Joyce + Lucas in Menlo Park, CA

We found ourselves at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park again for Joyce and Lucas' beautiful outdoor summer wedding.  It was a perfect day, the garden was gorgeous, and Joyce and Lucas were radiant.  Throughout the ceremony, Lucas kept glancing at Joyce, and as soon as their eyes locked, he would break out into a sweet smile.  Both Joyce and Lucas are very close with their families - Joyce's sister was her maid of honor and Lucas' father was his best man, and it was truly a privilege to witness these two families coming together.  Both of their mothers shared stories and poems about the two during the ceremony, and after the ceremony, they held hands as they walked back down the aisle.  Similarly, both of their fathers gave beautiful toasts, sharing stories of Joyce and Lucas as little ones, and sharing stories of the two coming together.  With all the love and support surrounding these two, we know they'll have a long and happy life with one another.

For the wedding itself, Joyce worked with Andrea and Johanna of Lily and Mint to create thoughtful and beautiful details.  Joyce is a big Scrabble player (I think I overheard that she even played a couple of Scrabble moves the morning of her wedding), and so they used Scrabble tiles to decorate all of the tables.  They also had a soft pink, peach and pale blue color scheme that tied all of the details, flowers and table decorations together.  We love seeing and photographing all of the ways that couples make their wedding unique to them, and Joyce and Lucas' was certainly no exception!

Next two photos by Adm:

Next three photos by Adm:

Here are all of the details (photographed by both Adm and myself):

Next three photos by Adm: Adm made this photo below of Joyce and Lucas' first dance, and it is one of my all-time favorite first dance pictures:

Photo below by Adm:

Photo below by Adm:

Photo below on left by Adm:

Eli and Lilian

Here's the latest set of images of Eli and Lilian.  I photographed them at Lake Merritt in Oakland, and enjoyed taking pictures at the perfect time of day (just before sunset).  They're getting pretty big and were scooting around on their little bikes.

Introducing: The High Five Factory

My friend April lives across the street, and she is by far one of the most creative people I know.  I've solicited her help on quite a number of wedding related projects - most recently, she helped me make the backdrop and animal faces for Liz and Darren's photo booth (see below):

While we were crafting, we started thinking that we should make custom backdrops, props and themed photo booth kits and sell them as creative, one-of-a-kind options for couples.  There seems to be a lack of unique photo booth accessories out there so we decided to start with a few trial ideas.  We're currently selling items and accepting custom orders as The High Five Factory on our Etsy site.  We're still just getting started, and we have LOTS more fun ideas in the works so check back often for new items and ideas.

Here are our first set of backdrops, and we are happy to create backdrops with custom colors/fabric:  from upper left, going clockwise, I give you:  Into the Jungle, Rainbow Brite, The Nautical, and (our personal fave) The Carlton

We recommend using a backdrop stand (this is the one I have), but you could always hang the backdrops on a sturdy clothesline.

So, check us out!  You know you want to.  : )

Mini Vacation with Adm's Nieces

We got to play superfunauntanduncle last week when Adm's nieces, Abby and Hava, came down from Oregon to stay with us for a few days.  We kept them super busy with day trips all over northern California - including the Russian River to go swimming and a visit to their grandparents' house in Greeley Hill (which has chickens galore) and to Yosemite National Park, among other things, and we had a ton of fun with them.  I just love these two - they are so full of fun, youth and sweetness.  Every time I get to see them, it makes me miss them even more when they leave.  Luckily, we have lots of photos to remember their visit.

By the way, I might have a new favorite vacation lens: 35 mm 1.4.  The 50 mm has always been my go-to when I'm just doing personal stuff and don't want to carry around a bag of gear, but all of these photos were shot with my new 35, and I LOVED using it!

Sneak Peeks: Joyce + Lucas, Jennifer + Eddie

Here's what's in the queue:

Jenni + Steve in Ross, CA

With the roses in full bloom, a bright blue sky above, and chickens wandering, Jenni and Steve could not have had a more perfect summer garden wedding.  They were married at the gorgeous Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross, CA, and they imbued their wedding with lots of personal and sentimental touches.  For starters, the bouquets and floral arrangements were created by Mill Valley Flowers, the same floral shop where Steve created many a bunch of flowers for Jenni during the beginning stages of their relationship.  The shop's owner, Anabella, came to deliver the flowers herself so that she could congratulate Steve and Jenni.  On that same note, Jenni saved all of the ribbons that were used on the bouquets she received from Steve, and they used these ribbons to decorate the cake table.  Additionally, Marin Art and Garden Center is located just a few minutes from WildCare, an organization that provides care for ill, orphaned or injured wild animals, where Steve volunteers every week.  Steve and Jenni included donations to this worthy non-profit as a part of their registry, and they decorated their tables with photos of wild birds, which is what Steve primarily cares for when he volunteers.

I love how weddings are a reflection of what's important to each couple, and Jenni and Steve did a great job of using their wedding to share their interests and values with their family and friends.  Congratulations, Jenni and Steve!

Next three photos by Adm:

Photo below on left by Adm:

Photo below on left by Adm:

Photo below on right by Adm:

Next two photos by Adm:

Photo below by Adm: