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Piedmont Community Hall Wedding

Piedmont Community Hall Wedding If you are interested in a Piedmont Community Hall wedding, read below for some basic info for this quaint redwood wedding venue in the East Bay. It is a great bare bones venue that allows you to bring in any vendor you like, and offers both indoor and outdoor reception capabilities. See the slideshow link and sample photos below to get an idea of this very popular redwood wedding venue!  If you’re flexible with location, check out other redwood wedding venues for other options Pricing: $5270Ampitheater: $375Extra Time: $530Bridal Suit / Teahouse Rental: $475Insurance: $175 Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com

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Pier 14 Engagement Shoot

Pier 14 Engagement Shoot Hamad and Wasiya’s Fort Point and Pier 14 engagement shoot started with a foggy and drizzly morning. In hindsight, the grey atmosphere and lighting helped their vibrant clothing stand out more, helping illuminate them naturally. Despite the temperature, Wasiya would not let it deter her from showing off her new dress purchase she fell in love with the moment she saw it. After telling me how much she loved her dress (me too!) I knew had to take some solo photos of her rocking her outfit! Though I am sure most couples would disagree with me, I personally enjoy shooting the day after it rains because the leftover rain puddles act as natural mirrors and allow me to add another dimension to their images. Being from Fremont, they had a connection to the Bay Bridge as they frequently took it to go to and from work but also to spend dates in San Francisco…so it was only natural we included it in their images. In addition to showing off the Bridge that is more personal to them, they wanted to also have their portraits taken with the Golden Gate Bridge so that they can send these more recognizable photos to their parents in India. While the Pier 14 and Bay Bridge were more for them and signifying their relationship (while wearing more western clothing), the Golden Gate Bridge photos were somewhat focused on their family and culture, as Wasiya opted for a more traditional wardrobe to represent her Indian background. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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Pier 7 Engagement Shoot

Pier 7 Engagement Shoot Brandi surprised Katie with a Pier 7 engagement shoot and also at Thirsty Bear Brewing, San Francisco’s first and only organic craft brewery, while they were on vacation from Aurora, CO. Both sharing a passion for beer and breweries, Brandi thought it would be fun to shoot at a local brewery, showcasing their personalities and foregoing the “typical” engagement shoot location.  It is always a fun and unique challenge to photograph at a new location, especially at a location as unique as a brewery. I knew I wanted to showcase the art work of the venue as well as showing off the brewing containers that they were so kind enough to let us document. After some time at the brewery, we drove down together to Pier 7 and were fortunate to have it to ourselves. I am always attracted to patterns, so knew I wanted to mess around with the patterns of the street lights and take advantage of the clear skies, in an attempt to give them a unique take to the typical street light lined Pier 7 photo. Whenever I shoot by water, I always try to incorporate seagulls and birds in the air to give the images a little flavor, as well as give it a little context. I am always looking for an X factor to make images pop when photographing a couple in an empty space, so was lucky to have a few around while we were shooting 🙂 Congratulations Brandi and Katie – thanks for choosing a San Francisco Pier 7 engagement shoot! Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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ralston white retreat wedding bride and groom kissing in the sunlight amongst trees

Ralston White Retreat Wedding

Ralston White Retreat Wedding Adam and Juna chose a Ralston White Retreat wedding for its scenic beauty and its convenient accommodations, since most of Adam’s family was visiting from England, where they also lived and planned most of the wedding. Considering the guest experience, they wanted a convenient location close enough to San Francisco that also provided a gorgeous outdoor setting for their ceremony and enough space to accomodate the many outdoor games they had for their 2 hour long cocktail “hour.” There were many avenues of entertainment throughout the afternoon, and many of the younger kids sat down to the reception with sweat on their faces from all the fun and games! Needless to say, deciding to have a Ralston White Retreat wedding was one of the best decisions they could’ve made! It is always nice to see new ideas at a wedding, and Adam and Juna providing a pinata during their cocktail hour proved ot be the most smile inducing aspects of the day! It was needless to say a fun highlight for everyone watching the newlyweds try to break open the pinata. I don’t know why more people don’t have pinatas at their wedding – they are the best! Not to be outdone by the games, Adam’s mates filled the room with laughter with semi-inappropriate jokes during their toasts, while Juna’s bridesmaids revealed equally funny childhood memories that got the entire room busting out loud. This Ralston White Retreat Wedding was an amazing day full of laughter, love, and candy that proves you can make your wedding as casual as you want ad that you don’t have to stick to traditions if you don’t want to! If planning a day full of fun lawn games and pinatas sounds like fun, please CONTACT ME and I’d love to help plan! Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335  ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118

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Lovers Point wedding photo with a bride and groom holding each other with their reflection in the water and a blue sky

15 Best Wedding Venues in Monterey CA

15 Best Wedding Venues in Monterey CA The Ultimate Guide to the 15 Best Wedding Venues in Monterey CA(complete with pricing and photos) Couples seeking to take advantage of the Pacific Coast’s splendor for their weddings can take a look at the 15 best wedding venues in Monterey CA. Located in the center of California’s coastline, Monterey is known for its history, architecture, seafood, and local arts scene. For Californians seeking a beautiful place to get married, Monterey provides an excellent choice for a weekend escape. Let’s take a look at some of the top Monterey wedding venues.  Best Times for a Wedding in Monterey CA Old Whaling Station Adobe & Gardens Rental Fee: $1,900 – $2,400Ceremony Only: $1,500 The Old Whaling Station may not sound like the most romantic spot; however, this is a beautiful space indoors and outdoors with flexible rental periods by the hour that focuses on affordable yet elegant weddings. The garden is the perfect spot for beautiful wedding photos, making it one of the more cozy and intimate wedding venues in Monterey CA. The Barns at Cooper Molera Rental Fee: $2,500 – $6,500  Formerly part of a National Trust, this historic property is perfect for a beautiful ceremony. This is one of the more unique wedding venues in Monterey CA in that you can get married in a beautifully restored barn or outdoors beneath oak trees.   Memory Garden (Monterey State Historic Park) Rental Fee: $1,500 – $3,600 (depends on day of the week / number of hours)Processing Fee: $150Refundable deposit: $1,000 This park actually has six different gardens that are excellent choices for an elopement or small wedding. Stevenson Garden is enclosed by a rustic gated adobe wall and is named for author Robert Louis Stevenson. First Theatre Garden and Larkin Garden, in particular, also provide excellent settings for a wedding. The variety in settings makes this one of the more popular wedding venues in Monterey CA that appeals to most. Monterey Beach House Rental Fee: $1,500 – $5,000 Do you dream of a beach wedding? There is perhaps no better place in Monterey than Monterey Beach House. With the peninsula and ocean as a backdrop, this location provides one of the best views compared to other wedding venues in Monterey CA. Sunset ceremonies are popular here and al-inclusive packages mean you can rest assured you’ll be well taken care of.    Perry House Rental Fee: $1,500 – $5,000 The Perry House provides an elegant setting with an ocean view. The Victorian style home was originally built in 1860 and has lush gardens. Renovated specifically to cater to weddings, this is an excellent choice to include in your list of wedding venues in Monterey CA. Jabberwock Inn Rental Fee: $1,000 – $1,500 for 4 hours Small weddings and elopements: $350 – $750 (depends on time of year) One of more popular bed and breakfast wedding venues in Monterey CA, Jabberwock Inn is an elegant craftsman style house that overlooks Monterey Bay. Tall hedges and stone-lined gardens form a perfect place to exchange vows while you can relax in style with your pick of charming rooms. Jabberwock Inn is an excellent choice for a  Monterey wedding venue. Club Del Monte Contact for pricing Located on the campus of the Naval Postgraduate School and part of Hotel Del Monte, named the world’s most elegant seaside resort, this art deco facility is perfect for saying your vows whether you’d prefer the intimate La Novia Room or a spot next to the Roman Plunge Reflecting Pool.  Monterey Stone Chapel Rental Fees: $300 – $750 (depends on number of guests / spaces reserved) You’ll find this chapel located amidst redwoods and gardens next to a turtle-filled pond. For a more intimate wedding, an outdoor gazebo garden wedding is an excellent decision with a quaint, intimate setting to exchange your vows. This is one of the best wedding venues in Monterey CA because the 5 star Tarpy’s Restaurant and steakhouse is right next door! CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS MONTEREY WEDDING PACKAGES Wedding Venues Near Monterey CA Lover’s Point Park (Pacific Grove) Contact for pricing While this community park just outside of Monterey has plenty of things for the community, it also serves as a beautiful site for a wedding. With an ocean view, a small beach, and manicured lawns, there are many different settings for wedding venues in Monterey CA. A rocky outcropping on the edge of the beach makes a great place for photos. A reservation and use permit is required for a wedding.  Check out this Lovers Point Park Wedding to give you an idea of what I’ve done in the past. Big Sur Lodge – Pfeiffer State Park (Big Sur) Packages: $599 – $1,199 Big Sur is extremely popular with nature lovers and this rustic getaway right in the middle of Pfeiffer State Park provides easy walking access to many potential sites. Reserve a cozy cabin and take advantage of a ceremony surrounded by California’s majestic redwoods. The Lodge itself has four different indoor and outdoor venues and wedding consultants, making this one of the best wedding venues near Monterey CA. Huckleberry Hill (Pebble Beach) Contact for pricing This is one of those wedding venues near Monterey CA that you will feel was made for your elopement. Here you’ll find Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve, which is home to several trails with plenty of picturesque spots. Find you and your love immersed in a wooded oasis amongst groves pine and cypress trees. There is a bit of elevation gain and a short hike, so this spot is best for a small, casual no-frills ceremony for outdoor lovers.  Leal Vineyards (Hollister) Packages: $4,000 – $7,500 This facility has excellent options for elopements, small ceremonies, or mid-sized weddings. Leal Vineyards features three different settings and is one of the larger wedding venues in Monterey CA. Say “I do” surrounded by sweeping hills of vineyards at the Lavanda, have a quaint candlelit ceremony in the Barrel Room, or opt for the Olea with twinkling lights and a tunnel of olive trees.  River Road Mansion (Salinas)

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