It was one of the only Saturdays last summer where I wasn’t booked for a wedding. I was on a mini-vacation at Lake Tahoe with my family, enjoying the summer sun & the sand in my toes. While soaking in the sun, my phone rang & on the other line was a voice that asked, “Did you bring your camera to town?” I had brought my camera to town because I was visiting for my sister’s bridal shower & I had brought my camera, one lens & my flash. “Yes….” I responded. The woman asked, “Can you shoot a wedding RIGHT NOW?” Amber & Conan’s photographer had written down the wrong date for their wedding & about 10 minutes before the ceremony began, they realized that it was very likely that they would have no professional photographs for their wedding. Thanks to their fast thinking wedding coordinator, I was contacted & although I knew I wouldn’t make it to that side of the lake for the ceremony (it was an hour drive), I knew I could make it to the reception site in time to get some bride & groom photographs as well as photographs during the reception. So I met Amber & Conan for the first time on their wedding day right as they pulled up to the reception. We had some time to quickly get some bride & groom shots by beautiful Lake Tahoe before their reception started & spent the rest of the evening capturing the heartfelt toasts, the sweet dances & the fun evening that their families & friends enjoyed.

This wedding was definitely a testament to me that you don’t need a myriad of lenses to get great photographs-I literally had one-ONE lens for this wedding so there was no option for me to switch lenses. When I first started photography, I had a long, LONG list of all the lenses I needed. Sam encouraged me to get really good at using one lens & then we could build up from there over time. My first year of photography I carried one lens & now in my sixth year, I only carry four lenses. For all you photographers out there, I hope & pray you are in constant contact with your clients before the wedding day so that something like this never happens!

Amber & Conan were so laid back, easy to work with & the kindest people on the planet. I loved getting to know them a little bit & I was so glad to be able to come at the last minute & take some photographs for them to remember their wedding! It was a beautiful event, filled with laughter, dancing & a whole lotta love. Here are my favorites…

My favorite…

I loved how they turned the glass cups upside down & used them as centerpieces!

I’m always a softie when it comes to the daddy daughter dance…

I’ve had a couple of people ask WHICH lens was the lens I shot with me…it’s my favorite lens-the 85mm 1.4!

The rain clung to the petals & the leaves around the temple. The fog was heavy & it was a typical winter day in Oakland. It was a typical day except for the fact that two wonderful people were celebrating their love & happiness with their families.  I was elated to be able to document Claire & Russell’s special day at the Oakland Temple. They were married on my anniversary (best day of the YEAR!!!) & I was able to spend a couple of hours at the Oakland Temple documenting their joy. The fog & the slight rain certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit. And the typical, foggy, rainy day in Oakland turned into one exciting, wonderful & beautiful day because of Claire & Russell.

I loved how modern & elegant their details were. Claire’s darling, DARLING dress (lace!! and a belt!!!), her fishtail bride & her pink shoes were adorable & modern. Russell looked dapper with a pink tie, as well! We met before their ceremony so we could do photographs outside before the sun set completely. After their ceremony, we did a few more photographs & I literally almost died when the sun went down & the Christmas lights came on at the temple! The sunset was this incredible purple color & we had a great time taking photos with the Christmas lights!

The best part of my job is that I am able to meet people who as just as lovely on the inside as they are on the outside. Claire & Russell are totally down to earth, sweet, funny & perfect for each other. This was the last of my 37 weddings for the year & I couldn’t have ended with a better wedding. As I drove home after taking their photos, I kept on thinking about how blessed I am to be able to work with people who are so incredible. Wishing you an eternity of happiness, laughter & overflowing joy, Claire & Russell! xoxo, marielle.

Look at the fog!

Definitely my favorite!

There was a green dumpster outside the temple & I suggested that we use it for a background. I think Russell was a little hesitant at first but look how awesome it looks! Thanks for trusting me, you guys!

Claire, you are stunning!

It was a super, SUPER cold December day in Sausalito as I shot Janna & Phil’s bridals. With the always amazing Golden Gate Bridge as their backdrop, they cuddled together to keep warm. Phil & Janna were married in Utah last month & I was able to shoot their bridals before they went out of town for their big day. I love Janna & Phil because they are as sweet as cherry pie. I’ve never met two people who are kinder, more genuine & more in love than these two.

A bridal session can be a number of things: the bride in her wedding gown by herself or the bride & groom in their wedding attire together. Normally a bridal session takes places a few months before the wedding which gives the couple a chance to have some of their favorites from the session enlarged & on display at their reception. I’ve even shot some more relaxed bridals a few weeks after the wedding. Bridal sessions are fun, relaxing & a great way to get more photographs of you in all your radiating glory!

If I’m booked on your wedding date, I’m always available to shoot bridals or engagements, so hit me up HERE!!

Here are my favorites from their bridal session…

I am lucky to honestly say that I have found the perfect job for me. It’s amazing how much joy & happiness my journey as a photographer has brought me. Through being a photographer, I have met incredible people who have become my friends, I’ve been able to document beautiful weddings & I’ve been able to live my dream. To my clients from 2011, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me to capture your laughter, tears, joy & happiness.

My favorite part about the New Year is that it gives me the chance to reflect, see where I’ve grown, figure out what things I need to work on & look back at the wonderful memories & friendships I’ve made throughout the year. I am so, so blessed.

2011 was a whirlwind year & I can’t believe it’s over! I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Texas & Hawaii for weddings. I was lucky enough to have my photographs published in a cookbook. I was lucky enough to photograph dozens of families, engaged couples & couples tying the knot. Hadley started preschool, I surfed a wave in Hawaii, we visited Canada as a family & despite the amount of candy I ate-I had no cavities at the dentist. It was a wonderful, fabulous year!

So what better way to celebrate the wonderful couples who I’ve photographed last year than with a GIVEAWAY!?!?!?!? Here are the juicy deets…

Below I’ve posted one photograph from each wedding I’ve photographed this year (some which I still have yet to blog…like I said-this year has been a whirlwind!). To vote, you must like my photography fan page on Facebook & write on my wall with the name of the couple who you’d like to see win! Easy, peasy. Comments on this blog post will NOT count as votes so go to the Facebook fan page, y’all! One vote per person.

The winning couple will receive a 20×30″ canvas (of their choice) from their wedding. Ready, set, GO!!!! The winners will be announced on Friday, January 6th.

Gabrielle & Jordan’s lovely winter wedding at the Reno Temple…

Paige & David’s beautiful & fun (best dancing EVER) wedding also at the Reno Temple…

Melanie & Brian’s fabulous & awesome wedding at the Reno Temple…

Shana & Eugene’s modern classic wedding at the Hotel Shattuck in Berkeley…

I hopped on a plane to the great state of Texas to celebrate Stephanie & Gerardo’s Dallas Temple wedding…

Definitely my favorite photograph of 2011! I loved Tammy & Shane’s lovely wedding at San Francisco City Hall…

Lupine & Courtney’s intimate wedding at the modern City Hall in San Rafael…

Katrina & Adrian’s fun & funky wedding in San Lorenzo…

Brianna & Alex’s DIY wedding (her mom made her dress!) at the Oakland Temple…

Becky & Devin’s hilarious, beautiful & fun wedding at the Tannenbaum Lake Tahoe…

ALOHA! I photographed my beautiful friend Heather & her husband Jordan at the Laie Hawaii Temple…and yes-they are so awesome that they rented scooters for the photos!

Nicole & Luke’s bright & bold wedding at the Chism House in Reno…

Megumi & Huy’s colorful wedding (look at her kimono!) at Hakone Gardens in Saratoga…

Anjali & Brian’s classic & colorful wedding at the Palmdale Estates in Fremont…

Jared & Marie’s wedding at the Reno Temple (we may or may not have eaten Taco Bell halfway through their photos…)

Brittany & Ben’s fun wedding filled with laughter at the Oakland Temple…

Lindsay & Jeremy’s fantastic wedding at the Oakland Temple…

Leilani & Kofi’s wedding was fabulous…and also at the Oakland Temple!

Jen & Alan had the best wedding cake of 2011 (lemon poppyseed!!!). Lovely, sweet wedding held at Hakone Gardens in Saratoga…

Sophie & Zack’s outdoor wedding under the pine trees at the 20 Mile House…

I hate to be partial but my sister Morgan & her husband Dallon’s wedding was definitely my favorite wedding of the year. So happy for them!

