The circle was being cast on the beach and a candle would be placed in each of the four quarters – north to represent Earth, east to represent Air, south represents Fire, and Water to the west.

Inside the beach house, preparations were in full swing, and things were rather more familiar!

We were so pleased Jeannie and John decided to have a ‘first look’. The emotion was quite overwhelming, and of course we get some time to capture their joy at seeing each other for the first time that day.

We walked to the beach, now bathed in warm sunshine, where the attendants entered the circle to stand at the points followed by Jeannie and John. The ceremony included John offering his sword to Jeannie and in exchange she offered her treasure. After the vows, the Priestess tied their hands together to celebrate their commitment and love for a lifetime.

Handfasting comes from a Scottish custom, where, in a simple ceremony a couple would have their hands tied together; they were accepted as man and wife, if after a year they were still together!

The formal photographs were anything but! The wedding party was such good fun and and their photographs are just filled with laughter. And because Jeannie and John were tied together, this added to the merriment, each taking turns to duck down behind the group when they weren’t needed in the photograph!

From the beach we went to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk for rides on the merry-go-round and the pirates’ ship. A bride and groom tied together – not something you see everyday at the fairground!

As the sun went down, guests enjoyed a barbecue and dancing back at the beach house, ending a perfect day.

Jeannie and John, it was an absolute joy photographing your wedding, sharing your passion and love for each other, family and dear friends.

Our love and best wishes for the future, Mark and Maria xx

In October we will run a competition for you to win a boudoir session (for you and a friend) worth over $2000, to include full pampering!
(Be sure to follow us on twitter, so you don’t miss out…! follow tobeadored on twitter )

Here’s a little taster…

So a few weeks later we got together for what was to be a long fun day! We started the shoot in Mountain View with coffee at the Dana Street Roasting Company where Paul and Anna first met. We had a gloriously warm day so sat outside at a table on the sidewalk and chatted, sipped and of course photographed. Coffee, kissing and cuddling – what a great way to start a Sunday!

Our day continued with a visit to the couple’s favorite vineyard, Burrell School Winery in the Los Gatos Mountains for a little wine tasting (OK, so we also bought a few bottles!) What a great spot right on our doorstep – fabulous wine, amazing views and a lovely relaxed atmosphere.

From here we travelled to the wedding venue – Mullin’s Bar and Grill at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links so we could have a look at the location and get some sunset pictures. After our guided tour of the site on a golf buggy (can’t wait to see Anna driving this in her wedding dress on the big day!!!), we managed to get some dramatic shots as the very dark clouds overhead threatened…

And to end a perfect day… dinner at Half Moon Bay’s charming and intimate Pasta Moon. Not a typical engagement shoot – but excellent fun!

They first met, and were friends, years ago at school and until recently had lost contact. Their celebration day brought family and many friends together for the first time and saw old school friends reunited.

We wish you a wonderful and happy life together John and Sheila!

Little Jordyn loved being in front of the camera -

- she looked so cute with her angel wings and bell, introducing Sheila and John to their guests.

Can’t wait to shoot the wedding of this beautiful couple in November!