The first time I met them in a little cafe in Oakland I knew that they were going to be one of my couples. Sometimes you just know, and with them I did. Jenn is adorable. When she smiles her eyes dance. She is so full of energy and life, and she is kind to her very core. Shane fits her perfectly. He is quiet at first, that is part of his charm. His smile matches hers. Together they are comfortable.
It feels like we were just doing their engagement shoot. I remember stopping at their old stomping grounds, Venezia in Berkeley and chatting about their plans for the wedding. It is amazing how quickly time flys!
Jenn's dress
was stunning, it was perfect for her. It was sweet and flowing and
beautiful. It was completely unique, just like her. The few
moments before heading to the ceremony site are so full of excitement.
Jenn was gorgeous in her gown and as the last few adjustments were
being made she patiently waited. Jenn's good
friend David Cushing was responsible for the beautiful flowers. He did
an amazing job. The fall colors were stunning and made for a perfect
compliment to Jenn's ensemble. Shane was so proud of his shoes. He designed them himself on the Van's website.
A friend of Jenn's actually made the cake stand. I love the way it almost glows in the candle light. Between Jenn and her friends I am floored by their artistic abilities. And what a joy for a photographer!
And if you haven't had enough, you can see a slideshow HERE
Congratulations on a beautiful day and what I know will be a long and happy marriage!
A few posts back I wrote about Julie and JP's wedding in Golden Gate Park. The day after that ceremony Shelly and I photographed their second ceremony. I remember when I first met Julie and JP and they told me that Julie wouldn't feel married if they didn't have a western ceremony and JP wouldn't feel married if he didn't have an indian ceremony. So they settled on having both!
Julie had lots of help getting ready. Each piece of jewelry and piece of clothing was carefully placed. Julie smiled and laughed at the attention she was getting. Who wouldn't love being a princess two days in a row!
The
ceremony took place at JP's parents home in Cupertino which was
perfectly suited to the days events. Apparently they had never had a
ceremony like this there before, but it seemed as if that is what it
was designed for. It was a perfect ceremony site.
The ceremony started with the Baraat where the groom is taken to the ceremony site. It was filled with music and dancing, colors and laughter. This is one of my favorite parts of the Indian ceremony. There is so much going on that it is easy to get lost in the moment.
JP was carried by his friends to the ceremony site. He seemed to enjoy the view, and had no problem being carried through the dancing crowd. He was surrounded by his friends and family with the excitement of the day all around him.
After the beginning of the ceremony (just the groom and his parents), Julie arrived escorted by her sister and JP's sister. Julie looked radiant!
I love this photograph. I love the way the sun is spraying down on them. I love that you can see JP's shadow through the sheet. I love this moment, just before they see one another. I find those moments just before or just after a given event to be so extraordinary. This is the part in the ceremony where the Bride and groom exchange garlands signifying their acceptance of each other as husband and wife.
I am not sure if this is where the saying 'to tie the knot' comes from, but it is clearly a significant part of the ceremony. The ends of the clothing worn by the bride and groom are tied together signifying the sacred wedlock,
The bride and groom take their first seven steps together.
\
And Finally, they are BOTH married!
After the wedding there was a reception complete with music, dancing and wonderful food.
Poor little munchkin took a tumble just before I snatched this shot of him. You can see where he fell on his nose, but he was a tough little kiddo.
It was a bit chilly outside so some of the tables were moved inside. The house became a hive of activity as the conversation elevated and the children played.
Julie and JP, I hope you had an amazing time in New Zealand. You are such a sweet couple and I enjoyed every moment of both of your ceremonies. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it! I am so happy for the two of you.
Last week was amazing. I didn't just photograph Julie and JP's wedding, I photographed BOTH of their weddings. Julie and JP had two beautiful ceremonies, one on Friday and the other on Saturday.
Their first ceremony took place in Shakespeare gardens in Golden Gate Park. It was intimate (only 18 people), sweet and perfect. I met Julie and JP for the first time in San Francisco just a few months ago. I can't believe how quickly they put two weddings together. They were so funny the first time we met, they said what many of my couples say: Sara, we just aren't a mushy sort of couple. Well, I don't think these images are mushy, but they certainly do tell their story.
The flower girl was so cute in her little shoes. Her little voice reminded me of my niece. So cute! She was so excited for her basket of flowers and her important job of laying them before the bride. The little ring bearer was so quick it was a struggle to get a shot of him. He loved the park and I am sure his parents were happy to have a safe, enclosed area for him to play in to his heart's content before the ceremony got underway.
During the procession the flower girl needed a little direction, mom was right there to help her out. I love all of the little moments that make each ceremony unique. There are always things that you don't plan for that turn out just perfect. Julie looked absolutely radiant. Her dress was simple and beautiful. Her hair had one flower, natural and beautiful.
The ceremony took place in the sun dial with all of their closest friends and family surrounding them. I love love love the hand series! Her hands are so beautiful and the light was just perfect.
After the ceremony was over and we were able to get away for a bit, JP and Julie enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife beneath the redwoods. Could they be any more perfect? I don't think so.
Goddddddd....... snaps are awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...... and slide is amazingggggggggggggggggg......
I never saw such snaps of people I know. I saw such king of snaps only in magazine and movies.
This is kind of wonderful :)))
I liked it sooooo much.
(11.30.09)Hey Sara, RDX is also me. I was searching for the same snaps. I showed it to all ma friends. Picture quality and concepts are really awesome. I also like photography but the way u are doing is just way too amazing. I think to reach to this level I will have to work out for at least 24 hours a day :)
Thanks.
(02.16.10)
Last week I had the opportunity to work with the amazing Julie Cheshire once again. It was short and sweet and really fun!
The wedding took place at the San Francisco City Hall, and was officiated by San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsom. I have done a few weddings a the City Hall, but never in the middle of the week and never with Gavin Newsom as the officiant. It was a beautiful day and Allison and Aaron were so obviously in love that it made for a perfect event.
Before the ceremony Allison was working out the details of the nuptials while Aaron took a moment to soak it all in. Allison and Aaron were so cute. They have been together since the first week Allison moved to San Francisco over ten years ago. Clearly they are a perfect match.
Finally the ceremony commenced. Allison and Aaron, with their entourage of 14 of their closest friends and family, made their way into the Mayor's office.
Allison and Aaron, congratulations. You are a beautiful couple and I am sure you will have a wonderful life together. Julie, thank you for including me in the day!
August 15th was another great day for a wedding. This was one that I shot in Danville, California with Julie (Julie Berry Chesire Photography) and as always I had a great time working with her. This was a shot that I grabbed as the ladies were getting ready for their pre wedding photos. I love how Amelia's white gown glitters in the sunlight.
It is so nice when a couple decides to see one another before the ceremony. They get to have an intimate moment alone and we get some great shots without having to miss out on the cocktail party. Before Amelia and Ted made to leap into marital bliss we took a stroll to Osage Station Park, just down the street from the home in Danville where they were to get married.
Amelia was walked down the 'aisle' by both her mother and father, and she was beaming with every step.
The garden was filled with the music of an acoustic guitar. Perfect for an outdoor wedding.
There was a moment captured that was so touching and sweet. Just after the wedding ceremony had concluded and the excitement of starting a new journey was palpable, Amelia and her father stepped aside had a special moment together. I can only imagine what he said to her, but from the looks of things it was probably something like, 'You may be a married woman now, but you will always be my baby.'
Congratulations Amelia and Ted, you are a beautiful couple. I know you are going to have an amazing life together.