Rainy Day Cavallo Point Lodge COVID Wedding » Sausalito, California

K and R were married on a rainy spring day in at the picturesque Cavallo Point Lodge in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge. Their original plans were to have a ceremony out on the Mission Blue Lawn so when a late April rainstorm rolled through that morning, the hardworking team at Riley Loves Lulu Weddings set out to relocate the ceremony indoors. Plans for a first look over at Battery Yates was scraped in favor of a drier meeting out on the front porch of the the Lodge. Afterwards, K and R headed over to the Mission Blue Chapel where Golden FIelds Floristry had transformed the empty church into a warm and inviting space complete with dogwood blooms framing the altar. K’s aunt officiated the ceremony which included a Japanese tea ceremony and a surprise musical performance of “My Girl.” As everyone sang along to the first lyrics “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day” the rain outside cleared and sun began to stream into the chapel windows. Truly a magical moment! After small bites and drinks on the balcony, K + R took some time after cocktail hour to wander the grounds of Cavallo Point for some additional portraits. Dinner continued upstairs in the main lodge with toasts, cake cutting and mingling with good conversation into the night.

Wedding Venue: Cavallo Point Lodge // Wedding Planner: Riley Loves Lulu Weddings // Florist: Golden Fields Floristry // Hair & Make-Up: Dreamcatcher Artistry // Signage & Paper: JK Design // Draping: Marin Event Lighting // Live Music: Ryan Hernandez Music // Videographer: Slow Fall Cinema // DJ: DJ Rufio of MVMNT DJs

Springtime Cottages of Napa Valley COVID Wedding » Napa, California

Shanna and Kevin had to reschedule their wedding three times due to the pandemic but third times the charm as they were finally able to get married on their 10 year anniversary. While they had always planned for a smaller celebration, a ceremony at San Francisco City Hall and a dinner at a winery in Los Gatos had to be shelved fairly quickly at the start of 2020. But after spending a little vacation at the Cottages of Napa Valley, a favorite of Kevin’s parents, they realize that this quaint resort featuring eight cottages in wine country would make the perfect place for their tiny family only wedding plans. The hotel’s owner graciously allowed Shanna and Kevin to book out the whole place for the weekend which made it perfect (and easy) to host festivities. The afternoon started with Shanna and Kevin getting ready together. Fiona from Urban Beauty Loft helped Shanna with her hair and make-up while Kristin from KO Floral Designs provided some lush blooms to brighten the day. As it was too early in the season for winery photos, we headed over to nearby Alston Park for some spring time portraits and we even stopped on the side of the road for some photos with the bright yellow mustard flowers. We headed back to the Cottages for their wedding ceremony in the courtyard garden, officiated by a close friend of theirs. Afterwards, everyone relaxed and enjoyed a deliciously catered meal while mingling in the garden. Such a simple and sweet way to celebrate!

Carmel River State Beach + Carmel Valley Ranch COVID Minimony » Carmel, California

Stacey and Scott always wanted a small wedding so when their intentions for San Francisco City Hall elopement fell through due to COVID, they realized they could open their plans up for something even more their speed. Big fans of the outdoors, they chose to invite close family and friends to Carmel Valley for a quick mid-week celebration. I met them at Carmel River State Beach where we hiked down to the water for some portraits among the waves and large rock formations. Afterwards, we headed back to Carmel Valley Ranch where we walked through the vineyards just as the sun was beginning to dip behind the hills. We met up with everyone down on the ceremony lawn where Scott’s brother-in-law officiated a short but sweet ceremony. Everyone celebrated with some champagne and toasts before heading to dinner back at the hotel.

