Lisa + Eugene: Westin St. Francis Hotel Wedding Photography in San Francisco, Pt. 2

Bowerbird Photography August 27, 2014

It was time to clink glasses and celebrate Lisa + Eugene being married! Their wedding reception at the top of the Westin St. Francis in downtown San Francisco was truly stunning. Lisa picked out the most beautiful details, including sequin embellished table clothes, that sparkled in the evening sunlight.

Lisa + Eugene know how to throw a stellar party and the rest of the evening was filled with heartfelt and hilarious toasts, dancing, cake and of course, shots of vodka! We are soo happy for Lisa + Eugene and wish them a lifetime of love together! Congratulations love birds!

Moments after the ceremony, the couple celebrates with champagne. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Bridesmaids at cocktail hour. Westin St. Francis wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Everyone wants a photo with the bride! Westin St. Francis Wedding SF © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Signing the guestbook. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Wedding Cake by Elegant Cheesecakes. Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Wedding Cake by Elegant Cheesecakes. Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

This wedding cake has their name on it! Cake by Elegant Cheesecakes © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — This wedding cake has their name on it! Cake by Elegant Cheesecakes © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Love the art deco flourishes! Decorated by Elegant Cheesecakes. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Love the art deco flourishes! Decorated by Elegant Cheesecakes. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Wedding Reception at Alexandra's Room at Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Sweetheart table. Wedding Reception at Alexandra's Room at Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The couple gets their own bottle of vodka! Wedding Reception at Alexandra's Room at Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Guest table. Wedding Reception at Alexandra's Room at Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The couple makes their grand entrance. Wedding Reception at Alexandra's Room at Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Guests applaud as the couple enters their wedding reception at Alexandra's Room at Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Beautiful beaming bride! Wedding Reception at Alexandra's Room at Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Beautiful beaming bride! Wedding Reception at Alexandra's Room at Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Time to start the evening off with a shot of vodka! © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Time to start the evening off with a shot of vodka! © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Vodka chased down with champagne! © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Vodka chased down with champagne! © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride and groom dine. Westin St Francis Hotel in San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

A toast from the father of the bride :) © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Dinner is served. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Enjoying the soup course. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride and groom sneak a kiss! Westin St. Francis Hotel Wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Another toast! © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride and groom share a laugh. Westin St. Francis Hotel © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The room erupts in laughter during the toast. Westin St. Francis Hotel Wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Applauding for the toast. Westin St. Francis Hotel Wedding in SF © Bowerbird Photography 2014

A flower girl enjoys the city view from atop the Westin St. Francis Hotel. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The groom shows off his cake cutting skills. Westin St. Francis Wedding in SF © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Time to cut the wedding cake. Westin St. Francis Wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Bride and groom taste their wedding cake. Westin St. Francis Wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

First Dance. Westin St. Francis Wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

First Dance. Westin St. Francis Wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — First Dance. Westin St. Francis Wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Enjoying their first dance. Westin St. Francis wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride has some moves! St. Francis hotel. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Kissing on the dance floor. St. Francis Hotel Wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Lisa dancing with her dad. So sweet! © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Bride tears up while dancing with dad. St. Francis Hotel wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride and groom's mom's dancing together. Westin St. Francis Wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The best man brings the bride and groom together to dance! Westin St. Francis wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Guests get into it on the dance floor. Westin St. Francis wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Guests on the dance floor! Westin St. Francis. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride and groom dance among their guests. Westin St. Francis. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bouquet toss! Westin St. Francis Hotel Wedding in San Francisco © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Bouquet toss winner! © Bowerbird Photography 2014

After all the drinking and dancing the groom decides to take a seat :) © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The beautiful bride at sunset. Westin St. Francis Hotel Wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride soaks in the sunset and all that love! Westin St. Francis Hotel Wedding © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Congratulations love birds!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Venue: Westin St. Francis Hotel

Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Videography: Joseph Alan Productions

Cake: Elegant Cheesecakes

DJ: Amos Productions

Makeup + Hair: Mia Bella Salon

Dress: Blossom's

Suit: David's Bridal

Photo Diary: Eating Renee's Final Exam at the San Francisco Cooking School

Bowerbird Photography August 26, 2014

Our friend Chef Renee finished culinary school last week and she invited us all to eat her delicious final exam! It was wonderful :) Be sure to check out Renee's cooking blog here.

Congratulations Renee!!

Final Exam at the San Francisco Cooking School. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Lisa + Eugene: Westin St. Francis Hotel Wedding Photography in San Francisco, Pt. 1

Bowerbird Photography August 25, 2014

The historic Westin St. Francis Hotel has a classic, San Francisco style, and up on the Imperial floor, the atmosphere turns gold, with Eastern Slavik details and design where the couple's wedding ceremony and reception took place. It was a venue perfectly styled to Eugene's Ukranian heritage and Lisa's beautiful style. The couple was breathtaking to behold amid the gilded chandeliers and 14 feet tall window panes, appearing like royalty: Lisa, in a silk, white, ruffled dress, and Eugene, in a crisp dark suit adorned with a pheasant feather boutonniere.

As perfect counterpoint to the elegance and gold, Lisa + Eugene were absolutely joyful and ebullient the whole day. "This is the best wedding ever!" the bride shouted time and time again, as if she could hardly believe it wasn't a dream. It was a gorgeous dream become real.

As Eugene got dressed with his groomsmen, they all took shots of vodka, with an enthusiastic nod to the Ukraine. Then up and up he went, 32 flights, to the Imperial floor of the St. Francis, for the "first look." The bride came soon after riding the glass elevator to find him! With giddy expectation, they turned toward each other, checked each other out with huge smiles, and celebrated with a warm embrace.

