Anna Wu Photography » wedding

Erin & Thomas’ Elopement | Big Sur Wedding Photography

Anna — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:51:38 +0000

This elopement takes my breath away.

Erin is a painter; Thomas is a composer. They both knew they didn’t want a big, expensive wedding. It was difficult for their families to not be there for the ceremony, but they knew this was what fit them best. They flew from New York City to Big Sur, California, and they stripped the wedding down to its core. There were no frills– just two people in love committing to each other for the rest of their lives.

Soaring Starkey was such a wonderful officiant. She personalized the entire ceremony to fit Erin and Thomas, and she was such a pleasure to work with, ever considerate of my photography needs on top of creating the most amazing experience for the bride and groom.

I just love the sheer emotion that runs through this elopement.

In the middle of the ceremony, Soaring stepped aside to let Erin and Thomas speak directly to each other, just the two of them.

Erin’s BCBG dress was just stunning. It was so beautiful and fitting for the unique occasion.

Soaring also provided Erin and Thomas with a full script of the entire ceremony, including both of their stories about how they first knew that they were “the one” for each other.

Finally, after the ceremony we had time to roam Pfeiffer Beach for some beautiful portraits. It was such an incredible experience to be there in Big Sur, surrounded by the grandeur of the California Coast. This was one of those days I really just looked around in disbelief– I have the best job ever. This was a Monday afternoon, no less!

Number one favorite:

Congratulations, Erin & Thomas! Thank you so much for sharing your special day with me. It was an absolute honor.

Wedding Vendors:

Location: Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California
Officiant: Soaring Starkey
Dress: BCBG
Photographer: Anna Wu Photography

Christine & Scott | V. Sattui | Napa California Wedding Photography

Anna — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:35:47 +0000

They envisioned an outdoor wedding at a Napa Valley winery, V. Sattui. The courtyard would be strung with lights and guests would be seated in the cozy little square. But mother nature had other plans when the forecasts all turned to rain. Of course, Christine and Scott didn’t let it stop them for one second. All of the amazing vendors worked to seamlessly relocate the ceremony indoors to the barrel room. There was not one ounce of complaint over changed plans. It was beautiful, intimate, and filled with joy and celebration, and Christine and Scott had the perfect wedding in every way.

Christine got ready at the beautiful Avia Hotel in downtown Napa.

V. Sattui’s covered walkways surrounding the courtyard made for the perfect setting for Christine & Scott’s rainy day first look.

I absolutely loved working with everyone at V. Sattui. They made the entire day run so smoothly and were so helpful in accommodating us with all these gorgeous photography locations.

Christine and Scott opted to create two 20×30″ canvas prints of their engagement photos, as well as a custom guest book which I’m sure I’ll post about soon. I absolutely loved seeing all of their beautiful photos on display!

The details were classic and fit the rustic look of the barrel room perfectly.

Candid moments are always my favorites.

The room was transformed into the reception venue and a lounge seating area.

Macaroons! An entire dessert bar! And even an ice cream station.

Cheers!

Congratulations, Christine & Scott!

Wedding Vendors:

Venue: V. Sattui Winery
Hair: Jennifer Smallwood, It’s A Date at the Powder Room
Makeup: Jennifer Smallwood, It’s A Date at the Powder Room
Florist: Paul Stokey, Tesoro Flowers
Catering: Tra Vigne
Dress: David’s Bridal
DJ: Tony Sparks, Close Cut Productions
Wedding Coordinator: Darlene Forbes
Wedding Cake: Jaimee, Fleur de Lisa
Officiant: James Forbes
Photography: Anna Wu Photography

Cat & Dan | Santa Monica California Wedding Photography

Anna — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:21:03 +0000

She was a little bundle of nerves all morning. She just could not wait to marry the love of her life.

It was seven years ago that she had reached between the seats of a bus to tap him on the shoulder. They were on their way to a sorority/fraternity party, and she had wanted the wine that he was drinking. It was such an innocuous beginning to a relationship that would grow and span their distances from Chicago to Boston to Los Angeles to Buffalo, New York.

Now, finally, she was walking across the hotel to see him for the first time on their wedding day. It wasn’t until she approached him and tapped him on the shoulder– just as she had when they first met– that she felt her nerves settle. She smiled an easy smile, and off they went to be wed, together forever.

Cat and her mother chose her beautiful Romona Keveza wedding gown together. And of course, Cat added a bright pop of color with her Badgley Mischkas.

The handsome groom awaits the “first look” all the way at the opposite end of the hotel.

I loved the sheer delight on their faces as Cat and Dan saw each other for the first time on their wedding day.

Adorable cousin moment!

At the end of the ceremony, a beautiful rose ceremony joining the couple and honoring each of their parents.

The reception was decorated in a Spanish wine theme.

A great toast from Cat’s father.

