Meredith + Andrew: Wedding Photography at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, Pt. 1

Bowerbird Photography November 3, 2014

As the groom waited outside the InterContinental Mark Hopkins for the "first look," the Blue Angels boomed overhead, adding to the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Actually, the roar of the planes bore a type of resemblance to the peal of wedding bells, seeming to herald Meredith + Andrew's wedding all over the city. It also meant that moments later, as the two held each other in their arms, we got several cute photos of the bride and groom spinning around simultaneously to gaze up and point at the sky, the bride's veil lifting in the wind, with the happiest expressions on their faces. The bridal party soon joined, decked out in fall-y colors with orange bouquets for the bridesmaids and orange boutonnieres for the groomsmen (perhaps an auger of the upcoming Giants win!). These two definitely had their dream team with them, and it was wonderful to see them all get in action, organizing in seconds to hail a cable car and pose in front of it for photos. Their wedding venue, the historic Mark Hopkins Hotel, was also done up for the occasion with beautiful blossoms in hues of red, yellow and orange.

They had a moving interfaith wedding ceremony, first with a ketubah signing during an intimate gathering of close friends and family in their hotel suite, followed by their larger wedding celebration in the the Room of the Dons, which included both Jewish and Christian traditions.

Meredith + Andrew are the sweetest, and they surround themselves with equally dear and wonderful people. Their wedding was not only a celebration of their love for each other, but also a fantastic party assembling the communities they love from the span of their lifetimes and the country.

We are soooo happy you are married M + A! We wish you much joy and love in your partnership!

Check back soon for more photos from their festive wedding reception :)

Wedding Photography at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Venue: InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Wedding Planner: Chrissy Wolfman

Wedding Photography: Bowerbird Photography

Flowers: Branch Out Floral

Cake: InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Make-up + Hair: Meaganne Mccandess

Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo

Suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Band: Lucky Devils Band

Caterer + Linens: InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

10 YEARS

Bowerbird Photography October 30, 2014

We are celebrating a decade together this week! Woot! How did that happen?! Thought we'd share an original "selfie" aka a real-life 10 year old Polaroid :)

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Merritt + Brian: Lake Tahoe Engagement Photo Session

Bowerbird Photography October 28, 2014

When our friends, Brian and Merritt, discussed their dream for their engagement session, Brian (the naturalist) saw a scene in nature, and Merritt (the romantic) pictured plenty of PDA. Their combined, binocular vision materialized in 3D up in the mountains of Tahoe for a playful photo shoot with bushels of smooches in the most gorgeous of alpine locations, along a trail featuring trees that were not only just tall and beautiful, but, according to Brian, could be identified by cone, bark, or leaf as Ponderosa Pines, Douglass Firs, or Pacific Dogwoods. Not only did we learn plenty of tree names, but also came to recognize the Juncos, Steller's Jays, and other birds that occupied them.

The photo session started in the morning with an impromptu jam session at the cabin, with Brian strumming his banjo and Merritt banging on a Peruvian jawbone. Meanwhile, our friends, Maya + Liam prepared breakfast, the bouquet of smoky bacon wafting out of the kitchen and creating smoke tails in the window's morning light. With filled bellies, we headed out on a hike to a high sierra alpine lake, getting a little lost on the way, but finding beautiful fall leaves for a perfect yellow and orange photo backdrop. After jumping some train tracks, we finally reached the lake, glacier cold and burnished a rippling blue by the sun and wind. Merritt + Brian were adorable, cuddling along the banks and practicing their rock-skipping skills. Back at the cabin, they threw together a gourmet pizza dinner (including a heart-shaped pizza pie!) and we all gathered around the kitchen table, relaxed and refreshed after our day soaking up nature.

We adore Merritt + Brian and they complement each other so wonderfully -- Merritt is always quick with her wit and full of laughter, and Brian is such a sweetheart, full of wood lore, and completely head-over-heels for his lovely lady. We are elated that Merritt + Brian are getting married and we are so happy to be able to document their engagement with these photos, that show all the ways the have fun and celebrate life together.

Congratulations M + B!!!! Lots of love.

Lake Tahoe Engagement Photo Session. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Becky + Glenn: San Francisco Baby Bump Photo Session on Ocean Beach

Bowerbird Photography October 27, 2014

One of the best parts about being wedding photographers is that photographing our client's family history continues far past the night of their wedding. We've formed so many lifelong friendships and love watching families evolve and grow :)

Becky + Glenn got married last summer in San Francisco, at a wedding that went down in history for the epic dance party that ensued -- it was awesome! We were so excited when we heard that these two love birds were expecting a little baby bird early next year and also loved the excuse to be able to hang out with them both again. We had the most gorgeous October sunset on Ocean Beach last week and got to celebrate their baby-on-the-way with these sweet baby bump photos.

We are THRILLED for you two, B + G! You are going to be fantastic parents and we know that your little one is not only going to be adorable, but also a rock star on the dance floor! Congratulations!

San Francisco Baby Bump Photo Session on Ocean Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2014 — San Francisco Baby Bump Photo Session on Ocean Beach. © Bowerbird Photography 2014

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Caroline + Dana: San Francisco Wedding Photography at the JW Marriott, Pt. 2

Bowerbird Photography October 24, 2014

It was time to pop some bubbly in the limo and Caroline + Dana headed down to their wedding reception at the JW Marriott in downtown San Francisco. All their guests and families were elated when Caroline + Dana made their grand entrance into the grand ballroom, beyond thrilled for the newly married couple. Sweet toasts got the evening started, followed by cake and great dance moves with the help of a stellar live band. A perfect celebration of true love!

Best wishes C + D!!