Heather & Steve celebrated their union with an intimate ceremony at The Lodge at Pebble Beach surrounded by their closest friends and family. Geoff & I were happy to document this very special day for the couple. They wanted an easy, no fuss, relaxed celebration, and the Lodge was the perfect location for that.

We started out with the bride and her friends and family getting ready. Everyone was relaxed and enjoying themselves. We had so much fun with the bridal portraits while Heather’s friends cheered us on. It was such fun!

Look at the amazing beading detail on Heather’s wedding dress by Rivini. Which by the way, arrived with the beading covered in a protective netting which had to be very carefully removed and took about 15 minutes or so with several people working on it. You just never know how long it’s going to take to get dressed, so having some extra time scheduled helps keep things on track. Her low heeled shoes provided just the right amount of glamor while keeping the bride comfortable throughout the day.

Heather’s bouquet of red roses was gorgeous and smelled beautiful too.

Heather was so happy, she just beamed!

This is one of my favorite portraits of the day. Doesn’t Heather look amazing!?! And see how the overcast sky creates a beautiful, soft background? Yes faithful blog readers, overcast skies for your wedding day is a GOOD thing!

Heather and Steve wanted to do all their portraits prior to the ceremony so they could relax with their guests after the ceremony.

There are so many great little nooks and crannies at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. I love the tulle peeking out from under the wedding dress.

Their simple ceremony took place on the patio attached to the library where the dinner was held. The red roses give a nice pop of color against the green grass. For the bride’s entrance, the groom actually escorted her down the aisle. I thought this was a really nice twist, especially for a couple whose relationship is long established.

Heather’s on the verge of happy tears…

The three flower girls thoughtfully picked up all the rose petals they had strewn earlier for the bride’s entrance.

The Lodge handled all the details for the couple, including the cake, the flowers, the decor and the music. And they did it perfectly. Everything looked beautiful and well thought out. Like the tall centerpieces for example. They not only created a stunning visual, but because they were so tall, people could easily have conversation from across the table. I love the Kings table setup for the dinner, people just sat and lingered throughout the evening enjoying the atmosphere.

Both avid golfers, they asked for a portrait at the 18th hole. Geoff was only too happy to oblige (Geoff loves golf too).

Congratulations Heather & Steve!

Lori & James’s wedding was pure elegance from beginning to end. It was such a pleasure to be a part of their day, and they had amazing relationships with their friends and family. Their wedding was a very elegant celebration that was filled with love, joy and appreciation of all that they have. It was a beautiful day.

Invitations done by Hello Lucky!

Absolutely gorgeous. What else is there to say? Well, in addition to being gorgeous, Lori is as sweet as can be.

Bridesmaids munched on custom color m & m’s while getting ready…

Lori was so happy and relaxed while getting ready. Surrounded by her friends and family while she got dressed, it was a very nice atmosphere to start off her wedding day. Neja Cosmetics did an awesome job on the bride’s hair and makeup.

Passersby asked us what celebrity we were photographing! Lori and James both had such a glamorous style, it was easy to mistake them for A list celebrities. Lori’s wedding dress is by Amy Kushel. That red carpet entrance was over the top!

This man KNOWS how to wear a tuxedo. James looks so comfortable and elegant in his tux, I totally imagined his family must be elite San Francisco high society. And then during the reception I learned he’s originally a farm boy from Fresno! Very tight knit family, so lovely to see how close he is with his parents.

Gift bags for out of town guests and the bridesmaids bouquet. I like the touches of red in the bouquet.  We love the repetition of the bridal colors throughout, even down to getting-ready snacks of color-coordinated M&Ms and gift bags.

The candlelight ceremony took place at the Bently Reserve. This particular venue, while beautiful, has very challenging lighting from a photographic perspective. Got Light took care of that, and created the perfect ambiance, while still keeping the ceremony area well lit. A great planner with the right budget can create an amazing atmosphere. Morgan Doan of Events By Morgan is one of the best planners in the Bay Area, and was able to create this amazing event space for the wedding day.

The bride coming down the aisle, escorted by her father. Look at the profile of the dress, I just love the shape it creates.

From the moment he saw her, James’ face lit up with a huge smile, which he pretty much kept throughout the entire ceremony.

