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!

 

DIY Ranch style wedding in Half Moon Bay

Oh this DIY wedding was off the hook!  I remember meeting with Emilie and Will a month before their wedding.  The wedding took place on there ranch South of Half Moon Bay.  When I met with them on this beautiful day in May, I have to admit, I was a little worried as their barn that was to house the celebration of about 200 guest was still very much under construction!

Although, knowing this family, and the village they have around them… my concern was only mildly there… and completely left on the day of when I showed up to capture this breathtaking day! So, yes, everything you see at this wedding was creative, do it yourself, and done with a whole lot of love for this couple.  This post is a year over due, but definitely did not want to forget about the highlights of this day!

Hastings House Wedding and Backyard Celebration

What a simple but elegant wedding.  These two chose simple ingredients and really designed a wedding that was intimate and unique to them.  It started at the Seal Cove Inn which was the perfect backdrop for the first look and the family portraits at the nearby majestical forest at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. We then moved on to the Hastings House, which is this beautiful seaside garden in the scenic town of Miramar.  This place is near and dear to my heart because I too chose to say my vows, 18 years ago, in this magical garden.  But if those two ingredients weren’t enough of simple and meaningful locations… we then moved onto a private residence that belonged to the groom’s father in Redwood City. They transformed this simple backyard into a celebration surrounded with their closest friends and family.  It was truly a special day.