We are off to Austin!!

       We are so excited for Erica + Angela, who are getting married this weekend outside of Austin!​ We met them last year in San Francisco, when we took photos of their surprise engagement in Golden Gate Park, over Pride weekend.

​© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian Engagement Photo in Golden Gate Park.

       We can't wait to share photos with you from their wedding! Plus, we'll be covering SXSW for the Guardian and shooting oh-so-many concerts photos as well :)​

      Have a lovely weekend everyone!

xoxo,​

Ariel + Sam

Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding: Natalie + Tyler, Part 2

    Last week we posted part one of Natalie + Tyler's gorgeous wedding at St. Ignatius Church and we wanted to follow up with part two of their wedding reception at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross. Actually, it comes right in time, to help you get in the mood for Chinese New Year starting this Sunday. Guests arrived at the gardens for a surprise Chinese Lion Dance.  The lion leaped around to the beat of drums, mischievously biting guests' hands, asking for a good scratch, and performing amazing acrobatics.  It was a definite crowd pleaser. Afterwards, guests enjoyed cocktails on the patio with a live jazz band. Dinner was outside, under a beautiful canopy of trees, followed by delicious wedding cake and late night dancing. The whole day had such great energy and you could tell that everyone had a really great time!

The bride and groom, watching the lion dancers at their wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

A bridesmaid watches the lion dance. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Chinese lion dancers. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Wedding favors. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

A live jazz band performed during the cocktail hour. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

The jazz band at the wedding reception. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Lovely outdoor seating for the wedding dinner. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Pretty table settings. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Kids being too cute! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

The brides father giving a touching toast. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Cute owl cake toppers that the bride made herself :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

The bride and groom cutting their elegant wedding cake. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Wedding money dance! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

And then the dance party got going on the dance floor! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Guests dancing at the wedding reception. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Dancing the night away. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

Love this! Peace! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

The groom kisses his bride on the dance floor. Adorable! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Marin Art and Garden Center Wedding, Ross, CA.

       Congratulations Natalie + Tyler!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

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