Ann and Steve got married at the venerable and historic (and haunted, I found out) Claremont Hotel. It was raining the entire day and night, but the clouds parted just enough for us to walk the grounds. What an amazing way to start the wedding season. Congratulations to you both!  A special thank you to Sarah Cross for shooting with me.

Sarah's Image:

Sarah's Image:

This was the perfect end to an amazing 2009 wedding season. Lauren and Mike chose the magnificent Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn for their beautiful intimate wedding. The modern Inn was built in 1927, and is one of the only resorts in Northern California with its own mineral hot spring. And, one of the attendants told me, the first water tower in the state of California also skies majestically over the resort. History aside, the sheer beauty of this place made it the perfect venue for Lauren and Mike. We had a great time with you two. Thank you again and congratulations!

Stanford Memorial Church is everything a classic wedding venue should be. It was built at the turn of the last century and is the architectural heart of the University. There was really no better place for Diane and Adam to spend their wedding day. And what a way to show off the Bay Area to their friends and family from London and around the world! We then spent time at The Embarcadero, ending at the fabulous Terra Gallery for the amazing reception. Congratulations Diane and Adam!

The Clift Hotel in San Francisco is one of a kind. Built at the turn of the last century, it has the perfect location in the heart of San Francisco's Union Square and Theater District. It's also walking distance from the Financial District and the Moscone Convention Center. Emily, Devon and I took full advantage of the amazing lighting and angles that the interior of the hotel provided us. It was such a beautiful, intimate wedding-- my favorite kind. Emily and Devon picked an exquisitely sophisticated and classy venue that perfectly fit who they were. Congratulations you two!

Forrest and Sabrina got married on Halloween Night in one of the most unique weddings that I have ever been a part of. They chose the gorgeous Preservation Park in Oakland for their venue.

Preservation Park is a 125 year old restored neighborhood in the heart of Old Oakland (my 'hood). It used to be an upscale residential area in the late 19th century, and now houses non-profit and small businesses that "further cultural, social and environmental aims." Awesome.

When we arrived at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, i was a little bit worried. The entire area was covered under thick, dark fog. So much so that neither the waves, nor the magnificent cliffs were visible. To our surprise, about an hour before the ceremony, the fog just disappeared. Not dissipated, but just vanished as if someone had taken a gargantuan blower and gone to work. We ended up with a gorgeous sunny day, and a breathtaking sunset. Definitely a sign of good things to come for Catherine and Sherwin. Congratulations you two!

We're all connected by a few degrees of separation, and that was definitely the case with Elli and Geoff. They initially met in graduate school at Berkeley. Then they kept meeting over and over again through an uncanny string of mutual friends, until they finally started dating. As Elli puts it, they almost had no choice but to start dating. Elli also just happens to have been the officiant at one my weddings last year (great seeing you both again Brooke and Jimmy)!

They chose the beautiful art gallery at Terra as their wedding venue. What really struck me about this place was how simple and elegant it was-- white walls with fine art hanging. Perfect. We also found a gorgeous, dimly lit (you know how much I love low-light) staircase that we had a lot of fun with. Congratulations Elli and Geoff!

Lilian and Scott's friends and family know how to party. So much so that an actual firetruck was called in in the middle of the reception on account of an overworked fog machine. But more than that, this was one of the most raucous, most fun weddings I've experienced. Not to mention one of the most beautiful. Much of that credit goes to their wedding planner, Kathryn Kalabokes of Dream a Little Dream Events, who did an amazing job of transforming the Legion of Honor (one of the most gorgeous museums in the country) into a wedding fantasy land. Congratulations Lilian and Scott!

They say never date co-workers, but it's a good thing Carmina and Vincent never listen to what "they" say. These two met years ago in Vancouver (one of my favorite cities) when they worked part time at a call center. They've come a long way since sneaking out of work to make out in the parking lot (sorry you two, that was awesome). Carmina and Vincent really outdid themselves when choosing their venues. St. Albert's Priory Chapel, in Oakland, is one of the most elegant churches in the Bay Area, with a red gravel road leading up to the door and a lovely quaint courtyard in the center. We finished the evening at the incomparable Cliff House in San Francisco, right on the waters' edge. If you've never visited the Cliff House at sunset... well, few things are more "San Francisco." Congratulations Carmina and Vincent!

Cindy and Michael met when Cindy's sister dragged her to a cookout that her co-worker Michael was hosting. They hit it off, but it took 3 weeks for Mike to get up enough nerve to ask her out. Well, they say the best things are worth waiting for.

Cindy and Michael chose the amazing Mountain Terrace in Woodside, CA for their wedding. Nestled up in the mountains, it's one of the most beautiful natural venues I have ever had the pleasure of shooting at. Their ceremony was held on lush greens, surrounded by trees. It's perfect for an intimate, outdoor wedding that's both casual and romantic, as Cindy says. Congratulations, Cindy and Michael! It's been an absolute pleasure.

Thanks for being so great to work with Lesley and Derek. You two always crack me up. It's been such a pleasure. Congratulations!

Their slideshow:

A simple, elegant wedding-- in between the trees, by the Golden Gate Bridge. Just perfect. Congratulations Krista and Kameron!

Their slideshow:

Special thanks to the St. Francis Drake Hotel.

Another amazing wedding at Barndiva in Healdsburg. Congratulations Amy and Jadon!

Their slideshow:

Congratulations on such beautiful and perfect wedding, Niki and Brendan!

Their slideshow:

The wonderful vendors who put together Niki and Brendan's amazing event:

Lukka Feldman, Manager Barndiva
lukka@barndiva.com
707.431.0100

Jim Avila, Hair & Makeup
jimavila@mindspring.com 415-861-2857

Jeremy Downing, DJ Jeremy Productions  (510) 390-2233  jeremy@djjeremyproductions.com       

Bonnie Z, Dragonfly Floral 707.433.3739 bonniez@dragonflyfloral.com

Special thanks to Tommy and Jeannie of Jat Studios for assisting.

Congratulations Liz and Adam! You've been a joy to work with.

Their slideshow: