Wine Country Wedding at Trentadue Winery in Sonoma

Picture this: 50 of your favorite people, traveling from all over the globe and meeting in Sonoma County’s wine country to witness and celebrate your marriage. Every detail is overseen by an incredible wedding designer and her vendor team, allowing you to be present in the moment. From the artfully created tablescapes down to the bow adorned cocktail hour glasses, the entire experience is simply elevated.

Walking into Trentadue Winery in Geyserville feels like you’ve entered a whole new world. Situated in the Alexander Valley, the grounds feature mature redwood trees, rows of winery vineyards, and rolling hills. During golden hour, the sun casts the most lovely glow, illuminating the property in warmth. I couldn’t believe how gorgeous it was.

M+V began their day with a Catholic mass in nearby Healdsburg. We arrived at Trentadue just as they welcomed their guests to cocktail hour. Jen Harrison, the wedding designer extraordinaire had left out paper parasols for guests to find respite from the sun. Under the trellis, round tables serpentined about in an off beat, and perfectly considered formation, allowing guests to be intertwined and immersed. I loved every detail.

As the sun neared the horizon, I took M+V for a quick stroll into the vineyard for photos, then the evening carried on with toasts winding down dinner, followed by their first dance under the pergola. I was moved by how beautiful Trentadue Winery is, and am looking forward to returning in 2026.

Vendor credits:

Full service elopement planning and design by Jen Harrison
Venue, Trentadue Winery
Catering, Sally Tomatoes
Hair and makeup artist, Laura Paniagua
Videographer, Arianna Carmen Media
Rentals, Encore Events Rentals
Entertainment, DJ Ray of Heart of Gold
Car service, Pure Luxury

Wedgewood Weddings: Log Cabin Presidio Wedding San Francisco

There is something to be said about San Francisco’s Presidio. From the aura of hundreds of years of military significance spanning multiple countries, to the way the Monterey cypress trees cut along the coast, to the sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge - it is magnificent both visually and historically. I love that Wedgewood Weddings, an industry staple known for their inclusive wedding day packages, has a venue in such a significant location.

H+P began dating during the pandemic, which of course meant getting to know one another largely outside. They spent so much time together exploring the Presidio in the early days of their relationship, it was truly full circle to begin their marriage in this same sacred place.

They decided they wanted to have their first look at a look out over the Golden Gate Bridge, and to have couple’s portraits along the Monterey cypress grove, all just down the street from Log Cabin. Back at the venue, their ceremony took place with the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, marvelously framed by a golden arch.

As H+P were welcomed in for their first dance, their guests stood up and waved custom wedding towels to cheer them on, that read “Big Ring Energy.”

Vendor Credits
Venue - Log Cabin Presidio by Wedgewood Weddings
Hair and Makeup - Dreamcatcher Artistry
Florist - Bright Moments
DJ - DJ Bud with iMobile DJs
Gown - Meshki

A Muslim + Catholic multi day wedding ending at MoHi Ranch.

I love when I get to spend time with my couples on multiple occasions. It’s so gratifying to get to know their dynamic, to see their story unfold. I first met Z+C for their engagement session at Lands End in San Francisco, followed by their intimate backyard nikah ceremony, and finally at their wedding reception at MoHi Ranch.

At Lands End we explored the cypress trees, then made our way down to the ocean and the Sutro Baths ruins. It was a cold, moody early autumn afternoon and the atmosphere was effortlessly cinematic.

Next, a few months later, they hosted two wedding ceremonies over the course of a weekend honoring their respective religions. They chose to have coverage of the Muslim nikah ceremony in Z’s parent’s backyard, and opted not to photograph the Catholic mass the following day. Both of these services were intimate, with only their closest family members attending.

Finally in the spring of 2025, we met again at Z’s family home and made our way to MoHi Ranch in Morgan Hill for their celebration with friends and even more family.

In a post pandemic world, I've noticed that couples are celebrating in less traditional ways (hosting everything at once), often opting for smaller legal weddings and larger parties. I thought it would be interesting to gain their perspective about how their wedding unfolded.

