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

 

I feel like I say this for maybe every wedding, but I think one of the biggest honors of being asked to photograph such a sacred event is getting to meet the friends and families of my couples. I always walk away with a little fire burning in my heart for the beauty of family and what it means to be deeply loved by so many. Maybe I’m just lucky, but Liz + Pete’s wedding was another one of these days for me. There was so much love and support packed into that room, so much laughter and genuine pride. There were several times I had to stop shooting because I was laughing too much to keep my camera still. And isn’t that the way all weddings should be?

On with the photos! It was a perfectly January day, foggy and misty and crisp:

Get ready for some getting ready overload! (Pete snuck off early, so we spent some good time with Liz while she got beautiful, which, if you were wondering, doesn’t take much!)

Eliza did such a beautiful job on Liz’s hair and makeup.

Liz’s sweet momma. :)

I admit I went a little artistic for some of these images, so I’m going to post a few more than I normally would. Here’s a pretty classic version (and a favorite):

And here’s its artsy counterpart. I don’t know which I like better!

Liz was made for this dress and it was absolutely made for her. Loved the details.

See? Artsy. :)

Off to the ceremony site! Favorite!

Oh, hey! There’s that handsome groom. Hi, Pete! :D

A quick portrait of Liz before the ceremony began. You are a natural beauty, my friend.

This was through the glass doors to the ceremony room riiiiiight before Pete walked down the aisle! Favorite!

The Marin Headlands Center for the Arts is such a beautiful venue. Right?

The ceremony was conducted by Liz uncle and was filled to bursting with jokes—guests (and I!) were crying with laughter. But there was boundless sweetness, too (there may have been tears behind my camera during their vows). My most favorite kind of wedding, hands down. :D

Married! :D :D

Then we ran out side with great quickness as we had roughly 0.5 seconds of sunlight remaining. You two look like you could be royalty. :)

Oh, Marin Headlands. How do I love thee? Favorite!

I loved this angle Nicole grabbed—two heads are better than one! :)

Most favorite of the whole day, right here. Look at her stole!

I don’t usually post reception detail shots, but Svenja of Chestnut & Vine killed it on the florals and table design (That bouquet!) and Laurel from Esla Events did such a beautiful job keeping this wedding running like clockwork (P.S. She is hands down my favorite wedding planner and designer on the planet and I recommend her to everyone all the time every day). It was perfectly simple, elegant and welcoming.

I was surprised when I realized it, but this was the first wedding I’ve ever shot that had a live band and they (Big Skin Band) were awesome! This was actually just a light test before the dancing started, but I loved the way it came out.

As always, one of my most favorite shots to take at every wedding. I think the amount of time I spend trying to get the ring shot perfect drives my second shooter, Nicole, a little bonkers, but I can’t help it! Thanks for holding the video light just right, N. :D

Such a gorgeous room!

Loved this shot of Pete and his mom dancing.

Ending with a favorite!

Liz + Pete, you two are a force to be reckoned with and I anticipate that yours will be an immense and bright future. You make a perfect pair and you have surrounded yourselves with the love and kindness of genuine and wonderful friends and family; you are all lucky to have each other. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for asking me to photograph your wedding day—it was an honor and a pleasure. I hope you love these images, because there are plenty more where these came from! Now go conquer the world, my friends. xo, M

Venue | Marin Headlands Center for the Arts
Planner | Laurel Anderson, Esla Events
Hair + Makeup | Eliza Desch
Florist | Svenja Brotz, Chestnut & Vine
Catering | Katie Powers Catering
Dessert | Susie Cakes
String Quartet | Synchronicity
Band | Big Skin Band

 

Welcome to the last wedding of my 2013 season, guys! And it’s a good one. It currently holds the title for most cowboy boots and hats worn by guests. And also for one of the most hopping dance floors. And also for some of the most beautiful fall light. But I’m going to quit my yammering, because Carrin + Logan have been patiently awaiting these images and I’m not going to make them hold their breaths for even one more second. Ready? :D

I have one word to describe Carrin: ADORABLE. Okay, I have two more words: WAY HAPPY. Look:

Carrin’s hair and makeup team did an awesome job.

Meanwhile, my outstanding second shooter, Nissa, was over at the hotel with the menfolk.

I’m confident in saying this group is more comfortable in cowboy boots than vests and ties, but they wore both quite well. Allow me to offer up my proof:

Oh, meet Logan’s twin: Hi, Walt! :D  In hindsight I see that their hair is quite different in length, but let’s just say I was glad they were wearing different colored ties. And even so, I had to do a number of double takes throughout the night. (They were watching a fellow groomsman trying to sew a button back on, by the way).

Hey, cutie ladies. I had to get a photo of the girls in their monogrammed robes. (That’s Walt’s brand new wife on the left!)

Loved this shot Nissa grabbed. Find the polka dots and you’ve found me! ;)

I won’t tell you all of my secrets, but guys, I’m way funny—these ladies agree! (Fine, okay, I’ll tell you my secret: I act like a complete and total idiot while shooting. Anything for a genuine smile!)

Carrin + Logan were hesitant to do a first look, but because of the end of Daylight Saving Time and their ceremony starting ten minutes before sunset, ultimately it was the best choice. We were able to get some beautiful natural-light portraits of the two of them, plus finish all of their family and bridal party photos before the guests even began to arrive. And I’m going to just put this out there: Their first look was downright perfect. See?

Logan was not disappointed to see his bride ahead of time:

Image on the right: Total favorite.

I don’t normally blog family portraits, but I have to include this photo because Momma Christina deserves major high fives. Carrin is a veterinarian who works three jobs, so her sweet mother took on most of the planning—she even found me! Your hard work did not go unnoticed! Plus, how beautiful was her dress?

Waiting to walk down the aisle!

:)

Cowboy boots and hats everywhere you looked!

You guys know how much I like giggles, right? Well this ceremony was full of them!

The face of a happy man.

That’s Carrin’s stepdad, Bob, officiating, by the way. MARRIED! :D

I realize there are cars in the background of this photo, but I don’t give one little hoot about it. This was one of maybe 10 seconds these two had alone after the ceremony ended and they’re basking in that “Oh! We’re married!” feeling. Favorite. :)

By the way! Carrin’s ring was a total surprise. Logan had the diamond reset before the wedding and the first time she saw it was when he put it on her finger. She said he chose well!

Ending this post with another favorite. I love this because I know that the two of them were singing to and giggling with each other during their entire dance. Love is a wonderful thing, yeah?

Carrin + Logan, thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me to be a part of your day. It was a rollicking party that I will not soon forget. I hope you are as in love with these photos as I am proud to give them to you (Lots. Lots, lots, lots!) I see nothing but great things for your futures, and I cannot wait to see where life takes you. P.S. Please feel free to text me cute animal photos forever and ever. :) xo, M

Venue | The Reata
Hair + Makeup | Ma Belle Hair Salon
Florist | Petal Pushers
DJ | Martinez DJ Service