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Ruby Hill Wedding {Kelli + Michael}

Kelli + Michael’s wedding had modern class with the celebration energy of a Gatsby bash! The setting was in Pleasanton California at the amazing Ruby Hill, which allowed for some stunning imagery, as always! These two and their entire crew were such a blast, partying into the night with midnight snacks, mixed drinks and a sparkler exit to top off the evening. Big thanks to you both…. great night!

Venue : Ruby Hill // Coordinator : Robin Lewis – Make It Happen! // Videographer : Daniel Gruen // Dress : Lazaro // Flowers : Petite Petal Company // Music : Musical Heart Strings // DJ : Zach Lomas Boutique DJ’s // Rentals : Pleasanton Rentals // Cupcakes : Fairy Cakes // Baked Goods : Primrose Bakery // Hair and Makeup : Danielle Dentoni

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay, Uncategorized

Featured Post: Basic Invite

Hey all!
As we launch into yet another amazing season of weddings, engagements, parties, and joyous events, the requests for tips on great photos keeps rolling in. More and more these days, the appreciation for capturing that perfect moment is growing. We flip through hundreds of beautiful and powerful imagery on the web everyday, reflecting upon our past memories or looking forward to the ones to come. What we have lost though is the importance of a tangible object, an actual print to hold, and pass around an intimate gathering. Printing can be just as important as capturing amazing imagery, and is an art form in itself.
Most don’t realize how much can go into a single image. Capturing the moment is only the first step. After that, I put on some music, make a cup of tea, and get to work. I cull through and pick the strongest images. From there I correct lighting, color edit, and crop. With the amount of time that goes into my imagery, it is of the utmost importance to me that when I go to print those images, they are exactly as they should be. There are not too many who can do it and do it well, But let me introduce to to a company that can:  Basic Invite

Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options, and color is key! I’m all about the details, and this allows you to control the design down to the smallest detail. This is a huge advantage over most of the stationary companies out there.

Even when I think I have everything perfect, sometimes I will order something and it will come back looking different than what I expected. Not with Basic Invite. An awesome feature is that they allow their customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order. I actually haven’t heard of any online site doing this until now, and it’s a pretty sweet reassurance.

And the awesomeness keeps on going! Basic Invite has over 40 different colors options for envelopes. I hated getting my cards just right then having to pick a white envelope because there were only 5 other colors to choose from….. problem solved!

You want more? Sure, why not! If you don’t have the creative eye, pick from over 200 wedding invitations set. Once you’re all set, use their free address collection service to request addresses from your guests in just a couple of steps.

In my line of work, I need efficient services that I can consistently count on for high quality. This is a super cool website, and I encourage you guys to go check it out when the time comes. Make the intangible… tangible.

 

Check out some stuff here!

monogram wedding invitations 

save the date magnet    

bridal shower invite 

Posted in FEATURED, Jay

Marin Headlands Engagement {Stephanie + Chris}

Stephanie and Chris are getting married on the Central Coast this summer! Their engagement photos were done in the gorgeous Marin Headlands. They even brought their awesome fluffy pup with them for the photos. Can’t wait until their wedding!

Posted in ENGAGEMENTS, Jay

Santa Barbara Wedding {Lauren + Tony}

Lauren and Tony were part of an amazing group of friends, many of whose weddings I have been capturing over the last year or so. These two are one good looking and classy couple who know how to celebrate. Lauren confidently donned her grand, blush dress from the one and only Miss Haley Paige, while her bridesmaids surrounded her in white. The scene was set at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which, despite its slightly boring name, is very enchanting. Every detail was perfect. The rose gold rings, lush floras, leaf wreaths for the ladies, family style dining, and créme brûlée in the evening. Oh, and they rocked out to one of the best live bands I’ve heard at a wedding. Amazing night!

Event Coordinating :  Wild Heart Events (Jaime Kostechko)   //   Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum   //   Catering & Cake: Pure Joy Catering   //   Florist:  Haute Blossoms Floral   //   Videography:  Daniel Chae   //   Rentals: Classic Party Rentals,  Milk & Honey Vintage Rentals   //   DJ/Musicians: SoulTones    //   Hair/Makeup: Unveiled Makeup & Hair      //   Baked goods: Icing On The Cake in Los Gatos   //   Ceremony Dress: Hayley Paige, “Leah Gown” //  Reception Dress: Sarah Seven, “Sloan Gown”    //   Bridesmaid dresses: Show Me Your MuMu   //   Shoes:  Badgley Mischka //   Earrings: Kate Spade   //   Suits:  Combatant Gentleman   //   Signs/Calligraphy – Sophia Loves Letters

 

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Livermore Wedding {Sarah + Ty}

Sarah and Ty felt like a good old fashioned American wedding. Set out in the country hills of Livermore, they were wed in a rustic bard, dined outdoors with family style tables and danced under the stars. Their grand entrance into the reception started with them and their bridal party rolling up in the back of a truck. Lots of laughs, and lots of love!

