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

Monday: Finding Focus

       On our recent trip to Seattle, we played tourists and walked to Gasworks Park with our artist friend, Eliza, and hung out at the sundial, on the top of the hill, overlooking Lake Union and the Seattle Space Needle.  What's cool about this sundial (pictured below) is that you have to stand in the middle of it and watch where your shadow falls, in order to tell what time it is.  As we talked about how we structure our days as artists, the perfect symbol for our discussion was right under our feet. 

       I've been thinking about time a lot lately in relation to my New Year's resolutions.  Mostly, these thought bubbles read something like this, "If only I had more time to journal, exercise, or [fill in the blank]!  Can't I just put it off until tomorrow, when I'll be better rested, smarter, and stronger?"  But, like the insistent whine of the tea kettle, the shrill tones such self-defeatist mind-chatter actually does well to motivate me to get off the couch... and pour a cup of hot tea.  For me, sipping tea and finding insight go hand-in-hand.  After a cup, my resolve is strengthened, my wisdom restored.  Even if it seems like there are just not enough hours in the day, I take up the challenge of proving myself wrong.  And, when I set out to do what I thought was impossible, suddenly, instead of less time, I find that I have more.  Instead of reacting to my circumstances, I end up creating them.

       As an artist, it's important for me to spend time doing things that enrich my soul, broaden my perspectives, and ultimately, make me happy; for, as I watch my shadow count the hours on the sundial, I want to be sure that my time doesn't end up sneaking way from me.

Seattle Space Needle seen from Gasworks Park sundial. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

       I love that they built this sundial in cloudy day Seattle.  It's a friendly reminder that, yes, the sun will come out eventually :)

xoxo,

Sam + (Ariel)

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

San Francisco Family Photography Session: Baby DJ

       We've waited until after the holidays to share some of the winter's photo sessions on our blog, since so many of our clients use the images for their holiday cards. We're excited to post some photos from our family photo session in Golden Gate Park last month, with baby DJ, winner of the most adorable smile! There were a lot of photos taken that afternoon, between breaks of crackers snacks, but this set is our favorite because it captures DJ in so many moments of fun and silliness! 

Love that smile! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

 

A litte bit more serious. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

 

Back to smiles! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
 

Adorable baby DJ! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Family Photography in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.

       DJ -- you're such a heartthrob!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Monday: Finding Focus

Grandma and Grandpa Suver's 70th Wedding Anniversary

      When Ariel and I fly to Seattle, we always stop by Grandma and Grandpa's house for a visit.  It always feels like home, often there is wood burning in the stove, and the smell of freshly baked bread greets you at the door.  Grandma's ability to conjure countless pies and yummy things from her sleeves, would impress even Houdini.  She's not happy until we have something scrumptious in our hands to munch while we relax on the davenport (what she calls the couch).  

       Grandpa's throne is his easy chair.  He has several atlases, books, and maps stacked up around him like little turrets.  Now, he's added an ipad to the pile, and is evidently a big fan of the "street-view" feature of the map app.  He's always eager to point out where a story takes place on his maps; and he always has a story to tell.  This December, he told us about his trips to Scotland and Morocco when he was a sailor during WWII; the missile that barely missed his ship and hit the one behind his in the waters off Normandy on D-Day; and the grass huts and starving villagers that he encountered in Korea.  While on shore leave, he ran across some Korean children who looked like they were in need, and gave away all that he had on him - emptied his pockets, took off his shirt and his socks -- and returned to his ship looking like a desperate castaway.  All these stories were very interesting, but what really caught our attention was when we learned that, in two days, they will have been married for 70 years.  We asked if they had plans for the day.  They said they hadn't given it any thought.  We couldn't let them get off so easily, "70 years!  That's huge!!!  We have to celebrate!"

       Ariel and I got moving.  We had two days to organize a party, which meant mobilizing the relatives and initiating a telephone/email tree, setting the layers of a towering lasagne, and preparing handmade decorations.  

       Whew!  With a trunk-load of casserole dishes and bake pans, we arrived at their house, but before the party started, we just had to pull Grandma and Grandpa aside for a little video interview, which we have posted above for today's "Finding Focus" inspiration.  More photos from that day on our holiday post, here.

      Congratulations Grandma and Grandpa!!  And to all those lovebirds out there, just remember Grandma's advice... the secret is "patience."

xoxo,

Sam (+ Ariel)