The Bently Reserve has these gorgeous columns out front that are perfect for some quick portraits. Don’t they look simply stunning together? The Bride and groom had a white bouquet and boutonniere, while the bridesmaid’s bouquet and dress carried the color. I really, really love the simple shape of Lori’s bridal gown.

This is one of my favorites. Lori has an amazing smile that makes you feel good about yourself.

Beautiful, and sometimes strange architecture outside the building makes for interesting portraits. This is a spiral staircase right next door to the Bently that we like to use for variety and interest.

Here are the escort cards which were hung from these crystal strands. And there’s a secret to these cards-the number of red circles was an indication to the waiters of the beef, fish or vegetarian selection.

During the cocktail hour, the room was turned over to create the elegant reception atmosphere. It really takes a team effort to do this type of transformation during a cocktail hour. Even the lighting is different. The tables were set up as much as possible and stashed out of view to save time. Good lighting and strong, consistent details like the reception trees pull the Autumn together. Gorgeous floral design by Michael Daigian Designs Despite the large number of guests, the ambiance created a sense of intimacy.

Square cake by non other than Jen’s Cakes. Isn’t it pretty?

I love how the wedding menu is presented with the napkin. These are the tiniest details that are looked after when you have someone as talented as Morgan coordinating the entire effort.

Lori’s sister giving a toast while the bride looks on.

All day Lori and James only had eyes for each other.

You could tell how proud these parents were of their kids. The whole day really couldn’t have been any better. It was perfectly planned, everything looked gorgeous, and Lori and James were so completely happy. It’s just amazing to be a part of that kind of experience.

Notice the gobo  light pattern on the ceiling? That’s the same design as from the invitation and escort cards.  Very cool! And that’s it for the sneak peek! Congratulations to both Lori & James!

Denise and Paul’s lovely wedding took place on the lawn at Kohl Mansion and was photographed by Kelvin. We were very much looking forward to their wedding as this couple has fantastic chemistry with each other. Their wedding day turned out beautifully from start to finish, with lots of little surprises and fun details thrown in. Michelle of MB Wedding Designs brought the vision to life.

OMG look at the shoes! I love them. Could never walk in them (without bruises and scars), but ooooh they are so pretty! Fuchsia Louboutin pumps-so very sexy!

Denise chose to go with the best on hair & makeup, so of course that would be Faces By Taylor

I love these hanging pink flowers in vases for the ceremony backdrop. Asiel Design created all the floral decor elements for this gorgeous wedding.

I love how Denise and Paul had their dinner outside on the patio at Kohl Mansion. It creates a very relaxed, casual vibe. People seemed to be really enjoying themselves during dinner.

I love the centerpieces done for the kings table; so elegant. I would love to see more kings table setups, I think it creates a wonderful intimacy for your guests. Love the black detailing on those fuchsia napkins!

The couple displayed wedding photos of their parents and grandparents: what a beautiful way to honor your families, while remembering and recognizing where you both came from.

Kohl Mansion is a gorgeous historical venue in Burlingame. You can use both the indoors and outdoors; it’s one of those gorgeous old mansions.

Letting your bridesmaids choose their own bridal shoes, rather than selecting a style for them, means everyone is comfortable. They can wear shoes they love or already have, and you don’t need to worry about picking a style that suits and fits everyone.

You’d think this image above was posed, right? No. Denise and Paul simple couldn’t keep their hands off each all night. So romantic these two! And their engagement session, same thing!

Warm fall evenings are great for outside receptions: guests can enjoy the sunset during the toasts, and then move inside for dancing and dessert. These lanterns created the perfect atmosphere for their romantic dinner under the stars. And I love the gobo created floral pattern on the ground. It simply looks amazing. The fabulous team at Enhanced Lighting handled the indoor and outdoor lighting for the wedding.

Strong, colorful lighting can affect skin tones in the photos, but it really sets the mood for the event.

They provided pink and black flip flops so guests could kick off their heels and really party.

Yum! This cake by Cake Coquette features the shoes of the couple, and during their engagement session, they asked Kelvin to take a specific shot of their shoes, which was then turned into a stamp for their wedding invitations. Very cute!

As a late night snack, Denise and Paul had the In & Out truck stop by with burgers and fries. Oh so yummy!

Congratulations Denise & Paul!

