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Ryan & Kristin: Triunfo Creek Vineyards Wedding

When we talked with Kristin and Ryan about their wedding, they wanted to make sure we weren't expecting anything "sappy" - they wanted one big party for all of their loved ones! I think you can see that a party is what they got...

But of course, it's more than just a party. This day was overflowing with beauty and joy and heartfelt emotion, and it was such a perfect celebration of the love that surrounds Kristin and Ryan. Some of my favorite moments were Kristin and Ryan reading personal vows to each other during their first look, the tequila toast in memory of Ryan's dad, and the ice cream sandwich bar instead of a cake cutting.

Kristin and Ryan, I hope that the years ahead of you are "SO GOOD!" - just as full of celebration and joy and dancing and love!

Soundtrack licensed via Musicbed:
Gold by Tiny Houses
The World Is Ours by Volunteer

Cinematography: The Adventures Of
Planning & Coordination: Little Grey Events
Photography: Vitae Weddings
Venue: Triunfo Creek Vineyards
Flowers: Little Grey Events
Hair & Makeup: Page Beauty
DJ: Red Shoe LA
Catering: Command Performance Catering
Rentals: A Rental Connection

Rebecca & Bryan: Rock Opera Wedding

Backup Singers. Custom Leather Jackets. Confetti Canons. The tagline for Rebecca and Bryan's wedding was "We're doing it our way!"  - and they did just that: by writing a totally original, 8-song rock opera and performing it on stage in front of their friends and family.

Rebecca Bortman and Bryan Garza, who are the lead singers for the bands Happy Fangs and Scissors for Lefty, respectively, first met in 2012 at San Francisco's historic Bottom of the Hill, where Rebecca was doing a show. At the time, Rebecca and Bryan talked about collaborating on songs together, but as the couple admits, "We got distracted by falling in love." Today, the duo forms the rock band Love, Jerks and some of the songs they produced together for their wedding will become part of their upcoming album and live tour.

And producing a spectacular rock show in place of a typical ceremony was no small feat: In addition to all the normal wedding planning, they only had 10 months to write and compose the music, write the script, memorize and rehearse lines with their cast (aka the bridal party) while in different parts of the country, and at the end: put on a kick ass rock show. Every detail was carefully planned out. Instead of a church, they were married on stage. Instead of a wedding coordinator, they chose a stage manager. Rebecca even designed all-access passes for the wedding guests. What tied it all together was the venue: the whole event took place in a San Francisco concert venue aptly named The Chapel. There was nothing about this wedding that didn't rock.

Explicit Language: These two wanted to make sure everyone knew they really meant it when they said "I do!" We love their enthusiasm - just be aware when you hit play!

To say we had fun filming this jaw-dropping, spectacle of a wedding would be a severe understatement. Witnessing the pure and adoring love in the eyes of the bride and groom as they recite their vows to each other was the most beautiful moment of the ceremony. For them to then share their love and their story with us and all of their guests in fun, electric rock opera ballads and upbeat punk rock numbers was absolutely a fitting tribute to their love for each other and the passion they both have for music and performance.

Rebecca and Bryan's opening song contained the lyrics "We definitely don't do things the typical way" and we are so glad they didn't! The show, that is, the wedding, was a beautiful, rockin' celebration of love, music and fun. Thank you, Rebecca and Bryan, for giving us the honor of capturing it all on film. Please stay tuned later this year, as we will be unveiling the entire show from start to finish! We hope you love it as much as we loved creating it.


Original Music by Love, Jerks
Bands: Scissors for Lefty (Bryan's Band), Happy Fangs (Rebecca's Band)
Cinematography: The Adventures Of
Venue: The Chapel 
Wedding Photography: Matthew Leland
Concert Photography: Amber Gregory
Stage Manager: Sam Sharkey
Stage Visuals: All Of It Now
Dance DJ: Cosmic Amanda
Hair: Onika Simone
Makeup: Mystie Rodriguez
Wedding Dress: Emerald City Gowns
Bridesmaid Dresses: Rent the Runway

UPDATE: We are so excited that this story and trailer were featured on E! Online (Entertainment Tonight) and BRIDES.com 

Want more? Check out the photos featured on Offbeat Bride!