Keli & Johnny’s wedding at the Chateau at Incline was filled with joy all around…

I was hired the DAY OF Amber & Conan’s wedding after their photographer forgot about their wedding! Loved their Lake Tahoe Wedding…

Vanessa & Neil’s San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts wedding was perfect-complete with their English Bulldog as the ring bearer…

Charlotte & Billy’s wedding at the Oakland Temple was perfectly perfect…

Clarissa & John’s personalized wedding with lots of singing, laughter (and a vintage car!) at the Berkeley City Club…

Kristin & Brent’s colorful wedding at their home in Petaluma (complete with ice cream truck!)…

Gar & Lane’s personalized DIY wedding at the Oakland Temple…

Taylor & Jeremy’s wedding at the place where they met & fell in love-on the UC Berkeley campus…

Heather & David’s wedding with killer views & the dance part of the century at Heavenly Lake Tahoe…

Caitlin & Brad’s amazingly detailed DIY wedding in Caitlin’s parent’s backyard…

Erika & Brian’s heartfelt & sweet (and windy!!!) wedding at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco….

Vanessa & Silvio’s beach wedding complete with a clam bake at Half Moon Bay…

Erika & Mig’s sweet wedding at the Oakland Temple…I’ve shot so many weddings there this year!

Mallory & Jordan’s fun (and almost rainy!) wedding at the Oakland Temple…

I almost cried when the sun went down after their wedding but once the Christmas lights came on, I almost cried from happiness! Claire & Russell…

I had the pleasure of hosting a fun workshop in Nevada in October-it was a ton of fun & we covered everything from posing to lighting all the way down to interacting with your clients. I am lucky enough to have amazingly beautiful friends who were willing to model for the workshop! Thanks to everyone who came & a special thanks to Derek & KayLynne for being so gosh darn attractive! And thanks to my sweet dad who let us use his prized Corvette for the photos!

Here are my favorites from the workshop…

Holy smokes, KayLynne. You are beautiful!!!

Dark clouds loomed over the temple. It was a cold morning & the clouds threatened rain. But as Mallory & Jordan walked out of the Oakland Temple, hand in hand…they could have cared less about the weather! Rain or shine-they were ready for the best day of their lives! The clouds eventually parted & there was hardly any rain for the whole day (until the reception started!). Mallory & Jordan spent the entire day simply beaming. It was evident that they had found their other half, their missing piece & their forever best friend. Mallory & Jordan are the kind of people whose relaxed nature puts others at ease. They just want everyone around them to be happy & to have fun. And that’s exactly how they were on their wedding day-Mallory was the most laid back, easy going bride ever & Jordan made sure that everyone around was having fun. I had never met either of them until they walked out of the temple, but we had a blast taking photos & it felt like we had been friends for a long time!

I LOVE how so many weddings now are DIY weddings-it makes weddings more creative, it makes a wedding more personal & much more fun! I learned very quickly that Mallory’s mother & her sister Whitney are like Martha Stewart (but much nicer!!!)-they handled everything from the beautiful invitations, the decor at the reception, down to the perfectly tied platinum bow tied around Mallory’s wedding gown. Both of their families worked hard & made their reception look incredible. Painted strips of butcher paper hanged from the walls & the ceiling. Guests enjoyed homemade ice cream sandwiches for dessert…Twinkle lights were everywhere (which always makes for fab photographs), the darling cake topper was made by Whitney & each guest took home a little envelope filled with yummy lemon drops. Their hard work paid off because the reception was downright GORGEOUS. Guests spent the evening dining & mingling as Mallory & Jordan smiled all the way down to their toes.

Mallory & Jordan-I LOVED shooting your wedding! You guys were amazing to work with…thank you for trusting me & for choosing me to photograph your perfect wedding. I loved seeing how you guys just light up when you are together…wishing you both all the love & happiness that this beautiful world has to offer-you deserve all of it & more! XOXO, marielle.

Sooooooooo my favorite from their wedding…

Mallory-you are stunning!

The one on the right is one of my favorites!

Yes…that IS the cutest little wedding cake I’ve ever seen….

I always have so much fun doing ring shots-I love how this one turned out!

And a special thanks to my friend Melinda who was my second shooter for the day!

