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

San Francisco Headshots: Erica Ota Events

       We've become good friends with Erica, of Erica Ota Events, a highly respected wedding planner in the Bay Area who plans the most amazing weddings.  She's well-known among her peers as well, fostering the vitality of our wedding vendor community by organizing professional mixers every other month. These events are a great opportunity for wedding vendors to hang out and swap tips, since we have so little time to do so at weddings. With an impeccable eye for detail, Erica does such an excellent job designing events, ensuring that everyone has a blast!

     It was great to take some professional headshots for Erica and her associate Jessica last week in the Mission district. 

Erica of Erica Ota Events. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; San Francisco Headshot Photography.

Jessica of Erica Ota Events. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; San Francisco Headshot Photography.

Erica of Erica Ota Events. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; San Francisco Headshot Photography.

Jessica of Erica Ota Events. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; San Francisco Headshot Photography.

Erica of Erica Ota Events. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; San Francisco Headshot Photography.

Jessica of Erica Ota Events. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; San Francisco Headshot Photography.

       Headshots, whether they are for actors, corporate or for small business owners, are an important way for individuals to show their personalities and we love how these headshots show off Erica and Jessica's friendly, warm and professional vibe :)

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Monday: Finding Focus

A quote from Coco Chanel. Wine tasting at Nicholson Ranch, Sonoma, CA. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

    We find that our life is the perfect balance of work and love. This weekend we did an engagement photo session up in the wine country with the wonderful Julia + Ian. The mustard flowers were in full bloom, which made a stunning backdrop for their engagement photos. We took photos of them pedaling on their cruiser bikes, making out in the vineyards, and even got a few photos of Ian's adorable parent's, who joined us for the photo adventure. As we made our home to San Francisco, we decided to  stop for some wine tasting and talk about the session. Like most of our days, it was a perfect balance of work and love.

Wine tasting at Nicholson Ranch, Sonoma, CA. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

Loving the late afternoon sunshine! Wine tasting at Nicholson Ranch, Sonoma, CA. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

Sleeveless shirt weather in February -- yes please! Wine tasting at Nicholson Ranch, Sonoma, CA. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

Driving home over the Golden Gate Bridge after a wonderful day in the wine country. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

     We hope this inspires you to have a Monday full of wonderful work and love!

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

San Francisco Engagement Photography Session: Michelle + Greg

      Michelle used to drive her baby blue 1966 Ford Mustang to high school, which is pretty much the coolest car a girl could ever dream for! Heads turned then, and heads keep turning today. She sure got her fiancé Greg's attention. For their engagement photo session, the baby blue was washed, polished, and taken out for a whirl on the streets of San Francisco! We drove from Crissy Field to get some iconic shots on the beach with the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Palace of Fine Arts for photos by the pond.  There's nothing like driving with the top down and the wind whipping through our hair!  Michelle and Greg live it up with style. They even brought a bottle of pink champagne (Michelle ♥s all things pink!) to sip on while admiring our San Francisco Bay vista.

Michelle + Greg relaxing on the beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at Crissy Field, San Francisco.

Engagement photos with the Golden Gate Bridge -- classic! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at Crissy Field, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at Crissy Field, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at Crissy Field, San Francisco.

Off for a ride around San Francisco in the 1966 Mustang convertible! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at Crissy Field, San Francisco.

Stopping at the Palace of Fine Arts in the '66 Mustang convertible. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco.

There's something so royal and fabulous about this photo! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco.

So many cool reflections :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco.

Love Michelle's pretty Chanel bracelet :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography at the Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

Drove to the top of a hill -- time to pop a bottle of pink Veuve Clicquot champagne! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

Opening the pink Veuve Clicquot champagne. © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

Two glasses of pink Veuve Clicquot champagne coming right up :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

Clink! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

Seriously hot legs and a bottle of pink Veuve Clicquot champagne! © Bowerbird Photography 2013; Engagement Photography with vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, San Francisco.

      If you could take a day and wrap it in perfection, it would have to be this photo session! We're so happy for Michelle + Greg! Congratulations love birds!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Vendors

Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Makeup: Talia Wright (taliawright@gmail.com)