In their own words:

The vision for the wedding came together pretty quickly after we got engaged - we both wanted an intimate ceremony weekend with our close family followed by a larger reception where we’d be able to celebrate with a wider group of family and friends. This allowed us to strike the balance we were hoping for. It was really important to both of us to have both of our backgrounds and cultures represented as we became a married couple so we were really intentional about weaving both together to arrive at events which would resonate with all of our family and friends. For the ceremony in particular it was really meaningful to have it in Z’s parent’s garden that her dad has poured a lot of time and care into over the years. It was a beautiful, cozy, intimate and magical weekend. And then the reception weekend was high energy and fun – all of our friends and family showed up for us from across the country and we were overwhelmed with gratitude seeing all of our favorite people together on an (unusually) warm weekend in the bay area. It was really nice that we were already married by the time the reception came around because it took a lot of the pressure off and we were able to spend a lot more time with all of our guests!

Everything turned out better than we could have ever imagined! We were so happy that we were able to have our wedding exactly as we had envisioned it. Having our ceremonies and receptions on separate weekends allowed us to be really intentional about each and ensure we had the space to celebrate both. We are generally private people so having the ceremony be really small felt much more like “us”. But since we didn’t want to give up celebrating with all of our friends and extended family, it felt like the perfect solution to have a bigger reception later on. It was so amazing to be able to celebrate with all of our family and friends in a way that allowed everyone to participate fully and allowed us to spend much more time with people individually throughout the celebrations! It did create a bit of additional planning overhead (sometimes almost felt like planning two separate weddings!) but that was a tradeoff we were willing to make, plus after planning one it made it easier to plan the second one!

Vendor credits:

Nikah
Bride and groom’s outfits - handmade by a tailor in Pakistan
Hair and makeup - Styles by Ann
Officiant - Summer Albayati
Catering - Karimi Indian and Pakistan Cuisine, San Jose
Cake - The Sweet Spot by HM

Reception
Bride’s outfit - Zainab Salman
Groom’s outfit - Menguin Tuxedos
Bride’s hair and makeup - Beauty by Chau Nguyen
Catering - Tandoori Flames, Morgan Hill
DJ - Richard Diaz of iMobileDJs

Palace of Fine Arts Proposal

I love photographing proposals. It’s so exciting to be there at the beginning of a couple’s wedding story, so when I get asked to capture one, I’ll always do it.

Michael reached out from afar. He was planning to take his girlfriend, Ashley, up to San Francisco to celebrate their five year anniversary and wanted to propose. He was specifically interested in Palace of Fine Arts. Since I hadn’t shot there before, I offered to do a site visit a week ahead of time so I could get a lay of the land and have a contingency plan if the weather didn’t cooperate. I drew out a map, laid out a plan, and it went so smoothly. Day of we began sharing our locations through our iPhone. I got to the spot half an hour early and was able to find a quiet back up nook because the grounds were crazy busy and it wouldn’t have been ideal to utilize our original backdrop.

Michael told her they were attending a cocktail event at the theater before going to their anniversary dinner which was brilliant. As I sat on a park bench, cameras hidden in my jacket, I saw them approach. Michael pulled her off the path into the grass and dropped to his knee. After she said yes, I introduced myself, congratulated them, and took them on a walk around the beautiful grounds and across the street to the beach overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. It was perfect.

A San Francisco Engagement Session at Bakers Beach

BJ proposed to my sister Ashley along the Atlantic Ocean in Newport Rhode Island which I captured. I helped him create an elaborate ruse of a family photo session to get her dressed and not at all suspicious of my camera. So, when I moved out to the San Francisco Bay Area and they came to visit me, it was only fitting to offer them an engagement session along the Pacific Ocean.

This was my first Bay Area session and I was super excited to explore with them. Earlier in the fall I had explored this area with my family and filed it away in my brain as a location I wanted to come back to with a couple, and I’m so glad I did.

I love how within a small area you get Bakers Beach with a sweeping view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the moody eucalptus trees, or the seaside homes as a backdrop. It’s so versatile and romantic!

Summer Wedding at Shady Acres Organic Farm

Angela and Danny share an incredible love story; they are actual high school sweethearts. In my career I rarely meet couples that have survived high school and adulthood together, which says so much about these two. The longevity and ease they share is obvious. They are the best parents to their super friendly pup, Maverick, and even both went into teaching as a profession together. Everyone in their circle is full of exuberance and amazing vibes, I had the best time solo documenting their wedding at Shady Acres Organic Farm. A family member hand built yard games, the bride’s brother played music during cocktail hour, and one of my favorite details - Angela’s class created a book about love that was displayed! How cool is that?

