SONOMA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Sonoma wedding photography is special for us, as it’s where we call home. Before moving here, we would fall a bit deeper in love with each visit to photograph another beautiful Sonoma county wedding. In 2013, we decided to make the big move and relocate further north. Sonoma wine country weddings bring people together to celebrate life and love in one of the most beautiful regions of the world. Living here, we are constantly inspired by all that Sonoma county has to offer and are always enthusiastic to share our knowledge with new friends.
From the wild coastline of the Sea Ranch to remote Pinot Noir vineyards nestled in the coastal mountains, to the redwood forests to the Russian River valley; natural beauty and warm locals are all in abundance and yes...the wine is pretty great too! With over 600 tasting rooms stretching across the county for you to explore, there are options for everyone! Many vineyards and wineries offer a great offer a great all-in-one wedding ceremony and wedding reception option, this convenience can make the day a lot less stressful.
Sonoma wedding venues we like
A few (but not all) of our favorites are Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, straddling the Carneros plain which encompasses both Sonoma and Napa counties. The Robert Young Estate Winery in Alexander Valley. Arista and Copain in Russian River Valley.
For the ultimate hilltop, wine country experience, it’s hard to compete with a Kunde Family estate wedding. The first wedding we photographed at Kunde was when Seth Rogen married Lauren Miller atop Boot Hill and from that point on, Kunde Family estate has been one of our favorite sonoma wedding locations.
Why we love Sonoma weddings
Sonoma wedding photography provides us a truly a 4-season resort area with so much more to offer than just vineyards and tasting rooms and each season offers it’s own unique charm. With endless locations to explore, wonderful service, friendly locals, and world class food and wine, it’s no surprise that we host around 4,500 weddings here annually. We feel very lucky to be Sonoma's best photojournalistic wedding photographers.
About Viera Photographics
Viera Photographics is a husband and wife wedding photography team located in Sonoma, California. They specialize in telling stories through their style of wedding photojournalism and candid documentary wedding photography. In business since 2005 they are considered to be one of the top high-end wedding photographers. Their unique wedding photographic style emphasizes stylish storytelling with raw emotion. They bring impeccable and unmatched customer service on every level.
Jaime, Dennis and their team are available worldwide with no travel fees. They travel often photographing weddings all over the world. Some of their top destinations are: Napa, San Francisco, Tahoe, Big Sur, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, New York, Newport, Rhode Island, Vermont, Mexico, and Hawaii.
Viera Photographics
[email protected]
Rohnert Park, CA
(707) 934-4007
Featured Sonoma weddings
If we had to pin down Brian and Sandra’s Barndiva wedding with one word, that would be it. con·viv·i·al – /kənˈvivēəl/ – (of an atmosphere or event) Friendly, lively, and enjoyable; (of a person) Cheerful and friendly; jovial. merry – festive – jolly – jovial – sociable – social Healdsburg is a hub for good living and is nestled amongst three of Sonoma Valley’s most prominent wine-making regions – the Russian River, Alexander, and Dry Creek Valley’s. In addition to great grapes, Healdsburg is also pretty tough to beat for its farm-to-table food offerings and Barndiva is an excellent ambassador for the region. When we first met Brian and Sandra at their San Francisco home, they were so warm and welcomed us as if we were old friends. They shared with us a bottle of wine they had made and discussed the spirit of their Barndiva wedding day and it was clear that it was going to be a very personal, family-style affair. Nearly all the decor was handmade by the bride and groom or a close relative; her aunt made the table runners, and they created the programs, seating chart, place-cards, table decor by themselves. Brian worked as chief product designer for Twitter and set up the “tweet”-able photo booth application that he helped develop so guests could have a bit of fun and share the day’s fun in real-time. As the sun faded and took the warmth of the afternoon with it, guests moved inside where they were treated to the jazz ensemble, Ecoutez Music. The musicians set a wonderful Gatsby-esque tone to latter half of the reception and had no trouble coaxing dancers to their feet. The Napa wedding celebrations topped out when Brian and Sandra were lifted above the crowd in their chairs for the Hora and maximum… Continue Reading
Sapna and Alex’s Kunde winery wedding ceremony was held in one of the most historic wine country wedding venues. In the heart of Sonoma valley, Kunde’s 1850-acre property is set amidst rolling hills, mountains, towering oaks, a sea of vineyards, and borders Napa county just to the east. Alex and Sapna’s wine country wedding ceremony was held at the Dunfillan Winery site, which was constructed in the 1880’s. One of the most unique wine country wedding venues, the stone ruins of the Dunfillan Winery are set in a beautiful, secluded five-acre meadow surrounded by scenic vineyards, mountain views, and majestic oak trees. Their ceremony joined two families from two different cultures and blended western tradition with the color and exuberance of a Hindu ceremony…along with abundant laughter and love. The exchange of colorful garlands was followed by 6 readings of their closest friends and family. As an only child, I have several people in my life that I consider to be my siblings for their constant support and presence throughout my life. Sapna is an only child as well and for her, Manasi has been like a sister from a very young age. Manasi officiated the ceremony beautifully and as only a sister could do while just keeping the emotions at bay – although at times the tears were unavoidable. The couple exchanged their own vows and just moments later, were officially married! As guests were shuttled down the dusty red road back up to Boot Hill for the cocktail hour, we spent some time with them taking photos around the ruins before heading back to the Boot Hill reception site. A quick outfit change and we got a second opportunity for bride and groom photos. After a short walk in the beautiful evening light, taking in the expansive views of the valley floor, Sapna and Alex rejoined their guests for dinner. The exquisite food… Continue Reading
