San Francisco Film Centre Presidio Wedding » San Francisco, California

Polly and Greg were married on a warm spring day at the San Francisco Film Centre in the Presidio. Their ceremony, officiated by Greg's hilarious step-brother, was held in front of the iconic blue doors with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge behind them. Afterwards, their guests were treated to cocktails and lawn games before the multi-course dinner inside the historic centre's reception hall where toasts and dancing kept the party going!

Wedding Venue: San Francisco Film Centre // Florist: Farmgirl Flowers // Hair & Make-Up: A-List Makeup // Rentals: Abbey Party Rents SF // Lighting: Janette's Events // Baker: SusieCakes // DJ: Chris "The Rebel" Debol 

Joshua Tree National Park + Ace Hotel Wedding » Palm Springs, California

A and O absolutely love visiting Joshua Tree National Park. So when they had to quickly alter their wedding plans from a larger celebration in San Francisco, Palm Springs seemed like the perfect Plan B. Joined by their mothers and close friends, The Ace Hotel served as a stylish and inviting place for their small ceremony and reception. We started the day getting ready at the hotel before driving out to Joshua Tree to visit all of their favorite spots in the park. As the sun started to set, we returned to the Ace for a short and sweet ceremony before celebrating with fancy tacos and drinks from King's Highway. Every time I shoot a small wedding like this, I truly get a feel for the love between my couples and their families. I become more like a friend than just a photographer. A and O's was no different and I am so grateful to have been a part of it! 

Wedding Venue: Ace Hotel Palm Springs  // Floral Design: My Little Flower Shop // Cake: Over the Rainbow Desserts // Catering: King's Highway // Reception Lighting: Target // Invitations: Vintage Baby Doll // Wedding Dress: LOHO Bride // Shoes: No6 // Earrings: Melissa Joy Manning // Hair & Make-Up: DIY by the bride // Suit & Shoes: J. Crew // Wedding Bands: Satomi Kawakita // Officiant: Friend of the bride

San Jose Rose Garden Wedding » San Jose, California

Diane and James aren't fussy people so getting married at the San Jose Rose Garden on a lovely spring day was the perfect way to celebrate. Naomi of Santa Cruz Officiant created the sweetest ceremony for the both of them, including how the two met sprinkled with a lot of their inside jokes. Self-proclaimed nerds, they sealed the ceremony by pour two colorful liquids together creating a beautiful little chemical reaction. Afterwards, their friends and family were invited to a delicious dinner at Palacio in Los Gatos.

Saratoga Country Club Wedding » Saratoga, California

Grace and Joe's spring time wedding at the Saratoga Country Club was a simply elegant celebration. We took some time before the ceremony to capture portraits underneath a willow tree and even got to play with some smoke bombs during dinner. With warm weather, blue skies and florals provided by Juanita's Flowers they couldn't ask for a more lovely day!

A Purple City Hall + Redwood Regional Park Wedding » Oakland + San Francisco, California

Alanna and Vihang's wedding can be summed up into three words: purple, dragons and redwoods. After a sweet family focused Friday ceremony at San Francisco City Hall, Alanna and Vihang celebrated with their friends with a party in Oakland's Redwood Regional Park. For both days, everyone was encouraged to wear purple as it's Alanna's favorite color. On Saturday, Alanna's sister led a simple ceremony inviting friends to share a few words about the couple. The guests blew bubbles to kick off the reception and everyone was invited to a potluck picnic including Indian curries, rice, samosas and lots of delicious homemade sweets. And of course, drinks from Alanna and Vihang's purple dragon goblets!

Ceremony Venue: San Francisco City Hall // Portrait Location: Baker Beach // Reception Location: Redwood Regional Park // Hair: Amy Walkup of Manifesta Salon // Wedding Bands: Brilliant Earth // Goblets: Fellowship Foundry

Laotian-Jewish Backyard Wedding » Woodside, California

April and Jed were married in the backyard of their friend's gorgeous Woodside home. They hosted 80 of their closest friends and family for a combined Laotian/Jewish ceremony that honored traditions from both families. The day was filled with all the things they love - from the sailing themed invitations, pork bun passed apps, and sticky rice and BBQ'd chicken family style dinner. Even April's dog, Peter Pan got dressed in a tuxedo for the occasion! The evening rains didn't stop the celebration as everyone danced the night away under the tent by the pool.

How To Make The Most of a Rainy Day Wedding » Catalyst Wed Co

It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I love a good rainstorm. As I mention in my bio, nothing makes me happier than exploring the redwoods on a wet day. And this love for rainy days has translated into some of my favorite weddings I've shot in the past couple of years. Rainy day weddings aren't traditionally the most ideal but I've learned to embrace the adventure and hope that other couples will can learn to do the same. To learn more, I've shared some tips and insights on Catalyst Wed Co today! Check it out!

