Last week I started off my wedding season by photographing Erin and Gary's wedding at Casa Real in Pleasanton.  To my surprise the lobby received an overhaul this past off season and it looks fantastic!

The grand entrance presented friends and family right away with a guest book check in table and champagne tower.

Erin and Gary's guests enjoyed their drinks and conversation on brand new furniture surrounded by dozens of decorative candles. 

In the bride's room the ladies helped Erin get ready for her walk down the aisle.

Erin was full of smiles as her mother and friends looked on.

With just minutes to go before the ceremony dad had a moment alone with his daughter. 

During the ceremony my team and I captured artistic and journalistic moments.

...and of course, Erin's brothers had to give Gary a hard time in their own special way.

The couple mention preferring candid bride and groom poses vs formal poses, with that said I focused on journalistic moments like this below.

I snuck in one semi formal pose while lighting the couple and water fountain for a signature artsy look.

(Read: How we define our photography style)

I had many opportunities to capture emotion, my journalism background was on high alert!

Here I used an off camera flash to light the bride while she watched her husband and mother in law dance.  (Read: How we light receptions)