Vines are laden with the season’s harvest and the smell of fermenting fruit juice fills the air across the valley as the warmth of the afternoons give way to the chill of the evening. It’s a perfect time to be in wine country for a Jacuzzi Family Winery wedding. We arrived and the warm afternoon sunlight was filtering through the window as Christine was putting on her finishing touches in the bridal suite. Nerves were just starting to set in while downstairs, Doug greeted his family with quiet confidence and an infectious smile. With support from her best friend, Christine was just able to hold back the tears…and then she approached the aisle and saw Doug for the first time. At that point, everyone shared tears of joy. Although we only had limited conversations with Doug and Christine leading up to their wedding day, we are both perceptive and empathetic people, so we can figure a lot of things out very quickly. It was quite clear to us as Doug and Christine – holding each other’s hands tightly – and looking deeply and into each other’s eyes, have the kind of relationship that will stand the test of time. As the sunlight faded and the sky turned a rosy amber, guests were passed wine and hors d’oeuvres as the couple went for walk amongst the vines. The dinner was served in Jacuzzi’s open air courtyard and guests laughed and made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and enjoyed dinner served with a great selection of wines from the family estate. The evening finished off in the barrel room with an incredibly high participation dance party, as the two families cemented their union with some solid rump-shakin’. A perfect day. Continue Reading
Saray woke up on yet another beautiful Sonoma morning, a day not unlike the many others her and Jesse have spent in wine country. And just like all the others, the blue sky was in full effect, the grapes were dangling dangerously off the vines, begging to be picked; but on this day… on this particular day…. she was going to marry her best friend at her Arista winery wedding. These two adventurous, stubborn, dreamers (the three words she used to describe them as a couple) from Chicago dreamed up a perfect destination wedding. They wanted it to be intimate, as they wanted to be able to spend time with each and every important person in their lives. They wanted it to be fun and unique and they especially wanted to show off the Sonoma that they loved so much. Arista Winery with its rustic elegance and natural beauty was the perfect venue. The ceremony took place under a huge oak tree, looking out over the rows of grapes, and golden hills. They asked guests to pick a seat, not a side as these two families were joined. Then, surrounded by 60 of their closest friends and family from all over the globe, they cried, they laughed and they promised to be each other’s everything. During the golden hour, Arista’s delicious Pinot Noir was passed as guests were treated to a gorgeous sunset. We took that opportunity to explore some of Arista’s property, stopping to take photos along the way. The evening continued with a dynamite dinner by The Girl and The Fig, under the twinkling bistro lights and the bright moon. After the heartfelt speeches and the cutting of the cake, the party started in the cellar room and the two families bonded as they tried their moves at Ghangam Style. The next day, I got a text from Saray and they had so… Continue Reading
Many of our clients tell us at the end of their wedding day, that if they could do it all over again the next day, they would – particularly when they have a Kunde Family Estate wedding in Sonoma. Well…Shauna and Vinay actually did do it all over the very next day. Following their Hindu wedding ceremony at the Kunde Family Estate, they held a western ceremony (minus the spurs and lasso’s) the very next day. It was truly a perfect early Autumn afternoon as Shauna changed into her elegant gown at the Hill House surrounded by all her best friends. The weather was perfect, the the mood was jovial, and the anticipation was high – so much so that Shauna couldn’t hep her self but to take a sneak peak of Vinay as he was rounding the corner for their first look. These two are like a couple of teenagers in love… really. Atop the impossibly beautiful Boot Hill, the ceremony was performed by one of Shauna’s best friends. And under the canopy of gnarly native oaks in front of a sea of smiling faces, the couple vowed to spend their life together. Shauna’s freshly painted henna added subtle contrast to her white wedding dress, and tied the weekend’s festivities together beautifully as they completed the joining of families and cultures. Guests were treated to some incredible food, wine, and lawn games with the hauntingly beautiful sounds of Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra. Dinner service began as the moon rose off to the east and speakers peppered the courses with emotional and hilarious tales of the lives of these two incredible people. As is often the case at weddings, we have a hard time knowing when to stop, so as we packed the car to head off home, we couldn’t resist setting up for one last starry sky photo to try and relate how insanely beautiful of an evening it… Continue Reading
With the henna still deeply imprinted on her nervously wringing hands, Kelle took a deep breathe as she arrived at the church. Moments later, she would meet Taz for the second, of their multi-day Sonoma wedding celebration inside St. Francis Solano Roman Catholic Church in downtown Sonoma. Once again surrounded by the love of their family and friends, the couple were married in the Catholic tradition and from there, the festivities moved down the road to the Madrone Vineyards Estate. The choice of reception venue perfectly fit with Kelle’s inspiration for their day; modern but rustic and certainly nature inspired. En-route to the reception, we found some great opportunities along the drive down the valley for photos of the couple before meeting back up with their wedding party for cocktails and family photos. Under the deep blue skies of summertime in wine country, dinner was served at their Madrone Estate wedding. As family and friends delivered poignant speeches and as Taz’s father did his absolute best to keep his inner shutterbug at bay and set down his DSLR. The night concluded with the final portion the reception in the tasting room, and as we drove away, we could still hear the sounds of music and laughter behind us. About the couple How we met Through mutual friends courtship /ˈkɔːtʃɪp/ noun 1. a period during which a couple develop a romantic relationship before getting married. “he married his wife after a whirlwind courtship” Describe your courtship Pretty standard and steady! I thought he was a little crazy at first, but there was something that drew us to one another despite the fact that we come from very different backgrounds. I think we knew we were meant to be married long before we actually moved that direction. Describe the proposal Super great… Continue Reading
Kelle and Taz’s Cornerstone wedding spanned two days in Sonoma County and was full of color, love, and laughter. As Taz arrived to meet Kelle for the first time on their Indian wedding day, we got a chance to witness firsthand the incredible love and bond between these two…and their dog Marbles. As Marbles looked on from the window of Cornerstone Sonoma’s farmhouse cottage, the couple got just enough time to process how incredible the other looked before turning their attention to their four legged baby. As the couple held each other close, more and more guests began to aggregate towards the garden area and it was time for Tasvir to say goodbye for now and join his Baraat. Cornerstone is a unique Sonoma County wedding venue in that it is situated in the rural, vine-laden hills of the Carneros appellation, has beautifully landscaped gardens, and it is the site of Sunset magazine’s outdoor test kitchen and gardens. Cornerstone gardens are an ever-changing series of gardens, showcasing innovative designs from international and local landscape architects and designers and provide many unique opportunities for peace and quiet amidst – what can be – a hectic wedding day. Kelle really wanted a beautiful outdoor venue that was fun for her guests and modern with rustic touches – their venue had all these elements perfectly in balance. The ceremony was relatively compact, for many Indian marriage ceremonies can extend for hours. As the groom’s baraat arrived at the ceremony, the Swagatam or welcoming came next. Ganesh Puja followed and then, what everyone had been waiting for, Kanya Agamana or the arrival of the bride. Exchange of garlands or Jaimala then the consent for marriage and union of the hands (Kanyadaan and Hasta Melap). The tying of the unity knot or Ganth Bahdhan was next and… Continue Reading
Sandy and Scott threw all conventions aside when they planned their intimate Sea Ranch Lodge wedding on the Sonoma coast. When you think 4th of July, you probably conjure up images of sunshine, barbecues, cheap beer, fireworks, and crowds of people soaking it all in to the sounds of Roy Ayers Jr… This 4th of July would be a bit different, and we were looking forward to spending this truly independent and mellow and monochromatic afternoon with a crew of people more colorful than anything the above description could’ve ever hoped to deliver. Finding the perfect venue was the single most important consideration in the planning of Sandy and Scott’s intimate wedding. The reason they got in contact with us well over a year ago was through a connection they made with Goldie and Dan’s Big Sur Elopement, and they wanted something that felt similar for their day. Their Sea Ranch Lodge wedding provided just what they were looking for, a contrast of drama and lucidity, there, they were able to feel connected to each other, their friends, and the larger natural world around them; far from the commotion of every day life. When I spoke to Scott so many months ago – learning about them both individually and as a couple – we talked about lots of things from music, to movies, to wedding locations we’ve loved, and onto what being an editor entails; our talk was great and always rambled in all the right direction. Convincing friends and family to make the long drive up from Los Angeles wasn’t without it’s difficulties. But, the theme would always return to one constant, and that was making sure that Sandy was happy and had the best day ever; I liked these guys a lot. The ceremony was short and sweet, and for as silly as these two are…there were all of a sudden some seriously poignant moments… Continue Reading
