One of the wonderful aspects to being a wedding photographer is that I get to travel all over the place to photograph awesome couples, beautiful places on the most wonderful day of their lives! The following wedding took place in Santa Rosa, California. Located in beautiful Sonoma County. I knew I was in for a treat! Added to that I was going to get to photograph the wedding of Steve and Erica. Steve was a groomsman a past wedding I photographed (Aaron and Andrea – whose wedding I still need to blog! Sorry Aaron and Andrea…I’ll get to it!!) Regardless, I knew I was in for a treat because Steve and Erica are fun people! Added to that I was really looking forward to this wedding since “word on the street” was that Steve is a real cryer when it comes to weddings. I happen to really appreciate people who express their heartfelt emotions and so I could only imagine what was in store for Steve during his own wedding! Needless to say, I was not disappointed!
The Santa Rosa Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa is a great wedding venue. Located in beautiful Sonoma County, it’s just a wonderful area. The Hotel is plenty large, kept up nicely and has many great wedding photography opportunities. Erica’s wedding dress was quite stunning and I looked and looked until I found the perfect place to hang it to be photographed.
One of the things I enjoy about being a wedding photographer is the diversity of each wedding. On each wedding day I am on a mission to find unique spaces and appropriate light to feature all the important things that need to be photographed. Sometimes these spots are obvious. Other times I must search quite extensively. I know each couple is counting on me to excel at what I do. Most couples have spent the good part of a year preparing their wedding to be just the way they want it. It’s important that I capture all the details they have worked so hard on. I don’t want to let them down. Equally though, I really enjoy the mission of exploring and working hard. Weddings get no “do overs”, so I pride myself in really knowing what I am doing and my ability to “come through” with a great product that couples will be able to enjoy the rest of their lives.
So sweet and awesome, Steve shares a moment with his handsome little ring bearer as he opens a special gift from his soon to be bride! Her she is, Steve’s beautiful bride Erica!
Kids are the most precious of God’s creations, if you ask me. One of the reasons they are so precious is that they don’t always cooperate. What they don’t know though, is even if they can’t see me, I can still see them : )
So here we are, just moments before Steve enters the ceremony. The moments he shares with his parents are undoubtedly some of the most emotional and heart touching moments I have ever witnessed at a wedding. Ok, I admit it, I teared up too. What a privilege to be able to witness the love that Steve and his parents share.
It had rained most of the day and by the time the ceremony was ready to take place, it was really cold and windy, so the ceremony was moved inside where everyone could be comfy and cozy. While we were able to take a couple shots outside, a bit before the ceremony, most of the photos throughout the day were taken inside or places that had cover above from the rain.
I just love the way Erica is looking at her husband!
Steve’s father gives some touching words and gets emotional as well. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. What a wonderful characteristic to have in the family.
It was so nice to see Erica share from afar the wonderful emotional moment that Steve was sharing with his mother.
Yep, he did it. I tried to stop him, but as you can see….there was NO stopping him! Don’t worry, Erica evened the score.
It was a great day, one that will not be forgotten! Thanks so much Steve and Erica for letting me share in your day and capture these memories! Marriage is like a fire and fire needs one main ingredient to keep burning – fuel! I’ve found the best things to to fuel the fire in marriage are selflessness, patience, attentiveness, care, devotion and faith. May the sweet care, devotion and commitment you have for each other continue to be “love on fire” for a lifetime!
Kindly,
Trent