As I look back on this year, I can’t believe that it flew by like nothing even though so much has and hasn’t happened. COVID ruined so many things, so many lives of loved ones were lost, and the wedding industry has come to almost a complete halt because gatherings have become prohibited. But I personally wouldn’t change a thing, it also allowed us to slow down and focus on the little things (literally).
I can still remember the day everything shut down– March 17, 2021. I had a back to back wedding weekend with one wedding at Sunol’s Casa Bella and the other at Elliston Vineyards and I was wondering what my couples were going to do, who had weddings planned for that Friday and Saturday! I thought to myself that day, “well if they decide they wanted to move forward, I’m just going to suck it up and go shoot those two weddings… but if they decided they didn’t want to move forward, I will just figure out a future date to postpone to with them… but I sure hoped that they would postpone, the rest of the world was closing down.”
No mask mandate had occurred yet but I was planning on showing up with face shield and gloves as I wasn’t about to not let my couples down! They both called me devastated that even though they would’ve liked to sneak in their big day, their friends and family not being at risk was more important to them! I get it, I just needed them to make the call!
I wanted to end the year on a happy note as I sit here super pregnant ringing in the new year, so I thought I’d share some photos from the first wedding of the year from January 2020!
Jenny & Johnathon reached out to me last Christmas as they finally settled on a date that was just around the corner. I can still remember the excitement in their inquiry because both of them had brothers who were serving in the military. They had decided to get married that particular weekend in order for their brothers to be able to join as the man of honor and best man. We started the day off with a nontraditional first look to just shake off some jitters and then we walked around Elliston to get some pre-wedding bridal portraits before guests arrived.
Jenny & Johnathon had a beautiful wedding set in the garden, the gazebo was draped with some of the prettiest winter red garden roses and carnations, creamy peonies, hydrangeas, eucalyptus, and my favorite amaranthus. With a guest list of only about 60 of their closest friends and family, it was a micro-ish wedding, way before micro weddings were fashionable. I loved the flowy chiffon dress that Jenny had on; and because it was a winter wedding, it was adorned with a light lace overlay that was simply elegant. Johnathon wore a muted grey checkered suit with a purple tie that really brought out the browns in his eyes.
Having been a photographer in Sunol, California for almost 3 years at this point, we worked together to make sure that they had the best possible lighting situation for early January and crafted a timeline that beautifully lead to their reception just after sunset. One thing that is key to consider when putting together a timeline for a wedding in the Sunol canyon is the ridge that sits as the backdrop behind the gazebo; even though sunset may be posted for a certain time, it’s always about 30-45 minutes earlier when the sun starts to cast a shadow on the ceremony lawn.
One of my favorite things about weddings has to be personal vows! I love the expressions on both their faces as they promised their forevers with each other.
After their beautiful ceremony, the couple and I stole away for some beautiful photos on the property. Elliston is often chosen for weddings by my couples because of the greenery that is there all year long even though some of the trees are bare and have lost their leaves during winter!
The couple was then greeted by their friends and family for the tail-end of their cocktail hour as they enjoyed some delicious in-house appetizers and champagne (I don’t normally drink on the job but I can’t pass a small glass of bubbly when my couple insists a few times)! The night ended with the warmest toasts from their loved ones and some dancing! As I look back, I can see why the micro wedding trend made such a big boom this year! You will definitely save some money when you shave off guests but having just some of the closest friends and family made this day one of the sweetest intimate weddings I captured this year!
Photography: Simple Joie Photo | Venue & Day of Coordinating: Elliston Vineyards | Dress: David’s Bridal | Florals: Flowers by Serena | Entertainment: Fantasy Sound