With so many options for wedding venues out there, sometimes the best, most special option is right beneath your nose, your childhood home! With it’s bucolic mix of coast redwoods, vineyards, historic buildings, and abundant fresh, local food, Petaluma is by any definition a perfect place to be married. Petaluma holds a really special place in Gillian’s heart, and she always knew she would be married in her parents’ back yard. With its Victorian style architecture, large backyard, and the benefit of Gillian’s mother being a master gardener, the venue couldn’t have been any more perfect. In the bride’s own words “…the location means home, and being with those who are most important to you, be they friends, family, or those who’ve helped you throughout your life, is most important to our day.” From start to finish, all events of the wedding day took place within a few hundred meters of the home, which provided the atmosphere of a down-home gathering – a reunion of sorts -that began with their ceremony and celebration of their new life and continued with a family style luncheon on the back lawn. As children roamed around the edible gardens, snacking on tomatoes and sniffing basil, the smell of charcoals and barbecued suckling pig filled the air as guests enjoyed ice cold libations and extended conversation with the couple. As the afternoon light waned, the family-vibe of the day culminated with a full, multi-generational dance-floor showcasing all varieties of eclectic moves, to the equally eclectic sounds of the Rivertown Skifflers. A bit more about the couple Tell us a bit more about the back story to what brought you both to this day Gillian aggressively pursued Josh… joking. They were connected through a dating website and met for the first time over coffee. After several… Continue Reading
From New York to Sonoma valley – the venue for their K2 Ranch wedding – Jane and Tom brought more than 200 people, many from over 2900 miles to celebrate with them. That’s no small feat and it’s a real testament to the skill of the coordination team at Quintana events who we feel deserve a quick shout out for their consistently amazing efforts. The wedding day was typical for summer, crystal clear blue skies and toasty warm with only the faintest coolness blowing in from San Pablo bay. As Jaime was arriving at the girls home several miles away, I walked into Tom and his groomsmen in full a cappella glory, one of the coolest wedding day introductions. As they were practicing for a surprise performance at the reception, Jane and her girls were slipping out of their rompers and into their dresses and wrapping up the final pre-ceremony preparations. Jane arrived at Tom’s place for the first look and, after a few minutes taking in the gravity of what was to come and processing how incredible they both looked, they once again went their separate ways in preparation for the ceremony. As guests found their seats and Tom and the bridal party took their places, the distinctive engine sound of a vintage VW bug approaching filled the air. As the proud owner of a beautiful classic bug, Jane’s father thought it would fitting to drive his daughter to the aisle in one and it was a great call. High above Glen Ellen and the cascading vineyards below, the ceremony took place at the Lodge at Anderson Ranch under the shade of many large oak trees. It was short but long and sweet enough to bring many to tears along the way. As the nuptials concluded and the couple… Continue Reading
Cybil and Ali’s General’s Daughter wedding in Sonoma took place on a warm winter afternoon. Cybil joked throughout the day that this was “Ali’s dream wedding” as she had wanted to elope, but he couldn’t bear the idea of not celebrating their love in front of everyone they know! So a compromise was made, and they choose to have a simple intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends. They were set up by friends who had just started dating each other (and who are now married), when they talked him into crashing her birthday party. The pair were inseparable, and the rest is history! Their love can be seen in all the subtle looks and touches throughout the day. We are so glad that they didn’t elope because it was just perfect! All Continue Reading
Set amidst a seemingly endless sea of grapevines and within earshot of the Russian River, is Jennifer’s family’s gorgeous Healdsburg home, and the site of their late spring wedding in Sonoma County. As I write this blog from Portugal, it feels ironic that we stood out to the bride not only by our photography, but by our name, Viera. The surname has been americanized from the original Vieira family name that my great-grandfather brought with him when he emigrated to the United States over 100 years ago. Jennifer’s paternal lineage is Portuguese as well and that was all it took for our conversation to take off. Though still a few days shy of its official beginning, it definitely felt summer-like in Sonoma County with temperatures soaring to over 100 degrees on the day. Despite the heat and the inherent pressure of the wedding itself, Jennifer maintained an ethereal coolness that defied the elements. The vibrant reds in the bridesmaids dresses and the groomsmen’s ties added a sharp pop of color to the late spring palette of straw and green earth tone colors. Guests were seated in the back yard of the home which papa Joe had just finished landscaping and hardscaping to accommodate the nearly 200 guests that would be descending upon their Healdsburg wedding. Portuguese guitarists set the tone as Antonio led first his mother, then Jennifer’s mother down the aisle. The ceremony was full of tears and adoration for this couple who met through friends 6 years prior. The couple, in an homage to their Sonoma wine country wedding and Portuguese heritage, celebrated their unity by performing a wine pouring ceremony. The flawless coordination efforts of So Eventful turned their intimate property into a multi-sectioned venue with areas for enjoying the views, cake cutting, high-top cocktail tables throughout… Continue Reading