Venue: The Old Milk Farm in Livermore   //   Caterer: Sac City Eats   //   Rental: Pleasanton Event Rentals   //   DJ: Amos Productions   //   Florist: Sharon Collard    //   Custom Cakes by Dorothy   //   Videographer: Carlton Colbert    //   M2M Photo Booth

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Tiber Canyon Ranch Wedding {Jessica + Sean}

These two and their crew know how to have a good time! They met in college working at Mother’s Tavern and celebrated their marriage vows back on their old stomping grounds in San Luis Obispo. They were married down a little hidden road, where you can find the beautiful Tiber Canyon Ranch spread out under the trees. They committed themselves under an oak clearing, dined family style, and danced like they meant it. The decor of soft pinks, greys, and greens married perfectly with the surroundings. Fun night, fun couple!

Venue: Tiber Canyon Ranch  //   Desserts: Sugar Lips Mini Donuts   //    Cake: Christina Bonnett’s Bakeshop   //   Caterer: Phil’s Catering //  DJ: DJ Malik    //   Hair & Make-up: The Queen’s Bees   //   Florals: European Flower Design   //  Wedding Planner: A Perfect Day  //   Lighting: DJ Sol   //   Rentals: Embellish Vintage Rentals & Got You Cover’d    //  Officiant: Jay Turner from Mountain Brook Church in SLO

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Pepper Tree Ranch Wedding {Kendra + Garrett}

Kendra and Garrett’s wedding was a beautiful mix of modern and traditional. It was held at the amazing Pepper Tree Ranch in San Luis Obispo, surrounded by mountains, vineyards, pristine ponds, a huge barn, and a sunset tree house! They have an abnormally large family with an incredible amount of talent and skills. Cousins were catering, dad made the bar and table tops, aunts did the florals, and the list goes on. A genuine a sweet couple to the core. What a fun night of true celebration of marriage. Thanks guys, for letting me be a part of it!

Venue: Pepper Tree   //    Coordinator: Something Blue by Katie    //    Hair & Makeup: The Queen’s Bees   //   Rentals: All About Events and Taylor Rentals

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Kendal + Patrick {Nella Terra Cellars Sunol CA}

Kendal and Patrick were married at the gorgeous Nella Terra Cellars in Sunol, California. This was such a beautifully crafted event! It was a privilege to be able to capture this sweet couple on their wedding day.

Florist: The Flower House    //   Videographer – Life in Digital – Gusto Lopez   //   DJ – Fantasy Sound  //   Rentals – Pleasanton Rentals  //   Robes: Love Ophelia    //  Dress: Modern Trousseau    //  Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo    //   Tux: Kinsley James   //  Venue: Nella Terra Cellars   //    Hair: Erica Umbarger

 

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Chapman + Katie {King’s Beach, Lake Tahoe, CA}

You know you’re at a good wedding when you don’t know if you should be sipping mint juleps, toasting champaign, or enjoying Kentucky’s  finest bourbon. Katie & Chapman are the perfect mix of class and fun! We started at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe and ended up on the beaches of the pristine King’s Beach with perfect pastel light. The love these two have for each other is like watching little kids dance in the rain for the first time. Joy, love, and good times where showered upon all who attended that night. Thank you two again for letting me be a part of capturing such a romantic day.

Event Coordinating – Chelsea Grabham with Blue Sky Events   ||   Venue – North Tahoe Event Center    ||   Catering – Bella Affair   ||   Florist – Jaclyn K. Nesbitt Designs   ||   Videography – Curtis Pittman    ||   Rentals – EventMasters, Thran’s Flowers, Manzanita Glow   ||    DJ/Musicians – Jeff Jones    ||    Hair/Makeup – Sarina Bruno and Scott from Salon Bella Vita   ||   Cake/Dessert – Sally Jackson, Heidi Utley, and Barbara Woreman   ||   Dress Designer: Hayley Paige Dress Style: Roxanne  ||
 Shoes: Bella Belle   ||   Earrings: Haute Bride from Hyde Park Bridal   ||   Signs/Calligraphy: BeeCuriousDesigns, CreationsOnBoard, Leigh & Morgan Montgomery

 

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Andrea + Andrew {Lago Giuseppe, Templeton, CA}

Andrea and Andrew were married and the magical Lago Giuseppe Cellars surrounded by lots of family and old friends. Andrea’s lace dress had beautiful florals stitched into the front and back. There were hints of rosemary in the decor, complimented by the bridesmaid’s dresses in soft sage. And these guys know how to celebrate! Dad broke out the good scotch, custom desserts, bon fires with s’mores, and good times late into the night. Thanks again guys for the fun day!

