October 7th, 2017. The Carriage House at Fallen Oaks, Paso Robles.

No wedding is typical. No couple is typical. And, each wedding, even after doing quite a few, always has some "firsts."Alyssa and Brandon are high school sweethearts, a first for us to photograph that type of couple on their wedding day. The Carriage House at Fallen Oaks, it's working title according one of the owners Nicole, was built and finished for this wedding. So, it had it's inaugural wedding with them. The mother of the bride, Sali, sang a beautiful song as part of the ceremony; another first for us. The groom literally carrying his bride off into the sunset. And, the cupcakes were so good, that I had to have two instead of just one at the end of the evening. Okay, I confess: that's not a first for me. But, what a wonderful  day with a gorgeous bride and a devilishly handsome groom with lots of sassy sisters, gregarious groomsmen, beautiful bridesmaids, a cute kid who couldn't get enough pictures of herself taken, with lots of fun family and friends and all at an amazing venue!  

August 13th, 2017. La Cuesta Ranch, San Luis Obispo.

Laura and I have been privileged to witness and chronicle some pretty cool weddings. The day started with Michelle and her gang getting ready at SLO Brews Lofts, the ultra cool urban vibe hotel in the heart of San Luis Obispo. The girl posse then moved to the venue at La Cuesta Ranch, the premiere, and one of our favorites, locale to hold a rustic, boho chic barn/ranch wedding.  From the first click of our cameras, we got to capture a bride that took her love, laughter, and silliness to a whole new level. In almost every image, Michelle was either laughing her heart out, smiling like a sunbeam, dancing like no one was watching, or crying up tears of joy.  Greg had such a presence of calm yet profound love and devotion toward her. Those two, along with his posse of unruly (but in a good way) and rambunctious rascal groomsdudes and her strong, sassy, and classy brideschicks made for one of the most wonderful wedding days ever!

September 16th, 2017. Villa San Juliette Winery, Paso Robles.

When Theresa and Sean told us in the first three minutes of meeting them that they just wanted us to have us capture their big party and all the fun, we knew we were gonna have one AWESOME couple and the same kindred people at their wedding, with some great photos showing it. Their infectious charm and insatiable playfulness was there from the beginning of the day and danced it's way around the two of them and all their family and friends into the night!  The splendor of the idyllic setting that is Villa San Juliette made for the perfect venue for their Big Day. These two were so much fun, as well as the groomsdudes and bride tribe.   

November 4th, 2017. Shore Cliff Hotel, Ventana Restaurant

A wedding day is a Big Day. The biggest day of two people's lives. Yet, on top of that, it's the parts of the day that add up to what makes their Big Day so special. Jill and Brennan had a chosen day where the skies threatened to rain, yet was merciful to them. Their was the part of Jill's story, Jill's family's story, and of her day, where she wore her sister's veil since her sister is no longer here. There was the moment after her mom and grandmother and bridesmaids put on that veil and they all had a silent moment and prayer that brought her sister's presence into the room and tears to their eyes. The were all the other moments of reflection, proclamation, jubilation and celebration. And, two identical twins who were rascals. There was mom and dad rocking out to Def Leppard's "Pour some sugar on me." There was Jill dancing with her grandpa. Ohhhhh,,,, and did I mention that there was the moment of the gender reveal cake? Will it be blue or pink? There was the two other layers of cake and therefore two  fakeouts by the couple to a very eager crowd.  And, the reveal color.......? Blue! It's a BOY!  What a great day. What a fun and awesome couple. What a loving and tight family. This was our last wedding of 2017, which made us wish for 2018 to come that much sooner.  

July 15th, 2017. Glen Annie golf course, Santa Barbara.

When the fires in their hearts between them won't stop the flames in the hills above them. Francine and Allan had planned their beautiful Santa Barbara wedding for months. They had chosen the idyllic Glen Annie Golf Course as their venue months before their July 15th, 2017 wedding. Nature chose to try to throw them a curveball though. A few days before their wedding, the Whittier Fire exploded in the mountains above Goleta, forced mass evacuations and threatened closing and potentially burning their venue. But, the gallant efforts of firefighters and love prevailed! What almost was a sad story transcended into a wonderful day with a beautiful bride and handsome groom showing so much love and sharing so many laughs. And, we got a gorgeous sunset where the hues of orange from sun setting through the smoke led to an awesome signature panorama image.  

August 11th, 2017. Cliffs Resort, Shell Beach. 

Talk about the sweetest couple ever. We first met Nancine and Cole at our consult and got to walk about the beautiful Cliffs Resort to go over their Big Day and how they wanted to capture some great shots. Laura and I were so thrilled that they were so thrilled in each other, in getting married and in having their family and friends witness their Big Day. On the day of their wedding, we got to capture truly authentic intimate moments, pure happiness, and a few really kickass amazing sunset shots too!    

May 19th, 2017. Taber Ranch, Napa Valley.

A couple in love, saying their vows within the perfect setting of Taber Ranch in Napa Valley; with the earth below, the sky above, and vineyards and 800 year old oak trees in between. What more could be better than a beautiful bride and her handsome groom, a red Cadillac, and with their closest family and friends around them on their Big Day! Oh, how about two little kids dancing their buns off? Totally cute. And, 90+ degree heat. Whew! What a gorgeous day it was. 

June 3rd, 2017. Skelton Family Ranch, Creston.

What can we say about this wedding?  A country girl (well, from the boondocks of Shandon, CA) meets a Kiwi boy from New Zealand while snowboarding and they fall in love, after falling on their butts on the snow. A family ranch transformed by the brides father into a premier rustic themed wedding venue.  A ceremony at the Chapel on the Hill, a humbly beautiful private chapel amongst rolling hills and vineyards that is filled with reverence and simple grace. Little kids in bowties. A slew of family and friends from across oceans who transcend miles and converge onto a place that becomes filled and spills over with love, laughter, hearts, tears, and joy. Two families become one. Two hearts vow their fidelity. Two souls begin their biggest adventure of their lives. That was their wedding. 

March 25th, 2017. Thousand Hills Ranch, Pismo Beach.

When you have a true, fun and down to earth couple like Hannah and Jorden, we just knew we were going to have moments of heartfelt love and silliness.  The couple, her bridesmaids and his groomsdudes were pointing at who was craziest in college, singing NSYNC, not in sync, and playing around. The whole day was filled with love, with laughs and with tears. One of the best weddings we've had the honor of capturing so far!