Hiking the Na Pali Coast Destination Wedding » Kauai, Hawaii

Severin and Robert are an adventurous couple who absolutely love traveling the world from India to Bali, Australia and beyond. When it was time to plan their wedding, they knew they wanted to keep it small and do something out of the ordinary. With family living all over the country, they chose give their families a once in a lifetime vacation by having their wedding in Kauai. The plan was for a small Catholic ceremony and a simple dinner at a nice restaurant but had big plans for the rest of the day: portraits on the Na Pali Coast!

When Severin and Robert asked if I'd be up for hiking the Kalalau Trail along Kauai's Na Pali Coast as part of their wedding day, I immediately replied with an emphatic "YES!" Sure, it was a little wild and logistically ambitious but I was up for the challenge. For the past couple of years, I've wanted to combine my two photography loves: shooting weddings and gorgeous, epic landscapes and here was a chance to do both.

The magic of Kauai's lush landscape pushed us along even as flash rainstorms showered down on us and slick muddy trails slowed our progress. Five hours of hiking later, we were sore and soggy but so happy. I couldn't have picked a more epic way to wrap up my wedding season. Thank you Severin and Robert for having me along and I am forever grateful. 

Ceremony Venue: Saint Sylvester's // Portrait Location: Kalalau Trail // Reception Location: Westin Princeville // Floral Design: Mr. Flowers // Hair & Make-Up: Mia Moriguchi // Severin's Gown: Love Couture Bridal // Robert's Suit: Saks Fifth Avenue // Rings: Anna Sheffield

Quirky Autumn Heather Farms Garden Wedding » Walnut Creek, California

Venue: The Gardens at Heather Farms // Florals: DIY // Catering: Wilma Lott Catering // Dessert: Angel Cakes // Hair and Make-Up Artist: Ellyse Magsino // Wedding Dress: David's Bridal // Wedding Shoes: Kate Spade // Groom's Suit: Men's Wearhouse // Wedding Bands: E-Wedding Bands & Louisa Gallery // Officiant: Allison Hurzwitz // DJ: All Ears DJ

Rainy Day USS Potomac Wedding » San Francisco, California

Hotel: Hotel Vitale // Event Venue: USS Potomac // Florals: Erica Rose Design // Catering: Swanky Catering & Events // Music: North Beach Brass Band // Hair & Make-Up: Racine Christensen // Nicole's Dress: Dolce Gabbana // Nicole's Coat: Richard Tyler // Santiago's Suit: Hugo Boss // Wedding Bands: Cartier & Blue Nile

Outdoorsy Lakeside Gatekeeper's Museum Wedding » Lake Tahoe, California

Nhi and Michael love visiting Lake Tahoe, especially in the winter. While a snowy wedding was out of the picture, they chose to get married at the Gatekeeper's Museum on the shores of the lake. Their outdoor wedding, which included their beloved shiba inu Rocky, was a casual picnic affair with lots DIY touches from the felt dog boutonnieres Nhi made of her friend's dogs to the bouquets and table decorations. The couple also made sure that the reception was kid friendly and packed with lots of activities (this way the parents could also enjoy themselves!) At sunset, we ducked away from the crowds for some portraits on the lake before heading back for the ultimate dance party under the stars.

Hotel: Northstar Lodge // Wedding Venue: Gatekeeper's Museum // Event Coordinator: Larissa of Tahoe Bride/EventMasters // Florals & Boutonnières: DIY by the bride // Catering: D'Lish // Cake: Sugar Pine Cakery // DJ: DJ Flip of Verducci Productions // Facepainting & Balloons: Giggle and Grin // Photobooth: Clementine Photo Booths

Community Focused Trocadero Clubhouse Stern Grove Wedding » San Francisco

When Rosa and Liberty toured San Francisco's Trocadero Clubhouse in Stern Grove, they knew it would be the perfect venue for their intimate 80 person wedding. With family in both Chicago and Los Angeles, they wanted a place that would showcase Northern California. Stern Grove's redwood and eucalyptus grove provided the perfect backdrop for their outdoor ceremony, officiated by a close friend of the couple. The celebration moved indoors to the clubhouse where Rosa's floral designs brightened the space and Native Catering kept everyone well fed with delicious barbecue. The party wrapped up with coffee and donuts from Oakland's Donut Savant and a dance party that continued into the evening.

Wedding Venue: Trocadero Clubhouse at Stern Grove // Floral Design: Rodan Studio // Liberty's Dress: Reformation // Rosa's Dress: BHLDN // Hair & Make-Up: Caitlin Collentine // Rentals: Abbey Party Rents // Catering: Native Catering // Dessert: Donut Savant // Cake: Noe Valley Bakery // Photobooth: MagBooth