Two Cultures One Love. Half Moon Bay, CA

One of my favorite things about what I do is to be a part of cultures that are different than my own. This particular day puts the icing on the cake though.  This wonderful dat blended two very distinct cultures, Hindu and Judaism, with all the amazing attributes each bring into their traditions.

This day was all embraced in the magical and coastal Bach Dynamite and Society venue.   Rustic and intimate with views of the ocean was the perfect location to embody this day. Alena Jean of Alena Jean Flowers hit it out of the park with her combination of a mandapa and chuppah. The ceremony itself started with the Jewish elements of signing the ketubah to the breaking of the glass all facilitated by the family rabbi.  The hindu ceremony then took place after in which included the 7 blessings and circling of the fire all orchestrated by the family of the groom.   A lot of these cultures such as the blessings have similarities which always leaves me awe struck how two very different cultures and countries are still bound together by a universal belief… just written and presented slightly different.

To Harsh and Emily, Mazel Tov!  Bandhai!

 

Winters Park Magic

My first wedding back in full swing since February of 2020.  After 26 years of capturing weddings, I have to admit the pause was exactly what I needed. And to come back to my first wedding after the pandemic to this magical day was exactly what I needed for a breath of fresh air.  The Inn at Park Winters in Winters, CA is a magical venue complete with vista views, a vintage mansion and an old farm house.  Pair that background with a beautiful bride and handsome groom and about 150 people from my hometown of Half Moon Bay, and it was such a perfect day in every way!

 

Rustic Mavericks House Wedding

This little slice of heaven venue has a piece of my heart as I too celebrated our wedding day almost 19 year ago here.  It is a rustic venue that sits pretty central to the views of the harbor and coastline.  They have since opened up a great lawn space to host the ceremony and in this particular wedding, the dinner hour was celebrated here too.  Followed by dancing and activities inside once it cooled down.  There were so many special and unique aspects to this wedding… the band was amazing!  But, one of the original moments that I have never seen before in over 25 years of capturing weddings was instead of the traditional wedding cake smash… the bride and groom did a pinata cake… just as much fun as the traditional cake smash, but nobody gets messy!  The energy of this day was spot on, from the sunset glows to the laughter and happiness high… it was infectious!

Mavericks House you rocked another day!  Of course the band Jimmy Duvet & and the Comforters helped a lot too!  The music was some of my favorite… any time there is a live band, a true party is had… but Jimmy and the band really brought something special!

 

Special Thanks to:

Mavericks House – https://maverickshouse.com

Jimmy Duvet  and the Band – www.jimmyduvet.com

Incredible Wedding at the Iconic Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay

I feel so lucky to have been the one to capture this amazing day!  Marg and John wanted to throw a wedding for their daughter that really encompassed who she is… and boy did they!  This sweet soul of a bride has so much depth, warmth and compassion to all that is around her and in return tends to attract the same energy back.

Rachel and Bud love the ocean.  They love their friends.  And they love their family.  All of these things were present with a beautiful wedding day at the famous Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay.   What made this day even more special were the small yet big touches these two brought in to their day from the private oyster toast at sunset to the custom written welcome notes to each and every guest, not one mirroring the other… all unique to that individual it was given too… who does that?  Rachel and Bud do!

And then lets talk about Sam’s… obviously the staff and the food are off the charts… but really, how do you go wrong with all you can eat Lobster and a New England style clam bake… the food never ended… it was incredible!

 

Thanks to all of these fellow vendors for making this day come to life!

 

DJ and Lighting: Verduccies   https://www.wearevep.com

Cake:  Creative International    http://gerhardmichler.com

Flowers:  Branch Out  https://www.branchouteventdesign.com

Officiant:  Ceremonies by Alison   http://www.ceremoniesbyalison.com/CeremoniesbyAlison.com/Welcome.html

Hotel:  Beach House Hotel  https://www.beach-house.com

 

And of course, a big shout out to Linda Hylen who was the wedding coordinator from the beginning! She came with a huge recommendation to the Marg and John… and boy did she surpass all we could hope for!