Shady Acres Organic Farm is one of my favorite Hudson Valley venues and it did not disappoint. Angela utilized the gorgeous boho styled bridal suite, then they shared their first look in front of the vintage pickup truck. Formal group photos happened with the backdrop of the meadow, and their ceremony took place in the famous pine tree forest. The day ran smoothly thanks to coordination from Service Matters North East. Florals were created by the incomperable Flowers by David Anthony.

The night was thumping with beats by SkyHook Entertainment (seriously, 10/10 recommend for anyone that wants a mixture of live music and a DJ, such a great dance floor experience!) followed by toasted marshmallows at the fire pit.

It was an excellent summer wedding that was full of energy and fun and left me energized. Thank you Angela and Danny for trusting me to capture your day, and big high-fives to all of the amazing vendors that helped make it such a dream.

Spring Time Wedding at Shady Acres Organic Farm

When I was asked to photograph Alli and Chris’s wedding, I was so excited. Alli and I have been friends since childhood, growing up around the block from one another. I’ve seen her come of age and blossom into an incredible person; she is a talented musician with a beautiful voice and skilled at song writing. Her heart has always been full of compassion for others which has lead her down a path of serving others in her career. Her energy is both fierce and soft all in the same breath. It had been a few years since we saw each other in person (thanks distance + pandemic) so I hadn’t gotten a chance to meet her fiancé Chris. I knew he proposed to her using a Pokéball and that he worked on cars. They lived in Philly together creating a happy life. I had seen Instagram photos of their shared husky, Misha. I went into this day, 8 months pregnant and working solo; I didn’t mind though, I knew it was going to be special.

I personally loved that they chose Shady Acres Organic Farm for their wedding venue, it was completely true to Alli’s roots located just two miles of her childhood home. Shady Acres is as the name suggest, an organic farm that makes in house jams, honey and provisions. The manager, Sasha (who I’ve become friends with and absolutely adore) grew up on the property and has helped create the venue portion of the working farm. The farm house has a lovely downstairs event space and a fantastic upper level lofted bridal suite. Sasha has a passion for interior design and aesthetics, and it shines throughout. There is a large open air pavilion, small green houses and outdoor organic garden beds, a row of fruit bearing trees (with the prettiest flowers in the spring!) and a lush pine forest that houses their ceremony location.

So fast forward to day of. It’s a chilly, drizzly Saturday in May. The Hudson Valley is green and overcast with the occasional rain coming through. I packed my car with a bunch of clear umbrellas because there was no avoiding the forecast. I arrive, and immediately get the last few moments of Alli getting ready. Chris has arrived, and I quickly stock him up with an umbrella and we decide to proceed with the first look outside in the elements. Having not met Chris until this moment, I took him in. He stood stoic and calm in a dark green suit that matched the woods behind him. I put him into position and run upstairs to get Alli. As I approached her in the loft, the skies outside suddenly eased up, and the first hint of sunshine glimmered through the clouds and shined into the bridal suite; which is where these photos begin.

When Alli got outside and made her way to Chris I was excited to finally see these two together. When they saw each other they both beamed. They walked us over to their ceremony area and we took some quick portraits before guests began arriving.

Pokémon evolution references were made in the ceremony like poetry. After they kissed and walked to the end of the aisle, Chris swept Alli up into his arms to carry her down the hill. It was magical.

It was an honor to capture this day and I look forward to seeing these two evolve together in the future.

Vendor credits:

Venue, Shady Acres Organic Farm, Middletown NY
Dress, BHLDN
Suit, Giorgio Fiorelli
Florist, Deja Vu Florals
Misha’s collar, FlowerHungry
Rings, Aeriswings
Band, Nailed Shutt

An October FEAST at Round Hill Wedding

When my amazing wedding planner friend Gina connected me to her clients Natalie and Justin, I was so pumped. Anyone who hires Gina is for sure going to be cool in my book, so that was my first indicator that I was going to adore these two. Lo and behold, we shared a love of South Brooklyn, the Verrazano Bridge (it’s the most attractive bridge in Brooklyn, fight me) as well as a love of plants just from the get-go. In September 2020, we had a gorgeous engagement session along the Bay Ridge waterfront, as well as at their apartment featuring their cat. It couldn’t have been better.