When we first visited Sonoma County so many years ago, there was a particular drive that etched into our memories that felt and still feels, to this day, like the epitome of Sonoma County. Just a short drive from Santa Rosa and nestled between the coastal foothills and the Mayacamas Mountains which trace Sonoma’s eastern border with Napa is Bennett Valley. It’s here, down a dusty road lined with impossibly twisted oak trees and impeccably pruned grapevines where Grace’s uncle lives and where he proposed the couple should have their classic wine country wedding. The private, Sonoma County wedding venue was gorgeous, but not without its challenges. The rural vineyard property was a blank canvas and required a lot of vision from the planning team at So Eventful to create spaces within to accommodate their 130 guests. Along with some thoughtful DIY assistance from friends and family, the site transformed from a working vineyard into a luxurious wedding wonderland. Lining the path to the ceremony, the grapevines were adorned with tons of photos of family, friends, Bill, Grace, and the moments that collectively led them to this day. The sofreh aghd was incorporated into the ceremony with reverence to her Persian ancestry and the seating was arranged semi-circular around the couple so it felt extremely intimate and everyone could closely share in the moment with them. The ceremony was full of love and laughter and that warm family spirit carried through to the reception. The cocktail hour, dinner and dancing took place close to the family home and beneath a grove of towering redwoods. As the warm sun descended and the typical cool breeze finally achieved its daily goal of reaching the hidden valleys, guests cozied up as we headed up the hill behind the reception with Grace and Bill for some… Continue Reading
Vanessa and Craig’s Jacuzzi wines wedding took place on a gorgeous spring afternoon in Carneros, a narrow coastal strip that shares a bit of Napa and Sonoma counties and is well renowned for its sparkling wines. The big day could not have come soon enough for the young medical professionals who had just recently made the long move from Boston to Seattle and could not wait for a bit of down time. The wedding reconnected Vanessa with her Bay Area roots and brought so many of the great friends she and Craig have made along the way for a combined, destination wine-country wed-cation. Beneath their cool and casually goofy exteriors, Craig and Vanessa also happen to be wicked smart; he is established in the internal medicine community and she is currently completing her residency in dermatology. Before greeting their guests for their Jacuzzi wedding ceremony, the couple met up for a first look and some portraits around the Cline cellars property across the road. It was important for the couple to join cocktail hour, so they chose to do all the family photos prior to the ceremony. With a long list of important family and bridal party photos, they took to the task with ease and humor. Their ceremony in the courtyard at Jacuzzi took place right as the sun dipped behind the piazza. The guests were immersed into the couples loving and silly energy, and everyone joined in the laughs and the tears. After it was official, the guests enjoyed passed apps by Elaine Bell Catering overlooking Jacuzzi’s vineyard in the golden light. The dinner and speeches took place in the Piazza. Love overflowed in each speech, and it was clear the couple was surrounded by many huge fans, who came from near and far to their Sonoma destination wedding. The… Continue Reading
Becca and Oren’s Sonoma Wine Country wedding took place at one of our favorite venues, Cline Cellars. Situated in the bucolic Carneros region of southern Sonoma Valley, Cline is a short 1 hour drive north from the couple’s San Francisco home. Oren and Becca personalized every aspect of their fall Sonoma wedding, from the wedding invites, to their epic Ketubah, to the local Sonoma County beers served at the reception, Becca’s sparkly Tom’s footwear, and the ubiquity of music throughout the day. In addition to being passionate about music, Oren also works as a electrical design engineer for Beats Music. A brief back-story, their wedding took place just one month after wildfires tore through Sonoma county so in lieu of wedding gifts, they asked for donations to help the recovery effort. Oren’s company offered to match the total amount raised and the gesture meant so much to those of us who live and work in wine country. Incredible, right? Now let’s delve into the details of their fun-focused wedding, in their words… About the couple What inspires us We are both very, very, very into music. Our second bedroom is a music room for all of Oren’s instruments, our living room looks like the Fillmore, and we see as much live music as possible. Much of our time has been attending live shows (traveling to New Orleans for Jazz Fest, to NYC for Phish). Other ways we have spent time together: going to wine country, cooking at home (Oren is the chef), and spending time with friends and family. Describe the proposal Oren down on one knee in our bedroom before going to sleep on a random Wednesday night. How did you choose Cline as your venue? We choose Cline Cellars because we love wine and both love the property and decided we… Continue Reading
