Last week I headed out to UC Berkeley for Cecilia & Derek’s engagement session. I had never photographed there, so I was pleasantly surprised at how gorgeous the campus is! The architecture is amazing, and the grounds are also very woodsy, with lots of trees, shade, a creek and of course tons of great spots to work with from a photography perspective.

While working with them, I was struck by how each of them have these deep, amazing eyes. The camera loves them!

Congratulations Cecilia & Derek!

Robyn & Jason were married at Nestldown on a warm summer day, surrounded by friends and family.Their nature inspired theme fit perfectly with the outdoorsy environment, and Kelvin & Sarah were there to capture it all.  The ceremony took place in the grotto, cocktails up by the barn, and then dinner served on the lawn by none other than Thomas John Events.

Bride’s makeup by Jenna of Lux Agency and the florals are from Karen Baba of Plan Decor. Robyn kept her look light and natural, which perfectly complimented her dress.

Sarah captured this gorgeous image of the bride. Robyn’s choice of flowers in her hair is perfect for an outdoor wedding.

Touches of periwinkle accent the bouquets and lend a touch of color. The soft tones of the periwinkle and ivory really compliment the outdoor environment. Keeping the accessories to a minimum really suits the style of the wedding.

Ivory suits are perfect for a summer’s day. The periwinkle ties pull everything together.

Sarah spent some time exploring Nestldown and captured lots of little images of the landscaping and closeups of ferns, clover etc that really give you a little bit of a sense of what it is like to be there. If you haven’t been, you should definitely experience Nestldown. As I have said before…magical.

The bride entered from the stairway with her father, seeing Jason for the first time.

And they are married!

Nestldown is a photographer’s paradise. Every time you discover another little nook or hidden grove.

Escort cards displayed in wheat grass and succulents. The color matched linens really add to the overall look.

Wood was one of the natural elements Robyn & Jason featured in their wedding decor. Love these wood Mr. & Mrs. signs for the bride and groom table! Below is their couple’s initials carved into the birch centerpieces.

How cute is this wood cutout couple for a cake topper? Lots of D-I-Y touches.

Thomas John Events always impresses…great presentation and wonderful flavors.

strawberry and lemon flavored cupcakes. Yum!

Congratulations Robyn & Jason!

I recently had the pleasure of photographing and engagement session for Michelle & Chris at Stanford. What a blast, this couple literally had me laughing the entire time!  Their destination wedding is coming up next month at the Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay, and we are thrilled to be working with planner Rebecca Reategui together on what is sure to be a fabulous wedding celebration.

Prior to the shoot, Michelle had a quick glam session at Thi Cosmetics in Palo Alto. It’s a great way to make sure you are looking and feeling your best prior to the shoot. And I love how their color tones compliment each other and the setting so well.

Towards the end of the session we photographed over at the fountain, and I think those shots are my favorites. I just love the way Michelle is looking at Chris, very sweet!

Congratulations Michelle & Chris, looking forward to the big day!

Ulka and Chris had a lovely summer afternoon wedding at a winery in St Helena. I started the day at this amazing vacation rental home in St Helena that Ulka had rented for the family. This place was amazing, with many bedrooms, beautiful decor, and even its very own vineyard.What a great way to make a weekend out of the wedding celebration and be able to relax with your family in the days leading up to the big event.

After Ulka was ready, she greeted Chris at Charles Krug Winery and they took all their family photos prior to the ceremony, so they could relax and enjoy some downtime after the ceremony. Smart move!

Ulka was a gorgeous bride! She wore red and gold for the ceremony, then later both she and Chris changed into ivory and gold for the reception. Stunning!

Chris made a grand entrance on a white horse while friends and family cheered him on. I love the energy and excitement of an Indian wedding!

Charles Krug Winery is a gorgeous venue to hold your wedding celebration. There is a carriage house, which has a very rustic feel to the downstairs (think “barn”) and upstairs is a lovely wood paneled room with high ceilings for the reception. I LOVE the red and orange lanterns hanging from the trees. Such a visual treat!

Immediately after the ceremony, guests were treated to raspberry champagne cocktails.

Lighting is key, as my readers know! All the decor and and coordination was taken care of by Floramor and they did an amazing job. The tall centerpices featured lots of reds and oranges, and the vases contained another display of roses and lilies on the inside.

The reception room upstairs has peaked ceilings and big rustic chandeliers. The best part is that each side of the room has a veranda that opens up, allowing a fresh breeze and a gorgeous view of the property.

