We had a great time nonetheless with all of the festivities of the wedding starting on Thursday. On Friday Seda paid tribute to her Turkish heritage and planned the rehearsal dinner at Cafe Divan, a posh Turkish restaurant in Georgetown. All I can say is YUM!

The wedding took place on Saturday at the Omni Shoreham. We were holding our breaths all day since there was a chance of rain to start an hour before the ceremony. Bryant and Seda lucked out and their ceremony took place on the beautiful back lawn of the hotel… with some pretty fabulous light! I was instructed to enjoy myself (not take photos) but of course I snapped a few.

The night ended with good food and dancing. And a bouquet toss. Yours truly caught the bouquet!!

haha!

Here are a few photos from the ceremony:

Matt Matt Matt! Always being funny!

Check back later this week for Michael & Mara’s and Jay & Inna’s wedding!

Well you know how my job is to document things? Well that SO didnt happen! I was so busy making sure everything was going right.. and their were copious amounts of bubbly refreshments in peoples hands… that I forgot to take pictures! However we did have the photo booth………..which wouldnt you know, half of my guests didnt make it to! Its ok, I remember you were there! But heres what resulted from the booth:

Elaine and John, from Elaine Bell Catering, they brought a beautiful spread of food that blew me and my other guests away! Did I mention it was delicious?! Matt and I in a traditional prom pose and then Matt looking like a goof ball eating one of Elaine’s desserts. Jennifer the incredibly talented owner and designer of Lush Floral. I so lucky to get to work with her as often as I do!

David Lew, The friend I’ve known the longest in life: since the 1st grade! Sierra and Derrick, old high school friends and clients. Yes, we all went to school together…. can we say yearbook nerds!? Love you guys!

I love this photo Sierra took: we were mocking the “now smell your bouquet” bride portraits from the 80’s. The bouquet was a sweet gift from Joanne of Boutique Events. She even made sure to match the studio with a blue ribbon!

Rose Hyc, James and Lisa Sanders both photographers of the greater bay area. Matt and I being dorks. Then my sister Leanne and her family who trekked out from Lodi!

You might remember Ashley, Matt and Alyssa from a few months back.

Kelly and I mocking an intimates pose! And last but not least…. Kelly and Ramiro who also drove a ways to come to the opening.

Most Memorable Moment: The mock ceremony on the deck, and tasting unripened and unrefined grapes!

This past Tuesday I finally got the chance to meet Wendy and Reaves from Utah. They flew out to Napa with a plan to elope at Auberge de Soleil. Wendy has it planned so that no one will know about their elopement until there is proof… ie the pictures! So here they are!

A tribute to dad…

After the ceremony Reverend Blane dressed up Wendy in his robe… it was beyond funny!

I’m 99.99999999999% sure this is making it on the “uncommitted” wall in the studio. Nope, 100% sure!

The Photo Biz Bootcamp is a workshop designed to whip your photo business into shape. Its is an intense, intimate two-day experience designed to help you take your photography business to the next level, enforce business health and profitability, and create a better work/life balance

A third-generation entrepreneur and graduate of an exclusive program in Entrepreneurship and Small BuSiness Management (ESBM) and Marketing, Liana Lehman has been bestowed with knowledge that she desires to share with others. Through consulting and work with a big four accounting firm, she has done extensive studies in communications and marketing and is hailed as one of the industry experts in e-Marketing. I cant think of a more qualified person to help us with our business!

If you are interested in learning more please click here or contact me! The boot camp will take place at my studio in Benicia, 30 minutes from San Francisco and an hour from Sacramento.

Promptly at 10:30 we headed to the County Clerk’s Office to find out we missed the ceremony! A bit of panic set in but they quickly rescheduled Andy and James for the next time slot. Soon thereafter Andy and James said their vows on the steps of the rotunda. It was an emotional moment for everyone involved. Andy and James, congratulations on starting out all over again after 13 years! I know there are many more happy years to come for the two of you!

The wait before  the ceremony…

I just love where my space is located: in the historic Benicia Arsenal .  The building is over 125 years old and overlooks the Carquinez Straight. This vintage building has seen many changes since the days of the civil war when it was the largest producer of ammunition and supplies to be shipped out east.  Now the Arsenal houses the largest amount of concentrated artists in California with over 100 photographers, painters, welders and sculptors spanning four historic buildings.

Why get a studio now? A few different reasons: The explosion of the Intimates side of the business was a major factor and having a central location to do portraits made more sense. I also wanted a meeting place for bay area clients to view albums and their photos after the wedding. 30 minutes from both San Francisco and Napa,  Benicia is a sleepy waterfront town that at one point used to be the capital of California.

OK enough babbling, on with the photos.

Notice my commitment issues… bare walls! I want to feature one complete wedding on the right wall and a sampling of photos on the left wall above the larger couch.

I wanted my place to feel cozy. How better to achieve that then with a fake fireplace?

When you first enter the studio you get to meet Adeline & Grace, our grandmas. The close up below is Adeline. I never thought I looked like my family until I found this photo of my grandma!

The shooting area, changing room and Intimates albums.  The wall Im having commitment issues is actually cabinets set on casters. Just in case I have too many people over and need to make some more space!

Intimates details…

And of course props!

Its come a long way from concrete floors and bare white walls!

Michele and Marc: I had a great time getting to know the family better! See you in September!

She’s so pretty! I cant wait to see Michele in her wedding dress at the new Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery in September.

Most Memorable Moments: Phoebe and Maya, two of the flower girls, spoke from their hearts and delivered two of the most adorable speeches we have ever heard. Even Tiffany got a little teary eyed.

This was a wedding to remember. Tiffany and I came to Nevis excited and a bit nervous because we had never actually met Alexis and Matt in person. Upon meeting the two of them our nervousness flew right out the window. We were invited to eat dinner with Alexis’s family as we discussed last minute details. This was the first time we had ever had dinner with a whole family and their friends prior to the wedding. What a treat! We learned a ton at dinner. Little tidbits about Matt and Alexis, the fantastic concerts that Alexis’s dad has seen, and the close bond that Alexis shares with her father. It was a great opportunity to really get to know a family before following them around for the next two days with my camera. I didn’t feel like such a stalker!

The wedding took place on the Island of Nevis in the Caribbean at the Montpelier Plantation Inn. It was like Matt and Alexis had their own private resort for the week. The food was fantastic and the staff was amazing. Thank you steady Eddy for serving up those delicious rum punches. We are sure the wedding party thanks you as well!

The day of the wedding the stealdrum band played, the guests took their seats, and Matt took his spot at the alter. Alexis’s dad stood waiting just out of sight of the guests. This moment would also be his first time Alexis’s dad would see Alexis in her wedding dress. Alexis walked through a tunnel of palms and saw her dad. I was so happy and yet a little sad because it was one of the moments when a dad is giving away his little girl away. This happens at most weddings, but when the bride and the father of the bride are close it is very emotional. Matt looked on adoringly as Alexis made her way toward him. I think I saw one of the groomsman shed a tear. The ceremony was beautiful. You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting.

The night fell and the dancing started. Boy did it ever! This group was a bunch of dancing machines. The Rolling Stones seemed to do the trick, although this group would have been down to dance to anything. The whole hotel was in on the party. I have never seen such an event. It was fantastic!

Thank you Alexis and Matt and all friends and family for making this weekend such a memorable experience!

All the flower girls in front of the big tree.

It was adorable when they all wanted to help carry Alexis’s dress.

The bridesmaids had these fantastic dresses with a unique twist in the front form Calyispo in Boston.

Bits and pieces form the ceremony.

And more kissing…

.

Alexis and Matt’s slideshow