Vintage-Swing Wedding | Jenna+Jason | The White Palace, San Francisco | Lyford House, Tiburon, CA

Jenna and Jason's wedding vintage-swing wedding was a labor of love!  All of their loved ones had a hand in creating such an amazing wedding.  Each thoughtful detail at the White Palace in San Francisco and Lyford House in Tiburon had meaning right down to the hand-sewn pillows by her Dad. (He used to sew Jenna's Brownie patches on her Brownie sash when she was little.)  Joy, love and laughter was all around! Jenna and Jason never stopped smiling--smiling at each other, at family and friends, and my camera.  The day was pretty darn perfect minus an MIA tuxedo and some party crashers. :) Jenna and Jason, you two are in one word FABULOUS...okay make it two and FUN! Enjoy xoxo, Stacey

Since Jenna and Jason decided to do a "First Look," they were able to exchange their wedding gifts before the ceremony. :)  So much fun to photograph! :)

Vintner's Inn, Wine Country Wedding | Jessica+Bret | Santa Rosa, CA

The bride was glorious, a modern day Brigitte Bardot, the groom was handsome and might I say sexy in his tailored J-Crew suit. And the two together....well....BAM--the electricity, the romance!  Look at how Bret looks at his bride--such love, such admiration. :)  Jess is an amazing woman--one of the hardest workers I know, running a very successful photography business in the Sacramento area, a single mom to twin, adorable 3-year-old girls, and is still able to put an incredible meal together at dinnertime. And how she organized and created such an amazing, super detailed wedding is beyond my comprehension.. Ok so she did have a fabulous team: the gorgeous Vintner's Inn, a hardworking wedding coordinator, Rochelle, an amazing florist Kevin DeHoff at The Country Florist, lighting and entertainment by TSP DJ, to name but a few. So I hope you enjoy the result of all of their efforts!  Jessica and Brett, you two are such an amazing couple, complete with love, romance, support, and smiles. Enjoy! xoxo, Stacey

HELLLLOOOO, Handsome...... :)

FIRST LOOK!  YAY!  I love the look of excitement and joy and the electricity of bride and groom when they see each other for the first time! :)

The glorious wedding dress is Pronovias by Always Elegant Bridal & Tuxedo.

Look very close...see who snuck into this moment. :)

SO many BEAUTIFUL details.... While we were out taking photos, Rochelle of Sienna Aline Events was busy making the details perfect. :)  I just love a king's table. And look at those flowers! Great job Kevin DeHoff at The Country Florist:)

BEAUTIFUL cake.... thanks to Patisserie Angelica. :)

I LOVE to sneak off with my couples to grab sunset photos.  Have I mentioned how the light from two different directions can give you a totally different feel and look. :)

Once again....my fabulous team did it!!! Thank you Jenna for capturing so many of the details of day so beautifully. And to my supportive husband! LOVE YOU GUYS!!! xo, Stacey

ruby hill golf course wedding | penny + drew | pleasanton, ca

The weather was warm, the bride was beautiful--complete with poise and grace, and the groom was debonair and full of emotion, the makings for a perfect day! No detail was overlooked--Penny and Drew put thought into everything, including a wooden structure built by Drew's Dad that held the 1000 handmade colorful origami cranes.  Penny put so much attention into her wedding details, she "forgot" to eat and nearly passed out---but nothing a little Twizzlers and Goldfish didn't fix. :)  Penny and Drew, thank you for giving me the opportunity to photograph your beautiful, emotional day.  It seems like yesterday, Penny, that you and I were sitting in Starbucks on a rainy winter day chatting about your wedding day. :) xo, Stacey 

Penny and Drew elected to do a "First Look."  There was this beautiful Oak tree that was PERFECT for them to see each before the wedding. So romantic--stunning! :) I LOVE the 3 different perspectives we got from Jenna (my fabulous second shooter), Erik (my husband, photographer and assistant) and myself. :)

Once again, I want to thank my WONDERFUL team, Erik and Jenna, for the immense amount of support given and photos taken.  I couldn't have done it without you. xo, Stacey

elegant wine country barn wedding | mo + patrick | witt estate & barbara's barn | st. helena, ca

The venue and details were harmonious... the bride was radiant... the groom was dapper...  And together they made for a beautiful dream wedding day. The ceremony was at the gorgeous Witt Estate in St. Helena with the reception to follow on property in "Barbara's Barn."  The weather was warm and perfect for a September wedding in wine country.  The girls got ready in a private cottage on the property where the French doors were open, letting in the beautiful light and vineyard air. Mo was so sweet, sitting as quietly as a church mouse getting her hair and make-up done.  Throughout the day, you could catch her taking deep yet quiet breaths to calm her nerves. :) While Patrick could be seen wiping away tears of joy whether it was at the first look or after singing a song for his bride. Can I just say Patrick's gift to his bride was the best gift.  Without Mo knowing, he learned how to sing and play "Here Comes the Sun" on guitar--mind you Patrick isn't a musician or singer. Seeing the photos of them together, you can feel the pureness of the love they share.  Mo and Patrick, Thank you for having me be a part of your day not only as your photographer, but for making me feel like part of the family. Enjoy some of the snippets from the day. :) xoxo, Stacey

