This summer, I hit my 10 year anniversary of being a wedding photographer. I’ve been in the industry for a long time and I’ve photographed a LOT of weddings. I’ve loved and cherished every single one: There’s hardly a wedding where I don’t tear up, rarely a day where I leave without feeling like family. I’ve been lucky enough to see many of the couples I’ve worked with go on to start sweet little families and celebrate other meaningful milestones. It’s been a really really good run so far and I am so excited to see where the next ten years in this industry takes me (and the next ten and the next!).

This is in informal list of some of the most memorable and sweetest moments I’ve been lucky enough to witness. One of the most powerful things about wedding photography is that it is real and intimate. Documenting such a big day for a couple and their family is a true honor and I’ve been there to witness so many sweet, irreverent, funny, heartfelt, silly, and powerful moments. Every wedding day is different and I think you’ll love the way the moments that stick with me are not always (actually, if ever!) planned.

Your wedding will have these moments. That is why, whether you get married just the two of you or with twenty of your closest family or 200 of your closest friends, weddings matter. The tradition of marriage, even in its least traditional take (I get you!), is about joy and love and emotion. Wedding photography is there to document that and I show up to every single wedding with my heart open and ready to witness.

Love you all. Thank you for sharing your lives with me and trusting my vision for your day. XO

p.s. To all my couples not on this list… I love you and honor you and remember you. But looking through is a lot! And at some point I just stopped. haha. Thank you for being a wonderful part of my life and my business and including me in your day: I love you!

1. Zaneta, taking a look at herself in the mirror, exclaimed, “Well, if this is not my ‘Coming to America’ moment, then I don’t know what is!” See more: Zaneta and Marc’s Brownstone Gardens Wedding

   

   

2. The bride is a daughter of Irish immigrants and her partner is the son of Indian immigrants. One of my favorite small details in their ceremony that combined cultures was the Irish details in her Henna. Sweet and intimate. See more: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay Wedding

   

   

3. Jenny’s Dad gave one of the most heartfelt toasts I’ve ever heard… and I couldn’t even understand it. Roughly translated from Chinese it was the sweetest thing, but even more than that was the power that came from watching everybody who understood him tear up with love. See more: Jenny and Brennan’s Berkeley Botanical Garden Wedding

   

   

   

   

4. When Leah and Jordan were escorted by a bagpipe player from their ceremony at the Grace Cathedral to their reception at the Fairmont San Francisco, surrounded by golden light and cheered on by wellwishers! See more: Leah and Jordan’s Grace Cathedral Fairmont San Francisco Wedding

   

   

   

   

5. When Jamey played in the band at his very own wedding reception! See more: Jamey and Lolo’s Yosemite Wedding/Evergreen Lodge Wedding

   

   

   

6. Instead of choosing a bouquet toss, Kristen decided to dedicate and give her mom her bouquet. She gave the sweetest little toast to the woman who raised her and handed over her blooms. Momma loved it and I’ve never forgotten! See more: Kristen and Brad’s Chateau St Jean Sonoma Wedding 

   

   

   

7. Instead of opting for personal vows (too scary!), Sarah and Ben chose to give toasts to each other during dinner. They were long and thoughtful and meaningful and sweet. I’ll never forget them each expressing how much the other person means to them in so many gorgeous, loving words. There wasn’t a dry eye. See more: Sarah and Ben’s Medlock Ames Wedding

   

   

   

8. Zaneta and Marc’s congo line entry into their reception where they were only allowed to step on fabric put down by their family and friends. I’ve never seen or photographed a more fun, meaningful, and vibrant entrance. See more: Zaneta and Marc’s Brownstone Gardens Wedding

   

   

   

   

9. Natalie’s Dad tooted the car horn all the way up the hill as he drove his daughter to her wedding ceremony. Standing on the hill, I could hear and see all the guests break out laughing. It was such a light moment. See more: Natalie and Michael’s Off the Beaten Path Napa Valley Wedding

   

   

10. When Katy stopped her own wedding ceremony in the middle of it to point out the dolphins playing in the ocean behind them. Most of their guests were from out of town and for many, standing in excitement, this was the first time they’d ever seen dolphins! See more: Katy and Tim’s La Costanera Half Moon Bay Wedding

    

    

    

    

    

11. Season’s father may have passed away before he could swing his daughter around on a dance floor, but luckily we all have our back up teams, our support systems, and some deep love. The three most important men who helped raise Season each took a turn spinning her around on the dance floor. I actually still tear up just thinking about this moment. See more: Season and Derek’s Oakland Estate Wedding

    

    

    

12. Priya and Dave’s Pakistani Muslim wedding was one of the most powerful ceremonies I’ve ever been a witness to. He had a lot of powerful things to say (all said with lots of heart, but also in his Vans which I really really appreciated haha), but he also held hands with the couple and asked guests and wedding party members alike to join themselves, hand to shoulder. It brought everybody together with some energy that I’ll never forget. See more: Priya and Dave’s Pakistani Muslim San Jose Wedding

    

    

13. Megan’s bridesmaids surprised her with a song that they sang themselves, written about her, to the tune and music of her favorite song of all time. Definitely the most involved toast I’ve ever seen and one of the most incredible! See more of Megan and Chad’s Quail Lodge Wedding. 

