Life Mosaics | Blog

Last year, Jennifer and Chad flew from San Franciso to Mexico for their beautiful destination wedding in Playa del Carmen.   The night before their wedding, they planned a great welcome dinner for all their friends and family in the Yaxche Mayan restaurant right in the heart of Playa’s Avenida Cinco.   I particularly enjoyed the experience because it was also Dia de Los Muertos, and it was a first for me to be right in the middle of the Dia de Los Muerto festivities, right in Mexico.   Everywhere we went, there were beautiful altars set up to honor the desceased.   During the evening, we were also treated with a traditional cleansing ritual by a Mayan priest as well as a very special Mayan performance.   It was a great kick off for their wedding adventure in Mexico.

Ceremony + reception: Shangri-La Caribe Resort Playa del Carmen

Event coordinator: Christine from Turquoise Reef Group Mexico & Weddings

Gown: Pronovias from La Boutique Des Brides, San Francisco

Check out all the amazing authentic details brought in from Oaxaca Mexico for the special altar, table setting, and the cake topper.  We had a field day just capturing them.  For their reception, Jennifer and Chad also brought in a group of salsa dancers to perform and dance with their guests.  All I can say is “¡ caliente !”.   

Having lived in San Francisco briefly in the past, the Bay Area has always been one of my favorite places. In my former life before going full time in photography, I flirted with the idea of moving to the Bay Area. This was in 2001 after I finished my computer science degree from UT, I was offered a job with a large software company in San Mateo. For numerous reasons I decided to pass up on it and accepted another offer with IBM in Austin. That was the last time I was in San Francisco, and I do miss it. When Nancy offered me a chance to be back in the Bay Area for her wedding, I wasn’t going to pass up on the opportunity this time.  Nancy and Aram came to me as a referral from Brenda, one of our previous brides. 

Nancy and Aram are both finishing their graduate studies at UC Berkeley. While many of their family and friends are spread out all over the country, it seems natural to have the wedding where they now live. Throughout the day, I felt a certain closeness with their family, because in some way they are a lot like my own family. Although I do have to say, I’ve never seen my parents boogie down the way Nancy and Aram’s parents did!

As always, it was a privilege for me to be a part of such wonderful occasion. Thanks guys for having me, congratulations!

Nancy getting ready: Hotel Durant

Ceremony: Berkeley Rose Garden

Reception: Hillside Club

As always, I am behind on my blogging …

Suzy and Brad were engaged on the shores of Lake Tahoe, and Lake Tahoe is one of the favorite destinations for Suzy who spends vacations with her family here every year. So when it came time to decide the location for their destination wedding, Lake Tahoe seemed like a no brainer. Suzy and Brad’s beautiful destination wedding in Lake Tahoe took place at the famous Heavenly Ski Resort, which offered a breathtaking view of the Lake from the mountain top. Suzy’s sister Kelly had her own destination wedding in Paris earlier this year and I was honored Suzy also chose me to document her destination wedding. Considering the harsh lighting and the limited location choice for formal portraits, I was happy with how the photographs turned out. If there is anything to top it off, I’d wish Suzy and Brad took up on my offer for a Day After session to take advantage of the amazing settings around the Lake. If you are a potential destination wedding bride reading this, I highly recommend a Day After portrait session and I also recommend that you consider doing the session in your wedding gown.  You have a beautiful location and a beautiful gown, now it only makes sense to get the most out of them!

BTW, a quick shout out to Ned Bonzi, thanks for coming out to shoot with me!

Now on with the pictures…

Jessica and Lee are from Pittsburgh and they had their international destination wedding at one of my favorite spots to photograph a wedding – the Playa Fiesta Beach Club & Hotel in Conchas Chinas Mexico (just south of Puerto Vallarta). For couples thinking about having a stress-free destination wedding, I can’t say enough good things about the Playa Fiesta. The amazing Lindsay and her dedicated staff take good care of everyone. The food at the Playa Fiesta is super yummy, there is a great pool, spacious and comfortable rooms, and the overall architecture at the Playa Fiesta is rich in character, far from some of the bland and generic chain resorts. Every time I come here, I see the couple and their family and friends having nothing but a great time and this time it was no exception. At Jessica and Lee’s wedding, everyone was so nice to me I didn’t know if it’s because they really liked me or it’s because they’ve been pampered all week long. Congratulations guys, thanks for trusting me to capture your day!

Ceremony and Reception: Four Seasons Great Exuma at Emerald Bay

Sheila and Dan had their beautiful international destination wedding in the Great Exuma Bahamas. Sheila and Dan live in Manhattan and most of their family and friends traveled from NY, Philly or Chicago to celebrate with them. Not only were Sheila and Dan a pleasure to be with, their family and friends were just as wonderful and really made me feel like I am a part of the group. Congratulations guys, thanks for allowing me to share your day!

Congrats to Kelly and Nicolas!

Ceremony: Basilique Sainte-Clotilde

Reception: Le Pre Catelan

Second Shooter Assistant:  Bruce Neville