Maya + Liam are getting married!!

Bowerbird Photography August 17, 2013

Maya + Liam are getting married today! We couldn't be more excited :) Stay tuned for a sneak peek from their wedding very soon!

San Francisco engagement photographer. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Becky + Glenn's Wedding at the San Francisco Film Centre

Bowerbird Photography July 29, 2013

It's not often that you go to a wedding and the guests are so excited to celebrate, that they take over the dance floor before dinner is even served. Becky + Glenn's wedding was the epitome of fun and joy; qualities that are reflected in the personality of this lovely couple.

It is so fitting (and adorable) that Becky + Glenn met during a "game night" with their mutual friends. Their love quickly sparked over shared laughs and Scrabble tiles. They love being together, and are truly best friends.

Wanting to share the whole day together, they did not want to have to wait until the ceremony to see each other. So, after getting dressed in his smart suit, Glenn found a little grove of trees in the Presidio to wait for Becky to arrive, and feel that little tap on his shoulder signaling for him to turn around. When they saw each other for the first time, they erupted in smiles, hugs, and kisses. A beautiful prelude to their gorgeous ceremony at the SF Film Centre, with guests sitting on the green lawn, and their wedding party framing the steps. The bride walked up, escorted by her dad, looking absolutely stunning in her white, lace wedding dress; the groom took her hands and they both held each other, beaming, through the entire ceremony.

At the reception, beautiful details like Scrabble tiles spelling "Just Married" on the wedding cake, and Jenga pieces for guests to sign as an inventive guest book, were inspired by the couple's love story. Becky + Glenn's happiness was infectious, everyone wanted to take a turn dancing with them from the cute toddlers in the room, to their hilarious "game night" friends, to their proud grandparents.

We hope you enjoy this sneak peek into their wonderful wedding day :)

San Francisco Film Centre Wedding Photography. © Bowerbird Photography 2013. — San Francisco Film Centre Wedding Photography. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

Congratulations Becky + Glenn!!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Venue: SF Film Centre

Caterer: James Standfield

Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Coordinator: Jennifer Romer

Florist: Amy Peterson

DJ: Spinheads

Officiant: Elizabeth Eyerman

Desserts: Gerhard Michler

Ceremony Musicians: Music To Go

Annie + Cesar's San Francisco Wedding: Ceremony at Mission Dolores Basilica in SF and Reception at Terra Gallery

Bowerbird Photography July 24, 2013

Annie + Cesar met in high school (yep, that's adorable!) . They did theater together and hung out with a mutual group of friends. Eventually friendship turned into true romantic love and the rest is history! Both Bay Area natives, they decided to have their wedding ceremony at an iconic San Francisco location, the Mission Dolores Basilica. Surrounded by dear friends and family, they exchanged their vows in a full Catholic ceremony, with the angelic accompaniment of a children's choir. Afterwards, the wedding party hopped into an a fleet of retro low-riders (with hydraulics!) and made their way (music blasting) to the Terra Gallery for an evening of dancing.

We can't express how happy we are for Annie + Cesar. They are so relaxed with each other and just shine with happiness. Having grown up together, their love is rooted in years of history and friendship. After the tear-jerking toasts, their families also bonded, making this union truly perfect.

Enjoy this sneak peek from their lovely wedding day :)

Mission Dolores Basilica Wedding, San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

Terra Gallery Wedding, San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

Congratulations love birds! We are so happy for you both!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Day of Coordination: Erin Donoghue, Your Event by Erin

Venue: Mission Dolores Basiliace + Terra Gallery & Event Space

Caterer: Caterman’s

Photography: Bowerbird Photography

DJ: TJ Estandian

Flowers: Angela Dorantes + Molly Sealund

Cake: Gretchen Sullivan

Sunisa + Nat's Destination Wedding Celebration in Pennsylvania

Bowerbird Photography July 15, 2013

The amazing journey to Sunisa + Nat's wedding celebration in Pennsylvania took us leaping across the sleepy, long caress of the Brandywine River, sauntering through perfumed woods of pine and oak, and loping across a wide clearing with a vista of the green valley below, to encounter the sound of laughter drifting from a white pavilion pitched near the groom's childhood home. Although the magical last leg of the journey was experienced by all, guests came from the most diverse corners of the world: hailing taxis below the looming high-rises of NYC to join southbound carpools with friends, escaping the swampy glades of Florida for the dappled shade of the woods, and leaving the waterway canals of Bangkok for the hills and hidden swimming holes of the East Coast.

