I love that I get to photograph some of the happiest times in people’s lives! Whether it is getting married or welcoming a new addition to the family – these are certainly moments that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. And on this day in late May, while there was no new addition to the family (yet anyway!), the love between this couple was quite something to behold. Congratulations Natasha & Allen and best wishes to both of you as you begin your new life together as husband and wife!

With all of the rain, wind, and unseasonably cool weather we’ve had this Spring, it was a relief to have a really nice day for a change! At last, no blistering winds and goosebumps on the shivering bride’s arms! We started at the Oakland Temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. This wedding was a bit different for me as not only was I flying solo (no assistant photographer), but being held at the Oakland Temple, I was not able to see or photograph the preparations and ceremony. There were nevertheless so many beautiful moments to capture throughout the rest of the day. Yes, once again I find myself torn deciding what to include in this post as there really are hundreds of beautiful images! Thank you Natasha and Allen for sharing your special day with me. You are a wonderful couple and I really enjoyed working with you! Enjoy your sneak peek! More to come soon!

These first two are some of my favorites from the day and are actually images I took of the couple at the reception site – The Adobe Lodge at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA. We just loved this walkway with the vines hanging down and Natasha looked absolutely amazing in her wedding dress! Allen looked quite dapper too! Notice the cane in the first – Allen was wearing a cast from a broken leg when I first met the couple and had just gotten it off in the days prior to the wedding…!

The Oakland Temple is absolutely beautiful. I took several images of the outside while the ceremony was taking place – this is my favorite, taken just outside the main gate.My first glimpse of the couple as they emerged from the Temple.I love how the groom’s Mom (left) is watching as he dips her for their first kiss in public as a married couple! For the ceremony, Natasha wore the very same gown that her mother wore when she got married! It fits her perfectly! Check out that sparkle of her ring in the mid-day sun!I love this shot of the groom!This one perhaps requires some explanation… You see, the bride’s father felt that the groom was a bit er “accident prone” (with the recent broken leg being a prime example). So, the helmet, goggles, and quite a few other devices were certainly a very practical gift from a concerned father-in-law! Yes, as you can see, lots of fun at this wedding!