We are excited that our photo was published on the premiere post of the wedding blog of the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins! We took photos of Anastasia + Matt's wedding in January and really love this venue. Super elegant and full of beautiful, flawless, San Francisco details. We highly recommend this location to any couple looking for a wonderful wedding venue in downtown San Francisco.
xoxo,
Ariel + Sam
"I will always be your plus one," Marcus promised, as he stood across from his darling Emily, exchanging vows. The theme for Emily + Marcus' wedding was inspired by their mutual love for music: Emily is a music writer and they are both avid concert-goers. If MTV gave an award for the most rock 'n' roll bride and groom, these two would take the cake.
Although their wedding was a true VIP experience, it also had all the hallmark details reminiscent of a SF rock concert. Guests lined up to enter the historic Verdi Club to get their hands stamped with an ink imprint of Iggy Pup (their adorable pooch). Their program zine detailed the star line-up, and custom concert tickets directed people to their seats.
Emily looked stunning as she walked down the aisle, escorted by her loving parents, and when she joined Marcus at the front of the stage, the mood of the room was pure jubilation. These two are absolutely perfect for each other, even their vows, which were written separately as a surprise, dovetailed together seamlessly.
After the ceremony, the band played, and the disco ball sprayed its party glitter on the dancers below. However, this was no ordinary band. It was a collection of the hippest musicians, friends of Emily + Marcus, selected from bands all over SF, forming a special group just for them. The band played an incredible set of songs, all hand-picked by Emily + Marcus, giving a once-in-a-lifetime, electrifying performance.
We love Emily + Marcus, not only because they are such a creative and talented couple, but also because they are so warm, playful, and caring. This wedding was truly them, from their awesome tattoo wedding rings to the I-can't-believe-it's-vegan spread for dinner! They crank up the volume on LOVE!
Marcus waiting for Emily for their first look :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
Iggy Pup was so excited! © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
Here she comes! © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
Such a sweet first look. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
So happy! © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
Emily - you are gorgeous! © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
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Best jump ever! © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
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Romance! © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
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What an elegant pair! © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
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The kiss!! © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
MARRIED :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013.
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Congratulations Emily + Marcus!!
xoxo,
Ariel + Sam
To be vulnerable, to be fully known: that is what it means to be courageous. To provide support, to accept another for all that she or he is: that is what it means to be kind. Love shines with courage and kindness. To feel the light of love is to experience joy.
This is what we know to be important. Love.
We are so happy for Angela + Erica. That two individuals can find each other, and make the commitment to care for the other for the rest of their lives is a beautiful act of grace. It is our hope that all know such profound love.
Angela + Erica's love is ever the more courageous because they decided to get married at home in Texas, a state that currently does not recognize the validity of same-sex marriages. Despite the evident hardship, they feel strongly that it is the right thing to do. Gandhi said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Erica + Angela provide a brave and compelling example of love for all their neighbors to see and understand.
Every day, we express our gratitude to be able to work together as a husband and wife team, to depend on each other, laugh, and live together. We want everyone to have what we have. Sam is the child of an interracial marriage, something many states criminalized until recently. It wasn't until 1967 that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down such laws as unconstitutional in the case, Loving v. Virginia. Everyone has the right to say, "I do." Whether straight, gay, or lesbian: love is love.
We believe that by living a life of love, celebrating the love of others, and sharing the message of love, that we can make a difference. What Angela + Erica have, is everything. They have each other, and, in the end, love is the only thing that really matters. We are so happy for them, and have prepared a slideshow of photos we took from their gorgeous same-sex wedding at Cedar Bend Events in Bastrop, Texas.
Grab a box of tissues, and get prepared to be inspired by love.
Congratulations Angela + Erica! We love you both so much.
xoxo,
Ariel + Sam
Forty-three years ago my (Ariel's) parents got married at my Grandma Kay's house in San Carlos. It was a relaxed wedding, with a few close friends and family, and a bathtub full of fancy champagne. The year was 1970 and my mom wore a lace suit and my dad rocked a pink shirt and brown corduroy jacket. Back then they were the perfect hippie couple and today they still know how to bring loved ones together for the best organic feasts, of which Sam + I are lucky beneficiaries. And yes, they are the coolest and sweetest parents a girl could ask for.
Ariel's parents on their wedding day. © Bowerbird Photography, 2013.