And an unexpected serenade from Cat’s brother.

Grandma on the dance floor!

From the baby pig engagement session all the way to the aisle! Congratulations Cat & Dan!

Wedding Vendors:

Venue & Catering: Loew’s Santa Monica
Hair: Dylan
Makeup: Jessica DeBen
Florist: Gretchen Durgan, Flower Power L.A.
Dress: Romona Keveza
Band: Rock Candy, Art Deco Entertainment
Coordinator: Juliet Ryan
Videographer: Seaglass Cinema
Photographer: Anna Wu Photography

Published | Two Bright Lights Editors’ Choice Award 2012

Anna — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:15:10 +0000

I’ve been awarded the 2012 Editors’ Choice Award by Two Bright Lights!

The 2012 Two Bright Lights Editors’ Choice Awards is a signature program that recognizes photographers and vendors within the Two Bright Lights community whose number of published features in 2011 placed them among the top 5% of all Two Bright Lights members. Winners were published across many of the most respected lifestyle, wedding and other print and digital publications in the United States and worldwide.

In addition, here are a bunch of the features and publications I’ve been meaning to share! It is always such a delight to see my images out there in the world. Thanks so much to Two Bright Lights and all these amazing wedding blogs for making it possible to share my work!

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

1. Courtney & Colin’s wedding featured on BridesView, 11.10.11
2. Kristen & Ryan’s wedding featured on DIY Bride, 11.17.11
3. Catherine & Joe’s Fort Mason wedding featured on 7×7 Magazine, 12.19.11
4. Cat & Dan’s engagement session (with a baby pig too!), featured on Utterly Engaged, 02.08.12
5. Nina & Fernando’s wedding featured in Hispanic wedding blog ALBOOK, 02.11.12
6. Kathleen & Wesley’s wedding featured on 7×7 Magazine, 02.13.12
7. Janey & Lee’s wedding under a willow tree published by Offbeat Bride, 02.13.12
8. Karly & Mario’s multicultural wedding featured on The Modern Jewish Wedding, 02.15.12

View more of my features and publications here: Press.
Become a fan and follow along with the publications on facebook!

Best of 2011: Weddings

Anna — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:55:40 +0000

I know I know, it’s almost February, and I am still back in 2011, recapping weddings. Please forgive me. I thought about letting this post slide by, but I simply couldn’t let it go. 2011 was filled to the brim with such wonderful couples, unique venues all across the country, the most touching moments, and above all, love, love, love.

Below is a selection of just a few of the amazing moments from the past year. The majority of these are photojournalistic captures of genuine emotion. The laughter! The tears! The hugs! I chose these photographs because they are the types of images that remind me what an incredible honor and privilege it is to be able to do this for a living.

My sincerest thanks to every one of my 2011 couples and to their friends and family who invited me to be there on such a special day of your lives. I hope you enjoy! Click on any image to view the full wedding post.

Pei-Hua & Tony | San Francisco City Hall Wedding Photography

Anna — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:24:26 +0000

Pei-Hua and Tony first met when they were they first joined AOL and were sent to training in Virginia. Six weeks of work training led to a cross-country long distance relationship, and a couple years later, Tony joined Pei-Hua in California to move into the next stage of their lives together. It was a brisk December day when Pei-Hua and Tony were officially wed at San Francisco’s City Hall. Some of their family members had flown in from Taiwan for the occasion, and Pei-Hua was radiant in her beautiful gown, looking just as elegant as the space.

San Francisco’s City Hall is beyond amazing. It’s such a beautiful building with plenty of natural light for photographs, and it’s simply the perfect setting for a civil ceremony.

Friends and family gather around as they wait their turn for their ceremony.

Laughter and tears!

It was Pei-Hua’s idea to finish off the day with some jumping photos. I love how this turned her dress into a giant poofball!

Congratulations Pei-Hua and Tony! Now that I’ve fallen in love with San Francisco City Hall, I can’t wait to shoot more weddings there!

Wedding Vendors:

Hair & Makeup: Jessie Weng
Dress: Mori Lee
Shoes: J.Renee
Shrug: Light in the Box

Nina & Fernando | Windsor, California Wedding Photography

Anna — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:47:20 +0000

They are high school sweethearts, best friends, and partners for life. With Nina’s brilliant smile and Fernando’s kind heart, they brighten every room they enter. Nina and Fernando were wed in December in a beautiful celebration with summery sunlight, beautiful autumn leaves, and a sparkling winter wonderland all rolled into one.

A great mother daughter moment

The beautiful lazo encircles the couple– a Mexican wedding tradition.

Looking over the shoulders of the Mariachi band.

Nina and her father, and on the right, Fernando and his father.

After the ceremony, we went to the Windsor Golf Club for some more portraits of the bride and groom.

I was in love with these trees!

