Stepping Through The Looking Glass | Foto Blog

Marissa & Tom - Lighthouse Point

2011-03-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

Michigan in the summer... It is like magic to me, and to be able to go back to the place where I spent my childhood, to photograph the wedding of my lovely cousin, was music to my ears. The location of the wedding was at beautiful Lighthouse Point in St. Ignace, MI, where you get great views of the Mackinaw Island bridge. A little rain fell before and after the ceremony, which created a beautiful rainbow right by the bridge. I ran to get the bride and groom, and we had an impromptu photo session. Just like every other part of the day, everything fell into place. The day was full of love and laughter. When I asked Marissa if everything turned out the way she wanted it to, she said sincerely, "It turned out better."

Michelle + Andrew Wedding

2011-03-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

"Are you ready for this?" I ask Keith as we ascend the curvy Lake Tahoe mountains to Sugarpine Point State Park. He answers, "No, I'm excited for this."

Michelle and Andrew are one of those couples you are excited to see get married. They are truly in love, and it is inspiring to watch...especially through the lens! Keith, aka Bling Crosby, aka my hubby, and I crossed paths with Michelle and Andrew about 4 months before their big day. I think we were all pleasantly surprised to discover each other. They dug us and we dug them and that was that. They booked Keith as the dj and I as the photographer on the spot.

I knew the Tahoe location was going to be gorgeous, but the colors ended up being practically electric. A storm started to brew but the sun stayed out, which created a dramatic sky blue backdrop, contrasted against warm golden rays that lit the surroundings stunningly. Then the rain started to fall...Usually, I love a good rainstorm, but when there's food, guests, a slippery dance floor and gorgeous place settings, I always feel for the couple. Keith lightened spirits by playing Creedence's "Have you ever seen the rain", among others, but it was clearly time to move the party to the sheltered Ehrman Mansion patio. The bash that ensued resembled the nightclubs Keith packs in, aside from the dancing toddlers and grandparents. It was clear that this crowd was not the type to let a little rain dampen their spirits!

We had so much fun and were so honored to be a part of such an incredible day.

San Francisco City Hall Wedding- Lupe and Ben

2010-04-21T01:55:00.000-07:00

Lupe and Ben were a fun couple, and it was such a privilege to be a part of their very intimate wedding. When they first began planning their wedding, like many others, it quickly escalated out of control. They realized that they would like something smaller and more intimate and decided to postpone the wedding. San Francisco City Hall was the perfect solution, beautiful and low hassle. They kept the plans hush hush, gathered their closest six (seven including me:) and had a beautiful ceremony. We then moved the party over to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park for a photo session. I have to say the vibe between everyone was very laid back, fun and full of love. It was the perfect recipe for a memorable wedding. Check out my post Ten Reasons to Have a Small Wedding. Here are some photos from the event.

10 Reasons Why A Small Wedding Can Be Rad

2010-04-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

Although big weddings mean BIG celebrations, here are 10 reasons why small weddings have become one of the latest trends...

1. You are able to surround yourself with your truest friends and loved ones. This adds such an intimate feeling to one of the most intimate moments in your life. When you look around, you see real emotion coming from the people that have meant the most in your life.

2. Your guests feel more appreciated and taken care of. Try helping 150 out of town guests feel comfortable in their new surroundings...not easily done. When you limit that number down to 30, you are able to make sure that everyone is taken care of.

3. Guests tend to mingle more when there are less people. It will be easier for your guests to get to know each other more intimately when the number of guests do not reach the hundreds.

4. You can relax...to an extent. Less people means less chances for things to go wrong. Also, when your guest list only includes people that you are really close to, you tend to feel more comfortable and more adaptable to things that were not in the plan.

5. You are able to get your guests involved. Be creative and make the event fun and unique with special memory making events.

6. Want to save some money? Keeping your guest list to a minimum can cut thousands of dollars off your budget.

7. Now that you are saving money, you have room to splurge. You may have room in your budget for some extraordinary details that would not have been possible if it weren't for the smaller guest list.

