Alexandra & Brett's Engagement. San Francisco

A few weekends back I met up with Alex and Brett for their engagement session. Recall me mentioning the Ferry Building as being quite popular? Well, I’m back! They had never explored the marketplace so we walked the long hallway stopping along the way to sample and window shop. There are so many terrific small businesses and food stalls, I’m sure this won’t be their last time here.

Walking from end to end, we found some wonderful light indoors and out! It was a gorgeous day in the City so there were loads of people out enjoying the San Francisco Spring. Bench space along the waterfront was hard to find but opened up after the ferry started loading. Alex and Brett were great together and up for anything. A freestyle bike exhibition occupied Justin Herman so we went with my Plan B location nearby where they danced around a fountain and posed in front of the Transamerica building.

Alex had a couple special requests - cable cars and the Palace of Fine Arts. Certainly can’t miss those SF landmarks and I aim to please so we fit both in before dark. The cable car grips were ever gracious and let us take our fill of pictures. Thanks guys! So many great images, here are some of my faves.

Nicole & Jon's Engagement. San Francisco

The ever popular Ferry Building was the first stop on our engagement adventure. This iconic building marks the eastern end of Market Street and has been a San Francisco public space for over a century! Now it is a gourmet weekday lunch destination for FiDi office workers and a bustling market drawing families on weekends. Over the last several years, it's also become a photographer's delight. The Ferry Buildling is a memorable landmark for Nicole and Jon because it played a part in their "coupling" and later, their engagement. Both actually occurred at the nearby art installation space that once featured Bourgeois's Crouching Spider and currently the Raygun Gothic Rocket.

Nicole used to live in the Marina and wanted to make that a part of the day so we hopped on a historic F Embarcadero Line street car transferring to the 30 Stockton Broderick. The Muni is always packed with interesting people and stories. Coincidentally, the subject of one 30-Stockton story was seen waiting at a bus stop on Chestnut. Both Nicole and I instantly recognized him!

This pair is full of laughs! Despite the occasional drizzle and slight chill they were all smiles as we admired the multimillion dollar homes on Marina Blvd. During our walk they told me why Pierce and Chestnut was their corner, which bars to drink at, which restaurants to eat at..., and noodling. Just wait until the wedding ;) Fun times to come!

Rosie & Wesley's Engagement. Palo Alto

Rosie and Wes's big Hawaii wedding takes place later this year but they wanted photographs of their lives here in the Bay Area so they called me :) I've known Rosie and Wes for several years now. There is a three generation long Hawaii connection through my wife's family - that's quite a bit of time!

Happy to oblige, we met to talk about what they were looking for. That's when I learned they were die hard coffee lovers like your truly! You can tell from the pictures that they take coffee brewing seriously! (Yes, the coffee was very tasty) I'm starting to think that I need some new coffee-related appliances.

We started off in their home enjoying a fun and relaxed morning together as we brewed some java and ate a light breakfast. One of their favorite places is the Rancho San Antonio Open Space so we went there and explored the small farm. It's a great little spot that I hadn't been to in years. Loved the little signs introducing each animal to the kids that often visit. Finally, we ended at the Ferry Building in San Francisco catching the tail end of the weekend farmer's market.

Pearl and Kevin's Wedding. San Francisco

Ceremony at St. Mark's Lutheran Church and reception at Far East Cafe - both in San Francisco.

Pearl and Kevin met at work several years ago and now they are getting married! She arrived at St. Mark's right on time in a classic silver Bentley and made her way out of sight into a private room to put on her dress. Kevin and the guys waited upstairs. The ceremony was made more memorable by the gifts they presented their parents - framed origami hearts made with cranes. Afterwards, Pearl and Kevin made sure we had some time to swing by the Ferry Building and their wedding night hotel (Hotel Vitale) for some pictures.

Asian societies tend to have BIG wedding banquets and this was no exception. Guests occupied the entire second floor at the Far East Cafe - a large restaurant right in the middle of Chinatown. On display was an impressive arrangement of origami cranes which Pearl folded during the engagement - a Japanese tradition. How great will that look hanging on their wall! There was also a certificate of recognition from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors as well as several prominent Chinese political figures in attendance.

It would not be a Chinese wedding without a lion dance! The large dance floor provided plenty of room for 3 lions. Chinatown lion dance troupes always put on a good show and this particular one was performed with minimal substitutions. Impressive, considering the number of lifts they pulled off. They even brought their own large urn of wine as you will note in one of the photographs (that is the Chinese word for alcohol).

Pearl made 3 clothing changes and showed off her final dress, a stunning custom red qi pao. (FYI, Dragon Seed seems to be THE place to have one made). Towards the end of the banquet Remy was flowing as Pearl, Kevin, and their parents toasted each of the 30+ tables. And don't forget those Chinese wedding games. There was to be no dancing so we took our photographic party to the streets and alleys of Chinatown. Virtually deserted, we could walk down the middle of Grant, undisturbed. How very different from the daylight hours. I think we got some great shots, my favorite of which is probably Pearl and Kevin in the back seat of their silver Bentley ready to go back to the hotel. Very 40's-esque.

Pearl was raised in San Francisco but Kevin's family was originally from Honolulu, many of whom still call Hawaii home. They plan on hosting a reception on Oahu as well which is one lucky reason they called on me. I'll be traveling with them next month to photograph the big Tanaka celebration. While there, we will also work our way around the island taking advantage of the beautiful tropical scenery as a backdrop. Can't wait! Can I survive on shaved ice, spam musubi's, Zip Pac's, and malasadas? I'll try! Will I gain weight? Probably :(

Floral Arrangements: Sweetheart Florist
Cake: Schubert's Bakery