This has got to be a first. The theme for Christine and Jim’s wedding, which I recently photographed at The Brazil Room in Berkeley, was “Saturday Morning”. The wedding incorporated all the things that the bride and groom like to do when they spend a relaxing Saturday around the house, such as:

• Crossword puzzles
• Eating breakfast
• Drinking coffee
• Listening to NPR
• And of course, wearing PJs all day

When they told me about their wedding plans, I had to ask, “Wait, you really want me to wear pajamas to your wedding?” They practically insisted. This was one of the most unique, fun, and relaxed weddings I’ve ever participated in. A few of my favorite details:

• The program for the wedding day was printed in the form of a newspaper, complete with crossword puzzle. The clues were all about the bride and groom.
• Breakfast buffet, and pastries instead of wedding cake
• A live recreation of “Wait, wait! Don’t Tell Me!” the NPR news quiz
• Coffee/tea themed table decorations
• At the end of the wedding, the couple rode off on a decorated tandem bike (not sure what this has to do with the theme, but it’s awesome.)

Here we go:

I took these engagement photos for Cara and Carlo back in September of last year. We had a great time exploring Oakland’s Jack London Square, and got some stunning photographs as well. These guys are getting married later this year, so stay tuned for wedding photos of these two!

I love backyard weddings. I especially love it when said backyard has a view overlooking beautiful vineyards. This was an awesome DIY wedding, with lots of handmade (often by the bride) details, and a ton of personality.

A few of my favorite things about this wedding:

1. Great outdoor setting and great light in the room where the bride was getting ready
2. Amazing photo locations just a short walk from the ceremony site
3. Totally random and unexpected appearance from TOMMY SMOTHERS!
4. Knuckles the dog
5. Super fun bride and groom who seemed totally at ease in front of the camera

Carrie and Mark were married on August 21 at the Healdsburg Country Gardens in Healdsburg, CA. Such a gorgeous setting, and such a gorgeous couple. As a photographer, this is the type of wedding you always hope for.

Beautiful outdoor setting: check

Bride and groom who look like movie stars: check

Great weather, food, details, decorations, and people: check, check, check, and check.

These guys made my job really easy. Enjoy the photos!

Did you know that there are TWO different botanical gardens in Berkeley? Neither did I until I met up with John and Zephira for this engagement photo shoot back in June. I already knew about the Botanical Gardens in Tilden Park, but there’s also the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens on Centennial Drive.

John and Zephira picked the location, and it ended up being a great spot for photos. Stay tuned for shots from John and Zephira’s wedding.

Megan and Andy (or “Megandy” as they’re known to their friends) we’re married on May 15th, 2010 at  the Rush Ranch Open Space in Suisun City, CA. I love outdoor weddings, but especially when they’re in such a gorgeous setting as this.I remember thinking I could have just wandered around the ranch taking pictures even if there had been nobody else there.

The ceremony (officiated by a close friend of the couple) was moving and included toasts and songs from friends and family. The all-vegan catering was delicious, and the bride and groom are obviously very much in love, and I think it comes through in all the pictures of them.

My top 5 favorite things about this wedding:

1. Rush Ranch Open Space
2. Delicious vegan catering
3. Wooden SPORKS!
4. People playing Ultimate Frisbee in suits and dresses
5. The groom’s daring leap over a barbed wire fence

Danielle and Fred were married on May 2nd, 2010 at the Brazil Room in Berkeley’s Tilden Park. My favorite part of this wedding was when “The Nguyen Family Band” (Danielle’s cousins) took the stage and played a bunch of awesome covers. Their performance was a surprise wedding gift, and the looks on the bride and grooms face when they started playing were priceless.

My top five favorite things about this wedding:

1. The Nguyen Family Band
2. Paper cranes
3. The groom’s dad and his amazing dance moves
4. Lots of little cakes in different flavors
5. Adorable little kids being little and adorable

Bethany and Dan were married on May 1st at the Farm at Putah Creek in Winters, CA. I love the down-home (yet elegant) vibe of this wedding. Lot’s of great details, and cool style at this very unconventional celebration. Some my favorite things about this wedding: suspenders, roasting marshmallows, barn dancing, kids with parasols, and a groom in boots.

This is only the second time ever that Brides has featured a same-sex wedding, so I’m very honored that they printed my photos, but I’m even more happy that they chose this wedding. I hope this is another sign that the tide is turning in the fight for marriage equality in California.

Scan of Brides: Northern California (cover photo not mine)

]]> http://stevetakespictures.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=841 http://stevetakespictures.com/blog/?p=773 http://stevetakespictures.com/blog/?p=773#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:05:28 +0000 stephenhughes http://stevetakespictures.com/blog/?p=773 I haven’t posted anything to this blog in a while, but I swear I have a good excuse! Briana and I got married on July 10th, and then we were on our honeymoon in France. See? I told you there was a good reason.

For the past few months, I’ve been so busy shooting and planning my own wedding that I haven’t had time to post anything to the blog or even update my portfolio. But I’ve got a ton of great new weddings and engagement shoots that I’ll be posting here over the next few weeks.

In the meantime here are some photos from our honeymoon to Paris, the Loire Valley, and Brittany: