Julie Kay Kelly Photography

Katie and Francis’s wedding was full of rain, and sunshine, and rain, and love. In short – it was perfect. One of the very best parts of the day was watching the guests brave the rain for the outdoor wedding that Katie and Francis wanted – only for the rain to stop just as Katie’s dad walked her down the aisle. With a flick of his wrist, he deftly and unexpected tossed aside the umbrella he’d been carrying above them. It was a gesture that said so much about love and lightheartedness prevailing in the face of stormy circumstances. Which indeed they did. From the copious laughter while the girls got ready through Katie’s dances with Francis and with her dad (in turns hilarious and moving) the day was a whirlwind of beauty and emotion. Here’s a glimpse:

Sunny rainy day

Amazing florals by Atelier Joya. Photos by Yuliya M.

Beautiful Katie

Just minutes before Katie walked down the aisle

And then…     !

Such a perfect day! Congratulations Katie and Francis, it was so amazing to be there. Can’t wait to share all of the photographs with you!

Location: Meadowood
Wedding Dress: Vera Wang
Shoes: Vera Wang
Florals: Atelier Joya
Makeup: Tasha Delancy
Music: Project M
Videographer: Inventive Films

Happy Friday! And, happy six-day anniversary to the amazing Jayme and James! Despite rain in the forecast, their wedding day opened up into brilliant sun, which matched perfectly their unabashed joy at marrying one another. There were so many special moments during this day, including one of the most moving first looks I’ve ever seen. James took one tearful look at his bride, then whisked her around in the air. Chalk Hill Estates was an amazing venue for their celebration, executed to perfection by Cole Drake Events. Here’s a peek:

Jayme’s wedding dress, by the inimitable and unforgettable Oscar De La Renta

 One amazing first look

The gorgeous Jayme

Loved their sophisticated, clean design so much. Photos above by the amazing Yuliya M.

Sweet love.

Congratulations Jayme and James! Here’s to decades of happiness to come.

Location: Chalk Hill Estates, Healdsburg, CA
Wedding Planner: Chaz Crozier, Cole Drake Events
Officiant: Rabbi Mikki Bourne
Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Florals: Julie Stevens Designs
Wedding Cake: Da Bomb Desserts
Hair & Makeup: Wash & Brushup Co.
Lighting Design: The Lux Productions
Rentals: Wine Country Party
Olive Trees: Blue Glacier Gardens
Entertainment: Wine Country Entertainment
Videographer: Studio Arcadia Wedding Videography
Catering: Park Avenue Catering
Transportation: Pure Luxury Transportation

When I left my home to photograph Ashley and Rick’s wedding last Friday, it was a beautiful sunny day. So I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the fact that, at the last minute, I’d checked the weather report and it said: thunderstorms. I grabbed a raincoat and was on my way. When I arrived, the wedding day was unfolding as usual, except for the storm clouds rapidly surging higher and higher. Ashley and Rick pressed ahead with their plans and were just about to do their first look when the room where Ashley was getting ready lit up with a bright white flash. Followed by a huge clap of thunder. Followed by buckets of rain. And then hail. Which meant: lots of elaborate plans down the drain.

The great thing about an unexpected thunderstorm is that it makes what’s really important stand out in stark relief. Ashley and Rick did their front look on a rain-drenched patio, using umbrellas. And it was gorgeous. They strolled along the rain-wet trails and gazed at one another in love and unfazed. The rainstorm changed the backdrops of the day a little bit, but could not touch its meaning and purpose. It was such a stellar day and I could not have been happier to have been a part of it. Here’s a peek at the magic:

Here’s photo of the sky about three minutes before the thunderstorm. Ominous and beautiful.

Congratulations Ashley and Rick and thanks so much for letting me be a part of your amazing day. It made me so happy, and I can’t wait to share all of the beautiful photos with you!

Location: Calistoga Ranch
Wedding Planner: Brandy Cabral, Bliss Event Productions
Officiant: Rev. George L. McLaird
Florals: Poppystone Design
Cake: Sweet on Cake
Hair and Makeup: It’s a Date at the Powder Room
Entertainment: DJ Jeremy Productions
Rentals: Hartmann Rental Studio

Having worked in the wedding world for awhile now, I’m pretty used to the fact that the bride seems to inevitably be the star of the show. Some brides love this and many don’t, and it’s something I’ve wondered and thought about a lot from a photographic point of view. Every once in awhile, something shifts this dynamic. At Dina and Ed’s wedding last week at Calistoga Ranch, that something was a furry yellow lab named RJ. Dina and Ed’s beloved bowtied friend had a prominent role in the ceremony, one he clearly relished. He barked his affirmation at all the right times, and added one more level of joy to an already delightful day. Here’s a peek:

Congratulations Dina and Ed (and RJ). Very excited to share the full set of photographs with you!

Location: Calistoga Ranch, Calistoga, CA
Wedding Planner: Janice Twomey
Florals: Fleurs de France
Ringbearer: RJ
Makeup: Mary Belieau, It’s a Date at the Powder Room
Cake: Sweet on Cake
Music: Laura and Anton