And then it was time for the reception at the Mary Agatha Furth Center.

I love seeing my couples’ engagement photos used at the reception!

The toasts were beautiful. Family is so important to Nina and Fernando, and it really showed throughout the day.

I love this moment from the end of the money dance! For those who are wondering about all that money stuck to the couple, it’s a Mexican tradition to do a “money dance’ where guests can take turns coming up and pinning money to the bride or the groom in exchange for a dance with them.

And now for the 12 piece Banda! I’ve seen bands play at weddings, but never a 17-piece band with the full stage and production equipment set up! It was one of the many highlights of the night.

…And they danced the night away!

Congratulations Nina & Fernando!

Wedding Vendors:

Ceremony: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Windsor, California
Reception: Mary Agatha Furth Center, Windsor, California
Hair: Ivonne Zapata
Florist: Angelica DeMaderios
Catering: Rosales Catering, Santa Rosa, CA
Dress: Wine Country Bride
Mariachi Band: Mariachi Jalisco
17-Piece Band: Banda Troyana, San Jose, CA
Videography: Tamayo’s Video
Coordinator: Carmen Callinan, aunt of the bride
Cake: Alicia Quatrocchi
Chair Rentals: 1000 Fine Linens, Fremont, CA
Security: V&G Services, Santa Rosa, CA

Evelia & Joseph’s Wedding Album

Anna — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:15:46 +0000

Even in a digital age– perhaps especially in a digital age– it is still so important to have printed photographs. I absolutely love creating heirloom wedding albums for my couples. Below are just a few sample spreads from Evy & Joe‘s wedding album, which they created as a beautiful gift for Joe’s grandmother.

Use the related links below to view some of the other wedding albums we’ve created in the past.

Kristen & Ryan | Kate & Mike | Wedding Albums

Anna — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:53:04 +0000

I am in love with these wedding albums. It’s been such a great pleasure to create these books for my couples this year. Every single one is so precious and filled with beautiful memories. I just wanted to share two of them with you today:

First, Kristen & Ryan’s super thick 80-page wedding album. I love how substantial this book is! It’s a 10×10″ album bound in white padded leather– a true heirloom that they’ll treasure for generations.

These albums are produced by KISS wedding books, which I absolutely love. Their construction is impeccable and albums ship in just a couple weeks. Each album also comes with its own cute cloth bag.

Here are a couple sample pages from the inside of Kristen & Ryan’s album:

The microfold down the middle is so tiny that it allows for photographs to lie across the spread seamlessly.

Next, Kate & Michael’s wedding album. This one is also a 10×10″ book but with fewer pages. Kate chose a blue leather cover that went perfectly with her wedding colors.

I love a clean, modern design that doesn’t get in the way of the photographs.

Here’s a sample spread from the ceremony– it tells the story from beginning to end.

One of my personal favorites:

And a classic final spread:

The albums are lined with black linen end pages.

Finally, one more look at the padded leather cover and the thick storybook pages.

I absolutely love creating these custom wedding albums. They are a perfect way to retell your wedding story. I am looking forward to many more books to come!

Catherine & Joe | Fort Mason | San Francisco Wedding Photography

Anna — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:53:11 +0000

You can see it in the way their eyes sometimes lock– they’ve found their sense of home in one another. Catherine and Joe first met when they worked together at the same accounting firm, and it took years of friendship and dating before Joe– never the planner– planned a romantic beach getaway and proposed.

On a beautiful day at Fort Mason in San Francisco, Catherine and Joe were married, surrounded by plenty of friends, family, laughter, and even a few happy tears.

This flowy, understated Priscilla of Boston gown fit Catherine perfectly.

Gorgeous and hilarious! The bridesmaids were oh so elegant in their strapless floor length dresses also from Priscilla of Boston.

Beautiful mother and daughter

Meanwhile, in the man cave… these were shot by my second shooter Kirsten.

Catherine & Joe opted to do a “first look,” seeing each other for the first time before the ceremony. It allowed us plenty of time to create these beautiful portraits.

Image on the left by Kirsten

Image on the right by Kirsten

I love the glow of the late afternoon sun– magic hour.

Image on the right by Kirsten

Sisters embrace

Reception in a frame!

The wedding party really enjoyed the same day slideshow!

Catching the couple for a moment in the dance party.

And one last frame, shot by Kirsten.

Congratulations, Catherine & Joe!

Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Officer’s Club, Fort Mason, San Francisco CA
Hair: Hair by Dante, San Francsico
Makeup: Red Door Spa, San Francisco
Florist: Chelsea Bowman
Catering: Piazza Market
Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Priscilla of Boston
DJ/Musicians: Peter Haley
Wedding Cake: Jenefer Chin (friend of couple)
Photographer: Anna Wu Photography, assisted by Kirsten Tamme