I had to post both of these cake photos, as I cannot decide which one I love more. The image on the left has great ambiance, with the chandalier above and hints of the lighting, but really shows off the cake itself. The right on the right represents the essence of the day-it was a gorgeous day, friends and family gathered together in a beautiful outdoor setting to celebrate Ulka & Chris.

Each layer of the cake was separated by these little golden elephants for good luck. I love the elephants!

Congratulations Ulka & Chris!

Kerry & Matt had a fun filled, romantic wedding by the sea. The wedding contained elements of fun, tradition and relaxed elegance. Kelvin had the pleasure of photographing this easy going couple. What a gorgeous day!

Weddings at the Ritz Carlton are always well done. Such a gorgeous, gorgeous location, combined with the ultimate in luxury service, makes for an unforgettable wedding. Kerry & Matt began their dream wedding at the Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay with Sunni Oza, Senior Catering Sales Manager. Sunni meets with wedding couples every weekend, helping them to design their dream wedding. Once Kerry & Matt had figured out the framework for their wedding, they worked closely with Lesli Mack, one of the Ritz Carlton’s wedding specialists. Lesli handles all the little details to ensure it’s a smooth day.

The guys made their entrance with the help of the Ritz Carlton’s bagpiper. It’s such a nice touch, and really adds a feeling of excitement to the festivities. And then the bride makes her entrance, escorted by her beaming father.

I love the one shoulder bridesmaids dresses, and this style is definitely something they can wear again.

The sand ceremony is a nice touch to a ceremony, and you have a lovely reminder for your home of your vows.

Kerry & Matt made sure that the wedding ceremony included their dog, a great way to personalize and make the day fun. They also brought their pup along for their Baker Beach engagement session.

The couple chose a beach theme and created their own seascape. Perfect for the Half Moon Bay setting, where you can sit outside and listen to the ocean waves.

Pink details add a soft, romantic feel to their beach theme. I love those little sand dollars, so cute!

This cake by Elegant Cheesecakes (with signature couples’ gift cake) combines the elements of fun and tradition perfectly. Each layer is decorated with a different pattern or texture, yet it all comes together, topped off with pink roses.

Congratulations Kerry & Matt!

Minji & Wayne planned the most amazing celebration for their wedding at Villa Montalvo. It was a wedding that their friends and guests will remember for years to come. It was planned and excuted with such precision that I would suspect Minji & Wayne planned elaborate events every day. It was just beautiful! As photographers, we are so appreciate of a well planned event, and it shows in the images.

Kelvin started the day with Minji and her bridesmaids as they got ready for the day. There was plenty of time allotted to get ready, so there was no need to rush at all.

Minji is a stunning bride, and she’s very comfortable in front of a camera. Kind of a photographer’s dream…

Minji and Wayne planned a private meeting before the ceremony, and Wayne presented his bride with a beautiful necklace. Kelvin captured the moment between the couple, and then they proceeded to take care of family portraits, allowing the family to really enjoy the cocktail hour.

And the ceremony begins…

And they are married! On to the celebration…

One of this year’s big trends in wedding attire is the suit instead of a rented tux. This allows the groom and groomsmen to be much more comfortable while playing down the formality and playing up the personality of the groom, allowing for a custom tailored look. Ties are lots of fun and you can play with the colors of the wedding, the bridesmaids dresses or simply reflect something personal to the groom. And really, who can resist a man in a good suit?

Wayne and Minji have a lot of fun adventures in the life together (marathons, rock climbing, etc.) and that playful passion really comes through in the images.

During the cocktail hour, a few musically talented  family members provided some wonderful live music for guests. What a treat!

Minji and Wayne love animals, and Minji especially loves horses. So they incorporated this into their wedding day by arriving to their reception by horse and carriage!

The couple chose to forgo the traditional wedding cake and instead had wedding cupcakes along with a delectable array of desserts to choose from. By the way, since Minji & Wayne are vegan, they arranged to serve all vegan foods and desserts. This is not only a wonderful way to personalize the menu, but it’s also a thoughtful way to share an experience with your friends and family. What a fabulous opportunity to introduce all your closest friends and family to something near and dear to your heart, vegan cuisine? Minji & Wayne had little ways throughout the experience to keep things light and fun, like their little bobble head welcome at the sweets table.

For the first dance, Minji changed into a different dress, and the couple put on quite a sultry dance for their guests. Nice way to get the party started…

Congratulations you two, I’m sure this will be the first of many more wonderful celebrations to come!

