The Thomas Estate is a hidden gem in Pleasanton, CA.  More importantly, Elaine + Alex are a couple with a magical ending; as they happily tied the knot at The Thomas Estate.  Elaine + Alex met each other online and like almost every other success story, everything else is history.  They share an affinity for sports (Giants, Sharks, 49’ers), awesome car racing, and so much more.

There are so many things I love about Elaine and Alex.  I was there when Alex first introduced us all to Elaine, and watched their story blossom two years down the line.  After returning from Boston MA in October 2011, they asked me to take their engagement photos because they loved the fall colors.  As adventurous as they are, I honestly did a lot of experimenting on them.  We made a flipbook, we did a pre-wedding session, and so many more.  The wedding, was definitely not an experiment but by the time their wedding day came, they understood how I worked, and I understood how they worked.  My assistant, Jeffrey, kept commenting about how cute and photogenic they are!

When their big day came on this record breaking hot day at the end of September, guests traveled from all over to unite.  The day was packed.  It was so packed (at least for us – the Bride, Groom, Bridal Party, Videographer Andy Ito, and us) were finding time to breathe!  Even though the events were non-stop, the day was full of amazing surprises and adventure and it was a wonderful harmony of an eastern and western wedding (as you’ll see below).  So many friends and family were there with smiles from ear to ear.  Their wedding vows were unbelievable, and they even made me cry.  The hardest part was our hour and a half time period set aside for portraits, which were all group photos.  Darrick, my assistant, said my face was so flush, he kept feeding me with cold water and held an umbrella over my face!  THANK YOU!  But my best interest was on Elaine and Alex, making sure they were fed, hydrated, and made sure her feet were still in tact wearing her beautiful shoes!  Thank you Jeff and Darrick for helping keep them hydrated too!!

Sometimes during a wedding, things don’t always go as planned.  During portrait hour, we made plans with the coordinator to take us up in a 4×4 on top of the mountain during the portrait hour.  Unfortunately, since the group photos took a while, we didn’t have the time to go to the “special site” as planned.  Bummed, I looked at their wedding schedule to see what the best time we could sneak Elaine and Alex away for a half an hour or so.  Acting fast on my feet, I asked Elaine and Alex if they wouldn’t mind missing their first course, and they happily nodded.  Coordinating with the venue, we moved the time to sunset.  After a grand entrance, five lines of lion dancers drumming away, we went up to one of the most gorgeous locations ever.  Elaine, Alex, Andrew (the videographer), his assistant Nick, and I kept awing in amazement, “THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND AWESOME!”  Feeling relief and blessed, we went to the very top of the mountaintop and shot some really beautiful portraits for Elaine and Alex.  In Andy’s words, “that was an epic moment”.  From there on out, the remainder of the night was full of delicious food from California Rose (clams, crab claws, filet, and more!), an open bar, AMAZING speeches by Ryan (best man), Anne (MOH), and Joanne (good friend of Alex), a wonderful first dance, cake cutting, and Elaine’s Dad, Mr. Huang, having a blast on the dance floor with some “stunna” shades!!  Towards the end, Jeff and I started dancing in on the fun with the bridal party, throwing pom poms in the air for five or more songs until DJ Dom played the very last song of the night.  Party rocking is what I love to do with my clients, I mean, friends 🙂

So here it is.  Elaine and Alex’s big day!  Like, comment, and ENJOY!!