He writes the music. She paints the pictures. Together, they make the world around them more colorful, more beautiful & soooooooo much more fun. Brent & Kristin are THE dream team-a couple who makes every moment funny & a couple who invites everyone around them to share in their happiness & joy. On a lovely September day under a gauzy chuppa, the sun shined on Kristin & Brent’s smiling faces as they said their vows. In front of their friends & family, Brent vowed that he would write the incredible music. And Kristin vowed that she would paint the amazing pictures. And they vowed to make the world around them more beautiful. Together.

Kristin & Brent are one of the most talented & incredible couples I’ve had the pleasure of working with. The wedding was held in their beautiful home where everyone was surrounded by the incredible paintings that Kristin made. Their driveway was converted into the reception area & a lovely white tent they set up became one huge party room! They had the most fabulous food-palella that was made on site & even an ICE CREAM TRUCK. It should be a requirement for all weddings to have an ice cream truck! Their flowers were bursts of vivid color-from deep purples to bright pinks…with thistles & even peppers in the mix. The flowers were fabulous! Kristin’s niece who is a fashion designer designed & made her perfect turquoise wedding dress. Guests spent the evening laughing, laughing some more & having the time of their lives. Kristin & Brent sure know how to throw a party!

I know I always talk about how lucky I am to have such amazing clients..and I probably sound like a broken record but it’s TRUE!!! Kristin & Brent-you are such a fun, funny, talented & kind couple. I feel beyond honored to have been able to document your wedding & to witness the excitement you have for your new lives together! I wish you all the happiness, love & laughter in the world. With love & appreciation, XOXO, marielle.

The answer is yes if you are wondering if I DIED when I saw Kristin’s shoes. Turquoise.Betsy.Johnsons.with.leopard.print. I DIED.

Kristin was so excited to be married to Brent!

There was a private road right behind the house where we did the bride & groom portraits. The light was lovely…

I love these two photographs because you can see just how fun their personalities are!

This could possibly be my favorite ring shot of all time. LOVE!!!

Each guest took home a jar of locally grown honey, some delicious nuts & a locally grown apple…

I love how sweet they always are to each other…

She was the girl who would wear the silly argyle knee socks to school with him every Friday. She was the girl who was his best friend. He was the one who played practical jokes & made her laugh. He was the one who made her happy every.single.day. Together, their love is a love that is pure…sweet…a love that has grown deeper over time. They grew up as neighbors, less than two blocks away & began dating in High School. Over the years, they maintained a relationship that somehow remained uncomplicated-even though they dated long distance after High School. They made it work because they knew that something about their relationship would last-despite the miles between them.As they joined hands in a church at Lake Tahoe, it all became REAL. They had been together for years & years and suddenly it was their wedding day-the day that they had waited patiently for…the day that would be more incredible & more amazing than every adventure they had been on together. On a beautiful, warm August afternoon they were joined as husband & wife…and they spent the rest of the day celebrating the love that they had felt for as long as they had known each other.

They were married in a beautiful cathedral at Incline & they spent the night celebrating atop Heavenly Ski Resort-at an elevation of 10,100 feet! Guests rode a gondola to the top of the mountain & enjoyed stunning views of Lake Tahoe as they danced the night away. The night was a perfect, starry night & was a perfect venue for Heather & David’s reception! I loved the pink paper lanterns, the pale pink accents, the pink argyle socks that the groomsmen wore, the pinecone details & the classically beautiful decor everywhere. The evening was flawless & a perfect reflection of Heather & David’s love for each other!

Heather & David-thank you so much for having me photograph your incredible day! Wishing you love, laughter & lots of practical jokes in your new life together! XOXO, marielle.

Lake Tahoe is a PERFECT place for a wedding…it’s always beautiful!

Love when my couples choose to see each other before the ceremony…their nerves dissipate & it’s always a beautiful moment…

LOVE this one!

Heather…you are beautiful!

Favorite…

I LOVE this shot! We were really lucky to get this shot because the light was thisclose to being gone…love how this turned out!

