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About a year ago, I took some pictures of my coworker Andy’s daughter Thea.  Andy was was really impressed and booked me as a generous gift to her cousin Nena’s wedding at Vintage Garden in Modesto.  Despite the weather being really hot, the setting for their wedding was really nice.  Nestled in the back was the gazebo where the ceremony took place and just a few steps away were three large tents for the reception.  The first thing that caught my attention was this large ice sculpture with fruit.  I was surprised that after an hour it didn’t evaporate!  After looking at the ice sculpture, they had a beautiful cake inside the cottage (probably due to the air conditioning).  I went in with Nena to take some pictures of her beautiful dress and her attendants.  Entertainment was definitely key to this wedding with a mariachi band and a DJ both working at the same time. That was definitely cool but I feel bad for the mariachi band having to wear their outfits in such hot weather. I did not realize that was Andy’s birthday until the DJ announced it and everybody started singing ‘Happy Birthday’! Once the dance floor opened up I think this was the first time that there were possibly just as many little kids dancing around on the dance floor compared to their parents.  Andy’s daughter was precious dancing around with her cousins.  As night came to Modesto and the sun and temperature both fell, the lighted tent glowed with the energy of the dance floor and it’s guests.

{text by Jeff}

Happy Birthday, Andy!

Thea: Where is mommy??

Thea: I can dance!

Martinelli Event Center

3585 Greenville Rd,

Livermore, CA 94550

Kimberly and Choy chose a beautiful but hot day to get married on a bright clear afternoon at the Martinelli Event Center in Livermore.  My eyes immediately settled in on the beautiful decorations around the outdoor gazebo with all of the white calla lilies.  Those are my favorite flower of all time and I was really impressed on how well the floral arrangements were put together.  Other than the beautiful arrangements, there was a candy bar for the guests.  Really nice touch with the great looking glass and colorful candy.

Kimberly and I both went to Oakland High School, and her sister Corinne was even in VAAMP (Visual Art Academy Mentor Program) but just many years after I finished. VAAMP was a great program for high school students who are interested to pursue visual art as one of the career options. From there I had my invaluable experience in fine art photography, soap stone sculpture, linoleum block carving, oil painting, drawing with different mediums, sewing (which I sucked at) and art history. It was a three years program and that was the highlight of my high school life. Meeting Kimberly and Corinne brought back a lot of memories of the good old days.

Kimberly and Choy picked a great venue for their wedding since the outdoor wedding was beautiful with sweeping views of the valley as well as the great flowers at the gazebo.  Their reception was spectacular and I loved the high ceilings and wood beams above.  I could tell by the way that Kimberly and Choy were acting that they were really enjoying their day and not letting any nerves get into the way.  Looking through the pictures again, I could see so much warmth and love by the way that Kim and Choy look at each other that I have no doubt that they will love each other forever.

And last but certainly not least I want to give a humongous thank you to Jennifer Hosler (http://www.candidmomentsweddings.com) for helping me out and taking such beautiful shots.  Besides just doing the shooting, she was totally psychic when she knew that Kimberly or I needed something like water.  Thanks again Jennifer!

Kimberly and Choy’s daughter Maliya. She’s such an angel!

More photos coming up…..