Pizzaiolo Wedding

Small weddings in our hometown make us so happy! We started our day with Helena and Daniel at the Claremont Hotel where we photographed the couple getting ready and seeing each other for the first time. Afterwards we hustled over to the Temescal neighborhood for their Pizzaiolo wedding. The ceremony took place on the back patio in the late afternoon sun, followed by drinks, dinner, and dancing inside the restaurant. Shooting at Pizzaiolo is such a treat for us: a cozy atmosphere, delicious food, and great people. What's not to love?

After dinner we grabbed the couple for some quick portraits before the sun set. We walked around the block and snagged some portraits in front of cute Oakland homes, rustic fences, and along the Temescal Alley.

These two were such a pleasure to work with and we wish them all the best together. Cheers to couples keeping it Oakland!

Their photographer bailed last minute. We saved the day.

We have said it in the past, and well, I guess there is nothing stopping us from saying it until we are blue in the face, but we really love weddings at San Francisco City Hall.  Maybe it's the expedited time frame and the real spontaneity of the images, the awesome architecture, or the intimacy of a civil ceremony but really it's probably the coming together of all of these aspects. Here are a handful of images captured recently for a couple who reached out in somewhat of a panic. The photographer they had hired bailed on them at the last minute (who are these people?!) and after a quick search they came upon our work. We're so happy we were available and could help them out.

Cheers,

Chris and Christian

Wedding at Shelldance Orchid Gardens

Ever dream of getting married in the company of lush and vibrant plants? Kate and Michael lived the dream at their gorgeous wedding at Shelldance Orchid Gardens. Shelldance is a magical place tucked away just south of San Francisco on Highway 1 in Pacifica and while it may be a bit off the beaten path it is well worth the trek.

Kate and Michael were a super fun, vibrant couple with a vibe that matched the colorful display of plants on view in the assortment of greenhouses on the Shelldance property. The couple exchanged vows beneath of canopy of hanging plants and delicate paper lanterns, a site that was later filled with round tables for the intimate reception. There were so many wonderful small details that are woven into the décor of this venue, including the sparkling lights woven in to the arch behind the couple as they said their “I dos. Shelldance has the versatility for all season and we love how this October wedding was decorated with touches of rich autumn colors, including centerpieces that incorporated flowers but leaves, plants and also a pear or two! We also appreciate the commitment to the plant theme throughout the event as even the wedding cake featured an assortment of succulents.

These two also brought us a very different idea for a reception by moving the whole kit and caboodle over to the local bowling alley that "rolled" the party into the evening. It was great to be able to shoot photos of the couple and their friends in a more relaxed atmosphere. We loved to see how people really come alive while bowling! This a group of people that really has fun together and this really shows in the images that were captured.

Though this was our first experience at Shelldance and it quickly made it one our list of favorite wedding venuesom/blog/bay-area-outdoor-wedding-venues.

Wedding at the Camron-Stanford House

This one was as close to home as they come! Marko and Nicole had their wedding at the Camron-Stanford House in downtown Oakland over looking Lake Merritt. The couple was a referral from a friend of Chris' and it turns out Christian’s kids and Nicole's kids go to the same school!

The Camron-Stanford House, in our opinion, is one of the best outdoor wedding venues in Oakland. It’s a beautiful 19th century mansion situated on the shores of Lake Merritt with lakeside views to boot. Wedding ceremonies take place outside on the lawn overlooking the lake and come reception time guests enjoy the romantic lights and the sunset glow of the Oakland hills. The best part, we think, is that weddings at this historic gem help preserve the mansion for years to come. What better way to truly appreciate our awesome town and celebrate a piece of history.

Marko and Nicole’s wedding was a beautiful day with friends and family, good food, and lots of dancing. We really loved being part of their special day and we wish this great Oakland couple all the best.

Bride and Groom on the porch of the Camron-Stanford house in Oakland

Wedding bouquet on grass near Lake Merritt

Bride and Groom at Lake Merritt in Oakland

Detail of Groom's blue suit with pink tie

Bride coming down aisle at Lake Merritt wedding

Camron-Stanford house in Oakland

Wedding at the Camron-Stanford House in Oakland

Camron-Stanford House wedding

Wedding at Lake Merritt

Bride and Groom walk down the aisle after ceremony at Camron-Stanford House

Detail of wedding rings on stone

Wedding toast at Lake Merritt

Wedding guests listen to toast at the Camron-Stanford House

Guest giving speech at Lake Merritt wedding

Wedding guests during reception at Camron-Stanford Wedding

First dance at Camron-Stanford House in Oakland

Dancing shoes at Lake Merritt wedding in Oakland

Detail of DJ and dancing at Camron-Stanford wedding

Camron-Stanford house in Oakland

Bride and Groom walking along Lake Merritt in Oakland