100 Images | Bay Area Wedding Highlights from 2013

100 Bay Area Wedding Highlights from 2013

Here are my wedding highlights from 2013. 100 inspiring, artistic, fun images from weddings, engagements, and family shoots in 2013. I shot in backyards and family ranches as well as in parks, botanical gardens, and more commercial venues.

In 2013, I challenged myself to try new things and continue growing as an artist.  I made an effort to get out and connect with other photographers and break out of isolation.  Photography can be a lonely profession. I got my work published, though I wonder at the effectiveness in attracting couples I want to work with.  I laughed really hard during a few toasts and worked with fantastic people.

The Low Down on Some Venues You Might Be Interested In

The Port of Oakland is a great spot for an engagement shoot, but be discreet. We got busted by OPD while shooting in the middle of the road. The Piedmont Community Hall is a centrally located venue in the East Bay. It is located in Piedmont, which is a tiny city surrounded on all sides by Oakland. Rental rates are affordable, and it has some nice backgrounds for taking pictures. The Mountain Terrace, in Woodside, is another sweet venue. It has oaks, redwoods, views of the Bay, a rental close by for getting ready pics, and flexible outdoor and indoor spaces.

Trojan Point on Mount Tam is a beautiful rustic outdoor ceremony location. Bus your guests in, and walk a short distance to one of the most epic ceremony locations around. It is a truly spectacular space. Greens Restaurant in San Francisco is the perfect place for a top-notch vegetarian reception. It is located in Fort Mason, and parking is easy. The space available for private parties isn’t huge, but if you are having a smaller wedding, check it out.

Oakland Nature Friends is a quirky, affordable venue in Oakland with great views and a big deck. There is also an indoor dance space and big oak trees on the property. They are selective about how many weddings they accept each year. But if you’re down with a great DIY venue, check this place out.

The UC Botanical Gardens are a nice option if you want to get married in the Redwoods. It is located in Berkeley near lots of restaurants and hotels. Parking is limited, so consider using a shuttle to get your guests there. The redwood grove is just available for ceremonies, but across the street, they have space for wedding receptions.

Wind and Sea in Big Sur is a super cool house overlooking the Pacific. The venue can hold up to 100 guests. Finding accommodations in Big Sur can be tricky, so keep that in mind.

San Francisco City Hall is one of the most iconic wedding venues in the Bay Area. It is a fantastic place to elope or have a smaller wedding ceremony. The light, architecture, and overall environment are just so good there. Seven Branches (venue and inn) in Sonoma is a great all-in-one venue with rooms on-site, a ceremony spot, and a couple of large reception spaces. UC Botanical Garden Conference Center, Sequoia Retreat Center,

The images below are a collection of 100 inspiring, artistic, fun images from weddings, engagements, and family shoots from last year.  I hope you enjoy them.  I sure had fun making them.

I hope you have enjoyed my wedding highlights from 2013. Check out one of my favorite weddings of the year. It was a Victorian Madhatter themed wedding in the bride’s grandmother’s garden in Atherton. A truly unforgettable and magical affair.