I probably shouldn't admit this, only because now my Spanish is mediocre, but all throughout high school and college I studied Spanish. I still remember in high school being fascinated when learning about the Quinceañera celebrations - and maybe I was a little jealous, too. After all, what teenage girl wouldn't want to have a big party in her honor, get to wear a fancy dress and bedeck herself in rhinestones! Given this, I was thrilled when Jackie's family reached out to me about photographing her Quinceañera. And this day did not disappoint. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. From the beauty of the church celebration at Holy Cross Church in West Sacramento to the whirlwind photo session at the California State Capitol to the family and friend filled night of food and dancing at the Masonic Temple in Sacramento it was certainly a day to remember!
Nikki and Matt were married on a beautiful late-summer day in Northern Michigan. These high school sweethearts tied the knot surrounded by family and friends in a day filled with joy, love, and of course, a few nerves! The celebration began with an outdoor service at the beautiful Cross in the Woods Shrine in Indian River, from there we rode the rowdy party bus (emphasis on party!) to Matt's family's property for photos, and finally ended up at the reception where everyone danced the night away. The reception hall was beautifully decorated combining country flair with rustic elegance including incredible hand-crafted bar tables with their initial on the top, a reclaimed barnwood head-table front, and a handmade wooden signing plaque with Nikki and Matt's logo in the center.
I've know Nikki her whole life and it warmed me inside to see her so radiant and beautiful on her wedding day and we are happy to finally officially welcome Matt to the family! Congratulations, Nikki and Matt!!
Hair/Makeup :: Emily Alexander
Flowers :: Lydia Parsons
Dress :: Renee Austin Wedding
DJ :: Ryan Rousseau
Caterer :: Sharon Jewell
Each wedding is special and each couple becomes dear to me the more I get to know them as we work and plan together for their wedding day. But this couple had a little piece of my heart before they even decided to get married. Roman and Ali are dear friends of ours - the kind of friends that will travel to California to visit you or send your kids sweet little gifts on their birthdays. Warm, open, and genuine people that you're lucky to have in your life.
When these two asked me if I could photograph their wedding (in Germany), it was shortly after the birth of our 3rd child and I wasn't sure how feasible it would be to get us all over the pond with my equipment in tow but we knew we couldn't miss their wedding for the world so we started planning and made it happen! Ali and Roman chose the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wilhelmshöhe Palace for their wedding and Ali, not surprisingly, looked like she belonged in a castle! German weddings often include games or songs made up by the friends of the bride and groom and Roman and Ali's friends did not disappoint! They put together songs and clues leading up to a hilarious gift for the newlyweds - a first anniversary night in a shepherd's hut!
Thank you to another good friend and photographer, Anthony Caer, who came all the way from France to shoot with me and thank you Roman and Ali for including our family in your day in a very special way! xo
I met Nicole and Ty for the first time at their engagement session in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge about a month before their wedding. I already knew from our phone conversations that I was going to like these two a lot: good sense of humor, travelers, easy-going. My kind of people! Meeting them in person confirmed this 100% and left me very much looking forward to their wedding!
On the day of their wedding, the sun was shining warmly and Nicole and Ty glowed with joy and love for each other and the friends and family that were there to celebrate with them. Their wedding was held at the Cliff House in San Francisco and they exchanged vows with the sparkling Pacific Ocean as their backdrop.
The wedding was gorgeous down to every last detail but, more importantly, Ty and Nicole seemed genuinely happy just to be with each other and their guests to celebrate life and love!
Wishing you many, many years of happiness and laughter, Nicole and Ty! xo
Hair :: Salt Spell Beauty
Makeup :: The Pretty Pretty Collective
Flowers :: Posey Design
Music/DJ :: Verducci Events, DJ Cedric Johnson
Venue :: Cliff House, San Francisco
Fall in Half Moon Bay does not disappoint! Carl and Andrea celebrated their wedding with a beautiful and intimate ceremony and luncheon at never-disappointing, Sam's Chowder House on a sunny day in early November. We loved capturing the love, joy, and emotion-filled moments of this day for them. Here are a few favorites from their wedding!