Mo and Patrick elected to do a "First Look"--where the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony.  Patrick is so in AWE of his beautiful bride. :)

...which resulted in an emotional embrace from Mo. :)

I love when I can capture the bride and groom exchanging gifts. :)

I love the 2 different looks you get from 2 different viewpoints.  Thanks to my fabulous second shooter Jenna, I was able to capture the 2 perspectives at the same time! :)

And of course the day couldn't have been so beautiful if it weren't for all the people that put it together.

Venue: Witt Estate | Wedding Coordinator: Alison Events | Florist: A Simple Ceremony | Caterer: the girl & the fig

I would also like to thank my WONDERFUL team.  The fabulous Jenna Hueckstaedt who I can always count on to not only get the shot but get cool creative photos as well.  The support and assistance of my husband, Erik, who gives me strength and helps to make my day run SO much smoother.  And Paula McCuaig, for being the sweetest, most thoughtful mother-of-the-bride. :)

wedding | joanna + steven | historic cedarwood | nashville, tn

So my little sis-in-law got married! I watched her grow up from a shy, skirt-twirling 4-year-old to a beautiful bride. :) What a day!!! The wedding took place at the charming historic Cedarwood in Nashville, TN. And a dream to photograph--a wedding with SO many charming details. There were some seriously gorgeous inspiration for an intimate country celebration to photograph. I was DYING over the darling details, the vintage truck and the bicycle built for two, the red barn with lighting and frames--so many artistic little touches. Love it!!! And nothing like crisp cool cucumber water to refresh yourself on a warm, VERY humid summer wedding night in the south. But enough about the venue, as you will see from the photos, this wedding totally embraces the colorful glow of a couple in love. Do you see how the groom, Steven, smiles at Joanna and how the dimple on Joanna's upper right cheek appears when she looks at Steven. :) Love you guys! xoxo, Stacey 

P.S. Did I mention that my boys were 2 of the 3 ring-barers and my hubby, Joanna's brother Erik, was my second shooter. :) I have never worn so many hats at one time--wedding photographer, mom, wife, sister and daughter-in-law. Crazy fun! (Thanks Cousin Ashley for helping out with the boys!) At one point during the ceremony, I hear, "MOM? MOM? We're hot!" Followed by, "Mom? Mom? We're bored. When is this going to be over?" Love my boys! By the way, aren't they handsome in the tuxes?! Ok...so I am a little bias. :)

Joanna and Steven elected to do a "First Look" where they see each other before the wedding. :)  I LOVE Steven's expressions on his face in anticipation of seeing his bride for the first time.

 

Erik captured this photo of Joanna and Steven's first kiss. I love the angle he got! :)

 

I LOVE this photo of my boys!

wedding | terra + erich | pebble beach resorts | pebble beach, ca

Once again, I've done it.  I have fallen head over heels for the bride and groom.  What a beautiful couple and their wedding day was just as stunning. :)  Ok...so the wedding was at Pebble Beach Resorts, specifically at the Lodge with reception to follow at the Beach and Tennis Club.  But it was the little moments, the shared glances and kisses throughout the day that made this day extra beautiful.  At one point during the ceremony, right after Erich placed the ring on Terra's finger, Terra practically leaped into Erich's arms to steal a kiss in excited jubilation. Erich smiled at her response and held position because it wasn't time to kiss.  It was so sweet that Terra giggled at her embarrassment. So cute!  They even shared a moment after the ceremony not only sipping champagne but snacking on Peanut m&ms. :)  The simple things, the stolen moments made this couple happy amongst such an elegant elaborate wedding.  Erich and Terra, I will miss our "photo sessions" together and crazy fun telephone consults in preparation for you wedding. Erich, I will miss your innate sense of creativity. And Terra your sweet smiles and encouraging and supportive words. I hope you enjoy the pics I selected to give you as a peak into your wedding day. :) xo, Stacey

 

Terra and Erich elected to have a "First Look" which I like to call a "First Peak." :)  This is where the bride and groom share a private moment prior to the wedding ceremony and where the groom sees his bride for the first time in her wedding gown. :)  And Erich was ELATED to see Terra--greeting her with SMILES. :) We decided to do the first peak at Casa Palmero, a private estate-like setting on the Pebble Beach Resort grounds.

