A few weeks ago I got the opportunity to photograph the wedding of a friend’s sister. I work with Basheer on occasion to photograph some amazing corporate gatherings of the brightest minds in Silicon Valley, and on this occasion I was lucky enough to photograph his sister Rukhsa’s wedding. We started off at the St. Regis residences, where the bride was getting ready. I love love the details and color of Indian weddings! Look at that gorgeous bracelet below. She had a whole array of gorgeous jewels laid out!

Gorgeous bride, and the red lips really set off her bridal look.  She also wore these gorgeous red heels dripping with jewels!

After the bride was all ready, we hoped into the limo with Kamram for a few minutes of  portraits before the ceremony. We didn’t have much time, so we chose to take advantage of theYerba Buena Gardens park right across the street, which turned out to be a perfect little spot!

This is one of my favorite portraits. First you see Rukhsa’s gorgeous eyes and then Kamran smiling in the background.

Then we hopped back into the limo to get to the ceremony back at the St. Regis Hotel.

Guests arriving and greeting each other prior to the ceremony.

The groom’s family made their entrance together while being greeted with rose petals upon their arrival. Then the bride made her entrance with her brother Basheer and two flower girls.

Congratulations to Rukhsa & Kamran!

Kathleen & Dave had a gorgeous new year’s eve wedding and Geoff & I had the honor of photographing every moment. We started off in Kathleen’s suite at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco. It was a perfectly elegant setting for a bride to get  ready, and I love the rich red wallpaper in the background. Her floral designer& event planner, Isabella of Florabella did a stunning white bouquet for Kathleen, it was so fragrant and I loved the textures. I’m not usually a fan of white bouquets, but this one was really spectacular!

Kathleen & Dave had a “first look” meeting in the bridal suite, and then we headed out to do portraits. With the wedding ceremony at 6pm, portraits beforehand was a great choice.

We went to Presideo Park, which is a great location for portraits. Kathleen went for classic tastes with pearl bridal set and white bouquet. She looks gorgeous!

Since it was a bit chilly on the last day of December, Kathleen’s mom made this FABULOUS wrap to go with Kathleen’s dress. It was ivory on the outside, and then a very soft beige on the inside, with a clever loophole to keep it from slipping off the shoulders.

The ceremony was held at Old Saint Mary’s in San Francisco. I love this church, it’s a great space to photograph in, and they are pretty lenient with photographers. We were able to photograph from the balcony as well, which gives a wonderful overall shot below.

And they are married!

After the ceremony, we headed to the Julia Morgan Ballroom, where Kathleen and Dave were able to enjoy a nice cocktail hour with their guests since we’d gotten all the portraits done beforehand. Julia Morgan ballroom can be very difficult to capture – it’s dark and the intricate ceiling and flooring can overpower the details. Kathleen and David chose good lighting, and the heavy cloths and the texture-heavy flowers and place settings really help counteract that. Instead of being lost in the room, the whole setting looks rich.

Cake is from Jen’s Cakes, and was perfectly suited to the theme of the evening.

The lighting, which is essential for a location like this, was done Everything Audio Visual and they did a fantastic job.

Kathleen and Dave had a surprise birthday cake brought out for this little guy, celebrating his new year’s eve birthday at the wedding.

At the stroke of midnight, the happy couple found each other for a New Year’s Eve midnight kiss. I got one from Geoff too. Sometimes I just get carried away by all the romance surrounding me! Congratulations to Kathleen & Dave!

Valerie and Leandro’s wedding was gorgeous. Kelvin and Sarah did an amazing job photographing this wedding, and I am so excited to be able to finally show it on the blog! The wedding took place at the Hotel Vitale in San Francisco. It was the perfect location for their New Year’s day wedding celebration. This is one of those weddings that just turned out perfectly. Every image is gorgeous. I’m so glad we got to be a part of it!

Simple, yet sophisticated white calla lily bouquet. And I LOVE the locket attached, what a perfect finishing touch. Floral perfection by Nancy Liu Chin of Nancy Liu Chin Designs

After getting gorgeous, Valerie and Leandro had a private meeting prior to the ceremony on the rooftop of Hotel Vitale. As I’ve said a thousand times before, I love private meetings before the ceremony. Love them! It’s very romantic. See that image above? What did Valerie want to do when she first laid eyes on her soon to be husband? She wanted to touch him, hold him and spend a few quiet moments enjoying one another. And they did just that. Kelvin and Sarah took them out and about to capture some beautiful images of the two of them prior to all the excitement of the day.

I just love how their portraits turned out. So relaxed, carefree, and full of joy. These images have that “editorial” look to them. Very nice! I’m giving a presentation at the Wedding University on Sunday, January 31st, and I’m using a number of their wedding images in my presentation.

I love Valerie’s expression on this one above. I just love it when a moment like this is captured that is so real and so strong, you almost feel as though you should turn away and give them some privacy. They are so perfect for each other these two!

Sarah caught this great image of them walking back to Hotel Vitale.  I really, really love this one. Just the feeling, the movement, the texture.

The wedding ceremony was held on the rooftop of the hotel, overlooking gorgeous views of the Bay.

This ring bearer got to hold the actual rings!

The pinstriping on Leandro’s tie adds a lot of character. It’s all in the little details…

And they are married!

Here’s a stunning indoor portrait of the bride. The lighting behind adds a nice touch of glamor!