Fast forward to October of 2021. Their wedding was held at FEAST at Round Hill in Washingtonville NY, a venue I’ve always wanted to photograph. FEAST has a beautiful museum like aesthetic, featuring antique styling with elaborate grounds and gardens. Natalie matched the look perfectly with her deco jewelry and accessories plus her bouquet made of seeded eucalyptus. Despite the classic charm, Natalie managed to make her look a touch badass with her black leather jacket. Justin was suited up very nicely but kept it real with his Doc Martens. They were authentic to themselves and it was perfect.

Aside from photographing at a bucket-list venue, I hit the jackpot in a way I never would’ve expected. As a former teenage ska kid, this was my first ever wedding where there was skanking on the dance floor. At this point, I’d photographed 150+ weddings during my career and this was a first. As the wedding band started playing Reel Big Fish’s song “Beer” Natalie and Justin’s friends brought it. It took every piece of restraint from me to keep photographing and not just put my cameras down to join in. I’ll never forget it. If you’re not in the know, skanking is a form of dancing where you’re kicking your feet up along to the music — it’s unmistakable and if you know you know you know.

Thank you Natalie and Justin for trusting me to document your day. It was such a pleasure and I’ll never forget it.

Vendor credits

Wedding venue, FEAST at Round Hill, Washingtonville NY
Planner, Gina Jurlando of Jane & Jasper (highly, highly, highly recommended!)
Videographer, D White Visuals (love him!)
Hair and makeup, Miss Harlequin Makeup and Hair
Dress, Maggie Sottero Designs
Florals, Flowers by Joann
Wedding band, The Last Nites
Cake, Pastry Garden Bakery
Natalie’s engagement ring, Macy’s and customized at Casale Jewelers
Justin’s wedding ring, Casale Jewelers
Natalie’s wedding ring, ReindeerCo
Custom socks, Divvy Up
Justin’s wedding shoes, Dr. Martens
Natalie’s wedding shoes, But Another Innocent Tale
Natalie’s reception shoes, Vans
Natalie’s leather jacket, ASOS

My First West Coast Wedding!

In April 2021 my husband and I were traveling to Southern California to attend my brother-in-law Luke’s wedding to his awesome fiancé Kimi. Josh was of course in the wedding party, so I figured I’d just bring my 35mm film camera along for fun.

Well, the day before the wedding, Josh and I were out to breakfast in Huntington Beach when we got a phone call from Luke. As it turned out, their original photographer tested positive for COVID. Obviously, I volunteered to step in, and quickly figured out a game plan. Luckily being close to LA was in our favor and I was able to grab a quick rental from Fullerton Cameras with everything I needed and it was game on.

Unfortunately, Kimi and Luke originally planned an October 2020 wedding which obviously needed to be rescheduled. Their original venue was no longer an option, but it all worked out for the absolute best. Our aunt works at the beautiful Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church and secured it for their ceremony location. The outside is stunning; they were married along the blooming wisteria which was particularly suiting because Kimi is a huge plant lover. One of Luke’s Marine Corps buddies officiated and it was a lovely ceremony.

Afterwards, we took family photos in the back court yard and Kimi surprised Luke by having their two Great Pyrenees pups Leia and Brady show up for a quick kiss and photo opportunity. Next we walked a few blocks west to grab some epic beach photos.

Their reception was held at a private estate in Laguna Beach and featured delicious Mexican catering from a family member. Everything was held outdoors with the backdrop of the canyon, tall cacti and string lights. All of the decor was handmade by Kimi and her mother; and Kimi even grew all of the plants decorating the space! (She’s awesome.)

It was an incredible day celebrating two people I love dearly, and I’m so glad that things turned out as they did because these are some of my favorite images from 2021.