It takes a WHOLE lot of people to make a wedding this BEAUTILFUL!!! Thanks to the following:

staceyPentland photography team of Jessica Cole and Erik Pentland | The AMAZING wedding coordinators Casey & Courtney Reed owners and operators of  Help Me Get Hitched  | the entire staff at Pebble Beach Resorts especially  Daryl Griffith- Director of Caterering | Mariel Thompson- Makeup | Jessica- Hair | the fabulous band Notorious | Quartet - Monterey String Trio | Florist | Bakery

WEDDING | MISTY + JOSH | VINTNERS INN | SANTA ROSA

Misty and Josh's wedding was a simple and intimate affair, full of love and laughter, friends and family. :)  When Erik and I arrived, Misty and her cute self was anxiously pacing, happy to have her favorite snack of Wheat Thins to help calm her nerves--OK so the champagne helped too. :)  Why the nerves?  Outside of the obvious, the forecast for their California winery wedding was a rare snow storm.  GREAT!!!  My heart broke for her knowing the disappointment she must be feeling coming all the way to California from Oklahoma. But weather miracles do happen and the weather was GORGGGG-EOUS!   As the weather lightened so did the mood--lots and lots of giggles among Misty and her peeps.  Who can forget the handsome groom and his charming dimples and tender spirit.  Nervous as can be, bending his knees to keep them from buckling, Josh couldn't wait to see Misty.  You can see the joy and elation on his face when Misty walked down the aisle. :) Their chemistry was so sweet, so endearing!  A special thanks to Kimberlyn Hall of Blueberry Hill Events and Vintners Inn for creating a magical day.  xo, Stacey

When I saw her dress, I nearly flipped!!!  The dress was even the muse for the cake designer.  

I never cry at weddings, especially at weddings I am photographing.  However, when Misty's sister, Aimee, pulled me aside to tell me that she was secretly going to pin a special locket of their mom into Misty's dress, I got all teary eyed.  Misty's mom had passed away which made the jester all the more touching.

 

Since Misty's wedding ceremony "had" to be moved inside because of the inclement weather, I decided to take her photos in the area where she was originally planning on having her ceremony.

I love this pic of Misty.  I had asked her to grab her dress to swoosh it and grabbed this candid.  I love how the bend in her body mirrors the bend in the vines in the background.

Doesn't she belong in a bridal magazine!  Beautiful!

My gentleman of a husband and my second shooter, Erik, offered Misty his coat.  I love how his coat swims on her tiny frame. :)

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Josh's reaction to seeing his bride for the first time.  His eyes popped open at seeing her. :)

The lantern was in honor of her mom.

Love this pic that Erik captured.  One of my faves. :)

I wish I had more time to photograph Misty and Josh.  They were so much fun to photograph! But is was time to get the party started.  For the short time that the fab and amazing wedding planner Kimberlyn Hill owner of Blueberry Hills Events had in switching the venue from outside to inside, the ceremony and reception rooms were beautiful.  I especially loved the lanterns she hung in the ceremony room.

See how the cake matched the dress! :)  LOVE IT!

A moment right before their grand entrance.

Her sister gave a heart felt toast and announced the secret "package" pinned inside the lining of Misty's dress.

Josh reacting to the HYSTERICAL toast by his best man Ryan.  

Love the sweet chemistry!

Another fun pic by Erik!

wedding | nicole + shaun | St. Antonious Coptic Orthodox Church, hayward, ca | civic park, walnut creek library, bing crosby's, walnut creek, ca

Nicole and Shaun's Coptic church ceremony was rich in tradition, with warm smells of incense, colorful robes and crowns.  The couple was surrounded by smiles, hugs and kisses from  family and friends.  I felt like part of the crew. :)  I loved the looks Nicole and Shaun would share during their wedding ceremony and how Nicole was giddy like a school girl. This couple had the sweetest chemistry. (Nicole and Shaun were married in a large public ceremony a year ago.)

You wouldn't know it by the pics, but rain was forecast the day of the wedding. YUCK!--especially since we planned on taking photos at Civic Park in Walnut Creek.  Well...all that worrying for nothing!  The weather turned out perfect.  For all of you wondering what the "Plan B" spot was...the Walnut Creek Library! My inspriation still fresh in my head, I convinced Nicole and Shaun to take some pics in the library where I happened to get some of my favorite photos of the day. :) Note to self: LOVED photographing in the library and will DEFINITELY use it again. :)

Enjoy the pics! P.S. And yes it did end up pouring that afternoon and evening. :)

Nicole made the cupcakes. Don't they look delish! :)

Wedding: Fashion Editorial, Mara & Gabe, Moraga, CA

What a great time Heidi and I had photographing this gorgeous couple, for a fashion editorial photo shoot. Thank you Mara and Gabe, you two have amazing chemistry together and it shows in the photos.

(This is part one of a three part series.)

If you'd like to see more pics and hear more about the shoot, and what we're doing, please visit our blog.