Intimate Family Focused Ruth Bancroft Garden COVID Wedding » Walnut Creek, California

Jen and Carlo met many years ago working in the ER and after two kids, a big move, and a surprise proposal involving the hospital helipad, they were finally excited to celebrate with a wedding. Originally they planned to get married at San Francisco City Hall, but when the pandemic stopped all city hall weddings indefinitely they turned to the gorgeous cactus paradise of Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek. The couple and their families got ready on-site in the barn loft before a first look among the giant agaves. Afterwards, we walked with their two kids to the small pond deep within the gardens. The Gardens’ event manager suggested a spot for their ceremony which featured a gorgeous South American ceiba speciosa or silk floss tree which was in full bloom with bright pink flowers as the backdrop. Jen and Carlo exchanged vows and rings in front of their closest family and a few friends before heading back to the barn for a few light snacks. As the sun dipped behind the horizon, we explore the garden together, stopping for portraits along the way.

Childhood Backyard COVID Wedding » Foster City, California

Cara and Eliot’s original plans had to be put on hold due to COVID-19 so they swapped their large wedding plans for a smaller, more intimate one in the backyard of Eliot’s childhood home. The guest list was narrowed down to Cara and Eliot’s immediate families, a good friend of Cara’s and of course their beloved dog Gordie. Unfortunately, Eliot’s sister Barbara (who’s the reason behind how Cara and Eliot met!) was unable to fly in from New York so she attended via Zoom call and got to mingle with everyone and watch the festivities. When Cara was done getting ready with her mother and mother-in-law, she walked down the street to meet Eliot for their first look at the park where he spent childhood playing. We shot some portraits beneath the lush green trees that lined the park before doing another first look with Cara’s father and then heading back to meet the rabbi and cantor. After signing the ketubah, Cara and Eliot were married underneath the chuppah in their backyard surrounded by their families. They shared wine, exchanged rings, broke the glass, and kissed, all the while glowing with happiness and excitement. Afterwards, everyone celebrated with a catered dinner and sweet toasts before wrapping up the evening with some wedding cake.

Wedding Planner: Brick & Belle Events // Catering & Rentals: Toast Bay Area // Cake & Desserts: Mazzetti’s Bakery // Cara’s Bouquet: DIY by Cara // Videography: Slow Fall Cinema

Lands End Labyrinth COVID Elopement » San Francisco, California

Emily and Akshai knew they didn’t want their original wedding date to pass by without some sort of celebration. In honor of the day, they invited their immediate families and a few close friends for quick ceremony at the Labyrinth at Lands End in San Francisco. What normally is often a cold and foggy time of year, this June afternoon was sunny, warm and very windy. After a brief hike over to the cliff, we found a spot for their ceremony overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. Their close friend officiated while everyone, including their pup, Jasper watched on with excitement. After the ring exchange and kiss, there was more celebrating with throwing rose petals which promptly blew away in the high coastal winds. We snapped a few more portraits along the cliff before hiking back home. It wasn’t the day they had originally planned but it was just as special.

East Bay Childhood Backyard COVID Wedding » Oakland, California

When Stephanie and Jack’s plans for a 200 person wedding at the end of May was postponed due to COVID-19, they decided that they still wanted to get married on their original date. Stephanie always dreamed of getting married in her parent’s backyard and with the guest list whittled down to immediate family and tiny handful of friends, it just made sense to go for it. I arrived on a warm sunny day, face mask on, knowing that I’d be relying on my favorite 85mm prime lens to maintain a safe distance. Jack greeted me andI set him up for his first look with Stephanie under a grand eucalyptus tree. Stephanie’s mom had taken extra lace from her dress to make a custom matching face mask so we made sure to snap a few portraits. Jack’s nieces and nephews were also all dressed up for the occasion as they served as ring bearers and flower girls. Once the rest of the handful of non-family guests arrived, the ceremony began. Everyone sat in their own seats, placed six feet apart as a tripod and laptop served to livestream the celebration to over 100 guests around the world who couldn’t make it. Jack’s sister officiated while Stephanie and Jack exchanged heartfelt vows. Afterwards, there was a bit of mingling and a quick champagne toast by the couple’s parents (everyone was given their individual cups and mini bottle) before Stephanie and Jack headed out for some portraits around the neighborhood. I am so grateful to have been able to photograph their backyard wedding, despite it not being their original plan. With all the global uncertainty and tragedy, it felt good to celebrate something so full of love, happiness and compassion.