Gina and Gera’s wedding day was dramatic: it was simply overflowing with emotions and beauty. We visited a couple of different sites in the city for the photoshoot while the ceremony and reception took place at the bright and airy Temple Emanu-El. There was a lot of excitement throughout the day and we loved being a part of it all.

Gina and Gera opted to see each other before the ceremony to allow more time for photos at a more relaxed pace. I can’t say enough about how much we love to shoot portraits earlier in the day. This also lets the couple to see each other for the first time in a more private setting – it’s so beautiful and emotional without having two hundred eyes on you.

We had such a blast photographing this day. Please enjoy some of our favorites:

The first look:

This was the actual kiss at the end of the ceremony:

A very emotional toast from Sasha, the Maid of Honor:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Temple Emanu-El
Hair & Makeup: Metamorphosis Salon
Video: AE Studio
Band: Regina’s All Stars
Florals: Inna’s Flowers
Catering: La Boheme

The Engagement 101 magazine is a “community for the soon-to-be engaged couples” and we are thrilled to have Vicky and Igor’s engagement story and photo featured in it. This website and magazine has a wealth of advice on how to propose and choose the rings, advice on dresses, jewelry, make-up, and some real-story features. You can view Vicky and Igor’s engagement photos here and part II is here.

I think this goes to show that being adventurous and trying new things always pays off! Last winter during one of our snowboarding trips we got the crazy idea of shooting an engagement session in the snow. We asked if any of our couples would be up for something different like that and immediately got a response from Vicky and Igor. Fortunately, it wasn’t too cold on the day of the shoot and we had a ton of fun walking around and even rolling in the snow :) And because the pictures came out quite unusual, the editor of this magazine absolutely loved them.

The magazine is currently out in the newsstands (unless Vicky bought out all the issues already :)

 

Erin and Paul had a beautiful ceremony on the front lawn of a private residence in Atherton. Erin described her vision for the day as “A fun, lighthearted enjoyable outdoor wedding”, and it was just that – fun, relaxed and elegant: full of friends and laughter.

After the ceremony we went to the Menlo Circus Club for some pictures of the newlyweds. Erin and Paul arrived in a beautiful green Ford Mustang that’s been in Paul’s family for a couple of generations now. The couple was up for anything and we had a ton of fun with them and this car! I love the freedom that comes from being a wedding photographer – when you are with a bride, you can park the car in the middle of the street and start taking pictures. Nobody will say anything except “Congratulations!” :)

Here are a few of our favorites:

The whole ceremony Erin and Paul couldn’t take their eyes off each other:

 

There is now a NEW Menlo Park Circus Club wedding on our blog with more photos of the venue. Check it out here: Menlo Circus Club Wedding Photos

All the wonderful vendors and venues from this wedding:

Catering: The Other Woman Catering
Hair/Makeup: La Belle
DJ: Relative Motion
Florals: Patrick’s Flowers