As we headed up to San Francisco to meet Karen and Nathan for their pre-wedding portrait play session at the Lyon Street steps we speculated , as we always do, about what kind of wedding dress Karen had chosen. However no speculation really prepares you for the vision that presents itself when you first see a bride and groom all dressed for their wedding.
To put it simply- Karen, with her auburn hair upswept but soft around her face, studded with pearls, and her lovely simple yet elegant dress- looked like an exquisite Greek goddess. Handsome Nathan in white tie and tails was the perfect complement for that beauty. That we were given that sweet time with them to play and make beautiful images before the ceremony was such a gift!
Aside from the obvious love between these two the other thing that strikes you is the great humor that they obviously share. It is infectious, and by the time we left to head for the wedding we were smiling and laughing ourselves. All three of us had been excited by the images we had made with their gorgeousness and the fabulous backdrops afforded by one of our favorite places in San Francisco to do portraits. Their willingness to play with us- and obvious ease of playfulness between them had made our work easy.
Their ceremony only furthered that feeling for the humor and fun that they share as their were moments of laughter threaded throughout along with the tears and emotion that also accompany the exchanging of vows. We never get tired of hearing the special words between a couple- in fact Meg and Michael feel as if they get to renew their vows week after week.
The room changed from ceremony site to beautifully appointed reception room- candles glowing from the candelabras that are a special touch at Marine’s Memorial Club . After the guests were seated the Lion dance began and the room was full of excitement- we have seen quite a few Lion dances as we love photographing Chinese banquets, but this was the best we have seen. Even more unusual- the best man was one of the lions!
After the delicious dinner and cake, a beauteous cake by The Cakemaker,Karen and Nathan danced their special dance and the love from friends and family surrounded them and filled the room. Terry from The Spinheads kept the place rocking with his well chosen dance songs and a wonderful mood set by his lighting -and the night flew by as these most special of nights tend to….
The light rain that fell for only a short time did nothing to dampen either the incredible beauty of Nestldown, (in the Santa Cruz mountains) or the high spirits and love present during Alison and Chad’s wedding day. While driving there that day we all decided that Nestldown is most definitely among our very favorite venues. Every corner of the property offers a new enchanting surprise- be it the storybook cottage, the shrub animals, the myriad of quaint or romantic benches, the long emerald expanse of lawn and trees that invites one to stroll and dream…. and it is endlessly new again.
Alison loved loved loved purple and as it is Meg’s favorite color it was a delight to see it represented in the maid of honor’s dress, the ring pillow, Alison’s delicate crystal jewelry, the table linens, and expressed with fabulous flair in the gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces from Boulder Creek Flowers .
Luck meant no rain fell during the ceremony in the breathtaking redwood glen that only Nestldown offers. Even repeated experiences do not keep you from a sharp intake of breath when you see the beautiful steps leading down to the canopy of greenery that forms the altar for the wedding overlooking a pond. It is quite simply beautiful every time of year.
Soon after the ceremony, with the arrival of the newly married couple in the classic old English taxi, the partying began in earnest in the warm barn, which always seems to glow whether with chandelier light or candle light.
One had only to hear that the groom had given the bride her heart shaped diamond ring on the collar of a kitten to know this was a special love story. In keeping with that shared love of the couple’s, they had given a gift to the Human Society in lieu of a favor- and there was a card at each place setting with photos of the pets of the couple and friends and family.
Delicious catering (as ALWAYS) from Teri Menchini at La Bocca Fina left everyone warm and delightfully full but there was no chance to be lulled to quiet with Big Fun DJ in the house! Woody had the barn rocking and as ever their light show was a treat to photograph. Ceron Anthony of Cake Expressions had made them a gorgeous heart shaped cake.
The night flew by and suddenly it was time to bid the couple adieu and send them off into the night and into their bright future as husband and wife.
Michael will do anything necessary to see his vision come to life!
The image he was stalking…
