Tin and Lena first met and became friends while mentoring underserved Southeast Asian high school students in a summer program at UC Berkeley. However, it wasn’t until a year later when their paths crossed again after Tin joined another mentorship program that Lena was a part of. As they shared a common interest in student empowerment and community, they grew closer the following summer as coordinators organizing the same summer program where they first met. After sharing many late night meetings and meals, their relationship began to blossom and the rest is history! For their engagement session, they wanted to commemorate the beautiful UC Berkeley campus where they spent so much time together. We started off in the Eucalyptus Grove before walking around campus to Sproul Plaza and Sather Gate before wrapping up the shoot by the Campanile Tower at sunset.
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Summertime UC Botanical Garden Engagement Session » Berkeley, California / by Vivian Chen
Whenever Clarisse and Colin are in town, they love spending time wandering the paths at UC Botanical Gardens in Berkeley. For their engagement session, we picked a lovely and warm summer afternoon to explore the lush greenery the gardens have to offer.
A Summertime UC Faculty Club Wedding » Berkeley, California / by Vivian Chen
Kathleen and Ben met in college when they both joined the mixed race student association. Ben knew from the moment he met her that she would be the one he would marry but it took ten years of dating before he popped the question on the first day of winter in San Francisco's Japantown. For their wedding, the chose the rustic Faculty Club on the UC Berkeley campus. The ceremony under the grand oak tree was officiated by a good friend who Ben recently married. Afterwards guests were treated to cocktails and a delicious dinner in the grand hall. A highlight of the evening was when Kathleen's mother sang "Stand By Your Man" acapella and brought the whole house down!
Venue: The Faculty Club // Wedding Coordinator: Simply Elegant // Floral Design: Belle Flower // Hair & Make-Up: Vinnia Tjhin // Lighting: Immersive Pro // DJ: Sounds Elevated // Desserts: Sweet Adeline Bakeshop
Mather Redwood Grove + UC Botanical Garden Wedding » Berkeley, California / by Vivian Chen
Tammy and David got married at one of my favorite locations, UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley. The day started at a nearby Airbnb where everyone helped David try to figure out how to tie a bowtie. Afterwards, we headed over to the Mather Redwood Grove at the Botanical Garden where we snapped some group portraits before their sweet ceremony. Tears were shed as Tammy and David exchanged vows in front of their friends and family. They took a moment alone in the grove after the ceremony before heading over to Julia Morgan Hall for cocktail hour and dinner reception where the festivities continued on into the night.
Community-Focused Mather Redwood Grove + UC Botanical Garden Wedding » Berkeley, California / by Vivian Chen
Any wedding that takes place in a redwood grove makes my heart sing. Laura and Lark's UC Botanical Garden wedding not only was a reflection of the natural beauty of the Bay Area but focused the day around the community of people who love and support them. Those are my favorite kind of weddings. (You can read more about their celebration with their feature on the Catalyst Wed Co. blog!)
Wedding Venue: UC Botanical Garden // Wedding Coordinator: A Monique Affair // Caterer: Los Moles // Tabletop Decor: Glassybaby & DIY // Lark's Suit: Kipper Clothiers // Laura's Dress: Novella Bridal // Laura's Manicure: Melody at Fig & Clover // Dessert: Golden Gate Donuts // Rings: Brilliant Earth
LAURA + LARK'S UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley Wedding » Catalyst Wed Co / by Vivian Chen
So excited to have Laura and Lark's UC Botanical Garden wedding featured on Catalyst Wed Co. I absolutely adore this couple and their story! (And plan to share the whole wedding on my blog soon!) In the meantime, you can read and see more from their wedding at Catalyst Wed Co!
Autumn Faculty Club Wedding » Berkeley, California / by Vivian Chen
Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Faculty Club at UC Berkeley // Floral Design: Gorgeous & Green // Hair & Make-up: Viveur Salon // Catering: The Faculty Club // Desserts: Masse's Pastries // Lighting: DJ Jeremy Productions // DJ: DJ Jeremy Productions // Print Design: Matthew Hettler // Photobooth: Action Flipbooks