Kids Rule the Day in Fun Healdsburg Wedding at Ru’s Farm
Sarah and Mike’s Kid-Filled Healdsburg Wedding at Ru’s Farm
Whether or not to invite kids to a wedding is a tough call. Kids can complicate an already full day—guest counts go up, and parents often leave early or tag-team childcare. And sometimes, it’s just nice to give parents a break. But from a photography perspective, kids bring great energy. Two of my past clients were there with their kids, and Sarah and Mike had just welcomed their first child. The little ones totally added good vibes to the day.
An Awesome Wedding Venue in Healdsburg
Ru’s Farm in Healdsburg is a gem of a wedding venue. It checks a lot of boxes: close to major airports, plenty of nearby lodging, and on-site parking—no need for shuttles. Two houses make getting ready easy, and the grounds are beautifully maintained. There’s shade for hot days, plus olive groves, vineyards, and lavender gardens that make for awesome portraits. The 100-year-old barn is perfect for dancing, and everything is within a short walk.
Pandemic Mini-Ceremony on Bernal Hill with Back Yard Reception
I have photographed at least two other weddings of people Sarah is friends with. It always feels like an honor to photograph multiple weddings of people in a friend group. She reached out to me at the beginning of last year about photographing her little neighborhood ceremony in 2021 as well as her larger event in 2022. Sarah and Mike’s tiny wedding on Bernal Hill last summer was a sweet affair. Folks got ready at their house at the bottom of Bernal Hill and then paraded up for the ceremony before returning to have lunch and libations in their backyard.
Getting Ready at Ru’s Farm and Portraits in the Barn
Sometimes I arrive to a flurry of wedding prep—showers, makeup, ironing—but Sarah and Mike’s day was calm and unrushed. Most of the prep happened earlier, and since their 2021 mini-ceremony, they’d had a baby, so dress-up time also included nursing and diaper changes. There wasn’t an official first look. Once everyone was ready, I scoped the property for portrait spots. I knew the light inside the barn was great, but I wanted to stay open to other options. I found a decent one, but the barn still won. We did portraits and got ready for the ceremony.
Ceremony Under the Oak Tree and Reception and Dinner in the Grove
Sarah and Mike had a sweet ceremony under the giant oak at Ru’s Farm, with vineyards stretching out behind them. It’s a beautiful (if slightly tricky to photograph) spot, and the shade keeps things comfortable even on hot days. Afterward, guests enjoyed oysters, finger foods, and a stellar selection of local beer and wine. Kids darted around, played in packs, and babies were passed from arm to arm. Weddings, to me, are not just about the couple—they’re about community. This one felt especially rich in that way.
Portraits Around the Farm and Dancing in the Barn
After dinner, toasts, and the first dance, we took a stroll around the farm. Bumble bees buzzed through the lavender, and the evening air softened the heat of the day. We spent about 20 minutes walking, chatting, and taking pictures. My goal with couple portraits is always to make them feel natural and real. Then it was back to the barn, where the Lucky Devils Band had the dance floor jumping. Ru’s Farm has a 9 p.m. music cutoff, so the party doesn’t go super late—but there’s always time for a solid dance set.
If you are want to see another Healdsburg wedding, check out Sarah and John’s Ru’s Farm wedding from 2017. It was a good one. I mentioned before that I had two previous wedding clients at this wedding. Check out their weddings. Breanna and Patrick’s wedding in Sonoma County in 2016 was an awesome one. Going way back in the archive, Alice and Chris’ Oakland wedding was a super awesome DIY affair.