8. Not all venues are able to cater to large guest lists. When you cut back on the number of people, more options begin to open up for you.

9. You are able to customize your wedding and make it unique to you and your future spouse. Little touches go a long way. The more creative you get, the more memorable your event will be.

10. You are able to spend more time with your loved ones during the celebrations. Your day will fly by, and it will go even faster if you are trying to speak with everyone of your hundreds of guests. Why not cut down on the number and spend some quality time with the people that you are closest too?

Large weddings are fabulous too and super fun to plan. I could definitely write 10 reasons to have a large wedding as well. It is all up to the couple and what feels right to them.

Shakespeare Garden Wedding

2010-04-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Shakespeare Garden is one of my favorite places. It feels like a such a secluded location, although it is in the heart of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. A few people will wonder in and out quietly. It almost feels like a secret spot. The whimsical landscaping adds to the already peaceful, artistic atmosphere, which is perfect for an afternoon picnic, a place to read, write, or draw, and contemplations. It is definitely the perfect romantic location for a beautiful wedding.

Sir Francis Drake Hotel Wedding

2010-04-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

The Sir Francis Drake Hotel was absolutely gorgeous. The Italian Renaissance decor and grand architecture went perfectly with the bride's extraordinary wedding gown!

Yuerba Buena Gardens Engagement Photography Session

2010-04-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

Jeepster - What If All The Rebels Died CD Shoot

2010-04-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

DJ Tone & DJ Von Promo Shoot

2010-04-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

Infant Photography - Evelyn Rose

2010-04-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing this family before Evelyn arrived, when she was first born and when she was 1yr old. It is always exciting to see a new family grow, and this family was no exception. They had so much love in their hearts, it shined through each of their images. Here are some images from the infant photo shoot.

Emerald Lake Bridal Session

2010-04-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Michigan Engagement Photo Session - Marissa and Tom

2010-04-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

These were taken at Hemlock Park where the groom first proposed to his future bride. I will be traveling back to Michigan to capture their wedding this summer in St. Ignace. I can't wait! Check back for updates.

Making Your Fantasy Wedding Happen...On a Budget

2010-04-01T01:03:00.000-07:00

This is your moment. You've been planning this day in your mind since childhood. What you didn't plan to be is broke... You can still do it! You can still have a fantasy wedding with some creativity, planning, hard work and fun. Here's how:

1. Decide on a style. What is fitting to you and your future spouse? Gather ideas from blogs or magazines. Put them together. Make it your own. Friends are also a great source. They know you, and usually you are on the same page.

2. Hit the thrift stores, fabric stores, dollar stores, second hand online shopping sites, and wholesale distributors. There are treasures everywhere. Plus, you will be doing the planet a world of good buying second hand. Keep an open mind and picture what you could do with your finds.

3. Compare prices online before making purchases. You will save a lot of time by searching online, and usually that is where you will find the best prices.

4. Beg, borrow. Friends and family are great resources. Ask if they have any old event decorations, cake toppers, etc. They may even have a dress and suit! They will most likely be happy that the items are being put to use again.

5. Make your own wedding cake. TLC Cooking has written a guide for making your own wedding cake.

6. Make your own flower arrangements. This will cut your costs significantly. About.com has a great article on how to prepare your flower arrangements and bouquets. Make sure you have the proper storage and water. Compare bulk and wholesale flower prices online and locally. Use the flowers from your bouquets at your reception.

7. Make your own wedding dress, have a friend help, or find one at the thrift store. You can make your wedding dress unforgettably fabulous by going unconventional. Think about short dresses, vintage, hippy, funky, so much more...

8. Make your own invitations. Office supply stores actually sell decent inexpensive invitations. You can also hand craft invitations for a personal look. Another Earth friendly possibility is a wedding website invitation.

9. Go location scouting. The smaller your wedding the easier it is to be creative with your location choices. Outdoor locations are usually cheaper than venues. Don't settle on the first one you see. Find one that feels right and fits your wedding style.

10. In the San Francisco area? Through the Looking Glass | Foto offers a CARE discount to couples in need. Ask about requirements.