We’ve had a whirlwind of a relationship with Tara and Roger, meeting for the first time in January, shooting their engagement photographs in February and then their wedding in April. Phew! We knew from that first meeting they were going to be a fabulous couple to work with, and we were right:-)

The first part of the wedding day started with photographing Roger in the lovely light in their apartment.

We then headed to The Fairmont in San Jose, to capture Tara and her bridesmaids in the final stages of preparation, get the ring shots and of course the shoes.

Tara looked so elegant in her classic bridal gown.

It was sweltering hot when we arrived at Cinnabar Hills – I’m talking 90 degrees hot! So we headed straight for the shade for some pre-wedding group photos. The red dresses and flowers, arranged by Tara’s friend Klaudia, really popped. Mark’s our man at the front getting the classic line up and I like to get round the side for a totally different look of the exact same shot. I think the laughing ones are always the best:-)

I love this capture of Tara and her parents – they just look so proud.

Next up, the guys. Thank you Paul for being the funny man, nearly all our shots are laughing ones except when you all thought you were in the Reservoir Dogs…

Tara’s best friend Heather was the officiant, which added a really personal touch.

This shot was just before the introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Fortier at the reception. Flower girl Avery is very ready to do the walk!

I always love the father and daughter dance…

…But it doesn’t get better than the first dance!

The dancing and fun continued as Mark and I headed home. What a great day – a lovely relaxed feel to the whole event and super nice people!

Venue – Cinnabar Hills Golf Club
Wedding coordinator – Kim Thomas at Cinnabar Hills
Make-up artist – Julianne Chai
Floral design – Klaudia Splane
Wedding Cake – Cake Expressions
Wedding dress – David’s Bridal
Catering – Cinnabar Hills
D.J. – Sound in Motion
Videography – Fish Eye Wedding Videos
Limo and Transportation – LeGrande Affaire

So why chose to have a wedding album? We all know that when the wedding day is over, the flowers have died, the cake has been eaten, and your wedding dress has been cleaned and put in storage, your beautiful photographs of the day live on. So bearing these things in mind, it’s essential, I believe, that these images you and future generations will enjoy, images that help you relive the joy and magic of your day, be showcased in the most perfect way – a bespoke wedding book.

Clients today seem obsessed with getting their high res. wedding images on a disc, which I agree is great to have as a backup, but really, how often are you likely to scroll through the hundreds of photographs on a computer monitor? Not quite the same as holding a big tactile book filled with wedding day memories and the story unfolding before your eyes…

So today I’m really excited, as always, when a package from Finao, our wedding book supplier, arrives. As I carefully unwrap two huge beautiful albums, a smile spreads across my face as I take in their gorgeousness. They’re certainly eye-catchers, one bound in saffron leather and a sumptuous fabric, picking out the accent colors from the wedding and the other a lush silver and black. As I slowly turn the pages I’m transported back to our couple’s happy day and feel contented and so pleased they decided to chose a wedding album!

Nestled on a hillside in the Santa Cruz Mountains is Tara and Roger’s favorite winery – Soquel Vineyards. The family run boutique winery has gorgeous views of the Monterey Bay coastline and was the perfect backdrop for their engagement shoot.

Tara and I had chatted about having to resort to wellies and a brolly in the event of bad weather – it is February after all – but the day was lovely and warm and strolling through the vines and meadows photographing a couple so in love was an absolute pleasure.

Here are some of our favorite shoots from the day…

Also a big thanks to Peter and Paul Bargetto for giving us free rein amongst the vines!