wedding Archive - Em the Gem

Archive for the ‘wedding’ Category

jay + beth : san francisco trolley wedding
March 21

Something old. A small rose gold locket with the date 1937 inscribed on the side. given by Beth’s grandfather and worn by her grandmother.

Something blue. A plastic ring. Seemingly ordinary, yet extraordinary all at once, because Jay used it to ask Beth to be his wife.

Something borrowed. a flowering horseshoe charm from Jay and Beth’s neighbor back home in Perth, Australia.

Something new. Being husband and wife.

I love the way that little somethings tell a great big story.

In this story two Australians decided to pick up and bring their wedding to San Francisco and make it the first stop of an extended trip around the states.

Jay + Beth – your wedding was a dream for me. You made it feel like a holiday.

Riding around on a trolley with you and your guests was so much fun. I loved seeing the city through your eyes – and the hot cocoa we had at Ghirardelli Square was the best I’ve had in a really really long time.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Eliza did such a lovely job with Beth’s hair and makeup… classic and beautiful.

I’m so thankful to have had Jessica with me. I love these shots she got of the guys getting ready at the Clift.

Laurel did an amazing job creating so many beautiful touches for Jay + Beth’s ceremony space at the Sunnyside Conservatory.

And I am officially obsessed with Crimson Horticulture and their amazing floral design.

A little vintage buffet table from One True Love to hold some tasty snacks for the guests before we hopped on the trolley for our tour of San Francisco.

xoxo,

Posted in wedding | 7 Comments »

kim + will : a tahoe winter wedding
February 28

Normally I would make some sort of apology before bombarding you with a wedding post containing one hundred images.

Today, I won’t apologize.

Because all I care about is Kim + Will, and praying that they experience their wedding all over again, in all of it’s amazing little moments. And I hope that they know it wasn’t just beautiful to them, it was so beautiful to me. Not just because Kim told me years ago that I would photograph her wedding, and that the day finally came. It was because of how uniquely them everything felt.

Kim + Will – thank you for trusting me so much to tell your story that you allowed me to get lost in it. To let this day unfold and experience it with you.

Your love is comfortable like a soft knit scarf and mittens.

It’s funny and quirky like the quote from Woody Allen you read at your ceremony.

And sometimes unexpected. Like snow all of a sudden falling from the sky. Right before your beautiful winter wedding.

Thank you for being real and letting all of us enjoy you two for all that you two are.

Alyssa did such an amazing job with Kim + Will’s cake! I loved the pinecones.

The best is yet to come, my friends.

xoxo,

Posted in wedding | 11 Comments »

elaine + albert san francisco city hall wedding
February 6

Usually I try not to get my hopes up when I get an inquiry for a wedding that sounds amazing. Because I never know if that couple is meant for me. And yet one of the hardest things about this business of mine is that it’s always personal for me.

So when Elaine sent me an email describing their intimate San Francisco City Hall wedding, I thought I should wait at least an hour before I responded, lest she think me WAY too eager for this job.

…I think I replied to her within 3 minutes.

Happily for me, it was meant to be.

And honestly, it was just as much of a dream as I imagined it would be. Not just because San Francisco City Hall is a beautiful location, or because Elaine + Albert are beautiful people. But because they are kind, and caring, and to witness and document this day for them to share with their families all over the US and in Hong Kong, was so special.

Elaine + Albert, thank you for choosing me. I am so thankful that you did. I hope your families see these and feel like they were there with us.

Elaine + Albert met while they were both students at Parsons - and they continued to date in all the major cities of the world after that while they both continued to build their careers in design. Both creative people, Elaine and Albert wanted to have a day that reflected their love of photography and incorporated some of the best parts of San Francisco.

Naturally, I wanted to take them to my favorite spots, Blue Bottle Coffee and the San Francisco Ferry Building. We had such a good time, I barely cared how much it rained. And it did that day. A lot.

I love this one of Nima‘s shots. So happy to have him assisting/umbrella holding/being rad with us that day.

Elaine + Albert, I like you guys a lot. A lot. I know you both are going on to do amazing things and I feel so happy to have been your witness.

xoxo,

Posted in wedding | 27 Comments »

my favorite moments : 2011
January 6

I love pretty pictures. And I always strive to create something beautiful in my work.

But sometimes. A moment can really overwhelm me.

More than anything else I’ve learned this year, I am figuring out that what I want more than a pretty picture, is an honest moment.

A moment that makes tears well up in my eyes it is so good.

I want that. And that’s what pushes me into 2012. That’s what I am marveling at, looking back at 2011.

These moments make my heart swell with gratitude when I look at them, because I am better person because you let me experience these moments with you. I am better because of you.

Let the beauty you love be what you do.

(Rumi)

xoxo,

Posted in photography, wedding | 9 Comments »

2011 I love your face
December 6

If 2011 had a face I would kiss it.

2011 exceeded my wildest hopes in almost every way possible… in the relationships built, in the way my business grew, in the clients who found me, and in the images we made together.

None of this would be possible without these beautiful faces… to all of my wedding clients, thank you.

Thank you for making it possible for me to follow my passion as my career. Thank you for letting me into your lives. Thank you for allowing me to tell your story.

As a small token of my gratitude, I want to end this year with a fun giveaway for all of my amazing wedding clients…

The 2 couples with the greatest number of comments on this post will receive a 16×20 gallery wrapped canvas from me to you.

Just cause I love you. And because it’s much less awkward than kissing your face.

Shane + Becca