LAKE COUNTY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER : MOORE FAMILY WINERY

I mentioned Fate just yesterday in my Family Blog Post. Here it is yet again! Jacob & Darian are one of those 'meant to be' couples. From the simple fact that their Grandparents have known each-other for decades...to finding out their only siblings have been Classmates from the time they were little? It almost seems that there was no way around these two finding one another...

What you couldn't expect...the fact that the Valley Fire would break out in their small community just a month before their big day. The day they had been planning for the past 2 years now. I can't even imagine the World they were suddenly thrown in to...the uncertainty & how crazy things got for their friends + loved ones over that month. (Let's not mention the possibility your Wedding day might very well be delayed...cancelled?!) So much loss & tragedy. So much uncertainty.

And yet? Their amazing + perfect day was about to unfold flawlessly!!

As we rolled into Lakeport to meet up with the Bride + Groom, the rain began to trickle down...now it was MY turn to get nervous. I knew they had an outdoor Wedding planned & I positively adore my outdoor light for Formals. Not much I can do about it just yet - so, let's get started on the details & see where this day takes us!

OMG! These shoes!!!

(Thank you, Grandma, for letting me take over your Suite!)

 Umm...Grandmas' own Garter just HAPPENS to match today THIS perfectly!?

 Fun while we wait!

 Ohhh yes - - THE LIST - - a Wedding must!

 Time to get dressed, girls!

Viola! See?! The rain has passed!! Let's take some photos of these beautiful ladies!

As we drove out to the Winery, I was somewhat stunned to see no sign whatsoever of the Fire. Nothing. It was almost as if it had known not to cross this direction. The entire property was perfect! The boys had been busy all morning & were in charge of THIS! Perfection, guys!  

 Cookies by Mom!

Okay - let's all pause for this CAKE!! Unreal!!
(with love, Mom)

  ...that lace!

 Boys are taking their photos...

 ...as the bride arrives & ducks inside...

 We're just about ready!!!

 Here - we - goooooo!

 Time for Formals!

Mom has way too much fun!

I'm not sure what is going on with this Weather - let's dive into photos while we can!

 As we wrap things up with the Bride + Groom, the band takes the floor.

 Story time!

 ...the sun has set...the rain is at bay...time for some Dancing...

 Awww...dad...

 Some love for Mom.

...and, now it's time to PARTY!!

...and, they rock the night away...

Darian & Jacob? Whether it's 'fate' or something else entirely...you two were truly 'meant to be'. This day was flawless & the joy your Friends + Family shared was undeniable. CONGRATULATIONS, Mr. & Mrs. Vaars. I hope every day of your Journey together keeps the warmth of this day alive in your hearts for always...! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! (and, I hope all those adorable puppies are doing amazing!!!) xo

_______________________________________

Venue | Moore Family Winery
Bridal Store | Wine Country Bride
Dress Design | Allure
Shoes | Badgley Mischka

Hair | Emily @ Ceridono's Hair Company

Rings | Kay Jewelers

Grooms Attire | Wine Country Bride

Bridesmaid Dresses | Wine Country Bride

Officiant | Mike Walker
Floral Design | Middletown Florist
Cuisine | Chic Le Chef

Cake | Richele Ray's Cakes
Music | Lake County Diamonds
Event Design | Lake Event Design

Coordinator | Nicole Berger

SONOMA COUNTY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY : HOLIDAY SESSION

Valerie & I first met years ago when she was in her sisters Wedding...I remember her telling me she had been a Photographer for JCPenney's & all I could do with giggle... 

The Larsen's positively adore our JCP Holiday sessions every year!! (I know this so pains my fellow Family Photog-friends out there)

With our matching purple hair + photography backgrounds? We just 'clicked' & soon became friends on Facebook - sharing stories about our babies + our love for all things feathered, scaled & furry, too!

We had tried, unsuccessfully, to find time to take Family photos last year - but, knew this year it was a must!

With little Mavis growing so quickly & Daniel now getting ready to start his next round of chemotherapy in just a few weeks? Time was of the essence - rain or shine (in this case? - freezing temperatures that had just set in & an icky cough going around) - THIS Session had to happen.

Valerie told me she didn't want anybody else to take these photos - that they very well could end up being their daughters' memory of her Father...

To be honest, I couldn't really even talk to them much about it during the Session because this Mommy gets way too emotional - and, I knew I would just stammer & cry through it...

I have since shared all of my feelings with Valerie in an Email...as it is so much safer to shed a tear there then it is in person...but, one of the things I wanted to share with her was a story of my own from recently. 

One I didn't share publicly because I didn't feel, at the time, that it was my story to share...

It touched her perhaps even more deeply than it did myself & it so re-confirmed my commitment as to why we do what we do as Photographers - I felt compelled to share it now :

Recently, I randomly sent a woman we know in the community pictures of her + her husband dancing in embrace (she's a singer & had gotten him up out of his chair) who had passed away from Cancer last year - wondering if she had ever seen them - since they were actually taken at a mutual friends Birthday party & I wasn't sure if he ever shared them with her!? 

In fact - she had never seen them…!!

They were the last photos taken of her husband - he passed away just 6 wks later...

I just happened to send them on his actual Birthday...& on the same exact day she was returning home to Lake County - - to see her home & animals that were all totally taken by the Valley Fire…she had nothing left. These are now her only photos...(I had taken a bunch of portraits of them, as well)

I lost it. 

I have always believed in Fate - and that 'everything happens for a reason'...this threw it right back in my face...

It reminds us all just how very important every day truly is - to embrace every single moment before they are gone...I see the blessings in these moments...in all of the photos that I am so beyond honored to take for the Families we get to work with. Honored to have taken these...

How totally ADORABLE are these socks!?! ...donated by Sock it to Me to help spruce up Chemo any way possible...

 I'm done, guys...put a fork in me...

 ...for all the words that don't need said...

My heart & strength goes out to this adorable + fun Family - as they brace & embark on the fight of their lives...please...if you want to know more about Valerie & her Family - - they have started a GoFundMe (click for link) page & would love to share their story...! xo  SEE YOU GUYS AT THE WEDDING!!! (wink wink)