Meredith + Andrew: Wedding Photography at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, Pt. 1

Bowerbird Photography November 3, 2014

As the groom waited outside the InterContinental Mark Hopkins for the "first look," the Blue Angels boomed overhead, adding to the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Actually, the roar of the planes bore a type of resemblance to the peal of wedding bells, seeming to herald Meredith + Andrew's wedding all over the city. It also meant that moments later, as the two held each other in their arms, we got several cute photos of the bride and groom spinning around simultaneously to gaze up and point at the sky, the bride's veil lifting in the wind, with the happiest expressions on their faces. The bridal party soon joined, decked out in fall-y colors with orange bouquets for the bridesmaids and orange boutonnieres for the groomsmen (perhaps an auger of the upcoming Giants win!). These two definitely had their dream team with them, and it was wonderful to see them all get in action, organizing in seconds to hail a cable car and pose in front of it for photos. Their wedding venue, the historic Mark Hopkins Hotel, was also done up for the occasion with beautiful blossoms in hues of red, yellow and orange.

They had a moving interfaith wedding ceremony, first with a ketubah signing during an intimate gathering of close friends and family in their hotel suite, followed by their larger wedding celebration in the the Room of the Dons, which included both Jewish and Christian traditions.

Meredith + Andrew are the sweetest, and they surround themselves with equally dear and wonderful people. Their wedding was not only a celebration of their love for each other, but also a fantastic party assembling the communities they love from the span of their lifetimes and the country.

We are soooo happy you are married M + A! We wish you much joy and love in your partnership!

Check back soon for more photos from their festive wedding reception :)

Wedding Photography at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Venue: InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Wedding Planner: Chrissy Wolfman

Wedding Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Flowers: Branch Out Floral

Cake: InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Make-up + Hair: Meaganne Mccandess

Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo

Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Band: Lucky Devils Band

Caterer + Linens: InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Caroline + Dana: San Francisco Wedding Photography at the JW Marriott, Pt. 2

Bowerbird Photography October 24, 2014

It was time to pop some bubbly in the limo and Caroline + Dana headed down to their wedding reception at the JW Marriott in downtown San Francisco. All their guests and families were elated when Caroline + Dana made their grand entrance into the grand ballroom, beyond thrilled for the newly married couple. Sweet toasts got the evening started, followed by cake and great dance moves with the help of a stellar live band. A perfect celebration of true love!

Best wishes C + D!!

San Francisco Wedding Photography at the JW Marriott. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Ceremony Site: St. Vincent de Paul Church

Reception: JW Marriott

Wedding Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Flowers: Violetta Flowers

Cake: Bala at the Cakemaker

Makeup + Hair: Joseph Cozza Salon + Spa

Wedding Dress: Leanne Marshall

Suit: Vera Wang

Band: Lucky Devils

Catering: JW Marriott

Caroline + Dana: San Francisco Wedding Photography at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Pt. 1

Bowerbird Photography October 22, 2014

It was a gorgeous fall day for a wedding in San Francisco. The sun streaked through the stain glass windows at St. Vincent de Paul Church, and the bride walked down the aisle with her dad, accompanied by a boy's choir singing from the church's loft. The priest was a bit of a jokester, mimicking the phone calls he imagined Caroline and Dana making to each other, bringing levity to his homily. Caroline + Dana shared many laughs and gave one another hand squeezes throughout the whole wedding ceremony.

After Caroline + Dana were pronounced husband and wife, we took couple's photos around the church and they got a moment together to celebrate being officially married :)

Check back soon for more photos from their fun wedding reception at the JW Marriott. Congratulations Caroline + Dana! We are so happy for you!