    

    

14. When Morgan toasted her mom and step mom for being an incredible example of love. And her mom, up in heaven, for being her model of a loving woman. Heart. Full. See more: Evan and Morgan’s Berkeley Brazilian Room Wedding

    

    

15. Adam and Marisa’s first dance was a dream. Gorgeous, lots of moves, lots of family cheering. We headed out for portraits and Meg Perotti, the photographer I was assisting for this day, asked the couple to do some of their first dance. I’ll never forget Adam’s look of confusion: “Just, dance?” Turns out their fabulous first dance wasn’t choreographed at all… these two are just as suave as can be. Their second “first dance” in a field overlooking the mountains was just as damn cute. See more: Adam and Marisa’s Mountain Winery Wedding

    

16. Nicole and Karsten rode bikes around San Francisco City Hall before their cute wedding ceremony! See more: Nicole and Karsten’s San Francisco City Hall Wedding

    

17. Katya and Sanjay turning to each other in the middle of their ceremony, “Do you know if we are married yet?” Turns out that depending on who you ask, it happened at a different moment in the ceremony… hahaha! See more: Katya and Sanjay’s Oakland Indian Wedding

    

    

    

    

    

18. Jackson’s Best Day Ever (when mom and dad got married). See more: Alice and Dan’s Berkeley Brazilian Room Wedding

    

    

    

19. Rachel and her dad’s second father daughter dance, where they led their guests as they all moshed to AC/DC. The. Best. See more of Rachel and Jans’ Santa Cruz Wedding

    

    

    

20. The silliest and cutest cake cutting of all time in which Goran proceeded to cut the cake many many times and hand feed his new wife some sweets. Everybody laughed and it was the funnest take on a random tradition. See more: Ashley and Goran’s Preservation Park Oakland Wedding

    

    

    

    

21. Stacy, nursing their little baby girl before their wedding. Heart melt. (Those sweet sweet baby rolls!) See more: Stacy and Tim’s Berkeley Botanical Garden Wedding

    

22. Michelle and Brian gave the most heartfelt thank you toasts to their guests that I’ve ever heard, before or since. I am not exaggerating when I say that it put the whole room in tears. They talked about the darkness and the light, the warmth and the cold, about friends and family always being a place of refuge. These two are writers and their way with words means that I remember the intense feels from this speech like it was yesterday, years later. See more: Michelle and Brian’s Stern Grove Wedding 

    

    

23. Jenny’s dance with her mother in which they both burst in to tears. After hearing about the history and strength of their families and these two women in particular from Jenny’s younger brother during the toasts, it was clear how powerful and meaningful their partnership is. I’ll never forget this momma embrace. See more: Jenny and Tim’s Kennolyn Camp Wedding

    

24. A Norwegian tradition! Jans’ step brother gave a fantastic toast where he described the meal and then thanedk the cook and kitchen staff for making it. It was both hilarious and meaningful: A sweet take on an old tradition. I’ve never seen the staff so well thanked for a meal at a wedding before or since. The sweetest. See more: Rachel and Jans’ Santa Cruz Wedding

    

    

25. Justin memorized his whole set of vows (they are both actors!)… but then exclaimed in the middle that he didn’t realize and prepare for how emotional he would feel during the ceremony and how much that was getting in the way of him remembering his “lines.” “I guess I’ll just wing it,” he said, before giving some very moving and powerful vows. (Justin’s emotions as Lauren came down the aisle towards him were a beautiful bonus, too.) See more: Lauren and Justin’s Rock Wall Winery Wedding Alameda

    

    

    

26. Rory and his brothers, friends, and Dad singing an old Irish song from Rory’s home and childhood. See more: Rory and Kelsey’s Berkeley Botanical Garden Wedding

    

27. Jans got dressed in traditional Norwegian formal wear with his best friend before his wedding (despite Santa Cruz, California being much much warmer than Norway!) Rachel’s reaction was pretty sweet, too! See more: Rachel and Jans’ Santa Cruz Wedding

    

    

    

    

28. David and Mariola surprised their Korean family by changing in to traditional Korean outfits during the evening of their wedding reception. I’ve rarely seen so many excited and happy aunties. See more: David and Mariola’s Scribe Winery Wedding

    

    

    

29. Rachel wore her Momma’s wedding dress and it was the sweetest thing. Momma couldn’t keep the tears back as she helped her daughter into the dress she wore so many years ago when she married Rachel’s Dad. See more: Rachel and Jans’ Santa Cruz Wedding