I was so excited for Megan & Will’s wedding, they are one of those couples that are so happy, easy going and just delightful really, I just could hardly wait for their wedding day to arrive. The day began at Rosewood in Menlo Park, a beautiful new property with a gorgeous view of the valley. Jean Marks, my friend and wedding coordinator, was there to handle all the details and ensure a smooth day for the couple and their families.

I started off  with Megan and her mom, where she was getting ready.

Megan chose this incredible one shoulder wedding gown by Oleg Cassini. Combined with her natural timeless style, Megan made a modern style look effortless & chic.

Will and the guys are having pre-ceremony espressos in the bridal suite. The suites at Rosewood are actually cottages, (like small houses) and are perfect for weddings, as you have several bedrooms for getting ready, plus a kitchen, patio and large living room for entertaining guests. Plus it looks like they come with espresso machines!

After Megan & Will’s “first look”  we took care of family portraits in the lobby at the hotel. Then we headed over to Portola Valley Presbyterian for the ceremony.

The ceremony was officiated by Megan’s father, who has officiated over many, many weddings. So it must have been a real treat for father and daughter both to have him perform the official duties. The ceremony itself was very brief.

And they are married!

We found  this gorgeous little path leading into the redwoods just to the right of the church. What a perfect spot for photos right after the ceremony!

The ballroom at the Rosewood Sand Hill is absolutely gorgeous. The room is done in tones of soft buttery yellow, which gives it a very flattering & elegant look. I especially love the walls. Megan & Will chose a simple palette of wedding whites for their flowers, which works perfectly in this room. J Floral Arts did the wedding flowers.

Both dads gave heartfelt toasts to the newlyweds.

After the ceremony, Megan removed her veil and added a flower to create a different look for the reception.

Megan and Will worked with Weddings on Film to create a love story video that they shared with friends and family. The film shared the story of how Megan & Will met as well as how they got engaged. It was both touching and funny, and the guests really enjoyed it.

Besides the official story Will gave us on the video about the engagement, Will’s mom gave us another perspective on how the proposal went down. Quite an entertaining story!

Will is a big fan of espresso, and the couple wanted to share this with their friends and family. It’s the little touches like this that really personalize the experience for guests. Rosewood set up this self serve espresso station.

Right before sunset, we slipped outside to take a few candid portraits on the lawn at Rosewood. Congratulations to you both Megan and Will!

Tina and Matt’s wedding was simply amazing. Gorgeous couple, perfect weather, outdoor winery setting, pretty much everything you could ask for in a perfect day. Of course, Kelvin was there to capture every moment. The day appeared to be effortless, thanks to KellyMcLesky-Dolata from a Savvy Event.

All the florals were done by Huckleberry Karen Designs. Tina chose to forgo the traditional white bouquet for herself, choosing instead a bouquet of deep reds. Bridesmaids were dressed in deep red and had ivory bouquets.

Stunning bride…love the flower detail in her hair and the simple jewelry, perfect for the outdoor setting of their wedding.

a modern take on the Godfather?

The couple and their families hung out in this gorgeous private rental home (estate?) in Glen Ellen. It was the prefect backdrop for pre-ceremony photos. It’s a great idea to consider-if you rent a big, fabulous home instead of a hotel, you end up paying a similar cost, yet you have the run of the entire estate, and can plan for the whole family to relax and hang out and enjoy the rest of the weekend together.

Sometimes it’s the little details that count. The sign points people in the right direction while setting the stage for the overall look and feel of the experience.

The trees create a gorgeous path for the wedding party. Aren’t these two of the cutest flower girls you’ve ever seen? It’s always wonderful to see flower girls in pairs (or triples).

The trees create an incredible sense of mood. It was a long walk, which always makes for a very dramatic entrance. Sarah captured this image, as well as the one of the flower girls. A perfect example of how you can get different perspectives with two photographers. Meanwhile, Kelvin was at the front, ready for the shot below…

This was the start of the happy tears. It was kind of a theme that day…

And they’re married! Congratulations!

I really love this particular image, not exactly sure why, but something about their energy that I just love.

The simple but elegant color and style Tina chose for her bridesmaids fits well with the rustic feeling of the venue.