San Francisco Wedding Photography at St. Vincent de Paul Church. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — San Francisco Wedding Photography at St. Vincent de Paul Church. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Ceremony Site: St. Vincent de Paul Church

Reception: JW Marriott

Wedding Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Flowers: Violetta Flowers

Cake: Bala at the Cakemaker

Makeup + Hair: Joseph Cozza Salon + Spa

Wedding Dress: Leanne Marshall

Suit: Vera Wang

Band: Lucky Devils

Catering: JW Marriott

Liz + Will: Healdsburg Country Gardens Wedding Photography, Pt. 2

Bowerbird Photography October 15, 2014

After Liz + Will announced to the world their love and commitment and tied the knot, it was time for their festive wedding reception to get started! (Click here to see photos from earlier in the day.) The evening was filled with tear-jerking toasts (especially when Liz's mom read a letter from Liz's brother, who could not attend the wedding -- everyone was bawling!), a delicious dessert table with every kind of confection imaginable (and yes, Liz + Will cut their wedding cake with an ancient family sword, used throughout the generations by Will's family for the sweetest of purposes. So cool!) and of course, the first dance between the newly married couple to a song with the most fitting lyrics, "... I am strong even on my own, but from him I never want to part, he's been there since the very start..." (Gabriel, by Lamb).

All day long we felt heady with joy for these two. They are clearly meant for each other - kind, intelligent, and giving - the strength of their friendship and love for one another is undeniable, and inspiring. Perhaps their relationship is best summed up in a sign, posted at the entrance to their wedding reception: "You are my forever. Loved you then... love you still. Always have... always WILL." MELT!!

We love you Liz + Will!! Happiness forever to you both!

Healdsburg Country Gardens Wedding Photography. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Healdsburg Country Gardens Wedding Photography. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Venue: Healdsburg Country Gardens

Wedding Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Coordinator: Stephanie Beer

Catering: GrapeVine Catering

Rentals: Wine Country Party Rentals

Flowers: Maria Philbin

Cake: Village Bakery

Officiant: Matt Forkin

DJ: Jeff Virzi

Ceremony Music: Jake Smolowe

Hair + Makeup: Katie Donaghy

Oysters: Oyster Girls

Photo Booth: PhotoMatica

Liz + Will: Healdsburg Country Gardens Wedding Photography, Pt. 1

Bowerbird Photography October 12, 2014

Have you ever left home on a summer's day, thinking you packed everything - sunscreen, beverages, a great book - only to have forgotten the one thing you need to see in the bright sun? Sunglasses. You search everywhere, your car, your pockets, all to no avail. And then someone points out, those sunnies you were looking frantically for, were sitting on the top of your head all along! This little story is told by way of analogy for how Liz and Will found each other -- and how their friends and family so lovingly responded: "Duh! We knew you two were meant for each other from day one!"

Liz + Will met in high school, swapping turns at each others' homes to do their physics and calculus homework. In college, they kept in touch, and gave each other dating advice. Liz would complain to her friends that all the guys she met were schmucks -- she just wished she could find someone as sweet as her friend, Will. How many times it took for Liz to repeat that statement is unknown - dozens? But finally, she got her own message. Last September, these two love birds, a pair who couldn't be more perfect for each other, got married in one of the most touching, beautiful wedding celebrations we've ever photographed.

The ceremony and reception took place at the gorgeous Healdsburg Country Gardens, a breathtaking property tucked away in the hills. The lush green environment, was accented with dashes of purple: in fragrant lavender bundles, the bride's wedding shoes, the groomsmen's ties and bridemaid's dresses, and an amethyst ring that Liz wore in honor of Will's mom. And - oh - yeah, the wedding party's sunglasses were rimmed in purple, and the special couple's shades were fittingly printed with the words: Bride and Groom!

Their dear high school classmate, Matt, officiated the wedding ceremony, beneath the canopy of a giant oak tree. It was such a meaningful and heartfelt wedding ceremony, with personalized vows that gave a one-two punch bringing the audience to laughter and happy tears. Liz + Will radiated such joy with the widest of smiles.

We hope you enjoy a look into the first part of Liz + Will's wedding day. Stay tuned for more photos, coming very soon :)

Congratulations Liz + Will! We are thrilled you are married!