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

Fairfax Ranch Wedding // George + Allison

George and Allison's wedding was the perfect mix of a traditional wedding and representing themselves. Every free moment and weekend that G + A had this past year was spent on transforming the family ranch into their wedding reception venue. The ranch has been in George's family for six generations and they knew this was where they wanted to celebrate with their friends and family! We did their engagement photos in April around the ranch, and the amount of work they did is beyond amazing. They truly put their love, sweat, and tears into transforming the property. These two deserve all the cheers to their hard work! And the ranch created the best soft, glowing light throughout the night. It was heaven for me! ;)

For the ceremony, Allison wore the dress her grandma and mom had worn for their own weddings with a few alterations, like the updated back cut. And then some parts stayed the same, like having to wear a petticoat with the dress. Watching Allison's bridesmaids help with her dress was the true epitome of being their for her and helping with one of the most important parts of her day.

And make sure to not miss their cake cutting below! It's too funny!!

Allison and George, thank you so much for including me in all the fun of your day and I feel truly honored to be able to capture your friends and family celebrating you two and enjoying your hard work on the ranch. 

Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography // Planner + Lighting + Caterer: Mangia Nosh & Marin Event Lighting // Florist: Village Green Floral // Cake: Branching Out Cakes // Band: Mark Heaphy // HMAU: AP LUXE // Photobooth: DNE Events // Limo: Executive Charters // Venue: Private Residence

Golden Light Beach Engagement // Black Sands Beach, CA

Along with getting together to take a non-cheesy pregnancy announcement photo for Jessica and Alex to share (at the end of the post), we took advantage of getting together to take some gorgeous photos! This has to be one of my favorite sessions because it involves the Black Sands Beach and the Marin Headlands during golden hour. I was so excited when they wanted to meet here! I also really love Jessica's gold boots. I liked that they brought a little spunk to her outfit!

We started their session walking down to the beach and trying to avoid getting caught by the waves. These two didn't let the small pebbles in their shoes stop the fun and loving gazes to each other. As the sun was setting we walked up a small path from the parking lot and found the magical hillside that was drenched in the golden sun! It was basically a photographers dream, haha. And look at the magic they helped create!! I can give posing advice and directions, but 90% of the magic created is from my couples' connection to each other. 

Congratulations on your next chapter and thank you for having me along to document it!!

If you're ready for some beachy, golden light goodness, keep scrolling! 

Clarisse + Michael // Japanese Gardens, Hayward, CA

These two are on top of their wedding planning! They aren't getting married for a year, but they couldn't wait to take their engagement photos. I am a little late in posting their engagement session... whoops! Not intentional at all because just look how adorable they are above! Clarisse was all smiles and Michael was all heart eyes for Clarisse.

We met at the Hayward Japanese Gardens, which Clarisse grew up visiting and these two even had a few dates there. We were expecting many more flowers, but we mostly got just all greenery. But we did find the few pink flowers to add a pop to their session! 

Even though the sun was shining bright for them, we were able to navigate the gardens and find the shady spots and I made sure to back light them when the shade was hard to find. Wishing you two all the best in your wedding planning, and hopefully I can join you in Tahoe ;) More summery, infectious smiles engagement photos below!

George + Allison // Family Ranch Engagement // Woodacre, CA

Driving past Fairfax and turning down their dirt lane, pulling up to their family's ranch, sipping wine before their shoot, I knew this was going to be a special engagement session. These two have the biggest hearts and are putting so much love into their day. We decided on doing their engagement session on this family land as well, but in different areas than where the wedding is. 

Allison was a champ in jumping over fences in her dress and George didn't mess up his dress clothes (and we weren't trespassing in the fence photos -- all is their land). Nothing can get in the way for these two :) I cannot wait for their wedding in July and see the transformation of their wedding site and celebrate the love and commitment to each other and their families.  

One fun fact! Allison is great friends with one of my past brides of last year, Catie :) Their forest elopement has a special place in my heart too! 

Edgy San Francisco Beach Elopement

Oh my goodness, this was a dream styled shoot! I have been dying to share these images and I finally can because it has just been featured on Ruffled Blog!! 

This edgy San Francisco elopement made all my shoot dreams come true. Starting with their elopement ceremony on the beach that S+E were down to hike to (with sea foam flying at us sporadically), the sunset soft light turn to haze and Sara's leather jacket complimenting her JUMPSUIT perfectly! Yes, she wore a jumpsuit and it was the best thing ever. Erik was quite dapper in his dark blue tuxedo suit and bow tie as well.  We then headed to Bluxome Winery for their intimate dinner. Gold accents with pops of color from the table florals and the hanging installment Jessie created complimented the industrial vibe of the winery and gave it a romantic, but edgy feel to the evening. 

I'm going to let the images do the rest of the story telling! And maybe inspire your upcoming elopement/wedding dreams?! 

All the wonderful vendors involved: Chelsea Dier Photography / Bluxome Street Winery / April Foster Artistry / Studio DBI / Handsome Flowers / Lovely Letters / Chairs+Cups / A Spoonful of Sugar Cakes / Alt Brides / The Black Tux / Jenn Heller Design Co / Bryr Clogs / Digby & Iona Jewelry / ASOS

San Francisco Golden Hour Portraits // Sutro Baths

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OH MY GOSH! My dear friends Joey and Jane modeled for me this past Sunday and I have about died and gone to golden hour heaven. I really wanted to have some classic San Francisco shots in my portfolio, and the Golden Gate Bridge decided to show off and be amazing. Also, Karl the Fog was no where to be seen. We first went to Marshall's Beach, which is just north of Baker Beach (and I believe the nude section of the beach) but we lucked out and only saw fully clothed people. We ended at Sutro Baths chasing the light and it created a moodier, contrasting feel to finish out the shoot with. So in love! And these two are so in love as well!!

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 Yep, a shoot that dreams are made of <3

I would love to do another shoot or three here and explore more, so send me a "let's do this!" to: hi [at] chelseadier [dot] com