St. Ignatius Church Wedding: Natalie + Tyler

      We adore Natalie + Tyler! They had the most elegant and beautiful wedding last fall at St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco and we're so excited to be posting photos. Natalie + Tyler met at the USF law school and they decided to get married at SI church, the same lovely location as their law school graduation. Before the wedding ceremony, they started the day with a traditional Chinese wedding tea ceremony, a wonderful tradition to honor their elders and families. And it was especially adorable when the bridesmaids made Tyler play a little "door game" during the tea ceremony and try to read to Natalie in Cantonese. He later learned that he promised to do everthing Natalie tells him to do -- forever :) Nice one! Enjoy these photos from the wedding prep and ceremony!

The bride getting her makeup done. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride looks at herself in a small mirror. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The groom putting on his tie. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

 The groom's luxe silk wedding suit. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

 The bride getting her hair done. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

Their beautiful wedding bands. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The morning started with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, where the bride and groom were given little red envelopes. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride and groom serving tea to their families, during their Chinese tea ceremony. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The groom reading to the bride in Mandarin, during their traditional Chinese tea ceremony. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride listening to the groom, while he reads to her :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride in her gorgeous lace wedding dress. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bow on the brides wedding dress. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The brides bottle of Bvlgari perfume. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride in her wedding pearls. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The groom, outside the church, minutes before the ceremony started. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride admiring her beautiful wedding bouquets. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

Th ceremony begins. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride and her father, walking down the aisle. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The minister reading a prayer during the wedding ceremony. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride and groom reading a poem together. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

And the kiss! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

They are married!! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

Couples photos outside the church. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The bride's lovely pink flowers. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

The brides veil plays in the breeze. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

So happy!! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

And off they go to their wedding reception! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; St. Ignatius Church Wedding, San Francisco.

       We'll put up a part two soon of their gorgeous wedding reception at the Marin Art & Garden Center, which included a surprise Chinese lion dance! 

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Vendors

Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Venue: St. Ignatius Church

Hair: Rebecca Beardsley

Makeup: Amy Lee

Bowerbird Photography Featured on the Wedding Party Blog

      We're super excited that Amanda + Mike's wedding was featured on the Wedding Party blog! Check out the full feature here!

       Happy Friday!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Mark Hopkins Wedding: Anastasia + Matt - Sneak Peek!

       Last Saturday was a perfect January day. Clear, crisp and sunny -- a gorgeous morning to wake to knowing that you will soon be married to the one you love. Anastasia + Matt tied the knot at the elegant and historic Mark Hopkins Hotel in downtown San Francisco, surrounded by their family and friends.  They are since off on their honeymoon in Mexico, but we got a message from them that they would love to see some photos.  We can't wait to show them either, and, to also celebrate Anastasia's birthday today (Happy Birthday!!!!) we're posting a little sneak peak. Their beautiful wedding featured a rabbi and a priest, a grand banquet, a big band, and joyous dancing late into the night... there are so many beautiful moments from the wedding that we are eager to share, but for now, we've put together this little taste from early in the day as the bride and groom prepare for their ceremony.  

The bride's wedding dress, called "High Society," hangs on a chandelier. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco.

The bride, in her wedding pearls. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco.

The groom looks dashing, with a custom bow-tie, succulent boutonniere with the smallest ferns, and silk handkerchief.  © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco.

The bride smiles excitedly as she puts on her wedding dress. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco.

The groom, outside the Mark Hopkins Hotel, moments before the wedding ceremony. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco.

The bride and groom's wedding bands. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco.

The beautiful bride waits before her ceremony at the historic Mark Hopkins Hotel. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco.

The bride and groom share a quiet moment together to celebrate just getting married! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mark Hopkins Hotel, San 

        Anastasia and Matt are one of the happiest couples we have ever met, and we are honored to have been there with them to document their special day.  Congratulations you love birds!!

xoxo,

Sam + Ariel

Vendors

Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Venue: Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel

Wedding Day Coordinator: Chrissy Wolfman

Flowers: Soulflower Floral Design

Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel

Mill Valley Community Center Wedding: Eileen + Jed, Part 2

       A few weeks ago, we posted part one of Eileen + Jed's wedding ceremony, at the Lark Theater. We wanted to show you a few more images from their beautiful and fun-filled wedding reception at the Mill Valley Community Center. It was the most perfect summer day and the cocktail hour was held outdoors on the patio. Afterwards, guests went into the sun-filled reception hall, for toasts, dinner and dancing. Eileen + Jed wanted an epic party to celebrate their marriage, and that's exactly what they got: an absolutely fabulous party, filled with all their friends and family!

The afternoon started with cocktails on the patio. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding.

Yummy bites. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

The bridal party having fun in the sun. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

Wedding guests. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

The inside of the Milly Valley Community Center. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

The beautiful table settings. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

Wedding escort cards. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

Bunches of local lavender. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

The wonderful flower centerpieces. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

The bride and groom listening to toasts. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

Their first dance :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

A dip + kiss! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

And then the dance party started! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

This crowd knew how to have a great time! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

More dancing! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

The bride and groom take a break to cut the wedding cake. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

And then back to more dancing! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

The bride and groom taking over the dance floor. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

And a kiss at the end of the most wonderful day! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Mill Valley Community Center Wedding, Mill Valley.

       A big congrats to Eileen + Jed! We are so happy for you both!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Larkspur Theater Wedding: Eileen + Jed

       Now deep in winter, it's the perfect time to remember the sunny autumn we had in Northern California. The season was full of weddings, since so many brides know that the weather is always a dream, making their wedding look like they come out of the movies. Speaking of the cinema, we wanted to share photographs from one of the recent weddings we documented this September at the Lark Theater, in Larkspur. It was wonderfully creative and fabulous, with true moments of Hollywood glamour. Guests were given Playbill programs inspired by the movie, Vertigo, and took their seats in the darkened theater to watch a surprise wedding trailer, starring the heartthrobs, Eileen + Jed. Jed played the country bumpkin from Marin and Eileen wowed the audience as a sophisticated city slicker from San Francisco. They stared across the Golden Gate Bridge pining for each other.  As all good movies have a happy ending, so does this romance, and when the trailer ended, and the lights went up, we all watched the gorgeous bride walk down the theater aisle and into the arms of her groom. 

Beautiful polka dot green wedding shoes. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

The bride, Eileen, getting her makeup done. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

The gents got custom bow ties from the groom. Now they just have to figure out how to tie them. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

An impeccably groomed groom. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

The bride arrives at the theater with her entourage of ladies in teal. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

The groom and his gents walk to the theater. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

A playbill wedding program. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

The guests arrive at the Lark Theater, where the ceremony was held. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

The ceremony starts in the Lark Theater, with a surprise movie trailer. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

The wedding party lined the Lark Theater stage for the main feature, the wedding ceremony. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

They are married! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

This wedding party is ready to party! © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

Sealed with a kiss. © Bowerbird Photography 2012; Wedding Photography at Larkspur, Marin.

       We will post a second set of images soon, with photos from the reception and their super fun dance party!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam