When they first met, Alex was working as a cashier at a grocery store in Redding, CA, and Drew was the cute stockboy filling up shelves… Alex caught Drew’s eye and guys, you know how it is when you have to go talk to a girl… thankfully, he stepped up to the plate and stole her heart! They got married on 8/9/10, and it must be a lucky day because they had a lovely wedding, It was under 90 degrees in the middle of the summer, and we got some fun pictures to showcase their wedding day at the Lions Gate Hotel in Sacramento, in the McClellan AFB grounds. We worked hard to give them photos that have never been done at this location, and I’m always stoked when I can give a bride pictures she wont find anywhere else. 

Jessica Moores rocked these next two for me…she’s pretty much awesome.  I invited her to come shoot anything she wanted, with my only expectation that she try new and different things all day, and she gave Alex some awesome pictures:

Isn’t this the coolest  announcement photo? Gotta have the beer in-hand..

Mr. and Mrs. Simonis, thanks for having us at your wedding, Jess and I got to flex our creative muscles!

Much <3,

Dave

The sun was shining brightly on Christine and Roger as they wed in Monterey, CA at the Monterey Plaza Hotel.   The weather was gorgeous, and that was a fortunate gift! Christine was also gorgeous, but I totally expected that. The girls at Oya Inc in Monterey did a fantastic job of accentuating her beauty, and her smile would light up the room every time.  Roger and the guys got ready at a separate hotel,  and he was looking very dapper himself, although he wouldn’t tell you so.  Roger is that rare guy who is modest yet confident,  charming but not overbearing, and Christine is his perfect match.  Their ceremony on the balcony of the Monterey Plaza Hotel was overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and these two have a special love for water, so it doesn’t get any better that this!  As the evening sun cast a golden glow, we headed down to the cliffs where Roger asked Christine to be his wife, and got some meaningful and romantic photos.  Jessica and I had such a great time shooting this wedding!  Roger and Christine are off to their next adventure in Korea, which is where Roger will be stationed for the next two years.  Looking forward to the post cards =)

Roger sent this letter to his bride to be moments before the ceremony… cute!

The Monterey Plaza Hotel’s Patio overlooking the Ocean.. awesomeness!

I love this shot that Jessica took… It was fun having her as my second shooter for this Monterey Wedding!

Thank you so much for including me in a memorable day of your life, and I wish you many more!

Much <3,

Dave

Happy Garden Restaurant is a popular banquet hall for Chinese Weddings in Sacramento, and my last four have been here:

To see more, check out this slideshow

Amy and John, It was wonderful being a part of your day!

Much <3,

Dave

These getting ready photos have a more relaxed feel to them, and this was a common thread throughout the day… I’m hoping it translates well.

I ran across the street and went the the 12th story of a parking garage for the next shot… love the city feel, and I’d climb those stairs again anyday. And when I say stairs, I mean the ones leading to the elevator=)

Ahhh Pier 39. Clam Chowder, silly socks, Carousels, and tons of memories… and newlyweds.

Yeah, we had to head to the Palace. You know this place gets some serious photo-love…. it was a Monday, and there were STILL two other wedding couples having photos taken there… but we were watching. We made sure to rock it harder. I could see the jealousy in their eyes when I busted out some lighting gear ( the wife counts as lighting gear in this case… thanks babe)

We were losing light fast, but we made the decision to haul butt over to Baker beach, cause Reyna promised me that she will get her dress wet before the day is over…now keep in mind that this is San Francisco, not San Diego, and that water was JUST slightly warmer than freezing, so we didn’t completely trash the dress.  I rolled up my pants and hopped in there so I knew what Reyna was workin with. She toughed it out, I screamed like a little girl when that ice water hit my pale legs!

I’m in love with this last image… since they are family friends, I should be able to get away with hanging it on my wall at home. Love U guys! Not quite as much as the love in this photo though… the hand, the look, its just… <3.

As far as photoshoots go, this one was epic. San Francisco portraits with my wife and great friends, sushi, pastry, designing my first bouquet with Maple leaves, it was perfect. Thanks Reyna and Noah!! I barely even realized I was working, and thats how work should be.

Much<3,

Dave

Reyna and Noah are great friends of mine, so of course I was excited that they planned on getting married on Halloween. We knew a pre-Halloween house party was in order, so we threw a lil bash at our house so the kids could play games and get candy, and got ready for the next week. I found out that Noah was renting a tuxedo, and they always come with some boring cuff-links. If you recall my wedding, I like exciting cuff-links, so I suggested this as the perfect wedding day gift for her man, and is a test of how well she knows him.. she found the coolest cuff-links that were hand-made to look like X Box controllers!!! She knew what she was doing, because Noah LOVES video games.

