Dancing the hora. Burning Man Meets Jewish Summer Camp Wedding

Burning Man Meets Jewish Summer Camp Wedding – Johanna & Phil

Part 2:
(to start with part 1 click here.)

Yes, “Burning man meets Jewish summer camp” was how Phil succinctly described his and Johanna’s wedding in their introductory podcast! (See Part 1).

After the kiss, wedding guests were lead from the chuppah to the camp mess hall by a pair of musicians. On arrival at cocktail hour, they were greeted by groomsmen in Chippendales vests serving cocktails. Glittery face paint was generously distributed (see? Burning Man!).

A candlelit dinner at long banquet tables and a host of memorable toasts were followed by a surprise birthday celebration for Johanna’s dad’s 70th.

Photographing a hora under the stars comes with its challenges, but I had a bevy of off-camera-flashes set up, and I’m thrilled with the result (see? Jewish Summer Camp!)

The action was nonstop. A choreographed flash mob was led by the groom’s niece, and the groomsmen led a second choreographed dance. A spontaneous limbo formed on the dance floor.

As the night drew long, Phil was treated to an epic chair dance.

Johanna forced a unicorn piñata into submission, showering the dance floor with candy.

Unbelievably, there were another two DJ sets still to come after I finished up my coverage!

Venue : Camp Navarro
Photographer : Paul Gargagliano – Hazelphoto
Wedding dress : Leanne Marshall
Suit : Knot Standard
Florist : Morgan Johnson
Wedding planner : Sonya Houston – Mendocino Wedding
Hair and makeup : Jordyn Condit- Mendo Bridal Beauty
DJ and/or band : Ashleyanne
Cake : Shani’s Sweet Creations
Catering : Camp Navarro
Invitations: Minted
Officiant : Ilyse Magy

Trione Wedding

Trione Wedding – Sonoma, CA – Jill & Jason

Jill & Jason were married at Trione Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County, CA on a lovely day with diffuse light everywhere. The light gave the Vineyards a majestic moody look out behind the Winery, and they made for an incredible backdrop for our portraits.

I loved the rustic stone walls, the vaulted ceilings, and dark wooden beams in the event space at Trione. They lent an old world feel to the wedding ceremony and to evening reception as well.

Jason is a collector of film cameras and a talented street photographer. During the ceremony they had their officiant and friend make a photograph of all of their guests on a film camera. They intend to slowly take photos over the next ten years on momentous occasions, and only after a decade has passed, will they get the roll of film developed.

And… much will happen in those ten years, as Jill & Jason are world travelers. One of the cornerstones of their relationship is their love of travel, so they brought a bucket to the reception, and guests were encouraged to leave them suggestions for their “Bucket List.”

As you can see, Jill & Jason invited me to bring my Hasselblad to Trione to make a few wedding portraits. It gave me great pleasure to put a few rolls of film through my old trusty friend.

Special thanks to Lisa Bravo of Bravo Events and Weddings who made everything flow smoothly throughout the day.

Wedding planner : Lisa Bravo
Hair : Amy Braem
Makeup : Nicolette Lafranchi
DJ : NorCal Pro Sound
Catering : Girl and Fig

Boston Public Library Wedding

Boston Public Library Wedding – Alexandra & Eric

Alexandra & Eric were married in the courtyard at the Boston Public Library on a lovely September evening. The McKim building at the Boston Public Library is the classiest library I have ever set foot in, and I’m a notorious book lover, so this wedding was kind of a dream. Murals by Puvis de Chavannes, Abbey, and Sargent adorn the library walls. The whole grand building and courtyard make quite the backdrop for a wedding.

Eric wore a striking black tuxedo with a succulent boutonniere, and Alexandra wore a gorgeous intricately beaded gown that brought to mind the glamour of the roaring twenties. This vibe is particularly strong in the portraits we made on the marble grand staircase, and with the Puvis de Chavannes murals. The two got ready across the street at the ever elegant Fairmont Copley.

In a pre-wedding consult I asked Alexandra and Eric if there were any details they were particularly excited about. Eric mentioned the cheese/cake and they both broke into laughter describing the tower of wheels of cheese decorated with flowers, herbs and champagne grapes. Let’s just say the cheese wedding cake did not disappoint in person.

The courtyard of the McKim building is transporting. It was easy to forget we were in the center of a busy Metropolis. The light drew low, as the two were joined, flanked by their siblings, and surrounded by family and friends.

Alexandra and Eric are scientists. The officiant’s sermon, and the toasts both made reference to this shared passion. Apparently the two spend much time thinking and talking about the chemistry of pink lakes and cell death among other salient topics.

There were a few exceptionally talented dancers in attendance, which made for a lively, and visually stunning dance floor in the Abbey Room.

Shoutout to Leah Astore for helping out with photos!

and to Bryanne Pepin and the whole crowd at A Catered Affair for doing what they do best.