About the wedding Jenn and Julian’s downtown Sonoma wedding was a uniquely low-key affair. The intimate ceremony took place on the back patio of the Depot Hotel and the summer BBQ in the park style reception was held across the street at the Depot Park. Co-officiated by close friends, the ceremony began with Jenn’s mother giving a heartfelt tribute to her husband who had passed away, and expressing how she much wished he were there with them. She carried a bouquet of sunflowers in his honor and they occupied the seat that would’ve been his. Transitioning gracefully from the emotional start, Garth and Eddie segued to personal accounts of their relationships with Julian and Jenn and shared some priceless stories with the crowd. After a wholly emotional ceremony, the two were married! After the light appetizers, a few family photos, and some crisp Sauvignon Blanc, guests moved across the street to the Depot Park where Jenn, Julian and 200 of their closet friends and family took over. When guests arrived, they were to match up a table marker cookie with its corresponding piñata (for example, a bacon cookie, and you look for the egg piñata)Cleverly handmade by the Bride her self. Sadly, the heat of the day melted most of the candy in the piñatas but nobody went home hungry for there was a lavish spread of Vietnamese food by local caterer Simmer in Petaluma. The food catered to vegetarians, meat-lovers, and pescatarians alike and everything looked and tasted beautiful. Although the afternoon heat soared into the 90’s, the spirits of the guests were not hampered and after a series of heartfelt speeches, a late afternoon breeze arrived and the dj’s got the dance floor packed immediately. Old-school jams we’re the order of the day. As Jenn and Julian danced to R. Kelly’s Step in the Name of Love, friends and family soon joined.… Continue Reading
There’s something magical about the little bend in Sonoma Valley sometimes affectionately called Valley of the Moon – that’s hard to put into words but easy to understand when you’re there. Located just 20 minutes north of Angie’s hometown of Novato, Charlie and Angie were drawn to Kunde Family Estate and Boot Hill for its beautiful scenery, cerulean skies, fresh local fare, and of course…the wine. And in no department did their day disappoint. Angie and Charlie first met over a decade ago during their freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania. They became instant best friends, bonding over a shared, silly sense of humor and a deep love for music. Amid a weekend packed with barbecue, bluegrass, and brunch, friends and family were at the heart of it all. Their day featured elements of both Jewish and Chinese culture and the ceremony was extra special too as Charlie’s uncle David officiated. The pure bliss across their faces as they walked back down the aisle – freshly pronounced “husband and wife” – it seemed as if that their “first” kiss might actually have been their first kiss. Angie and Charlie supported the area they love so much by serving exclusively local food and wines. The cocktail hour featured Pt. Reyes oysters, artisan cheeses, local beers, Kunde wines and even a mimosa bar serving Gloria Ferrer bubbles. As Oakland based trio Transit of Venus wrapped up their incredible cocktail hour set, guests were seated for the entrance of the bride and groom. Angie and Charlie danced their way into the reception as their band, the KJ Allstars didn’t miss a beat in kicking things into gear. Dinner and speeches followed but it wasn’t long before everyone found themselves back up on the dance floor and Angie and Charlie found themselves above the dance floor for an extremely entertaining hora (check the facial expressions – those chairs were not light!). Just before leaving, the… Continue Reading
High atop Sonoma Valley on the vast Kunde Family Estate, Boot Hill provides an incredibly bucolic setting for a destination wine country wedding. Valley of the Moon – as it’s sometimes referred to – sharply contrasts the stark, monochromatic, urban landscape of the nation’s capital that Liz and Dan left behind for their wedding-week adventure. Liz is a political appointee in the Obama Administration, serving in the Department of Energy and Dan works for the National Nuclear Security Administration, within the Department of Energy. Despite having very stressful careers, Liz and Dan are self-proclaimed “fun-loving, balls-to-the-wall” kind of people; lovers of life and each other. Their wedding day was going to be all about having THE MOST AMAZING time with their best people which is why the two brought friends and family to a place that is both naturally beautiful and significant to them… as Sonoma is where they went on their first vacation together. The day was rich with personal touches and awash with emotion ranging from tears to laughter. Dan struggled with blurry vision as bridesmaids made their way down the aisle, each one giving him a handwritten note from Liz, before he got his first look at the gorgeous bride herself. The ceremony was long and personal, with friends standing up to speak throughout – it was one of their favorite parts of the day. Though, Liz’s single, happiest moment came during their first dance as the couple held each other close while her brother and cousin’s played their song, “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, in the background as golden sunlight filtered through the giant oak trees. As another beautiful summer day ended, a brand new party was about to begin and it doesn’t get any better than the couple crowd surfing, the groom doing the worm, AND the bride and groom getting on stage with the band to sing… Continue Reading
