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? 🙂
Videographer : The Edde Brothers
Florist : Paul Robertson Floral Designs
Band : Pop Fiction
Makeup : Lauren Erskine
Hair : Makeup by Amy S
Ceremony Music : Eclecta Quartet
Armenian Music : Khatchig
Photobooth : Kande Photobooth
How to Choose a Wedding Photographer
How to Choose a Wedding Photographer If you’re reading this I assume you are just starting your wedding planning and don’t know where to begin! This guide will hopefully answer the question, “How to choose a wedding photographer?” Like food, there are several different styles of wedding photography. When it comes to photography, there are little to no barriers to entry and one can be overwhelmed with so many different websites it can be intimidating. Below I have broken things down to try to make understanding the things to look for in a wedding photographer easy to understand. TLDR : View full galleries to ensure the FULL TIME photographer can shoot in both daytime and nighttime, and to make sure the photos speak to you and look exactly what you want for your wedding day in terms of candid vs posed, romantic vs goofy, etc. While you’re at it, make sure they have reviews NOT on their website to verify they give you what they promise. Write down 3-5 words that describe what you want in your wedding photography and they should line up with the images on the website (ideally the home page). Can they shoot with flash and photograph in dark settings? Make sure you see a photo of your photographer on the website to make sure you aren’t handed down to a random person the owner found on the internet to shoot for them. And finally meet / talk with your photographer to make sure your personalities fit. Ask to see full galleries If you don’t read anything else…this is my #1 advice on how to choose a wedding photographer. Photographers will have some of their best images on their websites or social media profiles, but if you want to get a clear idea of their ability and style, ask if you can view at least 3 full galleries (ideally a similar setting and guest size). While you don’t need to request a full gallery from every potential photographer, if you’re down to two or three, it is highly recommended. Viewing a full gallery will allow you to gauge whether or not the photographer is capable of shooting in ANY situation (see my post about What Happens if it Rains on your Wedding Day). If you are throwing the most important party for yourself, you better hope the photographer you hire is fully capable of producing quality images in any situation. When you view the full gallery, pay attention to how the images make you feel. Do they speak to you and give you an idea of the couple, guests, and wedding day? Do the images elicit an emotional response to you? Do they capture emotions of the couple, and the VIP guests of the day? If family formals are the most important to you, are the groups well lit and composed? Are there cropped feet or crooked lines? Are they fulltime? Or do it for fun on the weekend? Whether its painting, cooking, or driving, the more we do something the better we are at it. We all have a natural ceiling if we don’t practice enough. Make sure the person you hire is committed to photography and actually does it more than once a week “for fun,” since there are A LOT of weekend warriors who work in tech on the weekdays, and do photography on the weekend. This is the biggest (and most expensive) celebration you will ever have in your life. Why hire someone who does it “for fun?” This is the most puzzling to me TBH. Regardless of price point, someone who does photography fulltime will care more about the experience than someone who does it on the side. Simple fact that they have more pride in their work. Do they have a reviews not on their website? Google, Yelp, Weddingwire, TheKnot…IF your person is legit, they should have a listing on at least 2 of these pages if not all. Random person you found on Instagram – good luck with no repercussions if they do a terrible job. Your wedding day isn’t ONLY in daylight. Can they shoot in the evening? SO many photographers ONLY put daylight photos on their website or IG because that’s what they prefer…no problem with that. Sadly, there are many “photographers” that don’t even know how to use flash. It’s like a chef only using the stove and not the oven! When reading on how to choose a wedding photographer make sure that includes all lighting scenarios.Make sure they can shoot evening photos (with flash)This ties into the number one recommendation above – see full galleries! RUN! When you DON’T see a photo of the photographer on the website! With a more anonymous photography company, chances are you will have a photographer assigned to you, who may or may not even have their photos on the website you love! One of the “dirty secrets” of the industry is that large companies outsource the photography so you don’t get the same person who took the photos you see on the site. You may love the photos on the site, but you don’t get that person since it is a different photographer every time. There are many posts in FB photography groups asking for a “main/lead photographer” because the “Photo Company Name” outsources their work. It is very deceitful. A photo of your photographer will allow you to trust you will get exactly who you are looking at, and won’t be “pawned off” to someone else. Hopefully, the photographer will take the time to meet/talk with you personally, ensuring that you feel comfortable working with them. You will have the opportunity to discuss the details of your wedding and any specific moments you want the photographer to capture. What style of images do you want? If you don’t know…that’s OK! An easy exercise is to write down 3-5 words that describe your photos and the entire day. Some examples can be fun, candid, natural, glamourous, emotional, detail focused, bright, moody, and
Venues for Weddings in San Francisco
The 50+ Most Popular Venues for Weddings in San Francisco Ultimate Guide to the Top Venues for Weddings in San Francisco (with pricing, photos, and videos) Here is a list of the best venues for weddings in San Francisco (updated for 2022!). We are so lucky to have such a wide variety of settings in the Bay Area ranging from giant redwood groves, rustic barns, elegant historic buildings, and more, and within a short drive from San Francisco. With so many options for venues for weddings in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area, it is inevitable I missed some so please feel free to let me know. I will periodically update this page with more photos, individual blog posts, or videos to give you the best most comprehensive information to help plan your dream wedding. If you would like my honest opinion of your venue choices feel free to CONTACT ME – happy to help! Favorite San Francisco Elopement Locations: The Mountain Terrace, Shelldance Orchid Gardens, Hastings House Garden Weddings My Personal Favorite Venues for Weddings in San Francisco: Muir WoodsShelldance Orchid GardensPalace of Fine ArtsSan Francisco City HallLegion of HonorStern GroveThe Olympic ClubThe Mountain TerraceHastings House Garden Weddings Best “Only in San Francisco” Venues for Weddings in San Francisco: Want a location that shows off that you are in San Francisco? All of these wedding venues in San Francisco have views of the Golden Gate Bridge or other San Francisco landmarks. Hornblower Cruises (SF) Rental Fee : $118 / person For one of the more unique venues for weddings in San Francisco, why not sail around the San Francisco Bay! This popular and unique excursion allows you and your guest unique views of San Francisco as well as the ability to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge for some unique photographs. In addition, their food is world class from my own experiences. Cavallo Point (Sausalito) Rental Fee : Contact for pricing Located across the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, no other wedding venues in SF shows off the Golden Gate Bridge as nicely as Cavallo Point. Sitting across a hill overlooking the Bridge and the Bay, choosing this San Francisco wedding venue will treat your guests to one of the most breathtaking views of San Francisco. Hotel Vitale (SF) Packages : $185 – $260 / person Situated along the Embarcadero, Hotel Vitale offers a panoramic view of both the Bay Bridge and the San Francisco Bay. It is one of the few rooftop venues for weddings in San Francisco as well. Being a hotel, they offer all inclusive services for you and your guests. Fort Mason Center (SF) Rental Fee : $1,650 – $11,000 The Fort Mason Center offers several wedding venues in SF but the most popular ones are the General’s Residence, Gallery 308, and the smaller Firehouse, each offering their own unique setting for your wedding day. Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in San Francisco: Love to be surrounded by trees and being outdoors in nature? These are the best wedding venues in SF and beyond with gorgeous views. The Mountain Terrace (Woodside) Rental Fee : $2,500 – $4,500 (ceremony only) With decades-old trees acting as a wedding ceremony backdrop, The Mountain Terrace is the ideal setting for anyone who appreciates natural beauty and basking in the sun and fresh air. With a recently remodeled mega deck, they allow several options for outdoor and indoor receptions, making this one of my favorite wedding venues in SF. Read more about The Mountain Terrace with my walkthrough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibmrGG9xbac Muir Woods (Mill Valley) Permit Fee : $60 for up to 30 guests This popular elopement destination offers the perfect escape to nature by surrounding you with redwood groves all around. It is centrally located between San Francisco and Napa, allowing your out of town guests options in how they explore northern California. In addition to SF City Hall, this is one of my favorite wedding venues in SF for its simplicity and beauty for elopements and small weddings. Check out my Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding in Muir Woods for more details! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHcJNX09nCk Hastings House Garden Weddings (Half Moon Bay) Packages start at : $12,000 If you are looking for a secluded “secret” garden look no further than the Hastings House Garden Weddings for your elopement! This enchanting garden only allows for a small number of guests and is seemingly made just for elopements. You need little to no decor at this wedding venue in Half Moon Bay since the beauty is all around you! Read more about Hastings House Garden Weddings with my walkthrough Shakespeare Garden (SF) Reservation Fee : $506Hourly Rate : $144 (2 hour min)Refundable Deposit : $500 One of the best places to elope in San Francisco, this small garden in Golden Gate Park allows a great setting for an intimate place to say your vows. One of the more affordable and secluded wedding venues in SF, this is also the most popular Golden Gate Park wedding venue for those wanting a more natural background. Check out this Shakespeare Garden Wedding for inspiration! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIF4ytamSm0 Like what you see? Which venues for weddings in San Francisco fit your style? CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS SAN FRANCISCO WEDDING VENUES Old Mill Park (Mill Valley) Rental Fee : $125 – $275 / hourRefundable Deposit : $100 – $1,000 Located in Mill Valley across the Golden Gate Bridge, Old Mill Park is one of the most popular venues for weddings in San Francisco and perfect for those who love nature. They have a separate ampitheater that comes with its own staging and seating, making it a convenient wedding venue in San Francisco for large and small weddings. Check out my Ultimate Planning Guide for an Old Mill Park Wedding SF Botanical Garden Rental Fee : $875 – $10,000 This well manicured Garden in the middle of Golden Gate Park is one of the more forgotten wedding venues in SF since Golden Gate Park is so large. With 55 acres showcasing plants from all over the world, they offer the perfect natural
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