It is one of the only times I can recall visiting San Francisco in the early morning without being greeted by traffic or fog. The sun beamed brightly against the blue sky and the air wonderfully cool. These signs points to the start of a beautiful wedding day that takes us from the city proper, over the bridge and into the scenic valley of Sonoma county.

Bill met Pam while she was on a conference trip to Washington, DC. Their east coast meeting and the numerous trips between the two coast culminated in a west coast style, sun-kissed wedding at Cornerstone Gardens. Keeping alive the notion that the “best things happen in two,” this garden wedding is their second, with the first being a civil ceremony.

Following the wedding, Pam and Bill wined and dined their guest, following the meal with dancing and a delightful spread of dessert that would bust any diet and automatically add extra pounds if one’s eyes happen to feast on them for too long. Of course, a second east coast reception is already planned and they will be joining their east coast friends to celebrate their happy marriage next week.

Pam and Bill – you guys know how to throw a party and keep everyone happy and fed. You guys kept things relaxed and allowed us to capture that nature with relaxed portraitures. We love how you named all the tables after the location of all your favorite eats, saving the name of “our kitchen” for the bride and groom table. We wish you the best trip back east and only wish we could be there as well.

A conga line back down the aisle? Heck yea!

Yummy golden light…

And even the night sky was just as yummy.

Smorgasbord of good eats…Yum!

And the last shot of the night featuring the the Cornerstone Garden tree that was brought back to life as an art piece.

Enjoy the slideshow!

We continue to be bless in working with wonderful clients during one of the happiest times in their life. But once in a while, a couple comes along who are after our own heart. Those who knows me know that I was gifted with a high metabolism and insatiable tastebuds that desire to sample all the good eats in the world. A perfect duo of traits that complements each other really well.

When Pam first outlined her idea for an engagement day theme centered around old “haunts.” I didn’t know what to make of it. I knew there were a few places around San Francisco that was said to be haunted. Ok, I suppose being out of our comfort zone is a good thing. We like to capture our couple’s fun, interaction and love in and around greenery, urban-scape and golden light so yummy, one can almost taste it. Throw a couple of ghost in there, we can handle that. However, when we met at Pam and Bill’s west coast residence in San Francisco and learn that their definition of old hunts are all their favorite places to dine and hang out at, I knew these are my kind of clients.

We emerged out of the typical bay marine layer to glorious sunshine in the Mission District. I would take that as a good foreshadow of what’s to come as we arrive at Tartine before the usual rush and then later head over to the waterfront to enjoy some of Hog Island Co’s amazing oyster. Between the eating and the chatting, we got to watched two people who grew up on different coast enjoy the best thing of all, being together.

Pam and Bill – You say the best things happen in two and your story of how your relationship buds with the help of two mutual friends, two day dates and across two different coast is just amazing to hear. To keep the good time rolling, we can’t wait till these two photographers are able to meet up with you guys for your wedding and our second visit to Cornerstone later this month.

Sample of the colors of the Mission District.

We saw this bamboo grove earlier and glad we were able to find it again. Made for a fun session and nice contrast with the reds of their clothing.

San Francisco city is different than NYC…but I wanted to get a little of the vibe of east coast meets west coast in this series of shot in the alley way we found.

Chasing the setting sun, we head over to the sand dunes of Ocean Beach. Coincidently, we have a Ocean Beach here in San Diego too, but they look nothing alike.

Some of my favorites series of shots of the day. This is what I mean by yummy light so gorgeous you can taste it. Colors just pop and photos looks great out of the camera. How lucky they are to live only blocks away from this.

Definitely a different coast huh Bill. West coast’s soft golden light and the sun sets into the water for great view and perfect way to relax and cozy up with one another.

One of the first things Bill mention to me is during their research of photographers and coming across our work, a song I had used in one of my slideshow seem to have followed them around. I say it subliminal marketing and intentional. So I figure it befitting to use an alternate version in their engagement slideshow. Click below and enjoy!

While Melissa and Herman’s engagement session in San Francisco was met with cloudy skies and a cold wind, their wedding day was a stark contrast to that. The sun seem to cast it’s warm ray the entire day, with perfect lighting that any photographer would be thankful for. The historic Hayes Mansion beamed brightly against the clear blue sky, begging to be photograph. But it was the smile, joy and laughter on the faces of all the guest and family that outshone the sun and was more beautiful to behold than the mansion itself.

Melissa and Herman – what a wonderful and beautiful wedding. You guys managed to keep the atmosphere relaxed and joyful, even when squeezing in a tea ceremony after the wedding. To be able to witness all your love ones crowd into a small room to bestow their gifts and well wishes upon your happy union confirms that you are both surrounded by love through and through. Thank you for allowing us the honor to witness and capture all that. Enjoy your photos and slideshow.

How much more meaningful and awesome to find that Melissa’s mom created this beautiful gown for Melissa?

Love incorporating the antique radiator heater  into the bouquet shot.

Not sure what the guys were thinking when Ham had them climb the narrow fire escape for this photo op.

But it looks like Herman and the guys can have fun anywhere.

Melissa spying on her man as he got into position for their first look. Love the expression of Herman’s sister while holding back the curtain for a better look.

I am pretty certain by Herman’s expression, that it was one powerfully, satisfying kiss.

Beautiful tea ceremony following the wedding.

Herman’s sister made a wonderful documentary video for the couple. I wish I could have stopped and watched it with them as it was so funny and well done. But then I wouldn’t have been able to capture moments like these of Melissa and Herman as they enjoy the video.

Love these moments of their first dance.

We snuck the couple out for a few shots parting shots in the mansion and the grounds outside.

When your couple spontaneously start dancing, all your technical training pays off to capture images like this in the dark.