Arriving in Geyserville for Jenna and Kyle’s Robert Young Estate wedding, we immediately fell in love with the place. Tucked up against the hills of Alexander Valley, the The Robert Young Estate stretches over a picturesque 500 acres, with 317 of those acres planted in wine grapes. Greeting us as we entered the property were their two, free-ranging Llamas (who’s names I can’t recall) which was different and cool, and made us feel right at home! While the estate hosts private events throughout the year, up to this point there had never been a wedding up on the hill, so we were over the moon being able to experience this “first” with such a lovely couple. When Jenna and Kyle arrived, we knew straight-away that these were two genuinely great people and we were going to really enjoy our day. I’d considered Kyle’s father Keith, a friend about midway through our very first conversation. He spoke with such affection about his son and future daughter-in-law and wanted to make sure he did everything he could to give them a perfect wedding…while also keeping the day relaxed and fun. Busy finishing up their medical degrees on the east coast, Jenna and Kyle had to rely upon family and their planning team (the always awesome, Quintana Events) to keep things on track for their summertime wine-country wedding. We typically enjoy speaking with a couple first so we can get a feel for each other and make sure it’s the right for everyone, but after several calls with Keith, I knew the “kids” were gonna’ be alright. In our initial questionnaire we send out when someone inquires with us, we ask for three words that best describe them as a couple, to which they replied: Interdependent. Disregarding the fact that that’s only one word and five syllables, the response was classic and perfectly summed up their connectedness. They were always by each other’s side, always smiling,… Continue Reading
Sharon and Jeff’s wine country wedding took place at one of our favorite locations, atop Boot Hill at Kunde Family Estate in Sonoma’s wine country, with an afternoon ceremony under the oaks followed by an elegant dinner under the stars adjacent to the hilltop lawn. I think it’s pretty clear from their massive collection of photos that the day was enjoyed by everyone there. Nobody would argue that the most fun was had by Sharon and Jeff who had smiles on their faces for literally 8 hours straight. From the start of the day with Sharon and Jeff preparing with their family and friends, to the last moments before we left and Sharon needing a break from dancing and getting fanned by her guests, it’s clear that we’re not the only ones that think the world of this luminous couple. Sharon and Jeff are the kind of people that you secretly want to call last minute and ask if it’s okay if they share Thanksgiving with you. From the first time we met them, to our magic engagement session in Tomales, to when we got their gift of fancy soaps in the mail a few weeks later, and every time we spoke together leading up to their wedding day…we just always considered them more friends than clients. Sharon’s an art director and Jeff is “just a boring finance guy” (his words), but they both care about photography immensely as Sharon grew up around a father who was permanently attached to his camera. Above all, Jeff and Sharon love each other wholeheartedly and on their wedding day, they were never very far apart from each other for long. Their wedding invite was a concise declaration for how the day was to go: Music starts We get married Everyone parties …and that’s roughly how it went down. Although… Continue Reading
Marriage is union of two people, two families, and in Shauna and Vinay’s case a blending of two cultures. As they entered into a union together, they offered a unique experience for all their guests by spreading their wedding ceremonies across two days and two cultures. The Kunde Family Estate’s diverse property was the perfect location for the celebrations. The first day guests were treated to the colorful Vedic Ceremony down in the ruins. The second day on Boot Hill, they were treated to a traditional western ceremony, elegant white wedding dress and all. The Vedic ceremony is an ancient Hindu marriage ceremony that brings two individuals into a harmonious union. It is a long day of many different meaningful rituals, each one filled with colors, music, family and blessings. I love that each bit incorporates the whole family and that the ceremony itself is focused on mutual devotion – teaching that they will move forward and tackling this life together, as one. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a beautiful Sonoma sunset while sipping mango lassi’s, enjoying the many colorful bracelets or getting henna paintings. After mingling for a while, guests moved into the ruins to watch the choreographed dance that told the story of Shauna and Vinay’s relationship. It was a wonderful surprise to them and very clearly, many friends and family worked incredibly hard to make it happen. What a treat! The night ended with a amazing meal and dancing in the ruins. One more Sonoma wedding to go! Here is a brief rundown of the days events to explain the photos: The day began with the Barat, and Vinay riding a horse with his entire family in tow.. making ALOT of noise. Her family was waiting to receive them for the Milni – which is a ceremony where the corresponding person from each side… Continue Reading
Lauren and Seth’s Kunde wedding was a big tipping point in our decision to leave San Diego to pursue our passion as Sonoma wedding photographers. With crisp, clear nights and hot dry days, dense redwood forests and endless fields of ryegrass punctuated by towering Valley Oaks, there’s a balance of contrasts up here that really appealed to us, and must be what draw so many people to the valleys, vineyards, and redwood forests year after year. We love life up here and there’s nothing better than good people coming into town and leaving a bit of their hearts behind. Seth and Lauren’s day was all about family love and having the most fun you could possibly have on your wedding day. The day’s events were seamlessly orchestrated by the team at Alison Events, who brought a luxurious and whimsical afternoon tea-party feel to the day’s progressive events. Guests were chauffeured to the ceremony site atop Boot Hill and served lemonade as they took shade under the majestic Oak trees and awaited the family’s arrival. After the ceremony, the bride and groom paraded away, leading a New Orleans jazz band and the wedding party as guests congregated around tree bar for cocktails and appetizers, received their seating assignments, and enjoyed signature cocktails. As the afternoon light faded, the party moved to the ruins of a pre-19th century winery for dinner, speeches, some amazing performances, dancing, a flash-mob organized by the Rogen family where everyone sang and performed to Carl Douglas’ Kung Fu Fighting…and to top it off, and arcade tent that opened after dinner. Lauren and Seth are truly good people, and any pre-wedding jitters we may have had disappeared as soon as we arrived and began shooting. No matter who you may be or what your role is in the world, when your wedding day arrives,… Continue Reading
