The heavens truly wants to bestow their blessing upon this couple. At least that’s how the saying goes about rain on your wedding day. You remember the story of Tina and Bryan’s engagement session, and how the threat of rain turned out to be a blessing. Where we were able to get gorgeous sun kissed images mixed in with beautiful and dramatic shots of the couple at the beach.

The weather may be unpredictable when planning an event many, many months out. But one thing we’ve learn to forecast, is that with Tina and Bryan, their love for one another always brighten up the day. We started the day right at the Cypress Hotel in Cupertino, which is coincidentally across the street from where Ham first met the couple.

We arrived extra early and walked the grounds looking for color to juxtapose against the overcast skies and for ways to tie in the colors of the season. The late fall wedding means leaves were already turned the beautiful shades of reds, orange and yellows. Even the clouds parted for beautiful blue skies, which we gladly snapped a shot of to document the foreshadowing of what’s to come.

Inside, we found Tina and her gals in the expert hands of Maria Chang and her crew over at PMA. I’ll let you guess what I shot through to get the unique view of the first image below.

Tina, you already look absolutely radiant! The dress is not even on yet.

Speaking of which, a photo of Tina’s elegant wedding gown. Just in case it wasn’t clear. Love the personalized hanger.

Tina was prepared to add a splash of color to the day. You all know how much we adore red.

I always enjoy the moments between the bride and her mom. So much care to ensure things are just perfect for her daughter.

And I love the candid emotions that results.

Tina, you look gorgeous!

Their dog Emily was represented as well.

In the event that it’s cold and wet outside, we simply make use of the beautiful diffuse lighting that gives us and take photos indoor. The overcast skies and side window is a giant softbox, photographers can only dream of.

Meanwhile, in the same hotel, Bryan was getting ready with his boys.

Our couple wanted to do a first look. It’s always a good idea if you plan on getting married in locations with unpredictable lighting or for late fall/winter weddings. We maneuver the couples in place so they don’t accidentally see each other before the big reveal.

The look on Bryan’s face is priceless. It’s the anticipation. I think Tina paused to let the anticipation build a little bit more on purpose.

Remember the locations we scouted when we first arrived? Well, what better way to celebrate the fall wedding than a carpet of colorful foilage?

Sometimes the pace of a well planned day is up to mother nature. We worked fast to make use of the available light before the sprinkles started up again.

The clouds parted once we arrived at the temple for the ceremony. Like I said, I could forecast that by now.

I love how these moments happened simultaneously and the view from each photographer at the same moment.

We paused to take advantage of the setting sun for portraits before hopping into the limo to head over to the reception site.

Reception details…

We had time for photos in the gazebo before the reception. Cause the party doesn’t begin without the bride and groom.

Grand entrance. Ok, now the party can officially begin.

Tina and Bryan wowed their guest with their first dance.

Bryan gave a funny, heartfelt thank you speech from his iPhone.

I love this perspective of Tina and Bryan enjoying a rare moment alone. Sorry to say it didn’t last very long as their guest stopped by with congrats and well wishes. :)

Not to be out done by the son-in-law’s dance.

I love capturing sweet moments like this.

Do you want another perspective? Here you go…

Here’s some fun dancing action shots.

While the party is going upstairs, we snuck the couple out to complete our vision.

And then downstairs for a more private moment. Well…as private as you can get with two photographers, light gear and all the guest on the balcony above watching you. ;)

We already said our goodbyes and farewells. But we were actually busy outside capturing some time-lapse photo of the venue site and the party still raging on inside.

Tina and Bryan, though the twist and turns, with rain delays and all we are thankful to have had the opportunity to spend the thanksgiving weekend celebrating with you and your family. Documenting our client’s wedding day is an honor we don’t take lightly. Hope you both are having a happy marriage. I forecast it will only get better from here on. Thank you for your trust. -DH

The sun kissed the tops of the trees and each blade of grass while mother nature blew the last of her warm summer’s breath over the fields and around the ponds of the Dunsmuir House in Oakland. The passing of the Autumn equinox marks the changing of the seasons and also a new chapter in Elaine and Minh’s decade romance.

It was a warm day made even warmer with the love of family and friends who came out to witness Elaine and Minh tie the knot. The couple blended Vietnamese tradition with the traditional ceremony we come to know in the western world. One of the best thing about blending the two worlds is you get don multiple sets of jewelry and dresses.

Some gold jewelry to go with the traditional dress and symbolizes prosperity, wealth and abundance.

Elaine and Minh walks by this crate and wooden case everyday so I thought I’d use it to prop up the floral bouquets and shoe in the little garden at their home.

Elaine puts on the traditional red Chinese gown, which symbolizes luck, joy and happiness.

But before Minh can see Elaine, he was quizzed and tested by her bridesmaid. Mind obviously puts a lot of thought and effort into his answers. However, showing that you really know the one you love doesn’t help you get past the bridal entourage. So the boys went outside to regroup and formulate the winning strategy.

I love this moment as the group came up the stairs. Of course Minh was the first to spot his bride to be. I love his reaction.

I always love the meaning behind the traditional tea ceremony.

I was told Minh helped with the dress decision by choosing the wedding gown himself. I thought the natural beauty and light of the wedding site would showcase the wedding gown and it’s sparkling details perfectly.

Elaine looking lovely with her girls.

And Minh looking dapper with his boys.

I love the motion of the gown Elaine wore as the couple made their grand entrance at the reception.

Elaine and Minh’s love of the show Dancing with the Stars certainly shown through as they put on a terrific first dance for their banquet guest.