Venue & Event Coordinating – Lago Giuseppe Winery    ||   Catering/Cake/Dessert – La Donna Dolce Catering   ||   Florist – Lori Boe Floral Design   ||   Rentals – Taylor Party Rentals   ||   DJ – La Barbera Sound   ||   Guitarist – Jim Bachman   ||   Hair/Makeup – Courtney Rossi Artistry   ||     Dress Vendor – La Soie Bridal   ||   Shoes – Badgley Mischka   ||   Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Tracie + Travis {Elopement in Morro Bay CA}

The fun and excitement of celebrating a marriage with a large wedding is an amazing thing, but there is something to say about the intimacy of a quiet marriage on an empty beach with your family. Tracie and Travis were wed in Morro Bay with their parents and dear friend officiating. They followed it up with a boat ride and champaign all around. They kept the news quiet and decided to make their honeymoon a 2 month trip across the U.S.A. to personally tell friends and family. So cool!!! This is a lovely couple with thoughtful hearts… They even mailed me a selection of loose leaf tea (my favorite), as a thank you. Truly a refreshing day! Thank you guys for letting me see the beauty in simplicity.

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Jeanette + Brandon {Peacock Farms Arroyo Grande, CA}

What a fun and beautiful couple! Jeanette and Brandon were married at the lush Gardens At Peacock Farms. These two have been raised up by families who stick with each other through thick and thin, and it showed in the love that was poured out by everybody that day. Best wishes to this kind hearted couple. Blessing to you both!

Venue & Event Coordinating – The Gardens at Peacock Farms   ||    Catering – Plemmons Catering   ||    Florist – Lori Boe Floral Design   ||    Rentals – Got You Cover’d   ||   DJ/Musicians – Epic Entertainment   ||    Hair/Makeup – Alex Evans Makeup & Holly Hochleutner    ||     Cake/Dessert – Karla Cardenas   ||   Dress  – Maggie Sottero    ||  Shoes – Badgley Mischka    ||   Signs/Calligraphy – Alexis Abeytia (Sister/Maid of Honor)

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Julie + Eddy {San Francisco, CA}

I have known Julie since middle school! It was such a privilege to capture her marriage to Eddy. These two have a genuine joy being with each other. It was a beautiful and heartfelt day, with a church wedding and a golf course reception at Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco. Congratulations, Julie and Eddie!

Venue & Catering:  Presidio Golf Course    ||   Florist – Kay Wolff Design   ||   Videography – Film Monkey   ||   Rentals – Photo Booth: A Flying Camera   ||   DJ/Musicians – Shawn Storm Productions   ||   Hair/Makeup – Hair: HeadSpa / Lashes: Hillie Yung at Lash Lab SF / Make-up: Kristin Ambrose & Allison Koch   ||   Cake/Dessert – Abby Stolfo   ||   Dress Designer – Amy Kuschel   ||    Sign: Kristin Ambrose   ||   Event Planning and Admin – Corey Low Green   ||   Event Coordinating – Ceremony: Tracey Lyons

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay

Kevin + Aimee {Spanish Oaks Ranch}

This wedding hit close to home because the venue Kevin and Aimee chose was also where my wife and I were married 4 years ago, Spanish Oaks Ranch. They had a beautiful early summer wedding tucked in the golden hills of Santa Margarita, California. It was a privilege to capture the wedding of a couple with such a sweet affection for each other. Congratulations, Kevin and Aimee!

Venue: Spanish Oaks Ranch   ||  Catering: The Hitching Post, Casmalia  ||   Florist: An Occasion  ||  Event Coordinating: Jamie Jespersen (with Spanish Oaks)    ||    Videography: Jesse Ryan Wedding Films   ||   Rentals: SLO Party Rentals  ||   DJ/Musicians: Escape Entertainment, Paul Thompson   ||   Hair/Makeup: Bellizzimo Beauty– Natalie Ozzimo(makeup), Emma Crum(hair)   ||   Cake/Dessert: Cake Cathedral    ||   Dress: Panache Bridal  \  Essense of Australia   ||   Bridesmaid dress vendor: Azazie   ||   Signs: Refined Rustic Design

Posted in WEDDINGS, Jay