Groom-made rings, matching blue chucks, and a totally DIY wedding with an Ethiopian food buffet? Yes please. Full post to come very soon!

Had a quick but productive session in the park with this new model, she’s terrific to work with and we’ll be shooting again soon.

Many of my friends have made the jump into parenthood in the last year, with more babies currently on the way. There is no job harder or more rewarding, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to hang out with these amazing new people every chance I get!

These two crazy kids hand-made their decorations, invitations, and save-the-dates; Amy’s mom arranged all the flowers; Amy made several kinds of pickles for the drink and snack table; and Jason spent the months leading up to their wedding day [...]]]> Amy and Jason took DIY to a new level with their 1920′s Carnival theme Livermore wedding.

These two crazy kids hand-made their decorations, invitations, and save-the-dates; Amy’s mom arranged all the flowers; Amy made several kinds of pickles for the drink and snack table; and Jason spent the months leading up to their wedding day brewing several kinds of beer – each of them unique and delicious. I especially liked the watermelon lager.

Food was provided by a food truck, there were carnival rides, games, and a band. The wedding took place at the Ravenswood Historical site in Livermore on a warm summers day and everyone had a terrific time lounging under the trees, sipping cold brew, and celebrating the love between these two creative people.

More below!

The traditional “changing your relationship status on Facebook” moment.

Every year my Uncle David’s wisteria becomes more lush and amazing, I think this year is the best bloom yet.

“Can our cat participate in our engagement session?”

Absolutely.

My friend Catherine Tullner is entirely to blame for this magic, she found and restored this vintage dress for her friend who, coincidentally, was looking for the perfect wedding frock. Not only is she an incredible seamstress, she did Jenny’s hair and makeup!

Catherine says, ‘The dress is a 1930′s bias [...]]]>

My friend Catherine Tullner is entirely to blame for this magic, she found and restored this vintage dress for her friend who, coincidentally, was looking for the perfect wedding frock. Not only is she an incredible seamstress, she did Jenny’s hair and makeup!

Catherine says, ‘The dress is a 1930′s bias cut silk crepe vintage number.  I rescued it from an estate sale in Berkeley (where I had gone to buy bird cages for a lighting project!) simply because it looked so sad and forlorn surrounded by the original bride’s lifelong possessions.  They sold it to me for $25 (including a matching jacket that I am also restoring for her) because it was stained and torn.  After a little mending, a few soakings and some scrubbing it was in near-mint condition.  Jenny was over at my house trying on some of my vintage dresses to help her decide what direction to go with her wedding dress and when she put this dress on it looked like it was custom made for her (only 80 years ago?)…not a single alteration was needed (except to remove a silly little floof on the neck that I am using to make hair flowers for her.)  She said it made her feel glamorous but not to bride-y.  Jenny hates shopping and I love restoring vintage and finding good homes for treasured dresses so it was a match made in heaven.’

I’ve had several clients lately mention their goal of finding the perfect dress for a reasonable budget, and here’s proof that it is possible! I also like to think about the woman who owned this dress before, and how wonderful it is that it’ll be worn, and cherished, again.

Baby Shannon, photographed in her home with the Fuji X-pro1 35mm 1.4