The reception was held in a clear tent, with gorgeous branches & twinkle lights. What a great space!

Photo booths are such a fun way to get people loosened up. They had this great little setup on the cocktail table with a photo album, markers, glue sticks etc.

Congratulations to you both!

Congrats to Shalini and Martin, their wedding was recently featured in the magazine Celeb Life. We’ve got a lot of gorgeous weddings in upcoming magzines, stay tuned for more. Great job Kelvin!

January 30th is the date for the 2010 Wedding University taking place at the Four Seasons in Palo Alto. This is a fantastic day of learning the inside secrets to wedding planning from the pros. You’ll be educated about selecting a menu, setting a budget, design and decor, dance instruction and of course photography! Kevin Chin and I will be presenting again this year and we’ll be explaining a lot of the terms and mysteries behind wedding photography. We’ll give lots of great tips on how to get the most from your photography regardless of who you have hired. There will also be a fashion show, table settings featuring the latest trends and incredibly decadent food all day long. Plus the best part is the prizes! tropical Four Seasons honeymoon, engagement sessions, etc.  It’s an amazing event, not to be missed! You can get all the details right here, and be sure to get your tickets before they sell out! I will be posting more info in the coming days, so check back frequently!

Jessica started her wedding day getting ready at her parents home. The family put a lot of care and thought into creating a peaceful, calm space for Jessica to get ready for her marriage ceremony.

Wow, look at that bone structure. Gorgeous!!!

Seeing a table set so lovingly like this, I can only imagine the love and care in Jessica’s family.

I love the shots Kelvin did in the entryway to the hom. It looks amazing with the white light pouring in, Jessica just glows.

Choosing a fancy getaway car like this one is a great way to personalize your wedding day experience.

Paul could hardly take his eyes off Jessica during the ceremony. The ceremony took place at St. Mary’s in Los Gatos. Normally when I shoot there, I’m always told I have to stand way (way) in the back and not move at all. So I’m not sure how Kelvin got these great close ups…I guess he worked his magic!

I think Jessica’s already said yes, right Paul? Maybe he’s just double checking…

The one thing that really comes across in the images from the wedding and their engagement session is how much these two adore each other.

The reception took place at La Rinconada. The room has great details on its own and doesnt need a lot of extras. Notice the textured walls, warm colors and mantle above?

what a perfect way to end the evening, sitting around and enjoying the firepit as the sun goes down. Congratulations Jessica & Paul!

Michelle and Henry chose the gorgeous setting of the Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay to celebrate their marriage. It was a crisp and clear morning, and Geoff and I were there to capture everything. We got to know this sweet couple a few months back at their engagement session at Stanford. Michelle and Henry are both very laid back and easy going.

Michelle chose very cute pewter cocktail dresses for her bridesmaids. The orange bouquets really pop against the dresses.

The florist lined the ceremony aisle with fresh rose petals and then finished the look with a circle of rose petals. Simple, yet adds a nice splash of color.

Michelle and Henry had a very brief ceremony in the late morning. While most of Henry’s family is from Saratoga, Michelle’s family traveled from overseas to be  with her on her wedding day. As always, Tony White was there to ensure everything ran smoothly!

Michelle has a great smile! So does Henry!

The decor was simple yet elegant. Red was the theme color, perfect for a fall wedding.

Look at the cute little crystal teddy bears Michelle and Henry used for their cake topper? The little wrapped package cake is a signature element of Elegant Cheesecakes. Yum!

After the toasts Michelle changed into a traditional red dress, which looked stunning on her. Congratulations Michelle & Henry!

Alison & David’s wedding at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay was magical. Everything was pretty much perfection. Their wedding was exactly the way a wedding should be: full of love, joy and family. Both Alison and David were just so happy all day. Their two families were so close, it was like they were blended into one big family. It was beautiful.

Here’s our gorgeous bride walking barefoot through the grass to get to various portrait locations. And yes, her dress did get dirty in service to a great cause! Don’t be afraid of a little dirt on your dress, it is meant to be enjoyed on one day only!

I love the side profile. Even the serious look on the upper right, she’s just stunning. I love the scalloped lace on the veil. Alison’s hair and makeup by Armando of Get Your Do Up

Ornamento provided the florals, soft yellows and peaches for the ceremony, and then darker reds and oranges for the reception. Ornamento also provided coordination for the day’s events, allowing the families to sit back and enjoy the day.

These great bridesmaids dresses will definitely have a life after the wedding.

These signature cocktails kept the guests occupied while we headed out for portraits. I love the names they came up with!

Alison removed her veil after the ceremony, and had flowers pinned in her hair which gave her a different look for the reception. As a photographer, I think the best portraits of the couple are created when the photographer finds a great spot with nice lighting, and then the couple just enjoys each other-you get real emotion and a real connection between the two of you. And the images will speak for themselves!

Since the ceremony ended close to sunset, we did Alison and David’s portraits before the family portraits, to ensure we used the best available lighting for the couple.

The reception decor featured autumn touches like fall leaves, candlelight, chocolate tablecloths, berries and rich autumn hues. The lighting accents really set the scene.

Shannie Cakes created the lovely stacked cake.

No explanation needed on Alison’s feelings about being lifted up in a chair for the hoorah dance.

And she survived!

Guests were treated to this gorgeous candy bar station with childhood favorites like jelly beans, sour patch kids and Bazooka bubble gum.

Congratulations to both Alison & David!

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!