After an epic, fairy-tale wedding in Thailand (where a long saber was needed to cut the cake), the rural Pennsylvania setting provided the perfect destination for an intimate, encore celebration for even more dancing, drinking, and rejoicing. With the formal solemnities of the wedding out of the way, all that was left to do was to have fun! Family friends swapped stories of when Nat + Sunisa were toddlers, the bride's brothers played piano in the parlor, the children staked out the territory of their own personal kingdoms on the large lawn, and old friends sat on hay bales and caught up on stories that hadn't made it on Facebook.

When the encircling wood retired into cozy darkness, and the guests tucked under the pavilion and into the feast, the fireflies awoke, gawking with blinking eyes at the edges of the party like flitting fairies.

Soon, the music, like a rising tide, washed over the party, bringing everyone to the dance floor. Cousins rocked out together; the groom's family took the arms of the bride's family in theirs, singing aloud; and Grandma gave a dervish spin exhausting her partners. All the while, the family dog weaved its way between the legs of couples adding his own rhythmic paw-steps to the party.

So engrossed in the delights of the celebration, every time we stepped out to take a breath, the moon seemed to have hiccuped further up the sky. Yet, when looking at it, it stood stock-still like a yellow toad on a dark pond: lazy, full, and contented.

As if to provide the lonely moon some company, guests lit paper lanterns, sailing their wishes like a fleet of ships on the night sky. Such was the wonder and beauty that imbued and kissed each detail of the gathering for Sunisa + Nat: a testament to the love they have for each other, and that their friends and families have for them.

Sunisa getting her makeup done. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The brides gorgeous dress. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Lovely little details. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The bride's hair clips. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The groom looking at his pocket watch, a gift from his bride. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Nat, just before guests start to arrive. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Sunisa helping her new sister get ready. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Nat in the garden. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Table details at the wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Sunisa's dad and brothers relaxing in the garden. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Nat's mom, looking fabulous :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The party starts! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

With grandma on the porch. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Sunisa's brother playing the piano during the party. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

So talented! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.. — So talented! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.
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Cocktail hour begins. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Guests at the wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Such a sweetie :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Sunisa + Nat, you two are perfect together! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Everyone was enjoying themselves on this lovely evening. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Serious sweethearts. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Sharing a laugh together. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Relaxing on the lawn before dinner. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

This is truly a musical family. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Skip to malou! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania. — Skip to malou! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Nom nom nom! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The bros getting dinner. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Mom + Dad, so happy! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The sun starting to go down for the evening. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The bride and groom get ready for their first dance together. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The first dance :) © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

© Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

The couple watching everyone else on the dance floor. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Heading outside to send lanterns up into the night sky. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

Up up and away! © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

A full moon as guests light lanterns. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

One last dance before the band heads home. © Bowerbird Photography 2013, Destination Wedding Photography in the Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania.

We send our most heartfelt wishes for a lifetime of joy to our dear friends, Sunisa + Nat! We are so happy for you both :)

xoxo,

Sam + Ariel

Angelica + Avneesh's Wedding (Part III): at the Winery SF

Bowerbird Photography July 6, 2013

Some things are best done in twos. On their beautiful wedding day, Jelly + Avneesh celebrated two traditions, starting the day by getting dressed in colorful silk fabrics, gold, and jewelry, and heading to Treasure Island, for an ecstatic baraat entrance, and a sacred Hindu ceremony full of ancient wedding rituals, which you can see here and here.

While their guests enjoyed a chai break, Avneesh jumped into a handsome suit and Jelly's mom helped zip her into a beautiful white beaded dress. For this third post, we want to highlight their elegant Western wedding ceremony and then some take a peek at their way-too-fun reception, which was filled with tear-jerking speeches, fantastic dance moves, and fish-kisses.

We are so honored to have been able to document their epic love celebration (two weddings in one day) and are beyond happy for the newlyweds!