HOPLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER : BRUTOCAO CONTENTO

I've known Katie & Joe a full year now - after shooting their Engagements & getting to know them a little better! I feel in love. They were both an itty-bit shy, a lot of fun & all ADORABLE!!!

I was so excited to finally see June 18th arrive!! Not just for me...but, for them! We've bumped into one another a few times over the year & I know just how READY they were for this day!!

After a few quick shots at the Church, we stopped in the Brutocao Barrel room...

...and then, off to Brutocao Cellars for their Reception being held at the Contento site. I just LOVED the cutest mix of personalized touches! From the Candy Bar (always a HUGE hit) to the signature Bottle of Wine & color palette...Katie had done her Homework!

The ever-stunning Floral artistry provided by Dandelion Floral!

Brutocao Family touches were everywhere...very cute!

For those of you that mange to find an 'in' - Melissa Smith Catering out of Hopland plates one of the most upscale Dinners we've seen! Very elegant! And, they even did the Cake!

Once the sun was nice enough to subside just a tad - we moved into the Vineyard for a few final Formals...!

THANK YOU, guys, for sharing your day with us! I hope it was full of all the magic & love you hoped for - it was BEAUTIFUL!!

....I must say - this moment says it all...exhale...then, OFF TO HAWAII!! You two ENJOY that Vacation - you've earned it! xo

UKIAH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER : LAKE MENDOCINO CLUBHOUSE

As I leave tonights' Wedding (I type these blogs over a couple days as I work), I have THE biggest smile on my face. I can't explain why exactly - LIFE IS GOOD!!! I feel so SO fortunate to have the opportunity to share in such amazing times with our Clients!

Backstory : I have this girlfriend...we've been friends for 25 yrs now. (How crazy is THAT!?) She's someone that I've always treasured immensely & I must THANK for first introducing me to Anthony & Amanda last year when they became engaged! (although, when they bumped into me @ Safeway dressed in my early-morning Mommy-wear they HAD to have been a tad concerned! hee hee)

Amanda & I have spent the past year e-mailing back & forth (LOTS) getting to know one another. We've shared photos, we've shared stories about Weddings & we've chatted about everything in between...so, not only can I thank my girl for the referral - I must also thank her for introducing me to a new friend!! xo

Tony & Amanda searched high & low for a home-town Venue that could accommodate a large crowd & would be comfortable for a Summertime Wedding. When I arrived at Mendocino Clubhouse, the Vendors were hard at work putting all of the personal details in order - which were some of the most fun & adorable I've seen!! And, Amanda's dress was fit for a Princess - just how it should be!! PERFECT selection!!

I about squealed when I saw these shoes!!! LOVE THEM!!!!

OOh - and the cutest cake EVER!!

For those of you looking for a young, charming, witty & engergetic young man to attend your next Event - I nominate THIS gentleman. What a great personality!!

Amanda with Flowers by Annette was Ahhh-MAZING!! Not only did she do the Flowers (gorgeous!), she was also the Coordinator - and did splendid! THANK YOU to you & your TEAM!

We snuck away to take some photos away from the group...just to find another one! That happens...just gotta work with it! "-)

Now, Toasts are always an emotional time...sometimes a short time....sometimes a tad looonger time! The newly engaged Best Man was sure to infuse some laughter when he commented about the...well, we'll say 'the duration' of his speech - - HIIII STACIE!!!!! "-)

So, here I was all loaded up to head home & what hits my ears across the breeze? The Humpty Dance!! ErrrrEeerr!! (whatever sound a scratching record makes) - flip it & reverse it!!! Grabbed the camera & found the Grooms Dad just JAMMING! Oh goodness...the same man who had just married this couple was in his G-L-O-R-Y! CLASSIC! Add in Groom + Best Man - we had some photo-ready moments right thurr!

Look closely...I'm told this isn't the ONLY pair of split pants from the Dance Battle that night!

I sooo hope your special day was EVERYTHING you dreamed - I know just how much time & energy went into making it personally yours & I think it was beautiful! You two enjoy that Alaskan Honeymoon - I'm sure you have plenty of room for that petite Husband of mine in there somewhere, right!? hee hee xo

PETALUMA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER : REBECCA & KYLE : WHEN ONE POST JUST ISN'T ENOUGH....

...the MOMENT I stepped foot in the door it was 'go time!'

We'd been traveling for 24 hrs, our brains thought it was 9am although it was now Midnight & it would be days before we saw any sight of Time-Line 'normalcy'...

Leaving a Wedding waiting for 2 whole weeks had been in the back of my mind constantly!

Amazingly enough - - it all worked out beautifully. The sky didn't fall...our Clients waited patiently...and every Photographers scariest dream of a Computer crash never occurred (although - I did have all the files ALSO on my LapTop just in case!!)

Normally, as I sit down to edit immediately following a Wedding, I let the emotion of the day guide me.

I was quite surprised to find that same emotion came right back the moment I began. Such proof of just how powerful your selection in a Wedding Photographer really is!

I believe your images should always bring back all of the love, that laughter, the joy & your commitment to one another you shared that day. Our images are what brings your 'Story' back to life time & time again! What a privilege & honor it is to share that with you...! THANK YOU!!