Oahu Beach Wedding // Jaime + Darren

This wedding is extra special to me because it is my Aunt and her husbands wedding!! They live in Oahu (lucky!!) and were originally going to get married on the SE side of the island, but decided on Honolulu instead because it’d be easier with family visiting. The Royal Hawaiian is where they had their first date and Darren has been a patron for many years, so it held a special place for them… and they could get away with having the wedding on the beach ;) For their ceremony, we all met at the hotel bar for a welcome mai tai, #obvi, and then walked out and created a circle of sorts around them. They are a mellow couple so it was absolutely perfect for them to be surrounded by friends and family, but in a non-traditional set-up. After the ceremony, it was time for more mai tais, pina coladas and food!

Hawaii has a special magic to it and every time I visit, I never want to leave. But when I do, I come back feeling so refreshed and relaxed, ahhh. Oh and the water is warm enough to swim in! I wouldn’t mind another Hawaii wedding or two this year ;)

Noah + Hannah // Point Reyes Station Engagement // Point Reyes, CA

When Noah and Hannah suggested Point Reyes for their engagement session, I was super stoked! Point Reyes is their happy place and love to visit when they're feeling a city escape. We started off the evening with ice cream (+10 points in my book, hehe!) and walking around Point Reyes Station. It was still too bright to take their golden hour photos so we stopped in the local pub, that Noah has wanted to visit every time he visits here, but never has, making it the perfect place to wait out the light. After our little beers, we ventured out near this old barn and took some of the most magical, soft light photos. 

Your engagement session is supposed to be YOU, so I love when my couples suggest a place special to them and then have fun with our time together! Ice cream, beer, fire trucks, and the yummiest light, SOLD! 

Heather + Aniekan // New York City Engagement // New York City

While I was in New York in January, I had the opportunity to shoot Heather and Aniekan's engagement photos! This was also the trip I booked my first out of state wedding (!!) and will be heading to Brooklyn in May for Jessie and Shane's wedding, so this trip is extra special to me!

Heather and Aniekan brought the spiciness and love to their shoot. It was a chilly day, but they didn't let that stop their style and it just made them cuddle even more! Heather is a fellow #girlboss in the e-commerce world, so of course she's rockin' those heels. I don't know how she did it! Thank you so much for having me along and giving me the tour of your neighborhood. Wishing I was joining you in Tuscany for your wedding ;) 

Sweet Lane Gardens, Santa Rosa, CA Wedding Photographer // Julie + Billy part II

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And here is part II of Julie and Billy's wedding weekend! They had their wedding day at Sweet Lane Gardens in Santa Rosa, CA. This is a commercial nursery, but they also host weddings on their property. I want to go back here and take more photos in the nursery -- just look how beautiful it is!

Julie and Billy were my last couple of 2016 and I couldn't have asked for a better couple to end my wedding season with. They were SO excited to be getting married and to celebrate with their close friends and family! Constant laughs, smiles, and hugs filled their day. Along with being the sweetest clients to me (Julie's reaction to her sneak peeks and final delivery were THE BEST. All the heart eye emoji's aren't enough to express my gratitude!), I could tell that Julie and Billy have had quite the impact on the important people in their lives. Gosh, I just want to smoosh these two up and hug them forever!

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I am so humbled to have been included in their special weekend and I think a trip to Chicago to visit you two has to happen! So much love to you two!! 

Venue: Sweet Lane Gardens // Cater: Creative Catering // Florist: David Hanson // Baker: Petaluma Pie Company DJ: Marcel Jones // Makeup: Nikol Elaine Artistry // Hair: Amanda Sands Hairdressing // Billy's Suit: Topman // Julie’s Dress: Bhldn // Julie's Shoe's: TOMS // Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Guerneville, CA Photographer // Julie + Billy part I

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Julie and Billy wanted to get married in the California Redwoods, but that plan didn't quite pan out for them so we met up on Friday afternoon in the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Guernevlille to fulfill their redwoods dream! I haven't been here before, but it was an amazing park of redwoods all around and SO beautiful! I'm going to make their wedding blog into two posts because I have too many photos to share.

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Michael + Catie // Forest Elopement // Fort Bragg, CA

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Catie and Michael had the most rad forest elopement up in Fort Bragg (about 3.5 hours north of the Bay) with their closest friends, family and two dogs in tow. Catie created her "bouquet" from bird feathers she has found while hiking and it was so her. She needed a bouquet that she could also use for their weekend celebration with friends (which by the way costumes were required for their reception -- how fun!). Also check out her totally unique ring, wowza! Thank you times a million for having me along. I LOVED it and to future couples of CDP, I want to shoot this type of intimate ceremonies all the time!

Daniel + Lauren // Intimate Wedding // Sutter, CA

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Daniel and Lauren, the wedding in an old almond orchard with the goofiest groomsmen (and an honorary cat-groomsmen -- you'll see his appearances throughout) with the yummiest light and their closest friends and family. This wedding was a dream to shoot! They are the sweetest couple and fully enjoyed their day and have some of the best friends who made sure they were fed and hydrated throughout their day. Thank you so much for including me in your day. It was amazingly special <3

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(I had to conclude this post with another cat photo... I can't even, HAHA)

Planner + center pieces + cake: Cynthia Struckmeyer // Cater: Bacio // DJ: TSPdj // HMUA for bridesmaids: Hello Glam // HMUA for Lauren: Robert Savard // Florist: Yuba City Florist // Lauren's Dress: Always Elegant Bridal // Photographer: Chelsea Dier Photography