Paige and Joey’s wedding was exactly like them; perfect and adorable! Vineyards in the background set the romantic tone for the lovely day to come. The ceremony and reception sites at Peltzer Farms were custom built just for them and all the details from the picnic tables to the napkin ties were absolutely gorgeous. Even though the sun was hot, a cool breeze allowed everyone to be comfortable throughout the event. The ceremony reminded the couple, as well as the guests, how important it is to honor God in such a time of happiness. Their joy was simply contagious!

Petite little Paige looked stunning in her elegant fit-and-flare gown and pretty cowboy boots. Our favorite moment was when the handmade doors were thrown open and Joey saw his bride for the first time. He made the crowd laugh when he said that it would be very hard to resist kissing Paige until the end of the ceremony!

All in all, the home-cooked meal and the evening of laughter and dancing fit Paige and Joey perfectly. When Paige stood on Joey’s feet during their first dance to make herself just the slightest bit closer to him, we just about died from the cuteness! Concluding with a sparkler exit was the icing on the cake for the night and everyone could tell that Paige and Joey could not have been more in love.

Vendors of the Day

Photographers: Smetona Photo
Wedding Venue: Peltzer Farms
Wedding Coordinator: Amber Poncy
DJ: Bryan Thrane
Videographer: Kale Rampenthal
Florist: Alison Baughman
Cake: Breanna Bilton
Makeup Artist: Tracy Sharp
Hair Stylist: Beth McNeil
Dress: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: LA fabric district
Groomsmen Suits: H&M

We fondly refer to Brandi and Stephen’s wedding at Maurice Car’rie Winery as the “surprise wedding”. Not because the wedding itself was a surprise, but because it was full of so many amazing and wonderful moments. Everyone was surprising everyone! We thought we knew all the surprises ahead of time, but we were wrong. Even we were pleasantly shocked at times!

First, we arrived at the gorgeous Churon Winery where Brandi and Stephen were getting ready. We then led Brandi down through the vines where Stephen was waiting to see his beautiful bride! From there we headed over to the wedding site at Maurice Car’rie and the surprises began!

Scroll down to find the surprises…

Surprise #1

Stephen’s parents surprised the bride (and Stephen) with a gorgeous horse drawn carriage for Brandi to arrive to her ceremony. She was shocked and so overjoyed! As a tearful Brandi made her way down the aisle, we think Stephen was still trying to figure out where the horse came from.

Surprise #2

Please click the music link below. 

As a nod to the couples’ (admitted) nerd tendencies, suddenly the Star War’s Imperial March started playing. To Stephen’s surprise, Brandi had arranged for Darth Vader to appear as the ring bearer. The nerds in us were thrilled! Surprise #3

To even our surprise, the Mother/Son Dance was interrupted by Thriller by Michael Jackson! Soon the entire bridal party was on the floor busting their zombie moves. 

Surprise #4

The last surprise was for us! Their fellow nerds and photographers of all people! Last year when Brandi and Stephen went to Comic Con, they invited us to go with them. Because we had a wedding that day, we had to decline. However, our kind clients certainly thought of us! While they were there, they picked us up an copy of a Hobbit art print and had it signed by the head of Weta Digital, Richard Taylor, personally for us. We love it!!! What an amazing surprise and incredibly thoughtful gift!

Brandi and Stephen,
Thank you for being such incredibly wonderful and thoughtful clients! You and your family are a blessing to us! We had a great time at your wedding and can only imagine that your marriage will be an equally great journey!
All our love,
Kristin and Dustin

Vendors of the Day

Photography: Smetona Photo
Getting Ready Venue: Churon Inn
Wedding Venue: Maurice Car’rie Winery
Bride’s Gown: Vera Wang for David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Dress: Little Borrowed Dress
Cake: Truly Madly Sweetly
Linens: Premier Rentals
DJ: Pro Sound DJs

Once in a while, there are moments at a wedding where we just feel like saying, “Someone pinch us.” Ashley and Paul’s wedding was full of such moments! For Kristin, who grew up landlocked in the Midwest, getting to shoot a gorgeous wedding on a boat in Newport Beach was just incredible! Ashley and Paul’s wedding on the Eternity was simply wonderful! The weather was perfect and everything went off without a hitch. Ashley looked absolutely stunning! Paul and the guys were being their typical goofy selves. Everything was amazing!

Our favorite part of the day was when we left with Ashley and Paul after the wedding and hitched a ride with them in their limo to the beach for portraits on the shore! It was so neat getting to walk with them on the beach while strangers wished them “Congrats!” A couple even let us borrow their tandem bike for a few photos. Walking on the beach for photos after your wedding day? AWESOME!
Ashley’s amazing brooch bouquet was made by the bride herself by collecting brooches from friends and family members. So beautiful! Ashley and Paul chose to not see each other before the wedding, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t take photos together… Just look at that view!

Vendors of the Day

Photography: Smetona Photo
Venue: Electra Cruises
Wedding Coordinator: Susan with Electra Cruises
Cake: Cinderella Cakes
Bride’s and Bridesmaid Dress: David’s Bridal
Men’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

Erin and Aaron. When the bride and groom’s names sound exactly alike, you know you are in for two people with a great sense of humor and who love to have fun! We had an amazing time hanging out “Girl Erin and Boy Aaron”on their wedding day! Admittedly, our favorite moment was when Aaron welled up with tears when Erin and him held hands around the corner before the ceremony.

The house and barn at Meanda Grove in Riverside, California was an amazing setting for their ceremony and reception! We will always have fond memories of this incredible day! Check out some of our favorites from the day below.

Vendors of the Day

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Meanda Grove in Riverside, California
Wedding Coordinator: Bryan Solomko
DJ: Allen Ward-DJ A-Dub (If you ever need an amazing DJ, check him out!)
Bridal Gown: Beloved Couture Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Made with love by the bride’s mother, Karenjo Nelson
Men’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

It’s not often that we get to log 12 hours and over 700 miles commuting to a wedding, but let us just say: this one was well worth it!
We had the opportunity to meet Lizbeth via Skype along with her adorable sister, Nirvana, who you’ll see below. We immediately fell in love with both of them! The debonair groom, Matthew, we met on the wedding day and were not disappointed. He and his groomsmen were quality gentlemen and fun to spend the day with!

The wedding itself took place at the San Benito County Fair Grounds just south of Hollister, CA. This rustic setting came complete with gigantic barnyard reception hall, well-used but empty horse stalls, and beautiful green hills serving as a lush backdrop. It was a photographer’s dream! Oh and not to mention, Matthew’s father had an EPIC restored Ford that they used for their grand entrance!

On three different occasions in the reception, Lizbeth put her incredible vocal skills on display. The third and final one was the best – a serenade for her new husband…There wasn’t a dry eye in the place, even behind the cameras!

Lizbeth and Matthew,
What a joy it was for us to celebrate your wedding! It is a great thing that the Lord has done by uniting the two of you together. We couldn’t be more happy for you and your families! We hope these pictures serve to memorialize that wonderful day and that they’ll be a blessing for generations to come. May the Lord grant you a long and blessed life together!
With love,
Kristin and Dustin

Vendors of the Day

Photography: Smetona Photo
Getting Ready Venue: Ridgemark Golf and Country Club
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Bolado Park – San Benito County Fairgrounds
Wedding Coordinator: Lauren Ostheimer
Bridal Gown: Bay Area Bridal
Makeup and Hair: Ruth May
Men’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse
Florist: Flowers by Bria
Bakery: Sweet Tooth Confections
DJ: DJ Swift