E&D’s winter wine country wedding was held a private home in Sonoma. The day was grey, and we were hopeful that the rain would hold off.. However, right as the ceremony was going to start in the back yard of a good friends home, it started pouring. The disappointment was evident, but, I think both E&D would agree in retrospect that it was perfectly perfect. The group crowded around the fire in the living room as the ceremony started. The energy in the room was electric. The amount of love that poured out of everyone for this couple was one of the most amazing things I have seen. And you can probably guess, I was drenched in tears along with the rest of the crowd. As the ceremony progressed, a very long ribbon was passed around so that everyone was touching it. As it went around the room, each person said something to the couple. I have never seen something like this done, and let me tell you – it was amazing! Such wonderful words, and so much emotion. The ceremony concluded with the couple jumping over a broom, which was a tradition dating back to slave days. The happy group headed over to Jacuzzi Family Vineyards for dinner, some amazing music, dancing, drinking, and a ton of speeches (one of which was actually a skit). Here’s to new traditions, and many more years of dancing and drinking! Continue Reading
Isabel and Joseph had an Anvil Vineyard wedding deep in the hills of Sonoma county at a place with deep historical significance for Joseph’s family. Even before Joseph was born, his family would visit Anvil Ranch to escape the hectic pace of city life and reconnect with nature for family getaways. After Joseph was born the tradition continued, and on this day, it culminated in the reunion of not only their family, but the joining of two families at this beautiful place. The drive up Dry Creek Valley from Healdsburg is a windy one; meandering through a sea of grapevines at first, then twisting and turning up through stands of madrone trees and all varieties of giant oaks, passing above Lake Sonoma and then…yep…more oak trees until about 45 minutes after you’ve left your nearest township, you arrive at your destination. Hardy and I arrived and I went to inspect the “circle of nature”, a beautiful clearing in the trees where the ceremony was to be held and Hardy had a closer look at the Ranch’s disk-golf course. The property is 13,000 acres – although only a small portion has been built upon – but I can only imagine what great adventures Joseph and his family must’ve had exploring as a child. The day in its entirety was incredibly relaxed and the couple and their families put heaps of themselves into personalizing the day. The ceremony site couldn’t have been more peaceful with the sound of only the breeze through the pine boughs as the couple exchanged vows and walked down the aisle hand-in-hand in the presence of their closest friends and family. I know it may sound cliche but it truly was a simply perfect day. Continue Reading
One of the best and most colorful times for a Carneros Vineyard Wedding is harvest time. From early September through mid-October, the colors around wine country become more vivid, the evening air has a more pronounced edge, and the ubiquitous grapevines are laden with deep purple fruit. Overlapping southern Napa and Sonoma counties, Carneros is a designated wine growing region most famous for it’s world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. As fans of tasty wine, Aimee and Mike are no strangers to Napa and Sonoma counties and love to escape the madness of New York City any chance they get to find some quiet in the dusty hills. This time, they brought with them a 100 person-strong entourage of family and close friends to enjoy an intimate ceremony and dinner celebration set in the vineyard. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards is the perfect place for a Carneros Vineyard Wedding. Aimee and Mike had long, farm-style dining table set amidst the vineyards illuminated by overhead market lighting, super romantic and surely left a lasting impression with their guests. After dinner, the party shifted to Jacuzzi’s barrel room where the night culminated in spirited dancing (literally) as the two sipped custom designed cocktails constructed by Rye on the Road. Continue Reading
Katie and Gordon were married in St. Helena, Napa Valley at Meadowood Resort. So they chose to have a beautiful Farmstead Restaurant wedding rehearsal. I have to say, we are suckers for farm to table eating, as that is pretty much what we try to do around our house! When we arrived, we were blown away by the setting; long, family-style tables set amongst gardens of everything from fruit espaliers to herbs to the companion plantings of sunflowers. The centerpieces were all edibles, ranging from kale, to apples with floating candles. The food was served family style – the speeches were hilarious – the love was in the air. The night came to a beautiful close with the roasting of marshmallows and snuggling by the fire. We can’t wait to be Katie and Gordon’s Napa wedding photographers! Continue Reading
