Category Archives: Weddings

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Seth+Jamie:
Wedding at Thomas Fogarty Winery

Like two lovebirds who never leave each other’s side, so too are Jamie and Seth. As husband and wife, they will be forever perched side by side.

Jamie and Seth were married at Thomas Fogarty Winery under the golden California sunset. Surrounded by their closest friends and family, they promised their lives forever to one another. The ceremony was filled with laughter and tears. If you know Seth and Jamie, it’s only fitting. Humor is part of who they are and their love for others is sincere and devoted.

Jamie and Seth, Vitaliy and I are so happy to call you our friends. It has been so sweet to watch your love grow over the years. And to watch you arrive at this day was so special for us. Thank you for giving us the honor and enjoyment of photographing it all. We love you both so much! We wish you lots of love and laughter for the years ahead!

Read Seth and Jamie’s love story.

 

The Team

Coordinator: “Two Friends Events”
Ceremony & Reception: Thomas Fogarty
Dress: Charlotte’s Weddings and more!
Shoes:TOMS
Makeup Artist: Andrea Shabatura
Hair Stylist: Janet Kervick
Cake/Desserts: BethAnn Goldberg
Florist: Mika Ann Catherine Designs
Catering: Schumann’s Four Seasons

Bride and groom walking together on a dirt road next to a vineyard at Thomas Fogarty Winery In Woodside, CAPortrait of bride and groom next to a wine barrel with a vineyard in the background at Thomas Fogarty Winery In Woodside, CABride holding wedding bouquet of flowersBlack and white portrait of a groomBridal party photo at the Thomas Fogarty Santa Cruz Mountains WineryBride and groom portrait at Thomas Fogarty Winery after sunset. beautiful view of the skyline.Bride and groom first kiss with the groom giving thumbs up at Thomas Fogarty Winery wedding ceremony.Wedding couple portrait with beautiful warm light at Thomas Fogarty Santa Cruz Mountains WineryBlack and white photo of a bride kissing the groomBridal party cheering on the bride and groom as they kiss at Thomas Fogarty WineryClose up photo of a bride putting her dress onBeautiful evening sunset portrait of bride and groom by the vineayrds at Thomas Fogarty WineryWedding portrait at Thomas Fogarty WineryGroom kissing the bride on the forehead at Thomas Fogarty Winery vineyard
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Shane + Kristi: Wedding at Westmont

Kristi had just accepted a position as a College Professor of Chemistry. In the process of relocating and wanting to focus on her new role, she was a click away from closing her online dating account. But before she got around to finalizing the cancellation, a profile caught her attention. It was Shane, a former Computer Science major, and now computer Programmer.

These two had chemistry (of course!), even though it was over the interwebs. They exchanged messages and eventually met for their first date. Kristi knew she was finally ready to close that account. Shane was everything she was looking for.

Kristi and Shane were married on the campus of Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Their ceremony was filled with so much laughter I’m confident their marriage will be as well. Kristi and Shane, thank you for giving us the joy of documenting your wedding. The entire day was a blast and we loved getting to celebrate the two of you. We wish you a lifetime together filled with love and laughter!

xoxo – V & C

Ceremony Site: Westmont College
Reception: First Presbyterian Church
Wedding Dress: J Crew Bridal
Hair: Mishay Salon
Makeup: IsaTai Mecono
Cake: Montecito Confections
Florist: Victor the Florist
Rentals: The Tent Merchant
Catering: Kay Bowman Catering

Bride descending down the steps to see her groom for the first timeB&W photo of bride and groom sitting on the stairsBride and Groom holding hands in Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CABride and Groom portraitBride and groom underneath the black iron archBride and groom behind the white little chapel, Voskuyl Prayer Chapel at Westmont College
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A First Look

Bride walking down the steps to see the groom for the first time

When Vitaliy and I got married almost 6 years ago, we had never heard of a First Look and opted to go with tradition and not see each other before the ceremony. The funny thing about this tradition – it actually started with arranged marriages. Typically more of a business transaction, parents didn’t allow the groom to see the bride before the ceremony so that he couldn’t back out of the agreement in case he didn’t like what he saw. This is also where the tradition for the veil came into play which was meant to hide the bride’s face.

If only we knew then what we know now! Though it is each couple’s personal preference, here are five reasons we recommend a First Look to our clients based on our own wedding day experience.

1. Privacy.  

During our ceremony, Vitaliy didn’t know how to respond when I was walking down the aisle. Knowing everyone was watching him made him feel like he didn’t get to naturally respond to seeing me. A First Look gives the bride and groom the privacy to react naturally to seeing each other for the first time without everyone’s expectations weighing on them.

2. Calming nerves.

I was EXTREMELY nervous on my wedding day. I was marrying the man who was best at calming me down and yet I couldn’t see him. A First Look gives the opportunity to calm nerves and allows the bride and groom to face the day together.

3. Safety in the timeline.

Now that we’ve been photographing weddings for 4 years, we know there are any number of things that can occur on a wedding day to affect the timeline. We recommend a First Look so that couples can have their photos taken without rushing, as it’s the first item of the day. And in case the weather ends up going bad, you can rest assured you were able to get all of your photos taken ahead of time.

4. Time with family and friends.

Typically, if a couple decides not to opt for a First Look the photos are taken during cocktail hour which means you end up missing that fun time with friends and family who may be visiting from out of town. We ended up missing cocktail hour and a portion of our reception in order to take photos which was obviously less than ideal.

5. Time alone.

The number one reason we recommend a First Look is simply to give our couples time alone on the wedding day. Once that ceremony starts, you will feel the day is over in the blink of an eye. A First Look gives our couples time alone to reflect on what a monumental day they’re about to have together.

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