    

    

    

30. Ellie’s niece properly and sweetly requiring that she be allowed to carry her auntie’s train down the sidewalk and across the street. See more: Ellie and Alex’s San Francisco City Hal Wedding

    

    

    

31. When Adam got to use a champagne sword. See more: Adam and Jo’s Hellman Historic Estates Oakland Wedding

    

    

32. When Matt got down on one knee during their first dance like he was proposing all over again. See more: Lydia and Matt’s Stern Grove Wedding

    

33. When Katherine had to wiggle her beautiful hips a bit to get in to her wedding dress. I can’t explain this one properly but it was SO CUTE and so sweet and all her bride squad were literally the best. See more from Katherine and Matt’s Brazilian Room Wedding

    

    

34. At the end of the evening for Lindsey and David’s wedding, all the Cal alumni broke into the Cal drinking song AND pulled their puffies out of their car. This was a little bit more relaxed of a ceremony (followed by an evening camp out with all of their friends!) and the whole thing was so much fun. See more: Lindsey and David’s Berkeley Botanical Garden Wedding

    

35. Skip and Rachel got married on the 4th of July and their wedding was the cutest and so fun. I’ll never forget heading out to the cliffs overlooking the ocean at sunset with the massive American flag I’d brought as a fun once a year prop. Adam for a while thought it was his grandfather’s flag: We know who was watching over these two this day! See more: Rachel and Skip’s Golden Gate Park Wedding San Francisco

    

36. Helena and Alex’s family deciding to lift them for the Hora, despite their protestations (him: very tall, her: very pregnant). It makes me happy again just looking at these! See more: Helena and Alex’s UC Berkeley Faculty Club Wedding

    

    

    

37. So simple but so sweet: Rebecca’s grandma spending the morning petting Nick and Rebecca’s two very dearly loved pups while Rebecca got her hair done. Dogs *and* grandmas?! Literally the cutest. See more: Nick and Rebecca’s Half Moon Bay Beach Wedding

    

38. This rainbow over Brad and Semira’s ceremony. To date, the only rainbow over a ceremony I’ve ever had the magical luck to photograph. See more: Brad and Semira’s Thomas Fogerty Winery Wedding

    

39. Not your usual “bride and groom must kiss when the glass is clinked!” In this family, you’ve got to stand on your chairs, too! See more: Rachel and Jans’ Santa Cruz Wedding

    

40. I used to think money dances were silly, but then I saw how it’s done. (Lots of flying money and lots of sass.) See more: Zaneta and Marc’s Brownstone Gardens Wedding

    

    

    

    

41. This is from a really really long time ago now, but I’ll never forget Adam’s dad’s toast: “Maria, I’d welcome you to this family, but to be honest, you’ve been a part of this family for a long time. We love you and we are so lucky to have you.” See more: Maria and Adam’s Oakland Wedding

    

    
    
42. Brittney’s brother played the guitar and one of the couples’ best friends sang their first dance song. Turns out there’s nothing more romantic than people who love you dearly singing about love as you sway together for the first time as husband and wife. See more: Brittney and Vince’s Quail Lodge Wedding

    

    

43. Morgan’s choreographed first dance with her dad. See more: Evan and Morgan’s Berkeley Brazilian Room Wedding

    

44. Hadi’s Persian dad crying through their Persian ceremony. See more: Clarice and Hadi’s Berkeley Brazilian Room Wedding

    

    

    

45. Some really really sweet and vibrant singing as these two were officially married (during the signing of the Ketubah) before their ceremony, surrounded by only their very closest of friends and family. See more of Romina and Aaron’s Hillsborough Racquet Club Wedding

    

    

    

    

46. Janie and Cooper and their whole wedding party started cocktail hour off their way: They shotgunned beers in front of Sather Gate, protecting their wedding attire with Cal themed ponchos. So funny! See more: Janie and Cooper’s UC Berkeley Botanical Garden Wedding (an A Midsummer Night’s Dream themed wedding!! So pretty.)

    

    

    

47. No normal reception entrance here: Jo and Adam had a lightsaber fight! (It was a crowd winner!) See more: Jo and Adam’s Hellman Historic Estate Oakland Wedding

    

    

48. Graeme and his best friend putting on kilts together for the first time (Graeme’s family is Irish, of course). See more: Emily and Graeme’s Gardens at Heather Farms Wedding

    

    

    

49. Aparajita and Jawahar danced down the aisle together to their ceremony… and then Jawahar did a little encore and danced back out and down again by himself. Hah! See more of Aparajita and Jawahar’s Half Moon Bay Golf Links Wedding

    

    

50. Will and Dana celebrated their wedding a few months earlier than originally planned so that they could be absolutely sure that Dana’s dad would live to walk her down the aisle. He did and it was the sweetest moment. See more: Will and Dana’s Half Moon Bay Wedding