Lacy & Michael were married by the sea in Half Moon Bay last month. It was a perfectly overcast day and their wedding was all about simple elegance.

Lacy has the most amazing, dazzling green eyes you’ve ever seen. With her dark curls and deep red roses, she creates a really dramatic bridal look. The initial detailing on the bride’s rose bouquet adds a nice touch. Armando of Get Your Do Up! did Lacy’s hair and makeup. Those gorgeous flowers were done by Flower Divas.

Notice the ribbon on the escort cards? This is perfect to keep them from blowing away, and gives the table a little pop of color at the same time.

Red roses always look fantastic against the luscious green grasses of the Ritz-Carlton. The lush red carpet of roses is all that is needed to make a statement here. I love this location because it gives guests the most dramatic views.

Such a dramatic bridal entrance!

Lacy was so happy during the ceremony, so full of calm and peacefulness. She truly looked as though she’s been waiting her whole life for this moment.

I love this shot Geoff took of Lacy above. Reminds me of a ballerina.

Diamonte detail on boutonniere is a great  way to customize a look. And a little bling never hurt anybody!

And here’s Mr. Tony White with the happy couple!

Another favorite of mine. I just love everything about this image above.

I get thirsty looking at this image!

Sliders and custom martinis kept guests happy during the cocktail hour while we went off and did romantic portraits with the couple.

Butterfly Cakes created this simple 3 tier white square cake with black polka dots design with quilted pattern.

Their vintage themed wedding had an emphasis on black, red and white.

Lacy and Michael put together a super cool retro lounge room for their guests after dinner. The white couches and dance floor really creates the perfect atmosphere for dancing.

Lacy & Michael changed for reception into a white dinner jacket and sexy lace and silk slip dress. Lacy wore her veil even at the reception, adding a  modest touch to a slinky gown.

There were all kinds of after dinner treats for guests. The favor station was set with these super cute caramel and chocolate dipped apples. There was also a ice cream lolli-pop station, and then finally, a smores station outside near the fire pit. Yum!

A firepit and smores station led the party outside to the spectacular Half Moon Bay night views. What a perfect ending! Congrats Lacy & Michael!

This Saturday, October 24th we are having a boudior session marathon. What that means is we are doing sessions all day, in order to offer a special price for you. This is a great holiday gift for your husband or fiancé. We have 2 openings left- call Nikki, our Studio Manager 650-780-9300 or just email us to reserve your spot. $400+ tax  includes the 50 minute session and 3 8×10’s. If you have ever thought about doing a session like this for yourself or your husband, we only offer these specials once a year!

Lara will be photographing and Nikki will there to help you get settled in. You can choose fun accessories like some tight fitting jeans, assorted lacy bra  sets, ruffly undies, a sports jersey,  it’s up to you. Call Nikki if you want more ideas. This is going to be really fun! Imagine how surprised your guy will will be when he opens this gift!

Isn’t this the ultimate fantasy? Gorgeous, relaxed, lounging, calm, cool and collected. Rachael was such a stunningly gorgeous bride, I thought we’d just begin the story of their day right there.  Wine enthusiasts, Rachael and Nic planned their intimate  celebration for their closest family and friends as a destination wedding at Villagio Inn & Spa in Yountville. This was another solo shoot for me, and honestly, with this small of a group and such a relaxed day, there’s no need for 2 photographers. It was an amazing day: relaxed, fun, intimate. Rachael and Nic carefully planned out the details of their celebration along with Nic’s mom. They had a vision for their wedding day, and it was executed perfectly. I think there’s a lot to be said about smaller, intimate weddings. Not only do you have a chance to really pamper your guests and lavish them with attention, but the emotions tend to flow a bit more freely among a small, tightly-knit group.

Parasols are a thoughtful touch for your guests for outdoor ceremonies.

The couple planned plenty of time for fun group portraits with their bridal party. And they had a lot of creative ideas to share, which I love. It creates a really collaborative experience and I love ideas and creative challenges!

I love the detail on the back of the bridesmaids dresses. Rachael had two types of bouquets for her bridesmaids to choose from: lilies and roses. Her bouquet was a combination of both.

This is one of my favorite shots of the day. One of the moms told me she had been imagining a portrait of Rachael lounging in this black and white chaise lounge. Here you go!

One of the easiest, most simple backdrops is a brick wall, or any textured wall. It gives a pop of color in the background, but mainly allows the personality of the subject to come through. You can see that Rachael is genuinely enjoying herself with Nic.

The wedding reception was held under a tent on the lawn. Black and white linens created a very modern luxury type of look, with little pops of green here and there. Florals by Lush Floral. I loved the limes; so fresh!

This black and white cake is both simple and decadent. Cake by Fleur de Lisa. The soft tenting and white couches create a luxurious feel. And the constant flowing champagne doesn’t hurt either!

The food at Villagio is outstanding. Those salads are to die for!

It was great to see a man among the bride’s attendants. There’s nothing to say they have to all be girls, and it’s a great opportunity to honor you greatest male friends. In this case, Logan is the bride’s brother.

Pink lights warm up the area after the sun has set. Lighting adds so much atmosphere, and there are a lot of other things I’d cut out of the budget before lighting. Their first dance song was “At Last” by Etta James. And notice the cool bar in the background.

After dinner we headed out to the vineyards to capture some casual portraits before sunset. As I’ve said a million times before, sunset lighting is the best lighting possible (dawn is just as good actually, but I’ll leave the dawn shoots to Jen Skog and Maria Chang). It’s called the magic hour for a good reason. This portrait is another one of my favorites. Congratulations Rachael & Nic!

I had the pleasure of photographing Cynthia and Jeremy’s intimate wedding celebration a few weeks ago at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. It was a beautiful day and two amazing families that came together to support and celebration Cynthia & Jeremy. When I arrived at their suite, there was a whirlwind of activity as Cynthia finished getting ready while Jeremy greeted family members that were arriving (with flowers) by the minute. Cynthia was so happy, just flitting about the room like a gorgeous butterfly.

The Ritz sent up these delicious looking chocolate covered strawberries. I was tempted!

While the day was overcast, this provided the perfect lighting for their afternoon ceremony.

Pink roses, Cynthia’s tiara and her princess wedding dress help create the fantasy wedding. It was gorgeous!

Doesn’t Jeremy look handsome in his suit?

Outdoor weddings at the Ritz are always gorgeous – overcast skies, while less than perfect for the couple, make the photos glow with color. No direct sunlight means great tones. See how the green grass just pops?

The reception was held in the West Wing, which creates a really nice, intimate feel. Cynthia and Jeremy had a small lounge area set up in the room for guests to mingle and chat. The room lent itself well to creating an intimate and relaxed atmosphere.

Cynthia switched from a tiara to floral and ribbon hair piece and a pearl choker for the reception. It adds variety without doing a full costume change.

Jeremy surprised Cynthia twice:  he put together a slide show from her friends in China who couldn’t come to the wedding; and later he serenaded her after the wedding -a unique way to personalize the day and add extra little thrills for your partner and guests.

This was a very close-knit family reception. The warmth and love in that room were palpable. Guests and family even went out of their way to make me feel like part of the celebration. As a photographer, that really helps me to capture the experience and emotions of the day.

The Ritz is unsurpassed in its impeccable presentation when it comes to food.  Sometimes cake alone just isn’t enough…

Amber & Miguel are getting married in April of next year, and they wanted a woodsy location for their engagement session with Kelvin. Miguel’s an arborist, and so trees and a nature focused setting was important to the couple. I think it always adds depth to images when the setting or the activity is meaningful. We hadn’t actually done any engagement sessions in woodsy area, and that’s where Nikki comes in. She actually spent most of an afternoon researching various potential locations, looking at images, considering lighting and background issues, consulting with Kelvin on the handful of options she’d come up with. I’m really proud of the lengths Nikki is willing to go to for our clients, and I think that is one of the things that really sets us apart as a photography studio. In the end she found the perfect location. It’s this park in the Saratoga area, just gorgeous. There’s a certain magical, mystical feeling to it. Besides these great old redwoods, there are bridges, big rocks, a little meadow, an abandoned building, all sorts of great stuff to work with. OK, on to the images!

The outfits they chose are perfect for the setting. The jeans and whites are appropriately casual for the location, and allow the backdrop to take center stage. Yes the textures of the cable knit sweater and Miguel’s striped shirt add visual interest. Great combinations of textures made their outfits feel well put-together, yet still cozy and relaxed to suit the setting.

With spring weddings, the fall is a great time for engagement sessions. They’re using their session for custom save the date cards -a fun way to get people excited about the day beyond regular stationery. And by scheduling the session in advance, there is plenty of time to design and mail the custom cards out.

Beautiful texture of the trees makes a great backdrop to intimate portraits.

Miguel’s neat, yet scruffy beard suited the look perfectly – relaxed and rugged, yet super sexy.

Amber & Miguel have the perfect combination of flirty and fun. Great chemistry!

I love visual lines in an image like this.

Amber looks amazing. Her hair! So shiny! I don’t know if she made a special effort or if her hair always looks this gorgeous, but it’s a great idea to consider making a special effort to look your best for your engagement session. These are images that you will treasure forever, that make a statement about who you are as a couple. Different than wedding images, which celebrate a particular, very special day in your lives, the engagement images are just about the relationship.

We are excited to be working with planner Rebecca Reategui on Amber & Miguel’s wedding next year, which will be photographed by Kelvin.

Here’s a little note Nikki received from Amber the day after the session:

I wanted to thank you for finding Miguel and I a wonderful and beautiful engagement photo location! Yesterday went really really well- the weather was pleasant, the location was great and we really liked working with Kelvin! Both Miguel and I talked about the photo session for hours afterwards and we couldn’t stop saying how great it went, how comfortable we felt and how relieved we are! So thank you =)

Thanks Amber! We are all very excited for your wedding!

Here is part two of Saloni & Arneek’s joyful wedding weekend. Geoff and I photographed their wedding day, which was held at the Dunsmuir Estate in Oakland. There are a lot of images in today’s post, and these are just the highlights. It was an amazing, amazing day.

Bride’s outfits are all about texture: soft fabrics, studded with jewels and embroidery; heavy bangles and slave bracelets; Mehndi decorations on hands and feet.

The elephant was truly larger than life. It’s difficult to express the joy and excitement felt by everyone upon seeing the elephant for the first time.

Look at these beautiful wearable bridesmaid dresses. I love the color and the softness. And the scarves!

This is the pre-ceremony Baraat -a party procession of the groom’s friends and family, escorting the groom to the ceremony. Arneek rode this incredible elephant while his friends and family danced their way to the ceremony.

All those not familiar with the traditions are literally grabbed by those that are, and helped to join in the fun. It is such an exhilarating, amazing experience to be a part of.

I love the colors of red and orange together, especially against the green grass.  Floramor created the design and also handled the logistics for the day. One of the things I love about Floramor is they can do simple elegance just as well as drop dead glamour. It always feels right for the setting.

Arneek is being greeted by Saloni’s mom

You can see how close Arneek is with Saloni’s family. I like how all you see is a sea of smilingly faces in the background.

Here is Saloni preparing to be carried to the ceremony site.

Spectacular rubies on her dad! The joy is unmistakable!

I love the expression on Saloni’s face here. All day long, you could see the love & emotions flowing between everyone. I had to choke back a few tears myself…

Now the couple walks around the fire…

Simple, elegant candle centerpieces create just the right atmosphere. Notice how the lighting in the background really transforms the room and creates texture and depth in the image?

Here’s the cocktail reception. These bronze statues lined the ceremony path as well, and their platters were loaded with rose petals. It was really gorgeous.

The bridal party opened the reception with an amazing dance.

It’s hard to find a single person sitting at the reception – exuberant dancing went on all night long.

All in all, it was an amazing, amazing day.  Congratulations to Saloni & Arneek!

Saloni & Arneek hosted a Garba Raas the evening before their wedding. A Garba Raas is a big, colorful dance, and their event started out with family performances and then moved on to dancing for everyone as the night wore on. Indian celebrations are controlled chaos! Lots happening, lots of color and movement. It’s truly amazing. Kelvin photographed this event for the couple and captured the amazing outpouring of love and joy from friends and family gathered to celebrate their union. Their wedding the next day was merely a continuation of the family love fest.

Here’s Saloni greeting friends and family

We love these kinds of events that allow us to focus on our photojournalistic style, capturing expression and action.

Arneek is rockin out! It looks like he’s serenading Saloni…

We love the color and movement of the dancing…

Overwhelming sense of joy and abandonment – no one’s self conscious; they all just dance!