This blog post is about an intimate city hall wedding, but not just yet. 

The world is in a different place.

This post is about an intimate City Hall wedding in San Francisco. But a few other things first. No one could imagine that 2020 would have been the kick in the butt that it turned out to be just mere months ago from a coronavirus called Covid-19. Yet, here we are. As I write this, people are staying home around the world as scientists work to help the medical community and the people of the planet. I don’t know how anyone’s perception of life and the world cannot be affected in some way or another. It has been incredible witnessing the coming together of so many people in different ways. The people in Italy singing from their balconies. The drive by parties to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. The goodwill of humanity trying to help their neighbors. It’s been quite the journey.

My little part of the world.  

My friends and peers in the event and wedding industry are really rallying together and I could not be more thankful. Our businesses and jobs came to an utter standstill for 99% of us. Just stopped. We as a community however, did not and are not. We are moving forward.

What does this look like? Good question. We are still trying to figure it out ourselves. Because everything is evolving on a daily to seemingly hourly basis, none of us really know. I can say though we are all paying attention and communicating regularly to stay on top of things. Imagine all the weddings and events that had to cancel with little notice. It was a massive endeavor to try to rearrange things. We even still have to be prepared to do it all over again. 

And, we will. We will do whatever it takes to make beautiful weddings and successful events and create beautiful portraits of families.

So, how does this play a role in photography and my business?

Good question and as of now, not a complete idea about this myself. But I am on it. It is in these crazy times that it will be really important to hire professionals to serve any needs you have for photography or any part of your wedding or event. The days of doing a google search to find an officiant, a planner, a photographer, a florist and hiring anyone who says they are a “professional” while on your lunch break (or not, yea, I know you do this ALL day long) will have to change. This is the time now when experience and education and understanding are going to be extremely important.

Now is not at all the time to hire someone who is cheap (believe me I understand budgets. We ALL have budgets.) and perhaps doesn’t have liability insurance, enough equipment for the job or the experience to troubleshoot and adjust as necessary. Now, is definitely the time to hire those people that you can trust in any kind of situation to be prepared, skilled and trustworthy. Personal recommendations now will mean more than anything. Having been in this industry for 20 years, I have seen good and I have seen bad. People I love to work with and people I will never work with again. 

This is where I want to help you, my community and my industry.

We are going to be more a team now than ever before whether a wedding or an event or a corporate seminar. Communication and trust will be the biggest key here. This will evolve and evolve again for who knows how long but I’m not going anywhere and my intention is to provide the best possible in any situation. Weddings are going to be smaller, more intimate, more emotional and more poignant I think. Here is a something I see becoming more prevalent like this intimate city hall wedding.

City Hall Wedding is just the start…

I really love doing a San Francisco City Hall wedding actually. The ceremony may last all of 4.6 minutes but it is still a huge moment in people’s lives. It was just this for Allison and Ruy too.

I met them at their hotel where they were getting ready. I started with Allison and her mom in their room. Allison’s makeup was done, the dress was beautiful and she was ready to get married! I then went to Ruy’s room. Allison had joked about their miniature Mastiff and Pit Bull and I thought, man what will breeders come up with next? Well, she got me! They were no miniatures but big-ass, beautiful dogs who had to give me a good sniff down-two cats had left their scent–and were just big babies. I loved it!

Ruy was quite comfortable in front of the camera and it was hard not to be distracted by the dogs and wanting to just lie on the floor with them. But I had a job to do! After this, we did the first look and some portraits. The guest list consisted of both moms, two dogs and me and it was a great time.

The ceremony had moms in tears and some laughs too. The officiants really do a great job at making this process still unique and special to each couple.

Time for portraits!

The weather was not the most cooperative thing this day but you can’t live in San Francisco and not know this is typical. However, a cloudy day is the best kind of day for portraits. We hit the Legion of Honor and Baker Beach and then went to bed!

Have your attention now, don’t I? Yes, back to the hotel and to bed we went! Allison and Ruy, the dogs and me. It was hilarious, especially when the Pitty sneezed. Wasn’t on me so of course, I laughed! After a quick session here and some refreshments it was to the street. Somehow, some way, we hit the street with the least amount of traffic possible. Timing was everything. But I think we nailed it.

This was a great day with a great couple and a couple of great, big-ass dogs. It was not your usual city hall wedding to be sure!

See more weddings HERE.