Amphitheater of the Redwoods Wedding // Erica + Riley
Going through their gallery again to make this blog post just made me so happy! I had such a hard time narrowing down their images because I know you don’t want to see 1,000 photos in a blog post, but all their photos are so fun and they had so much going on during their wedding day. They rented out Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center in the Santa Cruz mountains for the weekend and had a weekend long competition with everyone on teams. There was bartering happening, bets being made, and competitions happening for beads... and laughs. Erica and Riley’s main goal for the weekend was for everyone to have fun and to truly enjoy themselves. I think this comes through all the photos, so you know it was a memorable wedding weekend!! E+R’s friends are pros at silly group photos and Erica herself even photobombed one photo. Now that’s the type of bride I want to work with!! :)
It may be a bit much to go from the sweet photo of them above to the games below to her dress, but I think it really paints the picture (wink) of their wedding. Really really sweet, emotional moments, but also being goofy with each other and their wedding SQUAD and really being themselves. They even had custom gold temporary tattoos for all their guests! You betchya I got one.
Oh and one of the best parts was Erica’s dancing shoes! She 100% inspired me to also get lightup shoes for my wedding, which I proceeded to surprise Sean with. Check my insta for a few photos of the reveal. It was ahhhhmazing.
Okay, enjoy looking through the most fun wedding that was set among the Santa Cruz redwoods. Absolutely stunning! Erica and Riley, thank you so dang much for having me photograph your day!! Hugs hugs hugs.
photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography // venue + catering + coordination: Amphitheater of the Redwoods // florals: Still Flowers // hmau: Styling by Amber // rings: Pave
Holman Ranch Wedding // Karishma + Danny // Carmel Valley, CA
This blog post is way overdue! Karishma and Danny got married at the end of November, and now it's February. Where did time go?! Holy guacamole!
Karishma and Danny rounded out my 2017 wedding year with their colorful, super fun, love filled wedding "weekend"! I put weekend in quotes because they celebrated Wednesday-Friday, so a faux-weekend ;) We started their celebration with their Sangeet that involved friends and family performing choreographed skits and dances. These two have some talented friends and it was the perfect way to start their wedding weekend. Then on Friday, it was the wedding day at Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley! I feel like I have now made it to the big leagues in the Bay Area photography world because I got to photograph a wedding at Holman Ranch! It's a very well known and beautiful venue that definitely lives up to its hype.
These two love unicorns, so you'll see a few unicorn appearances throughout their blog. And of course, I totally loved that part too! They even have their rings engraved with a unicorn.
Karishma and Danny's day was a mix of Indian wedding traditions and North American wedding traditions. They started their day with a Barat, which involved Danny approaching the property on a white horse and many of their guests dancing alongside him. So fun! They then had an Indian ceremony along with their friend marrying them. Best of both worlds, I'd say! Before dinner, there was an outfit change to another beautiful Indian dress and tux for Danny. All the better for dancing, which was many hours long!! And these two did not leave the dance floor. (wedding advice: if you stay on the dance floor, your guests will as well! And it allows us photogs to take fun dancing pictures. It's hard to do that if no one is on the dance floor ;))
The best part of their wedding though? On my wedding day questionnaire that I send to my couples before their day, which includes listing all your vendors, Karishma wrote, "A note about vendors. We consciously hired women owned & operated businesses. Who runs the world? Girls!!!"
Karishma and Danny, thank you so much for including me in your celebration and it was so wonderful to spend many hours with you two! Hugs!!!
(^^ thanks for convincing me to join the photo Katie! She connected me to K+D and I'm so thankful for all her friends getting married ;))
Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography
Wedding Planner: E. Events Co
Venue: Holman Ranch
Caterer: Jalsa Catering and Events
Florist: Floral Creations By Nasreen
Dessert: Gizdich Ranch
DJ: Heart of Gold DJs
HMAU: Vinnia Tjhin, Timsi Malhotra
Dress: Rita Kumar
Danny's Ceremony suit: Manyavar
Wedding bands: D&H Jewelers
Videographer: Meraki Media
Second photographer: Jess Rankin
Rentals: Chic Event Rentals
UC Berkeley Redwoods Amphitheater Day Wedding & Outdoor Reception // Jenny + Rezene
I have never photographed a day wedding before Jenny and Rezene and it was so fun! I started my day around 9:30 and was done at 6pm. It's like a normal persons schedule, just on a Saturday ;)
J + R's wedding was my second wedding this season at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden and Redwoods Amphitheater! I cannot get over how beautiful this space is and I want to continue photographing weddings here! The diversity of portrait locations makes my heart sing and the contrast of the redwoods and botanical garden is just so cool. Include the loveliest couple that couldn't take their eyes off each other and it's just magic!!