Johnny & Shannon: Green Gables Estate Wedding, San Marcos

When love makes you pack your bags for an unknown city, when you can't lock eyes without smiling and laughing, when your friends can hardly contain their excitement for the moment you say "I do," you know you've got something special. All of that and more made this wedding at Green Gables Estate in San Marcos a day of pure romantic bliss.

Just before Johnny saw Shannon in her bridal gown for the first time, I asked him if he remembered the first time he ever saw her. All at once I saw his face just struck with emotion, like he was watching that moment play back in his mind and reflecting on how much had happened since then, bringing them both to this moment. And then his bride came walking toward him, and again they saw their love for the first time...

What a fantastic celebration! One of my favorite moments was seeing the entire bridal party erupt in cheers of joy for their best friends when they were pronounced husband and wife. Shannon and Johnny, I hope that every day of your marriage is this full of amazement, dancing, and happy laughter! I hope that you always look at each other with this same expression of "How did I get so lucky?" You have a lifetime of joy ahead of you.

Soundtrack:
"We Have Love" by Clemency, licensed via Musicbed

Cinematography: The Adventures Of
Photography: Vis Photography
Venue: Green Gables Wedding Estate
Floral Design: Flora Glamor
DJ: Earl Henry, My DJs

Kayln & Joy: San Francisco City Hall Elopement

One year ago today, we were in San Francisco for SF Pride and a very special elopement.

Kayln and Joy were in the midst of planning a big wedding in their hometown of Denver, Colorado, when they realized all of the little decisions just didn't seem as important as their commitment. Who cares what color the napkins are? We just want to get married! They were already planning on going to San Francisco to walk in the Pride Parade, so they decided to kick off the weekend with a wedding at City Hall! We had the honor of being witnesses to their vows, and joining them in exploring San Francisco.

A few months later, Kayln and Joy gathered their friends and family for an "Engagement Party," and played this video:

What a fantastic surprise! I really love elopements because the whole day is so private and so precious - and with a quality wedding film, you can still share your wedding with family and friends back home.

How incredible that exactly one year later, the Supreme Court has made a historic ruling for marriage equality across the United States! What a fantastic anniversary gift! My heart swells when I read the words that Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote to sum up this historic decision:

No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were.  As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves.  Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions.  They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.

Celebrate love, today and every day!

Angie & Matt: Santa Barbara Wedding

Today's feature is full of celebration for this awesome couple! This is an anniversary post, our #MCM for a charming and emotional groom, plus a big surprise at the end...

Angie and Matt are the type of people you just want to party with. They are full of joy and energy, and it seems that they are always ready to celebrate all of the good things in life! So you can imagine that their wedding was quite the celebration.

I do have to say that these two are made to be on camera. Not only because they are so good looking, but because they just shine with love no matter who is watching! Magic like that looks good on everyone. You can tell that when Matt sees his bride coming down the aisle, she is the whole world to him. Plus, their vows? Perfection!

I loved the Polish traditions that were included in the day, such as the bread and salt (symbols of plenty and of struggle), and throwing coins at the couple (whoever picked up the most is supposed to control the metaphorical purse strings!).

Angie, Matt, and their guests also ROCKED our SlowMo Booth.

After all of that, are you ready for one more reason to party? These two are having a baby!!! Big congratulations to Mr. and Mrs., soon to be Daddy and Mommy! With parents like you, this kid is going to be amazing.

Soundtrack Licensed via Musicbed:
Wedding Film: "Tonight" by Secret Nation
SlowMo Booth: "Just My Type" by SAINT MOTEL

Cinematography: The Adventures Of
Photography: Blake Gardner
Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Santa Barbara
Reception Venue and Catering: Hyatt of Santa Barbara
Floral Design: Kaleidoscope Flowers
DJ: Brian Green, Greenhouse Prod.
Band: Dust Bowl Cavaliers