Vendor credits
Ceremony location - Laguna Beach Presbyterian
Reception location - a private estate in Laguna Canyon
Hair and makeup - Makeup by Paru
Bridal dress - Davids Bridal
Florals - Freesia Lillies
DJ - DJ Old Head
Camera rentals - Fullerton Cameras

Mount Tremper Wedding

As a former bride, I love when I get to go back and revisit my own wedding venue; Mount Tremper.

When Ellie and Rich’s amazing planner, Crystal, initially reached out to me about their date, I had a good feeling that anyone who would choose the same venue as I did would be a great fit for me. I was definitely not mistaken.

I got to meet Ellie and Rich in the winter of 2020 when we did their adorable engagement session on their property. Think warming up by a campfire, sipping hot cocoa, Pendleton blankets — you get the vibe. I loved them right away.

Fast forward to August of 2021 — it’s my first wedding back from maternity leave and I get to have the most fabulously glowing 8 months pregnant Ellie as my first client.

The anticipation of their day was palatable. Every person was so excited to celebrate these two and their nearly complete family. To top off the adorableness of the day, Ellie wore an altered version of a family heirloom wedding dress. Everything felt sentimental and heartfelt and exuberantly happy. What a great day to document.

Vendor credits:

Coordinator, Crystal Ortiz
Catering, Honey’n Schmaltz
DJ, Stylus DJ Entertainment (DJ Sarah)
MUA, Emily Elle Makeup
Hair, Kyra Hair
Florals, Stars of the Meadow
Wedding dress, Betsy Wise Bridal

A Brooklyn Brunch Wedding

When planning a wedding, most people would say that their biggest fear is rain on their wedding day. If there’s one lesson I can bestow upon a couple, it would be to run with the punches, even if it includes a down pour. Luckily, Rachel and Sam were the exact right couple to own this concept.

Both Rachel and Sam work in the demanding theater world; they are highly creative, and detail oriented by nature. They are very in tune with one another, and share a connection that is palatable; they nearly move in unison together if you observe them long enough. It’s pretty spectacular. In their spare time, they love to relax by baking in their apartment and share a love of botany. When planning their wedding, they knew that they wanted it to hit close to home - in both location and in interests. They chose to have their ceremony at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, just down the street from their Prospect Heights apartment. Afterward, they invited their guests to their favorite brunch spot, Faun on Vanderbilt Avenue. Sounds perfect, right?

Well, as Sam and his wedding party began setting up the chuppah in the rose garden, a sudden torrential downpour ensued. Luckily, everyone was prepared and umbrellas emerged.

This rainstorm was intense. And when I say intense, that is an understatement. The rain was coming down in sheets. It was the wettest I’ve ever been, to put it lightly. As I moved my camera, covering the crowd, I noticed their reactions, and every single person was smiling or laughing. No one seemed inconvenienced by the weather. Not Sam. Not Rachel. Not a single one of their guests. Everybody was as happy as can be, huddled close in a canopy of umbrellas. The moment was completely embraced by everyone in attendance. It was memorable and beautiful and set the mood for the rest of the day.

Ironically, right as the ceremony concluded, the rain was over as well. I photographed their family photos, everyone drenched, and again, everyone as happy as can be.

Next Rachel, Sam and I went to the indoor gardens for couples photos. The joy on their faces said it all; nothing could ruin their day. The majestic backdrop of fauna was only rivaled by the glow emanating from them both.

Finally, for their reception at Faun, the sun was out and people spilled from the restaurant out on to the lush backyard patio. Guests enjoyed a beautiful spread complete with all of the best brunch drinks. Heart felt speeches, a surprise cake for Rachel’s mom (it read “Savor your big day!”) and a quiet first dance in the restaurant rounded out a perfect wedding day, rain and all.

Be like Rachel and Sam; run with whatever comes your way, own it, love it, embrace it. After all, you can’t enjoy the warmth of the sunshine without the contrasting wet of the rain.

Vendors
Rachel’s dress, Carol Hannah Bridal
Rachel’s headband, Lizzie Fortunato
Rachel’s wedding ring, Trinity ring by Cartier
Sam’s suit, Mason & Sons
Sam’s accessories, Todd Synder
Sam’s wedding ring, Mr. O.K.
Ceremony venue, the rose garden at Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Reception venue and catering, Faun Brooklyn
Wedding invitations, hand painted by the groom