Kayla F Photography: Garden Wedding

Sunday

Anna & Donny are two of the sweetest, fun loving and exquisite clients I've had the honor of photographing. Their wedding day was filled with incredible details, dreamy light, but more importantly, family and friends that showed up to support and have some fun!!! The Hakone Gardens in Saratoga is definitely one of my favorite venues and I can't wait to go back and bathe some clients in all that golden light! It really was breathtaking.
Anna & Donny's day was perfectly timed. They opted to not see each other before the ceremony, but had an early ceremony time in order to have a break in between their ceremony and reception. We not only had plenty of time for wedding party and family photos, but we also were able to frolick around the gardens and spend the most beautiful part of the day taking bride and groom portraits. It was perfect! I can't thank my second shooter Kristen from K. Holly Photography enough; not only was she such a professional and delight to have with me, but she rocked a 9 hour wedding 7 months pregnant...she's a rockstar!
Anna wore a stunning dress by Watters with the illusion neckline, the flowy netting skirt and intricate but delicate lace bodice - I was obviously in love! Donny's guys wore amazing wood bowties that along with their gray suits and vests really brought out the relaxed but sophisticated vibe of their day. There were details of tortoises (Donny's favorite animal as well as their wedding mascot, Muffin), honeycombs, baby's breathe, bunt cakes and twinkle lights, and of course, friends and family cheers-ing to them into the night!
Anna and Donny, I loved spending your special day with you and I truly love your images as much as I love you two!

Church : St. Justin Parish, Santa Clara
Reception Venue : Hakone Garden, Saratoga
Flower : Flowers by Janet
Wedding Dress + Bridesmaids Dresses : Trudy’s
Groom’s Suit + Groomsmen attire : Tuxedo Warehouse
Hair + Makeup : A List Makeup – Casey Nguyen
Caterer : Flourishing Garden
Lighting : Bay Area Event Lights
Beer Vendor : Golden State Brewery
Photo booth : SnapBox – Rikki Dy-Liacco
Cakes : Nothing Bunt cakes
Linens : Chair Divas

Sunday

Wedding days are magical. Sometimes, events that go awry on big, important days really do lay the foundation for how you will you handle obstacles that are thrown your way during your marriage. A HUGE road closure and guests that were stuck in traffic from said road closure were two potentially disastrous events that took place on S+J's wedding day up in Marin in July. However, how S+J handled the mishaps with such poise and simply by asking, "Do we have enough lemonade to keep everyone happy?". Talk about perfect!

Stephanie and Jacopo have quite literally traveled the world together! Jacopo was born and raised in Italy and Stephanie spent two years there with him while they were dating. They then lived in Chicago together and for their honeymoon, they had a world-wind trip visiting Greece, Italy, Egypt, Taiwan, Indonesia, and India! Talk about an amazing adventure! Their wedding day was filled with love, family and of course, amazing food and friends! People traveled from continents to be there; I remember saying to Cassy of Cassy Rose Events that I had never had a wedding with at least 4 languages being spoken (Italian, Mandarin, French and English). It was absolutely spectacular to be surrounded by so many stories and lives.

Stephanie + Jacopo, thank you for asking me to document your big day! You two were absolutely amazing and I'm beyond honored to have been a part of it!