, Nora apparently had a nightmare where I arrived hours late during the reception with a Great Gatsby-esque entourage. All day long, people asked me, “So, Natalie, where’s your entourage???” I assure you, I rarely show up with an entourage, and if I do, I’ll ask you first AND be on time! 🙂
This time we’re going all the way up to the north bay for an Antioch wedding photography session. Eagle-eyed viewers will recognize Marisol and Edgar from their Napa Valley engagement session. Aren’t they just so gorgeous?!
I still remember Edgar and Marisol as the sweetest couple who held hands the whole way up to Napa Valley. Anyone who has a significant other knows that holding hands for 1.5 hours or more is not easy! I was seriously impressed! Their wedding day was just as sweet. The ceremony took place in a humble church in Antioch, the Most Holy Rosary Church. We immediately followed up with a yummy reception at the Mehran Restaurant in Pittsburg. But that’s enough information, onwards to Antioch! 😀 Congratulations, Marisol and Edgar!
Keep an eye out for lots of flower girl adorableness!
A Muir Woods engagement photography session with Olga & Scott! I sort of feel like like this first photo says it all about them.
Scott happened to be working in the area for a few months and one weekend, when Olga was visiting, the three of us trekked up to Muir Woods. Even though it was a weekday and the shuttles weren’t running, people were EVERYWHERE. We struggled to find locations where it could be just the two of them! In the end, we found fantastic, sun-dappled light and made some great photos. Plus, both Olga and Scott are both just super easy to be together with. I could say things like, “So… I’m not much of a conversationalist…” and it wasn’t terrible! My favorite exchange was Olga asking me if I drank at weddings, and when I said, “No no, I’m working,” she agreed that she didn’t party so much either but that (and I should say she’s Russian), “If you were in Russia, you would have to drink, or they wouldn’t trust you.” I don’t know why, the exchange still makes me laugh, thinking back on it.
Congratulations, Olga and Scott! Best of luck with your probably in the US wedding! 😀 You guys are great!
I don’t normally do black and white, but wowza! Also, check out those sunbeams! The lighting was harsh, but the glow over the image is totally worth it.
My love of the panorama continued – I love how the forest is just lit up around them. Gorgeous!
Be sure to take a peek at my Offbeat Bride advertorial running today! As a geek photographer, Offbeat Bride is a crucial part of my photography life, and I’m so happy to return to their blog again! I can’t say enough sweet and wonderful things about the couples who come to me through them.
It features a Q&A with me. The Offbeat Bride crew and I sourced these questions together, mostly based on the five most popular questions my past couples submitted to me (there were SO many questions, guys! but we had to pick the most popular ones!). There is also a special opportunity for couples who haven’t worked with me before, so be sure to take a peek! I’m already receiving some really sweet stories!