Happy Anniversary Snorkel Mom + Dad! Love you both so much and to many more years of amor!
xoxo,
Ariel + Sam
We first met Angela + Erica last summer during Gay Pride week in our hometown, San Francisco. Weeks earlier, Angela shared her plan with us. She wanted to propose to Erica in a tree, a place that they could both come back to and remember their special day. Prior to their arrival we scouted the city looking for the stoutest candidate, discovering a grand California buckeye in the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park that Angela loved. The plan was simple and elegant: we'd take photos of the two of them like for a regular couple's photo session, and when we reached the designated tree, Angela would propose to Erica.
After taking a boat ride, posing under a waterfall, and visiting a pagoda, we wandered to the native California plants section at the Botanical Gardens, and marveled at the tall, California buckeye tree. Erica immediately found a bough to perched herself on; and Angela hid the ring behind her back. Looking up at Erica under a bower of branches, Angela presented the ring, and Erica, from behind a stream of joyous tears said, "Yes!"
Helping Erica down from the tree, they popped a bottle of bubbly under the giant canopy to celebrate. We gave them a few minutes to themselves to enjoy the moment, and wandered behind a tree of our own, to pull out a box of tissues. Tears of joy.
A few months later, we reunited, to photograph Erica and Angela's beautiful outdoor wedding just outside Austin, in Bastrop, Texas.
The weather report declared an almost certain chance of Texas thunderstorms. In fact, we passed over huge thunderheads looming like castle turrets as we flew into Austin. Although we prepared for rain, we had a good feeling about the day. Angela + Erica are the most wonderful, sweet people, and we knew their wedding day could only turn out perfectly.
As we drove to the Cedar Bend wedding site in the early morning, our windshield wipers squeaked across the glass, swatting away the rain. Uh-oh. But, as we pulled into the gravel drive of the parking lot, and turned off the engine, we stopped for a moment and heard nothing but silence. Then, the cheerful chirping of birds greeted us. The rain had stopped! Slowly, through the soft blue of morning, the sun came peering out, and once we made our way up the stairs of the red barn to see the beautiful brides, the light just came streaming in through their room windows. It was the start of a miraculous, beautiful day.
We posted a first sneak peek here, of Angela and Erica, near the ceremony site after they got married, sharing a tender moment under a pine tree, with colored ribbons from their carnival themed wedding fluttering and flowing around them. We are excited to share some more photos, from the quiet moments before the ceremony, when anticipation is high, and the brides are preparing for their big day. To keep things a surprise, Angela + Erica got ready in separate rooms just across the hall from each other, and family and friends bustled back and forth between them. As they got their makeup and hair done, they talked about how excited they were to spend the rest of their lives together, and their dreams of their future together.
All the little details were perfect, and the brides looked absolutely stunning in their white wedding gowns. They hadn't seen others' dresses, yet the style and fabrics coordinated perfectly together, and brides looked so lovely in them. Wait until you see their overwhelmed, heartfelt reaction when they see each other for the first time down the aisle! The day turned out gorgeous and bright, and with the flood of love for Erica and Angela high under the broad blue Texas sky, there was hardly a dry eye in the audience. But we're getting ahead of ourselves; we'll post Part II of Erica + Angela's wedding soon, featuring lovely wedding details and their gorgeous wedding ceremony among the pine trees.
The brides' wedding dresses hang on a tree outside the red barn where they prepare inside for the ceremony. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
The brides' wedding shoes, on the roof of the barn. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Erica gets her makeup and hair done before the wedding ceremony.© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Angela's maid of honor helps tie her wedding dress. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
The flower girl watches Angela get dressed for her big day. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Erica's best man and her mother help her into her wedding dress. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
The wedding rings are tied onto a vintage book, with two antique keys. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Angela's feather hair accessory and sparkly earrings are so lovely. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Angela gazes out of the window from the room where she prepares before the wedding ceremony begins. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Erica's bouquet is just gorgeous. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Erica looks at her reflection in the mirror as her mom and dear friend help her put on her wedding dress. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Angela, moments before the wedding ceremony begins. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
The ceremony site at Cedar Bend, with a white table and beautiful bouquet. Soon, the brides will arrive! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Lesbian wedding in Bastrop, Texas at Cedar Bend.
Congratulations Erica + Angela!!! You are married! We are so happy for you.
xoxo,
Sam + Ariel