Photography : Paul Gargagliano / Hazel Photo

Wedding Coordinator : Bryanne Pepin The Catered Affair

Florist : Brattle Florist

Bride’s Dress : Jenny Packham

Bride’s hairpiece : Gigi Burgiss

Groom’s Tuxedo : Prada

Hair : Darren Le

Makeup : Anthony Joseph Beauty

Ceremony Music : Keros Entertainment

DJ : Beat Train Productions

Cheese Wedding Cake : Formaggio

Catering : The Catered Affair

Invitations : Pickett’s Press

Thompson Inn & Fuller Gardens Wedding – New Hampshire – Meaghan & Carleton

Meaghan & Carleton were married on the New Hampshire Seacoast at the historic Union Chapel. We made portraits across the street at the gorgeous Fuller Gardens, and down the road looking out over the ocean. It rained hard for a moment while the two were getting ready, and it was still coming down for the first look, but in true New England fashion, the rain cleared up, and we had some lovely sunlight for our portraits.

If you aren’t familiar with the history of Union Chapel, definitely check it out. The first services were held in 1877.

Carleton’s best man’s father officiated the wedding. Also, fun fact, his best man is engaged to Meaghan’s sister, one of the co-maids of honor. One of the most striking things about the wedding was how close knit Meaghan and Carleton’s community is.

After the wedding we headed up to the Thompson Inn for dinner and dancing. I loved the first dance. They looked as happy as could be, and they really cut a rug.

Also making an appearance, in the guest book, a delightful engagement session at Arnold Arboretum form last September.

Venue : The Thompson Inn

Ceremony Venue: Union Chapel

Portraits Venue: Fuller Gardens

Florist : F as in Flowers – Lynn Curcio

Wedding planner : Paul & Liz Calabria – Weddings in New England

Hair : Randi Iverson

Makeup : Donna Cotnoir, Custom For You NH

DJ : Jeff Erwin – Rethink the DJ

Ceremony music : Artful Noise

Catering : The Thompson Inn

Cake : Beach Pea

Invitations : Minted

Big Sur Wedding Photographer

This was my first time photographing a wedding in Big Sur, and the landscape did not disappoint. There are reasons to get married in a setting as beautiful as the Wind and Sea Estate. You need less decor! Just look how the landscape and the light change color as the day proceeds. That’s California for you. Honestly, Big Sur is kind of a wedding photographer’s dream.

Jess and Nick had an intimate wedding with just 20 guests at the gorgeous Wind and Sea Estate in Big Sur, California. I definitely got to know the guests a bit better than I do when photographing a wedding with over 100 guests, and I am grateful for this, because across the board Jess and Nick’s people were delightful human beings. This was unsurprising really, as they are two of the warmest people I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. That warmth was on their faces all day long, and a week later when I saw them again, they were still glowing from deep within.

Late into the night, after Jess & Nick had, surfed, and showered, and donned spiffy spiffy togs, and processed through verdant hills, and spoke their vows, and kissed at a seaside altar (not once, but whenever the spirit moved them, like champs, like people who know exactly what they want) and after they read Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece to their guests, after they were showered again, this time with lavender confetti, and after they dined, and danced, and were showered again, but this time with the words of their eloquent friends and family, they had a bonfire, and listened to the sea, and it grew dark.

Big Sur Wedding Photographer Wind and Sea Resort

Big Sur Wedding Photographer Wind and Sea Estate

Wedding attire: Jill Stuart/BHLDN

Florist: We are gonna buy a bunch of succulents

Wedding planner: Sea and Stars Catering, Jamie

Hair: Kim Larson

Makeup: Kim Larson

DJ and/or band: Spotify Playlist

Videographer: none

Cake: Sea and Stars (Pies, cookies and s’mores by a fire pit)

Catering: Sea and Stars Catering

Invitations: paperlesspost

San Francisco Marriage Proposal Photographer

San Francisco Marriage Proposal Photographer – SF MOMA

Kevin found me on yelp, figure that. He told me that he lived with his girlfriend, Maggie, down in San Diego and that they were planning a trip up to San Francisco, and it was going to be quite a trip, because he was hoping they would be engaged on the return flight. We made a master marriage proposal plan to be carried out at the spectacular Battery Godfrey. I sent him a video of exactly where he would stand in front of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge… point there, tap here, kneel there… every detail of the marriage proposal was planned out except for the rain (I hear it doesn’t do that in San Diego.) So it definitely rained. We made a backup master marriage proposal plan at San Francisco City Hall, and Kevin executed it perfectly. I have to say it’s thrilling every time I get to photograph a marriage proposal, and these two were about the nicest giddiest folks you could hope to spend a rainy afternoon photographing. After the proposal at San Francisco City Hall we headed over to SF MOMA for a few more deliriously happy photographs.

marriage proposal photographer san francisco bay area

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