Before going to Frasinetti Winery for the Ceremony, we started off with Reyna getting her hair and make-up at Kevin Michael Salon, and since it was Halloween, their employees were in full costume! It was so rad.

Michele of Kevin Michael Salon did a fantastic job with Reynas look! They gave her smokey,  gorgeous eyes and big, fun hair that lasted all night.

Kevin Michael Salon

2405 15th Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 448-5040

Our ceremony and reception were held at Frasinetti’s Winery, and their colors mixed well with the decor of this secluded venue.

We did a First Look, which let Reyna and Noah get some time away from their family, and enjoy their reception later without stepping out for pics! I heart you Rainy!!

Ok, guys vs. girls for best walk… I think the girls brought this one home. Look at Reyna Fierce! Even the Junior Bridesmaid is bringin it!







This was right after Reynas father announced that they are having their second child! So excited for baby#2!

Hands down, this is the coolest cake topper I have seen so far… Rain loves Nightmare Before Christmas  almost as much as she loves cake smooshed in her face!


These are some proud parents… you can see it in their eyes!

Reyna and Noah killed the electronics and had a heart-felt acoustic version of a Foo Fighters song performed by her Father-in-Law… I got a little misty-eyed. In a manly way of course.

This was one of the funnest weddings I’ve photographed, not only cause of the great theme at Frasinetti Winery and the couple being good friends, but also because my wife was a bridesmaid, my best friend was a bridesmaid, my daughter a Junior bridesmaid, and the list goes on…. definitely a family affair! i love you guys, you put a smile on my face, and I’m stoked to post up part 2 soon…

Did anyone notice that there weren’t portraits shot at Frasinetti? Yeah, cause they’re so cool, we shot them in San Francisco the next day… <3<3<3. Reyna and Noah should sell a How-to-be-an-awesome-couple guide!

Stay tuned for part two!

Much <3,

Dave

Marcie and Eric did a first look, which allowed them a chance to have a private moment to soak it all in, just the two of them. I really love when couples choose a first look because it gives us a chance to spend more time on photos without interrupting their wedding day!

We headed out to the landscaped lawns of Green River Golf Course for pictures before the ceremony…so lush and so green!

We were taken to this secluded pond on the Green River Golf Course for pictures during the cocktail hour… it was awesome for them to get an hour to soak in their new union!

Eric and Marcie, thank you sooooo much for inviting me to your wedding and treating me like I was family… I started missing my own family during the weekend, and you guys definitely helped. Enjoy your Honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta, and take tons of pictures!!!

Much<3,

Dave

Venue: Green River Golf Club

5215 Green River Rd
Corona, CA 92880-9404
(951) 737-7393

Much <3,

Dave

If you read all of that…thanks! But I know what you really want. You want to see pictures from their Monte Verde Inn Wedding!

Monte Verde Inn

18841 Foresthill Rd
Foresthill, CA 95631-9223
(530) 888-8123

Pictures like this make me recommend Monte Verde Inn to brides who are looking for beautiful wedding photographs… Monte Verde makes it easy. ( it helps to have Crystal standing there looking all gorgeous n fabulous!)

Don’t their colors just POP! I love this scheme, and Crystal told me she searched far and wide for, above all things, the neckties. Good find girl!

High five baby, we just got married!!!

Kelis the wedding coordinator at Monte Verde Inn, and she makes these gorgeous cakes herself…. I heart heart heart this cake!

Crystal and Conor, you two are going to have a fabulous marriage, and I’m so thankful that I witnessed day 1.

Much <3,

Dave

This is Danielle’s backyard! Its already pretty, but when you add Danielle, its completely breathtaking!

One great thing about getting married at Lake of the Pines is that you get a Lake in the background of your wedding photographs.   Ok there are Pines too =)  How awesome is that!?

Jessica and I had a blast, thank you for inviting us to your wedding guys!!

Much <3,
Dave

Greenhorn Creek Resort

711 McCauley Ranch Rd

Angels Camp, CA 95222

Greenhorn Creek Resort isn’t all finely trimmed fescue…we found some dead grass and got some really fun stuff with awesome colors! Marie is such a fun bride ( see awesome action shot above) and The guys were bringin it below!

Thanks for inviting us to join your day!

Much <3,

Dave