Haley & John Henry

There is little that I love more than the glamour of a fancy city wedding, and Haley and John Henry’s wedding went above and beyond! After the past year and half where the city has felt nearly dormant, it was amazing to be part of a wedding that celebrated being in San Francisco. The wedding party got ready at the Omni, we took photos on the city streets downtown, the ceremony took place at the unrivaled Saints Peter and Paul Church, and the reception was held at the timeless Julia Morgan Ballroom.

And within those stunning venues, Haley and John Henry’s SF wedding radiated happy energy. From the beginning of our shooting time, with their bridesmaids and groomsmen getting ready right alongside them at the hotel, all the way to the most epic dance party I’ve seen at a reception in a loooong time, it was clear that their family and friends were so excited to celebrate and be there for these two. And with so many fun details throughout the day, from a vintage Rolls Royce ride to the church and a once-in-a-lifetime police escort to get to the reception, to custom drink cubes and signs, a candy bar, late-night In & Out, and a stunning bridal reception outfit change, this wedding was a delight to capture. I’m so happy we were able to be a part of this amazing couple’s big day, and to help them remember all of the special moments!

Katie & Jessi

To be back around people filled with joy, to be surrounded by love, to be in a wildly picturesque California valley . . . after this last year and a half, it’s hard to put into words just how good this felt. To be photographing Katie and Jessi, the two of the most beautiful people inside and out, made this one of my favorite weekends, personal or professional, in a long time.

These stunning brides chose to shape their wedding in the way that felt best to them, opting for lots of time with family and friends at the resort, on strolls through the vineyard, during the cocktail hour nestled against the hills, at a glowing dinner, and side-by-side at the ultimate karaoke night. It was so clear how important community – both born into and built – are to these two. And the fact that they were able to celebrate their marriage alongside so many of their people in person made it an incredible day to be a part of.

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Holding hands during the hora

Wow do I love the hora! Generations of family and friends out on the dance floor, the couple excited (and just a little nervous) to take part in this tradition and be held up by their community. It’s just the right amount of chaotic to shoot and always utterly charming.

Cheers!

Weddings are full of merriment, full of beauty, and full of delicious beverages. I looove a speciality drink. A flute of champagne, a Manhattan before the big moment, a spriz in unique cut crystal, or a cocktail coupe. Cheers to all of it, and most importantly, being able to cheers to in person.

Heather & Ryder

When you’ve photographed weddings for a while, there are certain rhythms to the day that become familiar. It’s part of the fun and challenge of the shoot – finding moments, creating portraits, focusing in on details within the usual cadence of the day. It also makes it wonderfully startling when you’re completely surprised by something. At Heather and Ryder’s ceremony in the beginning of October, their friend and officiant spontaneously stepped out from under the arbor into the aisle and addressed the guests, encouraging family and the wedding party to express their feelings and how much they loved the couple. It was so unexpected and touching and I was definitely not the only one tearing up as a result.

Between that gem of a moment, two uniquely and utterly adorably dressed flower girls, bridesmaids in personalized tones and styles of dresses, a “best woman” supporting the groom, and wedding toasts that included a personalized slideshow and a mother/father duet of a custom song, it was clear that Heather and Ryder’s wedding was so very much their own. They made the day fun, easygoing, and a true pleasure to shoot. It was such an honor to be around so much love and hopefully the preview shots convey what a special day these two created.

Venue: Chileno Valley RanchFlorist: JenniFlora / Catering: Firefly Catering / Oysters: The Oyster Girls / Cake: Pascaline / DJ: Ken Quam / Second Photographer: Noah Christman