Stacy and Brian made my job easy. Stacy sent me a perfectly laid out timeline a couple of weeks before the wedding and when I asked who her event planner was she casually said, "me" :) They each got ready at a beautiful hotel in downtown Los Gatos before we all got in cars (okay, so I totally rode in a limo) up the mountain to the stunning Regale Winery. From there Stacy and Brian did their first look, we took portraits of the wedding party around the grounds, and finished in plenty of time for everyone to go back inside for some air conditioning.
One of the coolest things for me as their photographer was seeing my former bride, Kira, as their officiant! I photographed Kira and Jordan's wedding back in 2013 in Monterey (Jordan was a groomsman and gave a pretty hilarious speech). Another one of my good friends was in attendance all the way from Hawaii with her husband so while I had only met Stacy and Brian a couple of times prior to the wedding I felt very welcome and at home among their friends and family.
The speeches were full of tears, even more laughs, and then we snuck off for a few more photos just before the sun dipped below the hills covered in vineyards.
I had the best time and yet again feel so lucky to have the opportunity to photograph days like these. I never knew how fulfilling it would be to document weddings and the longer I do it the more I appreciate it. Moving back to the San Francisco Bay Area has made a great impact on my business and photographing weddings so close to home is a great treat!