Elaine and Minh – thanks so much for having us there to document your day. May your love continue to grow steadfastly in your new life as husband and wife as it did over the last 10 years. We look forward to the chance to be in your neck of the woods to catch up over coffee.

On most non working weekends, you’ll find me driving the family up the coast to Dana Point to let the kids visit their grandparents. But on this particular Sunday, I got to make the drive up the coast to meet up and second shoot for my friend Sarah K Chen at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel. I have admired Sarah’s work and her photographic vision for a long time now. But every opening that she had for available for a second shooter have always coincide with my own shoots. However, the stars seem to align for Jackie and Lee’s beautiful oceanfront wedding.

Second shooting allow us photographer who are used to playing the primary role the opportunity to think and see the day in a different way. It helps to expand the range of our creativity as you specifically shoot shots and angles that helps to compliments and complete the story the primary photographer is capturing. Instead of duplicating their shot. But one of the best thing is simply to stay connected and grow with other awesome photographer. Case in point, I had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside a new photographer friend Jen Lauren Grant. Who’s vision and style is uniquely hers so it’s great to be able to see the same day from the perspective of multiple photographers. Be sure to check out Sarah’s blog for a awe inspiring look of Jackie and Lee’s wedding day. And then jump over to Jen Lauren Grant’s photo blog for an alternate view.

A big thanks to Kerrie of Platinum Weddings and her team for coordinating the day and not only keeping it going smoothly and on track for Jackie, Lee and guest, but helped us vendors all stay updated as well as fed. :)

Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is perch above the Niguel Marine Life Reserve with a fantastic view of the Pacific and Salt Creek Beach Park to the north.

Being part tech/part art photographer…we always take the latest technology and technique, mesh them together to make the image. And sometimes, what’s old is new again…so I shot a couple of rolls of film at Jackie and Lee’s wedding. I find that shooting film really help to refine my vision as a photographer. And taking the pros of a mature medium such as film helps to define and control any weaknesses in the new digital medium. Look at the awesome dynamic range of FujiFilm Pro400h stock taken of the wedding site.

While the girls got dolled up, the guys chilled and practiced their surprise dance routine. Lee told me guys get’s dress really quickly and that they were all set by 11am. What’s left is just doing what guys does best, and that’s chilling with their best buddies on one of the happiest day of any guy’s life. I love the tropical feel of this image as I caught Lee on the patio dancing.

Lee and his entourage just relaxed and having a great time before the ceremony.

A couple of shots with the film camera as Sarah set up the formal portraits. Loving the color of this tropically lined courtyard and the lighting from the sun peeking out from the clouds. Jackie looks amazing as she wore her hair down for the prewedding formal portraits. Choosing to put it up for the wedding allow for a couple of varied looks in your formal portraits. For our brides out there, make sure to your coordinator is aware so that the appropriate time can be factor into the day. I think it’s a great idea if you can swing it into the timeline.

Sarah set up this tender moment at a sweet spot by the pool. Being an lovely summer day, the pool area had a lot of traffic. But that doesn’t deter us photographers who are used to working in busy environment. I love this moment captured and the resulting candid that immediately follows. We look for these moments in between the shots because it’s sincerity comes out in photo. These photos and the two above were shot on the film body again.

Some details of the ceremony site. The sun continue to play peek a boo with us as it comes in and out from behind the cloud. Making for some different lighting looks for the ceremony.

Another shot on the film body. A simply beautiful location for a wedding.

A moment I hope to have one day if I am ever bless with a daughter of my own. I think all fathers dream of the day they get to walk their little girl down the aisle. So I cherish these moments of a wedding day.

See how dramatic the clouds where that day? We got a good display from mother nature, that’s for sure.

A view from below as the couple speak their vows. I love to seek out alternate point of views. One of the perks as a second shooter.

Just lovely…in case I didn’t express that enough.

The kiss…but I love the moments right after too. Total love, happiness, joy and …elation. Just emotion in the purest sense is how I would summarize these moments.

A quick drive to the beach below. Like typical summer days in southern CA, there were surfers catching waves. Some shouted their congratulations to the newlywed. So fun!

A relaxed portraits of Lee and a detail shot. Both via film. The grain adds a certain tactile feel to the photo.

The bridal bouquet is Oh so pretty. I am a guy and I too “swoon,” borrowing a word from Sarah K Chen, over the bridal bouquet whenever I see these pieces of floral art. Yes, it’s my creative side confessing there. Florals by Flower Allie, captured on the same FujiFilm stock.

Jackie and Lee are so cute together.

With plenty of moves too…as they later treated their guest doing the Foxtrot. Here, Lee demonstrate the dip and kiss routine. Some tips for guys out there, coming from the guy side of myself. A strong, wide stance is the important technical part of this technique. Because the weight of the bride, plus 50lbs of wedding gown can be big surprise for the unsuspecting fellow.. ;)

A dramatic B/W shot showcasing the soft lighting on display in the sky.

Some details I was able to grab of the reception. Check out Jen Lauren Grant’s blog post for more detail shots she captured of the reception while Sarah and I were with Jackie and Lee on the beach below.

Some dramatic lighting work, highlighting the table arrangement and wedding cake, courtesy of Atmosphere Entertainment.

The bridal party did a fun dance routine preceding the arrival of Jackie and Lee to the reception. Here is a shot after their grand entrance. These moments of the wedding day go by in a flash, and photos like these allow us to look back at all the fun.

We’ll leave with a last shot of an expression of laughter on Jackie’s face. I just love how this shot compliments the last shot on Sarah’s blog post. Two different views of the pure emotion are the nestle gems on all wedding days.

Sarah, thanks so much for having me along for Jackie and Lee’s beautiful wedding. We need to set up a play date with our little ones one of these days. -David