The fog clung to the rocks at Half Moon Bay on a beautiful, overcast Saturday afternoon. The sailboats were anchored…the waves quietly lapped onto the shore & the sweet smell of salt water filled the air. In a room overlooking the ocean, Vanessa’s ivory dress hanged on the door as she got ready for her big day. After she slipped into her gorgeous gown, she waited quietly on the beach for her First Look with Silvio. As they saw each other for the first time, it was once again sooooooooo obvious why they are together-they make each other beam with joy, they make each other laugh & because their love is stronger & more beautiful than ever.

They were married on the beach behind Sam’s Chowder House as their families & friends looked on. And after they were pronounced husband & wife, Vanessa & Silvio walked excitedly down the aisle, threw their heads back with laughter & wept tears of sheer joy. It was a day that they had both waited so long for…and they were both overcome with such joy that their day had finally arrived! Vanessa & Silvio started their day with a First Look (which I always, always LOVE because it gives us tons of time for relaxed photographs before the ceremony). I loved working with them because they gave me tons of time for photographs both before & after the ceremony. We had a blast walking up & down the beach for photos. Their reception was held at Sam’s Chowder House & guests feasted on clams, lobster, clam chowder & more delicious sea food than you can imagine. The setting was a perfect place for their celebration & guests spent the night enjoying the ocean view & dancing. I loved so many details about their wedding…their bright purple & orange color scheme, their cupcake tower, the food, Vanessa’s stunning gown & the perfect setting. From start to finish, it was a perfect day for two people who are perfectly in love.

Vanessa & Silvio…I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! Thank you for choosing me to photograph your amazing day-and for being yourselves. I love working with the two of you because you make everything so.much.fun! Thank you for your kindness, your friendship & for being the funnest (yes-I know that’s not a real word) couple on the planet. I know you guys had an awesome Honeymoon in Tahiti so here’s wishing you a fantastic, fun & amazing life together…knowing the two of you, I know that your married life together will be nothing short of incredible. With much love, XOXO, marielle.

Vanessa waiting for her First Look with Silvio…one of my favorites from the day…

Seriously-how cute are they? They were SO excited to see each other!

Love this shot of this woman…she came early & looked so amazing with her fancy hat that I just had to grab a photo of her!

Love these two…they were so overcome with joy!

Favorite…

What a yummy feast!!

She laughed & joked with her friends as she got ready for the biggest day of her life. At the Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco, Erika was helped into her beautifully beaded wedding gown & before she knew it, she was ready to see Brian for the first time. As Brian saw Erika for the first time, Erika buried her head in her chest & was overcome with pure joy. Erika & Brian spent the day in each other’s arms, laughing & grinning ear to ear. They were married under the dome at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco & the day was just like Erika & Brian-fun, fun, FUN!

I knew when I met Erika & Brian for the first time that their wedding would be amazing & a TON of fun. Before the wedding, they opted to do a First Look which I always love! It gave us enough time to drive around San Francisco to places that were meaningful to them-I was so glad we were able to get photographs with so many different backgrounds. After their beautiful wedding, their reception was held at the Exploratorium-it was amazing because all of the guests were able to play with all the exhibits during the reception…so much FUN! Guests feasted on pulled pork sandwiches & delicious cupcakes as they danced the night away. Their flowers were perfectly whimsical-I loved the use of succulents & pods in Erika’s bouquet. Each guest spent the evening exploring one of San Francisco’s most famous museums. It was a night to remember & everyone there had such a wonderful time!

Erika & Brian-I know you are enjoying your three week long honeymoon to Bali & Thailand (seriously EVERYONE wants to be you right now!). I am so lucky to do what I do because I meet amazing people like the two of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for having me photograph your wedding-it means the world to me to know that you trust me with your memories & it means even more to me that I have two new friends. Wishing you both the very best in this exciting new adventure! XOXO, marielle.

Loved the decor at the hotel-it made for some fun photographs…

Erika was SO excited to see Brian!

Dear San Francisco, I LOVE YOU.

I always love this moment when the bride is being walked down the aisle. Such a sweet moment with her dad.

LOVE this one…

It was soooooo windy at the beach but I love how these photographs turned out…and I LOVE how Erika’s dress swooshes in the wind…

One of my favorites…

When I first met Erika, she went on & on about how she’s not photogenic. I told her that she would have no problem in front of the camera. This is when I say, “I TOLD YOU SO!” Seriously, Erika. You are gorgeous.

Cutest.Kids.EVER.

Awesome place for a wedding reception, right?