Annaliese and Will, Pacific Star Winery, Fort Bragg

(click the photo to check out the slideshow)

I had an even harder time than usual narrowing down my favorites from Annaliese and Will's wedding - I think I ended up with over 200 shots in the "favorites" category for their wedding! So, narrowing it down to just over 20 here was practically impossible. They were married in a beautiful ceremony at Pacific Star Winery, north of Fort Bragg, waaay up the North Coast in Mendocino County. Though the weather was windy and chilly (which is kind of all that our coasts have to offer), it was also crystal clear (which is rare - usually it's socked in with fog) with blue skies, a gorgeous sunset, and bright stars dotting the evening. So lovely!



Annaliese and a bunch of friends and family were getting ready at a beautiful private house rented for their purposes - and the views from the deck (with built in hot tub) were amazing, as was the interior and architecture of the house. I took a lot of photos of lovely Annaliese as she transformed from a flannel and jeans to a lovely bride. Though, honestly, she was gorgeous in the flannel and jeans as well. Annaliese, your smile is so infectious, and your laugh is awesome! Here are three shots of the many I loved of her getting ready:







And a shot of the bridesmaids about to walk down the aisle that I find intriguing for some reason:



Such a gorgeous location for a ceremony. Oh, how I love Mendocino County!!





After the ceremony, Annaliese and Will ran up a flag on the Pacific Star flagpole. This one had been specially made (by her mom? I can't remember for sure) to represent various locations and aspects of Will and Annaliese's background together - Texas, Georgia Bay, Canada, and... I think I still need to get the story on the dog, Annaliese? ; )



Another one of the bridal party ladies, huddling to keep warm. It was chilly out on that beautiful bluff!



Even with the cold, we jammed through some great family and bridal party portraits that I love. However, since I am trying so hard to keep these posts to a minimum of photos, I decided to jump right to the couple shots. And, of those, I had to drastically edit many shots that I adore - so be sure to check out the slideshow to see more!











And I can't forget this beautiful bridemaid's awesome boots:



Which brings me to a special collage of the awesome ladies' socks I saw at this wedding. I am way big on stripey socks, so these socks won my heart (and I was jealous of their warmth, too!).



Annaliese and Will met as children, because their families have been vacationing at the same very rural strip of tiny islands in Canada - I think it's called Georgia Bay? I absolutely loved hearing the toasts coming from family and friends who have known them, together, for most of their lives. After many years of their paths crossing at what sounds like a beautiful family island escape, the two fell in love and have overcome geographic obstacles to be together. The way that they adore each other, with both a familiar comfort and passion, is captivating, and their big smiles and laughter were totally contagious! I don't think Annaliese stopped laughing during all of the toasts.



Some of the great details they had planned included these adorable animal-finger-puppets from Ikea - simple, affordable, and a total hit with the guests (and me, from a photo point of view). They were also appropriate because Annaliese work in marine biology, and they are both big animal lovers.



Beautiful cake, beautiful flowers, very beautiful display of everything under the snuggly tent:





Instead of a guest book and seating chart, they had an oar for everyone to sign, and these lovely name tags hanging from branches.



And, of course, a gorgeous location!



Okay... now I hope that Annaliese doesn't mind me sharing this, because it was such an awesome, personal and hilarious touch that I can't help it. Apparently her mom was so worried that Annaliese would spill on her beautiful wedding dress during dinner, that she thoughtfully made Annaliese... a bridal apron! Or was it a bib? Whatever it was, it was lovely, matched her gown, and Annaliese wore it with pride! Although I don't think she spilled a drop anyway.



Red wine surely could've been a bummer though on the pretty bridal gown (which was some trouble getting in the first place, but ended up looking absolutely perfect). This is Pacific Star's wine, "It's My Fault". Get it?



The dancing was beautiful and joyful!



And then, flat out silly:



I love girls who get crazy and over the top on the dance floor!



I took a few minutes to really play and have fun shooting these long exposure shots of the venue. It was COLD but well worth it, I think.









Thanks again for everything, Annaliese and Will! Your wedding was so beautiful and definitely radiated joy, celebration, and family. I hope that we can get together for coffee and a chat just for fun one of these days.