Last weekend I traveled up to San Jose to photograph the wedding of Calee and John Fernandez. It was a bright, sunny, and hot Sunday at Cinnabar Country Club. And everyone had a really amazing time – despite the higher temperatures.

Calee is someone I met a couple years ago, through friends of mine. She’s a close friend of my best friend’s wife. So I would occasionally bump into her on my trips to the Bay Area. And when it came time for her to plan her wedding, she asked me about coming back up to the Bay Area to photograph it. I knew Calee is the critical type – she works in the wedding field herself, she makes some really awesome custom cakes. So to be asked to be part of her wedding weekend would be some big shoes to fill. (I feel bad for whoever I one day hire as photographer when I get married)

Also in wedding party was Cassandra, a friend of the last 14 years at least, and wife to my best friend. She’s a photographer, too. On video, my best friend TJ, who I’ve known since sixth grade. And a few of the guests were other old friends of mine. So it was definitely one of those times that while I’m in great company, I also worry a bit about doing my absolute best. NOPRESSUREATALLLLL!!!

Read on after the break..

The weekend was a blast though. We started with a small morning brunch on Saturday. I ended up chatting with a few family members and some friends and started to learn who was who. Both Calee and John had a number of family members there that were important to the day/ceremony, and many names repeated (for example there were like three Johns there).
After the brunch we all headed out to Cinnabar Golf Course for the rehearsal. I had never shot there but I heard great things about it – a few people have told me that’s a venue they’re considering when they finally get engaged. It was a hot afternoon out in the sun rehearsing with everyone. But we all had fun, laughed and joked, and everyone learned where they needed to stand and how things were going to go down. It’s always nice to attend the rehearsals when I can since I get a better idea of how things will go and the family gets that extra chance to get used to me walking around with a camera.

The day of the wedding started pretty quietly actually. I spent the morning with Calee while her MUA Krixtn did her hair and makeup. Cassandra was quietly finishing the photo album and Brittany was spacing out on the couch. Really one of the most peaceful wedding mornings I’ve seen. Later on when the rest of the girls arrived things got a bit more active, haha! And swinging out to the catch up with the boys proved to be short and sweet. But let’s be honest, it’s pretty much just going to be photos of them buttoning shirts and putting on ties.

Once we were at the venue we did a first-look with John and Calee since they wanted to get as many photos done as possible before the ceremony. So we found a little spot in the garden area to do some images and they could share their private moment together. Of course all the bridesmaids were sneaking looks the whole time too!
We rocked through photos pretty quickly. But lost some time when nervousness got the best of Calee. Brides be aware of your need to eat! Calee got a bit too nervous and having had only a very small breakfast she had to sit and relax. Fortunately we’ve found a time in the next few weeks and have set up a couple hours to do a few more bridal portraits and some couples shots of her and John.

The rest of the day and ceremony was beautiful. The guests were brought to tears as John not only made vows to Calee, but also to her five year old daughter Lily. While John has been a big part of Lily’s life already, he made vows to her to always be there as he has been.
Speeches by the parents left watery eyes and sniffles around the room during the toasts.
Guests shared laughs as they all piled into the photobooth that John and Calee rented that night for everyone. And for those who looked close enough, you realized that all the favors, center pieces, bouquets and corsages were made by hand by Calee and her friends.

When the night finally wrapped up I was exhausted. Calee was actually ready to leave her own party an hour early because she was so tired from the day! It was awesome to have friends there to talk to a bit during the brief moments of down time. And it was a ton of fun to work alongside my old friend TJ.

I’ll be doing a few more photos for John and Calee later next month as I mentioned above, but for now please enjoy the rest of the previews from their wedding day below. I’ve added short captions and descriptions to a few as usual.

 

Everyone arriving for rehearsal

Practicing lining up. The girls were asking why they didn’t get cold beers too, since it was so hot out.

Starting hair and makeup the next morning.

Cassandra finishing up a photo album with images from the engagement shoot.

Krixtn doing makeup. She’s an artist based out Redwood City

All the ladies laughing and joking before heading out to the venue.

Stopped by to hang out with the men for a bit. Prep work is pretty easy for the guys. Really, it’s just getting dressed.. haha

The trickiest part is figuring out the tie since it’s not a real tie and has the silly side adjustment.

Takin a few photos outside for since we finished so quickly.

All the men were wearing Converse All Stars. John had a custom pair that he wore.

A final toast before heading out!

Calee’s decorations were very simple and all handmade

Calee also made different center pieces

Quiet and calm before everyone starts arriving.

Three sands for the sand ceremony

The ladies arrived and quickly got dressed.

A little help from Mom with the dress.

Calee had some pretty awesome heels.

One last adjustment of her bow from Nikki.

Because of time constraints we did a first-look so John still had a moment with Calee to see her in her dress for the first time.

Check out these two hams! Cheesin’ it up for the camera.

