Alyssa + Drew Engagement

I am always looking forward to my next adventure, but in the middle of wedding season it can be hard to find the time for Adm and I to run off and have one.  Instead, we have turned our engagement sessions into mini adventures.  Alyssa and Drew were up for a tour of the North Bay and a little bit of trespassing in the Marin Headlands to get some photos of them in a giant horse barn.  We had so much fun with them and can't wait until their wedding next summer.  Plus, Alyssa's smile is completely contagious so how could we not have a blast with these two?

Caroline + Kiren in Yosemite, CA

As Adm and I winded our way along Hwy 120 on the way to Caroline and Kiren's wedding, I could smell the sweet scent of pine as the sun twinkled in between the tall majestic trees.  We turned off onto Evergreen Road, just outside the gate to Yosemite National Park.  As a city girl, I am always awed by the mountains, and as we pulled up to the Evergreen Lodge, I could feel that we were some place special.

Caroline and Kiren are adventurers.  You'll remember their engagement shoot where they were sliding down a really long slide and climbing to the top of Bernal Heights on the way to taking photographs at a bar.  This couple has been on risk taking adventures all over the world so having a wedding in the mountains near Yosemite almost seems like slowing down for them.  Their wedding weekend was so much fun, perfectly described by Kiren as "summer camp for adults."  All 170 of their closest family and friends were in one magical place (where there wasn't any cell reception), surrounded by the woods and there for the sole purpose of celebrating Caroline and Kiren.  They combined western wedding traditions with some Indian traditions, which made their wedding visually stunning and very personal.  We just loved photographing these two with their families and friends!

We're also excited to announce that this wedding is featured today on Maharani Weddings!  You can see their post here.

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Alisa + John in Woodside, CA

Arriving at Alisa and John's wedding at Alisa's father's estate in Woodside, CA was like walking into a painted world of green trees and colorful flowers - a far cry from the third world countries where these two met while doing missionary work.  The beauty of the house, lake and surrounding woods was so bright and full of life it was the perfect place for this incredibly cheerful couple to tie the knot.

Alisa and John wanted to make sure that their friends and family had a great time so they had lots of activities for all of their guests: a square dance lesson, bocce ball, croquet, ping pong, archery, foosball, and canoeing.  It was the perfect summer soiree, made beautiful by Alisa's talented mother who crafted so many of the details.  This woman is seriously talented, and we just loved photographing all of her gorgeous creations including the crepe paper bridal bouquet, boutonnieres, all of the table decorations (which were also crepe paper floral arrangements), the lace overlays that went on each table, Alisa's purse, embroidered signs for drinks and desserts, crepe paper flowers to decorate the cake... the list goes on!

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Hilary + NJ in San Francisco, CA

Hilary and NJ were married at the Cliff House in San Francisco on quite possibly one of the coldest days ever for August.  The cold and misty fog didn't seem to matter though because Hilary was absolutely stunning and NJ very handsome.  We also used the darkness to our advantage to try and create more dramatic and moody portraits, which we did following the ceremony at Sutro Baths (right next door).  Most of their guests were from out of town and I think it must have been such a treat for them to attend a wedding at such an iconic and historic San Francisco spot.  Hilary and NJ, thanks so much for having Adm and I along - we had the best time photographing you two!

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Erika + Colin in Berkeley, CA

Erika and Colin had an incredible wedding at the UC Berkeley Faculty Club in August.  They met while in undergrad at Cal and are fervent Bears fans (they attend Cal football games whenever they can) so this spot could not have been more fitting or perfect for them.  Erika carried through the Cal theme with the colors, and so there were lots of blues and yellows which made the wedding bright and vibrant!  Additionally, Erika's family is Filipino and her parents surprised the newlyweds with some traditional Filipino performances, which was a real treat for us!  With backgrounds in photojournalism, Adm and I love photographing new (and ethnic) events with lots of color and dancing, and there was LOTS of dancing!  Also, I've known Erika since middle school as we went to the same school through high school so it was really fun seeing lots of familiar faces (one of my dear friends Stephanie was a bridesmaid!).

I don't normally do this, but I've got to give a big shout out to Jane Kim, Erika's make-up and hair lady.  Jane made all the girls look beautiful, AND she stayed right by their sides up through the ceremony!  Erika and Colin, thanks so much for inviting us to share your special day, and we wish nothing but all good things to you for the future!

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Adm pre-planned and executed this portrait of Erika and Colin, and I have to say, I think it's one of my favorite portraits we've made this year!

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Katie + William in Berkeley, CA

For the second time this summer, Adm and I found ourselves at the Brazilian Room in Berkeley for Katie and William's wedding.  It's really such a lovely spot, up in the hills, away from city noise and traffic.  Plus, I always love seeing how different couples transform places and create events to make them really feel their own.  Katie and William were no exception and they carried through an Irish theme with a live band that played traditional Irish music, engaged in Irish dancing and created details that clearly were made with the touch of an Irish lass.  Adm and I had such a wonderful time hanging out with Katie and William, who were just so genuinely nice throughout.  I feel like I'm becoming a broken record when I say these were two of the nicest people we've photographed, but it's so true!  We have been so lucky to have such nice and caring couples to work with!

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