MEF Photography Blog! » San Francisco-Based Wedding, Family + Portrait Photography

I don’t think I’ve ever talked about this before, but one of my favorite parts of every wedding is listening to toasts. They give such a unique, intimate and sentimental perspective on the bride and groom, and I am always so fascinated (and occasionally surprised!) by what I learn about my couples. Katie + Danny were no exception. Walking into their wedding, I already knew that they were wonderful people (top to bottom, inside and out), with varied interests and enormous hearts—you only have to meet them once to know that. But hearing about them from the perspectives of those who love them most showed me even more clearly what exceptional people (and an exceptional couple) they are.

Oh boy, I’m getting sentimental already. KEEP IT TOGETHER! Ahem. I had a HARD time narrowing down photos for this one. So.. I sort of didn’t. I also didn’t label favorites because I COULDN’T PICK ANY. I love them all. ;)

I like these two. Can you tell?

I also REALLY liked their bridal party. I told Katie’s ladies that I was mad they were all already married (or soon-to-be), because I’d poke out an eye to work with them again. My left eye, of course. So much fun! :D

I always like to guess what sort of dress my brides will be in before I see them. Katie is a bit of a tomboy (in a ridiculously beautiful way, obviously), but I had a feeling she’d go for a very feminine, statement dress. Bingo! :D

SO. MUCH. FUN. (I believe the human pyramid had just collapsed here.)

Meanwhile, at the hotel:

And on the way to the venue, the boys stopped for a beer. As you do. (My favorite part of this image is the ring bearer at the bottom, toasting with water.) :D

Oh, Katie. Just stop. Stunning.

This was a special request to recreate a photo of Katie’s grandmother putting a wedding veil on Katie’s mom. Katie wore the very same veil. ;) How’d we do, ladies?

A+++ to the smiles of this bunch. Also, they all have freckles, and you know how I feel about that. ;)

Onto the ceremony! Danny is Hawaiian, so they started it off by blowing a conch shell. How cool is that?

And Katie’s brother officiated (and did a stellar job!). You’re beginning to see why I like them so much, right?

Their vows were touching and hilarious. If I remember correctly, they promised not to delete each other’s shows off the DVR. ;)

Katie’s grandmother (WHO I SERIOUSLY WANTED TO ADOPT, MY GOODNESS—SPITFIRE!), listening to their vows:

MARRIED! :D :D

Another special request: The hands of Katie, her mom and her grandmother. I adore this.

Then we snuck off for a few portraits! :D

Love this alternative perspective my second shooter, Jo, got:

It didn’t occur to me until I was editing this that I haven’t done a good sun flare shot in FOREVER. The evolution of a style, I guess. But they sure are pretty, right? ;)

And back for a first dance:

Danny’s ring has Hawaiian Koa wood in it. (Did I remember that right?)

And then some more portraits at sunset. :D

KATIE. SERIOUSLY.

Danny loves her. :)

Most amazing father-daughter dance of all time coming at you. While Katie and her dad twirled around the dance floor, they were serenaded by Katie’s grandfather, who sang “The Way You Look Tonight” (and did so PERFECTLY). I shed some big time tears here, friends.

:D :D :D

And the perfect end to a perfect day. :D

Venue | Lago Giuseppe
Graphic Design | The Bride, KT Designs (Hire her! She’s awesome!)
Florist | Adornments Flowers
Desserts | Two Little Birds Bakery
Hair + Makeup | The Queen’s Bees
Caterer | Pacific Harvest Catering
Videographer | Rain Studios

Guys, you know I don’t have anything else I can say to you. I adore you—as individuals, as clients, as a couple. You are wonderful, and you are surrounded by a sea of equally sweet and generous friends and supporters. You are what you attract, and based on what I saw at your wedding, you’re building a beautiful life and family together. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for asking me to be a part of it. I hope you love your photos. :)

Oh boy to this couple’s wedding. First of all, Meg was by far the most laid back, relaxed bride I have EVER seen. Knowing the type of woman she is (poised, radiant, delightful), I should have expected it. She was so tremendously calm and happy and ready to marry Greg. Second, dear Gregory was all smiles all day. And there’s nothing better than a happy groom. Add in their friends (who made up one heck of a sassy bridal party)  their families (who were so supportive and loving—Meg’s mom planned the ENTIRE wedding), warm and breezy weather, and a WHOLE LOT of purple, and you have a recipe for a beautiful day. Don’t believe me? I’ll show you! :D

By the time I arrived to Meg she was basically ready to go. Just a quick lipstick touchup before she put on her dress:

Meg gets a giant A+ for her shoe choice (and she and Greg are both teachers, so she knows the meaning of that grade!):

Oh, hello, lovelies. How handsome you both look! By the way, note the Bridal room on the right. I was on a stool with my back pressed completely into the corner for this shot. Smallest bridal room of all time! Made for a lot of laughs, though—right ladies? ;)

So, this is my favorite ring shot EVER. Finding a mirrored table made my dang day. Favorite #1:

LOVED these dresses. Loved the ladies in them even more! ;)

A little champagne to toast the day just before the ceremony started. I’m kind of obsessed with this photo. Favorite #2:

Meg’s father has passed away. There was an empty chair in the front row to honor him and she chose to walk down the aisle on her own. Something about that gesture spoke so deeply to me about the strength of Meg’s character, and I adore this image of her approaching her guests. Favorite #3:

Meg + Greg stood apart from one another for the first third of their ceremony. This was Meg’s face when they finally united. Perfection:

Don’t take this the wrong way, but… the majority of the sermon preceding their vows was about Greg’s butt and thighs. Maybe you had to be there, but it couldn’t have been more apropos to them and their relationship. I think it goes without saying that it caused a lot of laughter (and maybe some pink cheeks on Greg’s part!).