The wedding ceremony took place in Victor's room, awash in light from floor-to-ceiling windows, and all watched happily as the bride came down the aisle escorted by her dad, to take her groom's hand and enjoy that wonderful moment when they were pronounced married, and kiss they did!

Congratulations Lisa + Eugene! Below, are some selected photographs that capture the amazing love and joy of your day, from getting dressed through the wedding ceremony. Check back for Part II soon, for photos of your amazing party!

The Westin St. Francis has beautiful vistas of San Francisco's cityscape. We took this photo of the bride and groom on the Imperial Floor. The Golden Gate Bridge spans the length between them! © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — The Westin St. Francis has beautiful vistas of San Francisco's cityscape. We took this photo of the bride and groom on the Imperial Floor. The Golden Gate Bridge spans the length between them! © Bowerbird Photography 2014

In the bridal suite at the Westin St. Francis.  © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — In the bridal suite at the Westin St. Francis. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride's shoes and bling! Westin St. Francis © 2014 Bowerbird Photography.jpg

Wedding Rings Detail Shot. Westin St. Francis © 2014 Bowerbird Photography.jpg

The bridal veil. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — The bridal veil. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride in her veil. Westin St. Francis © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Bride's portrait. Westin St. Francis © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

Westin St. Francis. The father of the bride sees his daughter in her wedding dress © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Westin St. Francis. The bride looking gorgeous in her wedding dress! © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Westin St. Francis. The groom gets dressed.

Westin St. Francis. The groom gets his boutonniere. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Westin St. Francis. The Groom gets prepped. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Westin St. Francis. Portrait of groom. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The groom with his glass of vodka. Westin St. Francis wedding. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The bride on her way to the "first look." Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

The bride rides the escalator up to see her groom. Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

The bride makes her way to see her groom for the "first look." Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography — The bride makes her way to see her groom for the "first look." Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

First Look. Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

Bridesmaids. Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

Groomsmen. Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

This bridal party is bringing it! Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography — This bridal party is bringing it! Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

The groom watches for his bride walk down the aisle. Westin St. Francis Hotel SF Wedding © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

The flower girls pave the way with flowers. Westin St. Francis wedding ceremony on Imperial Floor. © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

The bride escorted by her dad. Westin St. Francis wedding ceremony on Imperial Floor. © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

The bride walks down the aisle with her dad. Westin St. Francis wedding ceremony on Imperial Floor. © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

Westin St. Francis wedding ceremony on Imperial Floor. © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

Westin St. Francis wedding ceremony on Imperial Floor. © 2014 Bowerbird Photography.jpg

Westin St. Francis wedding ceremony on Imperial Floor in Victor's room. © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

The Kiss! Westin St. Francis wedding ceremony on Imperial Floor. © 2014 Bowerbird Photography.jpg — The Kiss! Westin St. Francis wedding ceremony on Imperial Floor. © 2014 Bowerbird Photography.jpg

The bride with view of San Francisco cityscape behind her. Westin St. Francis © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

The bride and groom take a break on the window sill at Alexandra's, Westin St. Francis © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

Couple's photos. Westin St. Francis © 2014 Bowerbird Photography

Couple's photos. Westin St. Francis © 2014 Bowerbird Photography.jpg

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Venue: Westin St. Francis Hotel

Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Videography: Joseph Alan Productions

Cake: Elegant Cheesecakes

DJ: Amos Productions

Makeup + Hair: Mia Bella Salon

Dress: Blossom's

Suit: David's Bridal

Photo Diary: Adventures in LALA Land

Bowerbird Photography August 18, 2014

A mini-trip to LA to see Marika + Jess :)

Downtown LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Downtown LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Downtown LA at The Last Bookstore. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Downtown LA at The Last Bookstore. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Olvera Street, LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Olvera Street, LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Wurstkuche in downtown LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Wurstkuche in downtown LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Alcove Cafe in LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Alcove Cafe in LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Pa-pa-pa-parazzi! Alcove Cafe in LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Pa-pa-pa-parazzi! Alcove Cafe in LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Brunch at Sqirl in LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Brunch at Sqirl in LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

The Getty Museum in LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — The Getty Museum in LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Stop for Persian ice cream :) Saffron + almond! © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Stop for Persian ice cream :) Saffron + almond! © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Snorkel Mom with Barbara + Charlie in Santa Monica. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Snorkel Mom with Barbara + Charlie in Santa Monica. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Santa Monica Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Santa Monica Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Sam swimming at Santa Monica Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Sam swimming at Santa Monica Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

Koreatown, LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — Koreatown, LA. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Christie + Andrew: Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch Wedding Photography in St. Helena, Pt. 2

Bowerbird Photography August 15, 2014

Dear Christie + Andrew,

Wohoo! You are officially hitched :) After you tied the knot, in the beautiful apple orchard at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, guests played cornhole (A's vs. Giants) and sipped on your signature SF Bay Breeze cocktail, until the mouthwatering aroma of BBQ grilled over wood fires enticed all to dinner. After hilarious and touching toasts, and your sweet first dance, everyone followed step to the dance floor, spinning some great Beyoncé moves as the band got everyone to boogie. Christie, we are so excited to showcase all the gorgeous DIY details you created, from apple escort cards to whimsical monogrammed flags, fluttering above your wedding reception. The dessert table looked more delectable than if Willy Wonk hired Martha Stewart to design it. Truly incredible details :)

We wish you both so much love and happiness! And congratulations on your wonderful wedding and marriage love birds!

Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch Wedding Photography in St. Helena.© Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam