After a long hiatus of posting weddings, here we go!!

This year I feel blessed with such wonderful couples and I’m so happy to have captured Natalie + Tony’s wonderful day.  I met Natalie and Tony through my dearest photography friend, Michelle Chiu, as they were looking for a new wedding photographer to be a part of their day.

Natalie + Tony met back in 2013 through Coffee Meets Bagel, but it just so happens their parents knew each other through church!  They started off with in a long distance relationship as Tony was all the way in Fresno!  When their relationship bloomed, they had fun, love attending events like Comicon,  and they traveled together!  When they visited Chicago last October, Tony proposed!

After many meetings, I was so excited to be capturing Natalie + Tony’s day.  We went to Lands End in San Francisco for a mini engagement session – see their engagement session here.

It was Saturday August 20th, 2016 was the day, and #foreveryoung820 finally came!!  The day was beautiful!!!  Coordinated by Judy at Peal White Events, the day went as smooth as possible!  In the morning, Natalie was calm and extremely excited for the day.  Her hair and makeup, as well as all her bridesmaids were done by Brides & Beauties by Chloe.  All of Natalie + Tony’s colors were in whimsical shades of pink tulle, bridesmaids dresses by Jenny Yoo and her florals were done by Ann’s Bridal.  I wanted to have as many photo opportunities for Natalie + Tony, so right after Natalie was done getting ready, we had a gift exchange, a first look at the hotel, and then headed to Piedmont Community Church early to take bridal portraits at a local park across the street.

The ceremony took place at Piedmont Community Church and then their reception at Oakland Scottish Rite Center.

Their delicious catering was done by Chef Moe’s Bon Appetite, Cake was from Napoleon Bakery, and their Dessert and Smores Bar was done by Cake Pop Envie.  They had a surprise lion dance show by Lion Dance Me, and a fun Photo Booth by Props and Shots.

When I took Natalie + Tony out for sunset shots across the street at Lake Merritt, she kept repeating to us, “I’m having SO MUCH FUN!!!  This is the best day of my life!!”.  And it surely was!  The energy was so high, and the sunset was so beautiful across lake Merritt.  Natalie + Tony were willing to do whatever it takes for really great photos, so when we watched a gondola pass by, we deliberated about how amazing it would be to take photos in there!  A few minutes later, we all walked over but they were closed.  Luckily, someone was still inside the shop and Natalie asked if we could sit in a gondola for a few minutes, and next thing you know we’re literally sitting in a gondola, thanks to the Authentic Venetian Gondola Cruises on Lake Merritt!  It was amazing.

The rest of the day was full of surprises like Natalie’s dad singing a song during the reception, and also Natalie singing, “Lea Salonga – Two Words” to Tony.  The night continued on the dance floor with mini light sabers to keep the rest of the partying going.

After Natalie + Tony received all their imagery over some dinner, Natalie thanked me and said, “Since we last met, I have looked through our photos over a hundred times.  Our wedding was hands-down the happiest day of my life and I love how you effortlessly captured love and laughter in each photo.”  Come take a look at their beautiful day!  Like, comment, share, and enjoy!

#foreveryoung820

Coordinator:  Pearl White Events