Jenny and Rezene were married among the redwoods and then had their reception at a local Oakland hall. The Hall was the perfect space to have a relaxed reception with lots of space for games, relaxing, dancing, and a pinata for the kids! Rezene is from Ethiopia so guests were treated with Ethiopian food for lunch (so good!) and each seat included a hand etched wood place card with their name written in Ethiopian as well. To complete the amazing day, they also announced their pregnancy and it was all cheers and happy tears in the room. I knew they were announcing the surprise and I was so excited for them. Their little one will be joining their family in April, which I think it a great month for a birthday! April may be my birth month ;)
Thank you so much Jenny and Rezene for having me photograph your day and only wish you all the best!! And hopefully I will see you for family photos <3
Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography / Caterer: Red Sea Restaurant / Dessert: Wooden Table Baking Co. / Dress: BHLDN / Suit: Macy's / DJ: DJ Claude / HMAU: Lea Beuhler, BGorgeous / Day of Coordinator: Melanie Tunison / Second Shooter: Rachel Downey / Venues: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden & Humanist Hall
Rengstorff House Outdoor Wedding // Enissa + Blake // Mountain View, CA
Oh Enissa and Blake! From day one, Enissa made ME feel like a friend and not just her photographer. She has the biggest heart and on their wedding day, she was making sure everyone was taken care of, including serving the cake to their guests! Their laid-back, outdoor wedding focused on what was important to these two. Dancing (including a dress change so dancing was easier!), tacos, loving each other and getting MARRIED! :)
The Rengstorff House is a gem in Mountain View and the property was perfect for all the natural light photos. I am absolutely loving their golden hour first dance photos, which are so swoon worthy! Enissa and Blake, thank you so much for having me be apart of your day! It was an absolute joy :)
Caterer: Madd Mex // Florist: Flower Divas // Enissa's Dress: BHLDN // Blake's Suit: Indochino //DJ: PJ Entertainment // HMUA: Kristen Marie // Invitations: Printable Press // Jeweler: Lang Antiques // Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography
Redwoods and Botanical Garden Wedding // Noah + Hannah // Berkeley, CA
Where to start with Noah and Hannah?! First, they got ready together with their closest friends and siblings at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley and it was the calmest hours before a wedding I have experienced. There is something special about getting ready together.
We then headed to their venue which I have been dyyyying to shoot at, so I was SO excited when they told me they're getting married at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden and Redwood Amphitheater. It's a dream to have such a variety in the location for portraits! We made time to shoot in both the redwoods and botanical gardens because why not. I'll let the pictures do the talking for how amazing this location is!!
Along with the natural beauty, the work Tumbleweed Floral Truck did to the Julia Morgan Hall to transform it into a cozy, inviting, family style early Fall vibes dinner was amazing... that's why there are so many photos, ha! Fun fact, Kaylia also used to work with Hannah. Oh and Hannah's mom MADE all the bread cutting boards. Hannah knows some very talented folks :)
Also, fun story! I first met N+H when I was working at the coffee shop and one day they came in and I saw the new ring on Hannah's finger and got so excited for them! A few minutes later I handed them my card and said something along the lines of, "I want to be your wedding photographer!" and basically told them they should hire me :) And I am so happy they did! These two have been a dream to work with and I'm so happy I went with my gut and made sure to give them my card! All the hugs to you two! And Noah, keep kissing Hannah's nose forever! :)
Photography: Chelsea Dier Photography // Florals: Tumbleweed Floral Truck // Ice Cream Sandwiches: Tara's Organic Ice Cream // Caterer: S&S Catering // Hannah's Dress: Emerald City Gowns // Noah's Suit: KnotStandard // Band: Kickin' The Mule // Hair: Nicole, Phoenix Salon // Venues: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden