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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The Fairmont San Francisco Wedding Taylor and Paul held their Fairmont San Francisco wedding in the city they love, providing a luxurious wedding occasion with the best overflow of laughs and smiles for two weddings! Just like their engagement shoot, they were full of joy seemingly the entire time, basking in the amazing day with such carefree personalities that they are so appreciated and known for. As I photographed Taylor in her bridal suite getting ready, you could feel the anticipation and recognition of the big day ahead as Taylor and her bridesmaids were giddy with excitement, discussing all the details of the day, including, but not limited to, her dress, jewelry, and the unique piece sitting atop her head, which was the first thing I noticed upon entering the room! As I later found out, the crown had been hand made her great – grandmother and passed on from generation to generation. One can only imagine the memories and pride felt by her mother the first time seeing her daughter with the crown! And if the photo below of seeing their only daughter in her wedding dress was any indication, I am sure that moment for both parents was a truly meaningful moment for them both. This family heirloom was the perfect item to check the box of “something borrowed,” and was a beautiful centerpiece to her ensemble. As you can tell from the reactions of her bridesmaids and her soon to be husband, she was a glowing Bride from head to toe in her dress and crown! After a very touching wedding ceremony involving all the typical Jewish traditions, some emotional vows, and a solemn moment when the two came together in a special embrace, we continued on to the family formals before heading outside with the entire wedding party to capture a photo opportunity only made possible in San Francisco. Being wed in the City, it was only fitting that we captured the iconic Cable Cars that passed in front of the hotel along their touristy route. With San Francisco’s renowned hills as the backdrop, it took a couple of tries to get a patient Cable Car to stop for an extra moment, but everyone’s smiles, including the enthusiastic driver and some well wishers riding the train, made the effort all worthwhile. This little instance proved to be indicative of the entire day, as they went with the flow and shrugged things off with a smile and enjoyed the day with all their favorite people. At the start of the reception, Taylor informed me that it is typical in Armenian culture for the newlyweds to do a “dance in,” whereas they make their entrance together in dazzling fashion. This little hint forecasted things to come as the whole dancing theme would be an amazing memory for me to take home and to show you here! One of the many impressions about this evening were the traditional dances and individual moves that were busted out (Taylor’s brother is pretty athletic can you tell?!) All the subtle hand movements, the energetic leg kicks, and the group involvement all contributed to an epic dance party for hours! Having both a traditional Armenian musician and a party cover band (see below) provided music and entertainment for everyone in the room! It was so fun being able to capture the sweat and smiles as people danced long into the night! I was in awe of the energy and mesmerized by the coordination and hope this isn’t the last time I see these group dance moves! And even if it is, having the memory of Taylor and Paul’s wedding isn’t too bad for being the only time, wouldn’t you agree? 🙂 Venue : The Fairmont SFVideographer : The Edde BrothersFlorist : Paul Robertson Floral DesignsBand : Pop FictionMakeup : Lauren ErskineHair : Makeup by Amy S Ceremony Music : Eclecta QuartetArmenian Music : KhatchigPhotobooth : Kande Photobooth 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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Fairview Crystal Springs Wedding This Fairview Crystal Springs wedding was one for the memory books with the last of 8 siblings getting married. Needless to say, there were a lot of happy family photos, laughs, and dzo’s of course!!! (pronounced as “yo” – cheers in Vietnamese). Tom and Jackie had their wedding at Fairview Crystal Springs in Burlingame, hoping to capture the outdoor beauty of the hills overlooking the Crystal Springs Reservoir. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had a different idea and forced the Ceremony indoors. Despite the last minute change, the smaller quarters complimented the Ceremonial focus of family and faith, creating a more intimate atmosphere for the occasion. Nieces and nephews provided music and sang for the couple, and their local pastor added his personal flair of comedy and religion into his service. With such a large family, I ended up taking over 100 different formal group photos throughout the evening. Always the “hardest” part for the Bride and Groom with all the smiling, they managed to smile for every single one…even if it took a solid hour throughout the day! 🙂 As I was leaving, Jackie told me that she was initially bummed out about the rain, but that at the end of the night that was the last thing on her mind and that she was simply overcome with so much happiness. She was having a marvelous time, her guests were having a marvelous time, and she was adding a large loving extended family into hers. It was flawless. With all the laughter and joy I saw , you would think everything went perfectly as planned for this Fairview Crystal Springs wedding. As far as I’m concerned…it did! Live. Laugh. Love. Venue : Fairview Crystal SpringsWedding Coordinator : Cat DuFlowers : Rosedale Floral DesignHair : Liezel StylesMakeup : Marlyn ValenciaDJ : Adam SuguitanVideo : Fusion Films Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335 ianchinphotography@gmail.com
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Studio 333 Wedding Amanda and Nick held their Studio 333 wedding in Sausalito, choosing this wedding venue to best showcase their styles. Studio 333 is a fine art and event gallery located by the Bay on the northern side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Surrounded by about 70 of their closest friends and family, they appreciated the quirky artwork at the venue to give it a contemporary feel, and a garden for their outdoor ceremony. Located next to a park, Nick and his groomsmen were able to hang out a bit before the ceremony as makeup and hair were running late, which allowed me to get a better feel for his personality and character with his best buds. I quickly realized he is this happy-go-lucky mellow guy who gifted his groomsmen this mini power tool and flashlight all in one, an early introduction of how silly he is. Forgoing an engagement shoot, the wedding day was the first real exposure to the couple, and I quickly realized how carefree they were with each other, and about being “married” in general. It wasn’t a huge deal for them, and they wanted their Studio 333 wedding day to reflect it as well. One of my favorite photos of Melissa is of her holding a PBR and a lit cigarette in the other, and of Nick giving a personalized thank you to his best man. They are real authentic depictions of their personalities, and I definitely savor every little nuance I can capture for my Couples. I always try to tell your wedding story as accurately as I can, and I love it when people are unaware of my presence and not holding back. It’s your wedding and your story…you do you 🙂 The best thing about this Studio 333 wedding is the fact that they did everything that fit their personalities. This little union reminds me of when people elope and how they make the day more intentional. If you want to read up on what I mean, take a look at these Reasons to Elope that I have learned over time. 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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Mission Blue Center Wedding This Mission Blue Center Wedding brought together a great group of friends and family for a very fun and emotional wedding day. As you will tell from the images below, the wedding day started out with a nice touching outdoor ceremony, and concluded with a lot of laughs, wild dancing, and friendly servings of liquor and good food! When Kelly and Carlos mentioned their wedding venue, I had never heard of the Mission Blue Center, and was eager to add it to my list of wedding venues around the San Francisco Bay Area. There are so many awesome wedding venues around California, and I feel this particular venue is a hidden gem located in Brisbane, a small suburb right outside San Francisco. The rustic look of the reception hall coupled with the views of the San Bruno hills offer engaged Couples a scenic and low key location for their big celebration. This was a very family and community oriented celebration, with numerous people from both sides of the family encouraging and welcoming me to eat and drink with them. After taking a shot with the newlyweds, Carlos reiterated that I was more than welcome to enjoy the many drinks and food that they had to join in the festivities. With 8 different cakes and pies, and enough alcohol to serve 300 people, this Mission Blue Center wedding had all signs of a grand celebration…and they did not disappoint! Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335 ianchinphotography@gmail.com
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Riggers Loft Wedding Maly and Vet held a Riggers Loft wedding in Richmond, California, choosing this winery setting for its rustic look, open space (enough to host two different ceremonies), and great location overlooking San Francisco. Originally, they intended on having 200 people, but it ballooned to an additional 100+ because of the many friends and family that were added within the last few months leading up to the wedding! Needless to say, the extra people made the festivities that much more lively and added to the party atmosphere that occurred later that evening. But first…a little background 🙂 It was my first Lao wedding (and Riggers Loft wedding) and I was excited to be introduced to the new traditions that are specific to Lao culture. One of the more entertaining things about this celebration was the gathering and drinking of Lao Lao, a popular (and strong!) drink used to celebrate special occasions, by mostly the aunts and uncles. I took one sip when offered by one of the Aunties, and it was a strong yet sweet alcoholic mix! I can see why it is popular! 😀 Blending their cultures and lives together, they wanted to have an American ceremony as well as a Lao ceremony. having the American portion first outdoors then immediately going inside to hold the Lao one. I have been exposed to similar back-to-back ceremonies before and it is always great when Couples are able to acknowledge their roots in their own preferred ways. One of the more interesting moments of the Lao ceremony involved a wrist tying tradition in which family and friends would tie a simple knot around the Bride and Grooms’ wrists while giving them a personal blessing and marriage advice. During this portion, I was touched to see the symbolism of unity from both sides of the Bride and Groom whereas they remained in physical contact to them with a gentle hand on the shoulder or a subtle touch of the elbow. It was a very impressionable part of the day that I really noticed and respected. Riggers Loft weddings allow couples to bring their own drinks into the venue, but despite bringing an excessive amount of beer and alcohol in relation to the attendance, the guests ended up drinking through all their wine, alcohol, and half of the beer! Needless to say, their friends and family enjoyed themselves and, as you can tell in the photos, provided some amazing photo opportunities that they may or may not regret! 😀 It was an amazing opportunity to experience this new culture and hang out with this fun and rowdy group! Venue : Riggers Loft Florist : Sunbeam Arcilla Hair : Lynn Do 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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Jessica and Arthur preferred a casual Jack London Park wedding in Glen Ellen, CA, wanting a low key celebration. It was everything you might imagine a charming, intimate wedding to be. From the beautiful DIY floral arrangements and decorations, to the disposable cameras that were passed amongst the guests, the day was perfectly warm and easy-going. During the wedding ceremony, instead of seating guests in intricately aligned rows of chairs, the bride and groom invited close friends and family to lounge comfortably on colorful blankets on the ground to enjoy the more laid-back, picnic-like ambiance of the day, which was absolutely overflowing with hugs, smiles, laughter, and singing. It had the vibe of a backyard wedding but in a gorgeous park! This Jack London Park wedding focused on having a good time without the fuss of a large production. To honor the bride’s Chinese descent and the groom’s French heritage, their parents spoke in opposing languages to introduce and welcome everyone at the Ceremony. Jessica’s parents gave a little speech in French while Arthur’s parents delivered some sentiments in Mandarin. Well…they tried at least 🙂 It was a nice touching way for this multicultural wedding to address the mixing of households and family as one. Add in the many smiles and laughs heard throughout the day, you just know this Jack London Park wedding celebration was the start of a wonderful and warm life together. 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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Backyard Weddings Looking for ideas for backyard weddings and elopements? I love small and intimate weddings where you only have a select group of family and friends to witness your special celebration. I consider photographing elopements (25 people and less) much more meaningful and important because there aren’t hundreds of cell phones to document the day. It is all me. I am tasked with documenting the real moments and keeping those memories alive during the wedding day for everyone in attendance (and not) to remember by. If you are considering eloping, backyards, parks, and Airbnbs provide easily accessible locations for you, but check out these elopement locations in San Francisco to also help in your wedding location search! Backyard weddings have a false narrative of not being as important or as grand as any other wedding. This is totally the opposite from the truth! By choosing to elope or having your wedding more DIY perhaps, you bring the attention to what is most important in your lives – people and relationships. Typically, backyard weddings and elopements are smaller scale to accommodate the size of the backyard. Couples generally keep the decor to a minimum, because they would rather spend money and attention to what they truly value and not worry about putting on a show for other people. I have photographed a backyard wedding where they served Chipotle for lunch! There is no right or wrong, and making the day intentional and about you is what the wedding day is all about. If you are considering eloping and having a smaller backyard wedding, check out these Reasons to Elope to give you some insight into potentially choosing this for your celebration. Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335 ianchinphotography@gmail.com
Offbeat Brides Weddings Consider yourself an Offbeat Bride or interested in Offbeat Brides Weddings? Want to have a wedding that is authentic to you and doesn’t stick to the traditional way of marrying? I’m proud to be a member at the Offbeat Brides website because I love Couples who do things their way and make their wedding day their own! See the past Offbeat Brides below for some ideas and inspiration, and CONTACT ME to help photograph your most important day! And speaking of doing things your own way, if eloping with a small wedding is more your style, check out these San Francisco elopement locations. Roberta and Cu’s Cemetery Halloween Wedding Roberta and Cu got married at the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery on Halloween, putting together the most unique and creative wedding that I have ever experienced! They found me on Offbeat Bride, and together with 30 of their family and closest friends on Halloween day, they held their ceremony inside a mortuary chapel. Read more about their Halloween Wedding in the blog post! Karis and Will’s Faery Wedding at an Animal Sanctuary Karis and Will held their wedding at Isis Oasis Sanctuary, a part retreat center part animal sanctuary, that they had visited plenty of times as a couple. In addition to their pet ferrets acting as ring bearers, Karis and her offbeat brides maids wore faery wings to represent each season of the year. Marsha and Michal’s SF City Hall Elopement When I first met Marsha she was wearing a pink robe, and I just assumed that was what she was going to wear during the ceremony, which I thought was pretty neat! She then revealed she was covering her dress that she would reveal right before their San Francisco City Hall ceremony. Umm…it was freaking awesome!!! Interested In More Information? Please Fill Out the Form Below! 415 756 9335 ianchinphotography@gmail.com 762 10th Ave San Francisco, CA 94118
Diablo Creek Golf Course Wedding Shelley and Mike held their Diablo Creek Golf Course wedding in Concord, realizing it is never too late to fall in love! Both telling me it was a mature wedding, as they were both in their seventies and remarrying, it was a touching afternoon seeing these two rekindle the excitement of love and wanting to share that with their closest friends and family. Opting for a more casual affair, they initially a wanted a low guest count of a few dozen, but quickly realized there were more well-wishers to their union than they expected, so ended up with three times the number of people! Holding their wedding in their favorite time of the year, they incorporated the colors and décor of the season with pumpkins and fall foliage to welcome everyone to their big day. It was a touching ceremony as their four combined children acted as their wedding party, and Shelley was walked down the aisle by her two grandkids. Typically during a wedding ceremony, the Couple would stand a few feet away from each other, but Shelley and Mike were holding each other the entire time, shoulder to shoulder and enjoying every minute of the Ceremony. Photographically speaking, it put them off-center…but when you realize how cute it looked from the back and the guest point of view, with the two holding each other, everyone would agree they were perfectly placed 🙂 One of the most interesting things I noticed was that during the ceremony almost no one was taking photos with their phones as they were just as focused on the ceremony itself as the Bride and Groom were with each other. If it was up to them, Mike and Shelley would have had their Diablo Creek Golf Course wedding with just a dozen people and eloped, but it worked out for the best having over a hundred people come by because they were all able to witness that it is never too late to fall in love and say I do all over again. It was truly a memorable day for me and makes me smile every time I think of this special union. 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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