Mr + Mrs! Guys, can we talk about how well gray suits photograph? Yes? Okay. They photograph VERY WELL. :D

A little first dancing:

A little of Greg’s parents laughing:

Meg changed into an adorable short dress for the rest of the reception. After she switched, we snuck them outside for some portraits before the fog rolled in and the sun set. Following are two examples of why it’s a really good idea to have two photographers at your wedding. First, my view:

And another fab perspective of the same moment, caught by Nissa, my second shooter for the day:

Again, my view. Can we take a moment to stare at Meg’s hot, hot legs? YEAH.

And this shot on the left, grabbed by Nissa. I adore this photo—Meg, you’re GORGEOUS. (The one on the right’s not so bad, either. :D)

Seriously. Best country club of all time. I love the light in this one. Favorite #4:

Ugh. Guys. Seriously. Favorite #5:

THIS is Meg + Greg. Totally.

My gift to everyone who attended their ceremony. :D

FAVORITE. FAVORITE. FAVORITE. FAVORITE. FAVORITE. FAVORITE. FAVORITE! Favorite #6! If you’re going to get married at a country club, make sure it looks like this, okay? Okay. ;) P.S. Canvas print of this one, please!

And my first every sparkler exit from a wedding! Simultaneously glorious AND terrifying! :D :D

Venue | The Bridges Golf Club
Florist | The Flower House
DJ | Denon & Doyle
Flip Book Photo Booth | Kimmy Leighton, A Little Scene Flip Books
Hair + Makeup | Impressions Salon (Pleasanton, CA)

Let me sum up Julia + Seth’s wedding: 108 degrees. A rattlesnake that had its head chopped off. More mosquitos than I’d ever before seen in one place. One heck of a party. :D

The day before the wedding the forecast was looking grim, so the whole schedule was pushed back by an hour and a half. But honestly? Even though it was hot (I had the salt stains on my clothes to prove it!), the temperature was nothing more than an afterthought. Julia + Seth were surrounded by a wonderful group of people—friends and family who showered them with unadulterated joy. Friends and family who know how to have a good time. In fact, aside from my own wedding last year, this wedding boasted the busiest dance floor I have ever seen.

Like I said, one heck of a party. :D Now… onto the photos!

They were married at Langtry Estate, a 23,000-acre (NOT A TYPO) private winery owned by one of Julia’s family members. Let’s all ooh and aah together at the house she got ready in:

Maybe it’s the curls and the black + white, but I think Julia looks like a 40s movie star here.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the property… a little bocce:

As I was driving back over to Julia and the ceremony site, this is what I saw. Yeah, my jaw is on the ground, too. :D

Backstory: Seth didn’t want to wear a wedding band, but Julia thought he should have something, so they had this two-finger ring custom made to say “Willy”—Seth’s nickname for Julia. :D

Julia’s dress was GOR. GEOUS.

FOOD TRUCK! :D

Then it was time to get married! Julia + Seth’s friend, Shaleen, officiated their ceremony and he did a perfect job. Lots of love and laughter. P.S. High five to Julia’s blue nails. :D

I realize it appears as though Seth is about to haul off and punch Julia, but in fact he was just excited to show off his new ring. :D

Mr. + Mrs.

Isn’t technology grand? ;)

I don’t normally post bridal party photos, but how cute are these ladies? This color scheme makes my life! :D

Then we slipped away for some portraits. The mountains in the background of this photo = AMAZING.

Taken by special request. I was seriously impressed by Seth’s ability to click his heels in the air.

I actually didn’t pose this. ;)

Good light, cute couple, red rims. Favorite #1!

Favorite #2!

Favorite #3!

Another special request. ;)

I know I talk about the keys to my heart a lot, but I can’t help it. If you’re a couple that loves to laugh (and make each other laugh), then I love you. :D See below:

Laurel of Esla Events created a fabulous layout for their reception. The way she used different sizes / shapes of tables was genius. :D

First dance. You can see some of those mosquitos I was talking about in the flash on the left (all the little white dots!). :D

Julia, laughing with her dad:

I LOVED the string lights over their reception area. Once the sun went down, they provided beautiful, soft mood lighting. It would have been PITCH BLACK without them! You could see the Milky Way!

I think I can safely say that the Horah was the most terrifying experience of Julia’s life. :D

But Seth did a pretty good job making her forget it. :D

Planner | Laurel, Esla Events
Venue | Langtry Estate + Winery
Caterer | Mark’s The Spot
Pig Roast | Frontier BBQ
DJ | DJ Celeste Lear
Rentals, Lighting | Classic Party Rentals

Julia + Seth, seriously. What a memorable day—thank you for asking me to be a part of it. I hope you love your photos and that you had an amazing time on your honeymoon! :D