The ladies chattin’ before getting started on photos

John’s mom putting his corsage on. Even the corsages were handmade out of paper.

John, putting on his brother and best man Robby’s corsage.

Four generations from Calee’s family! How awesome is this?

Erik and Dylan, the ring bearers.

Calee and her beautiful daughter Lily.

The Fernandez family!

John and Calee

Calee and the ladies

Wooo!!!!

TJ, on video

Ceremony is starting!

Brittany put her bouquet down right after this, don’t worry. Haha!
And Cassandra, who is 8 1/2 months pregnant made it through the whole ceremony without a problem! Go Cass!

Handing off his little girl. This has got to be pretty emotional for dads.

Exchanging vows

John gave vows to Lily, too. This caused most of the guests to start crying as he made vows to always be there for Lily.

Calee also made a small vow to put up with Baseball games for John, haha!

Exchanging of rings

All three of them mixing sand for the sand ceremony

First kiss as husband and wife!

All the girls waiting for the group portrait… making good use of those paper bouquets!

Signing the license.

There is always so much pressure with this because you can’t mess up.

Introductions before dinner

Speech time. Robby went first with his speech to his brother and Calee.

Calee’s sister Angie was up next

Calee’s mom was up first for the parent speeches. Everyone had such sweet things to say.

And obviously the stories were great because the girls couldn’t stop laughing

John’s mother gave a really heartfelt speech to her son. She had a bit of trouble keeping her composure, but she got through it and caused quite a few sniffles around the room, too.

Dad’s turn!

Calee and John of course said some things to everyone for coming out to celebrate.

Dinner time

Calee was so excited for her cake. She’s a baker herself and has her own custom cake making company, so naturally she would be extremely particular about her own wedding cake.

Evan and TJ goofing around. Well, Evan goofing around, TJ is just staring at him.

The kids weren’t really in the mood for dinner. So they were playin on the dance floor.

Denise, second from the left, was so excited to get an updated “siblings shot” at the wedding. We actually took two – one with John and Robby with their coats/etc on. This one is nice because it’s a bit more casual.

John and Calee with some of our table – and two of the bridesmaids, haha.

Me with the bride and groom! Always an important shot for me to have!

The best part of almost every party is definitely the presents!

First dance as man and wife

John looked really happy all night, but particularly when dancing with his wife

The DJ invited others to join them. Robby, the best man, danced with his girlfriend, bridesmaid Nikki

I always love the Daddy-Daughter dance, and I point that out every wedding blog I write. Mr. Parise was smiling the whole time. I dare say he even got a bit emotional since he handed off dancing to John soon after.

John joined them on the dance floor with Lily.

Cassandra was filming the dance on her camera.

Mr. Parise danced with other daughter, Angie, briefly as well!

The flash didn’t fire here, but I’m glad the moment was salvageable by switching to black and white! haha!

Mother-Son dance was next

Aunt Mia was awesome! She danced the whole night away! Seriously. Broke. It. Down.

Mustache and Lips topper!

Lily is almost too good about smiling for the camera! haha!

John and Calee made doing this with forks look WAY too easy. I wonder if they practiced beforehand..

Lily ran up again since she wanted a piece. It was awesome how much she was included in all the ceremonies.

What I saw when turned and looked over my shoulder

Garter time!
Robby in the back running to join the group

John (groomsman) is pushing everyone he can out of the way! hahaha!

Time for the bouquet toss

Brittany was alll about catching that bouquet though, leaped in front of everyone

Poor Lily was denied purely due to her height… poor thing!

She was pretty sad, but Brittany gave her the bouquet and John danced with her a bit to calm her down.

Haha! So best I could guess, Nikki is the pole and Robby was dancing around her. hahaha!

See! Aunt Mia is STILL getting down. This time to Fergie!

STILL.DANCING.

Calee made these boards for people to sign instead of picture matting like most couples use.

Water break!

TJ, Evan and me toward the end of the night

Erik was running around Angie’s legs

Everyone was feeling Cassandra’s tummy because her son Jackson was moving around. He’s due in about two more weeks.

We’ve all been friends since Jr. High – except me and TJ, him and I have known each other since sixth grade

Me, TJ, and Evan.
I’ve known TJ since I was 12, we both met Evan in 7th grade a year later. And I have a photo almost identical this this from TJ’s wedding two years ago. haha!

Brittany listening to Jackson in Cassandra’s tummy. Haha! Cassandra is TJ’s wife.

Dance break!

Taking a few last items out to the cars

John and Calee getting ready to head out

Rhiannon and Lauren went out and put a “Just Married” sign on their Camaro

Congrats you two!

A busy day, fun night, and when I finally got home and went to sleep I’m positive I passed out within minutes. I had a great time being part of the Fernandez wedding. Watching Calee and John interact was awesome, seeing how he treats Lily was touching, and hearing all the heartfelt and sweet things that their families had to say was great.

Thank you both for having me there shooting for you!