Leah & Peter's Empire Mine Wedding | Grass Valley, CA

It was a beautiful September day when Leah and Peter got married at the gorgeous Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley, CA. They opted to do a first look which I'm always a fan of because it gives us more time to capture images that the couple wants. Leah is funny, down to earth, sweet, and her outgoing personality set the tone for the day. Both she and Peter just graduated from law school and have begun their careers. During the toasts, her dad spoke of all of their accomplishments in the last year - graduated from law school, passed the BAR, got engaged, got jobs in their field, and got married. Quite the year, huh? These two have a lot to be proud of. Congrats to you both!

Leah and her crew got ready at the historic Holbrooke Hotel in downtown Grass Valley. Such a cool place.

Leah cracks me up! I love the expressions, girl ;)

Leah...where did that tissue come from?!

Kelly & Patrick's Edgewood Lake Tahoe Wedding

Kelly and Patrick got married on a beautiful July afternoon at the always stunning Edgewood Lake Tahoe. I have been anxiously awaiting this wedding for over a year. Why? After meeting Kelly and Pat at their engagement session, I knew that I would have a wonderful time not only photographing their event, but simply being around them. We share a couple of friends and everyone made me feel more like a guest than the photographer. The girls got ready at the Embassy Suites on South Lake Tahoe Blvd and the guys got ready right next door at one of the "H" hotels...Harvey's? Harrah's? Horizon? I always get them confused! I think it was Harrah's. haha. After the guys were transported to the venue, the girls climbed in the limo bus, toasted to Kelly & Pat's big day, and so the wedding began! As Kelly walked down the aisle, Patrick's expression said it all. Overlooking the blue water of Lake Tahoe, Kelly and Pat became Mr. & Mrs. Rhodes in front of their family and friends. The perfect wedding.

Thank you both for including me in your special day. It was one that I will never forget!

....little boys, I tell you! :)

"I'm king of the world!!!"

I thought this was a fantastic way to serve beer! The bartender always kept a handful of glasses ready for guests to walk up and grab. It's the small things that excite me ;)

Chug chug chug! Who do you think will win....?

My 2nd shooter, Anita, captured this exchange between Patrick and his parents. I simply love it!

Lisa & Neil's Los Altos History Museum Wedding

Summer in the Bay Area is gorgeous - hot days, warm summer evenings, and beautiful golden light. I love everything about it. Lisa and Neil got married at the Los Altos History Museum tucked back into the quaint residential neighborhood of Los Altos. As their guests walked into the venue, they were told to grab a rally towel. Lisa and Neil are huge San Jose Sharks fans (hockey, for you non sporty types). If the guests wanted them to kiss during the reception, instead of clinking classes, they were supposed to rally. What an awesome personal touch for their big day! I knew that Lisa was beautiful after we met for their engagement session, but she exuded classic, timeless beauty on her wedding day. They will make beautiful babies. Okay, yes, I really did just say that. haha.

Weddings like this make me wish that I was a videographer as well as a photographer. Why? As Lisa and Neil took the floor for their first dance, a song started playing that I assumed was a professionally recorded track from some famous artist. It was beautiful. As I was taking photos, the circle of people who gathered around them started saying, "This is Lisa!" Huh?? That was Lisa singing on the track? Yes! Holy moly, that girl is TALENTED. Again, an amazing personal touch!

I had an amazing, fun day with this group of people. Their parents, Lisa and Neil's beautiful sisters, their friends...they are so lucky to be surrounded by a great group of people.

Lisa's sister and matron of honor (hey Bree!) was so cute and animated! Everyone was talking about her funny, touching speech for the rest of the evening :)