That’s  Matt rocking a custom made suit . There’s nothing like a custom made suit. After Geoff had a custom made suit done in Hong Kong a few months ago, I have a new appreciation for way a custom tailored suit fits. It’s an incredible experience, and if you are a groom, I would highly recommend taking the opportunity to have a custom tailored suit made for your wedding day. You get to choose the color,  fabric, how many buttons, the style of pants (hint: go with a flat front if you can) and of course it is made to fit you like a glove. Usually you can get a few shirts made to go with it as well-shirts that never feel too tight, the collars fit just right, the sleeves are the perfect length.And  your initials are sewn in to the cuff just to let everyone know that shirt was made for you.  Geoff let me pick the color of the lining (because I demanded) and so I chose a blue that matches the color of his eyes. Ohh how I love the custom made suit…now back to Tina and Matt….

The setting for the reception is outdoor natural style with a hint of DIY style. A fun mix of casual elements and a hint of glamor created a relaxed elegance.  Wildflowers were loosely arranged in mason jars, and the menu was presented  on a small chalk board. For a little glamor, they added chandeliers from the trees.

Cake by Jen’s Cakes in Willow Glen. Yum!

Lighting provided by Got Light. Lighting is an important consideration for any event, but when it comes to outdoor evening events, lighting is crucial. We are big fans of Got Light’s work. I think lighting is one of the most important aspects to creating a mood and designing a look for your event. Even if you don’t have a big budget for decor, lighting is the one thing not to skip.

There’s something incredibly romantic about outdoor first dances. It must be the light. In photography, it’s always about the light.

And they lived happily ever after…

Claudia and Chuck came to us by lucky accident. They attended a presentation I did at the annual “Wedding University” and heard my program about the importance of investing in a seasoned pro, and what goes into the cost of professional wedding photography (why it can be expensive). They hired someone to do their engagement session, and were not in love with the results. So they decided to give us a call. I’m so glad they did! Kelvin photographed their wedding, and it turned out beautifully! This was one of those weddings where everything just turned out perfectly…

Claudia receives a blessing from her mother on her wedding day, just as Claudia’s mother received a blessing on her wedding day. It’s amazing to see all the family and cultural traditions that go into a wedding day. I think that traditions are so important, as they are a way to really bring the family together and honor the past.

Claudia chose a scalloped lace veil which gives her a very timeless look, especially paired with a classic pearl necklace. This is one of my favorite shots of the day, just a fleeting moment of pure joy captured. Gorgeous lighting (and gorgeous bride)! Makeup is by Lux Image Agency.

Claudia chose black strapless cocktail dresses for her bridesmaids…I bet they will have a chance to wear those again!

Looks like Chuck knows how to have fun with the guys…the whole wedding day is pretty much like this. Everyone is relaxed, smiling and totally enjoying themselves. Exactly what you would want a wedding day to be.

Claudia’s mom did the honor of walking her down the aisle.

I love how the ceremony area is framed in by these lovely trees. Makes for a gorgeous photo backdrop. The white rose petals going up the aisle lead your eyes right to the action. The wedding and reception took place at the San Ramon Golf Club.

The ceremony was officiated by the bride’s brother in law.

And they’re married!

Both Claudia and Chuck are golfers, and wanted to put a personal spin on some of their portraits. I love the color combo of the green grass, brown hills and blue sky.

Simple details carefully chosen create a fun, playful mood. You don’t have to break the bank on the details; by choosing pink napkins on black tablecloths, that gives the room a nice pop of color, and the pink up lights finish it off. The florals are from Angela Pryor.

I love their cake for 3 reasons: simple design yet gorgeous, it’s from Elegant Cheesecakes, which is one of the most delicious cakes ever, and I have a soft spot in my heart for all things Disney. So cute!

Claudia and Chuck, congratulations!

Joy & Jon had their engagement session with Kelvin recently at Ghirardelli Square. What a cute couple these two are!

They did a fantastic job with choosing their clothing for the session. The ruffle at the top of Joy’s dress and the pinstripes in Jon’s shirt add visual interest without becoming overwhelming.  And Joy had scheduled  her makeup trial with Maria Chang of PMA to coincide with the engagement session shoot. Great choice!

We were thrilled when Joy & Jon chose us for their wedding photography, and excited that we’ll be working with Elisheva of “A Bride’s Best Friend.” Elisheva is helping sort through all those details and make sure that everything comes together as they have envisioned.

Above is my personal favorite from their session. I just love the expression on Joy’s face!

What’s great about this location is it is within walking distance from a small beach, so you can get a nice variety of backdrops.

Congratulations Joy & Jon, we can’t wait for the big day!