I just returned from San Jose where I shot Phil and Jacque’s gorgeous January wedding.

It was a cool weekend up in the Bay Area, but the weather stayed clear and sunny long enough for the So wedding ceremony to be comfortable despite such a chilly week leading up to the event.
I’ve known Jacque years now… since high school. Actually it was after high school that her and Julia and I started hanging out more often. Up until I moved to SoCal years ago we would get together occasionally for dinner or drinks or coffee at Santana Row. So it was very flattering with Jacque got ahold of me to tell me she was engaged and interested in me shooting her wedding weekend for her.

The last time I had seen Jacque and Julia was at Satana Row, of course, when we met up briefly for dinner one night.

And now we’re just barely into January and I found myself returning back to the Bay Area after having just been in town for the holidays. The weather was freezing… literally freezing. Night time lows that week were in the mid-to-high 20’s! In the Bay Area! Friday afternoon I went out to Cinnabar Golf Course to meet up with Jacque and her family for the rehearsal. I had shot at this location about 18 months ago – so I was already familiar with the grounds and how they do their weddings. Mostly I was just there that afternoon to shoot around to get a few “practice” photos for the family to have. Rehearsal was fairly quite and most people seemed to understand it well enough. Though to be honest I think everyone was getting too cold out on the patio to admit anything if they were confused about the order of events anyway.

Afterward we all went out to dinner, courteous of Phil’s family.

The next morning started as every wedding does for me, with hanging out as the ladies all start their hair and makeup. The girls were all getting ready at the venue so that certainly made things much easier on my end. The men all arrived a few hours later and prepped in the men’s locker area themselves. For the most part the whole morning was very smooth. Although Jacque later told me, while laughing about it, that she did have her own small panicky moment that morning right before getting her dress on. But hey, she’s all married and things are fine so clearly it was all good. haha.

The ceremony was gorgeous and despite it being very chilly out later in the evening, the afternoon sun was warm enough for people throughout the vows and pictures afterwards.

I’ll save the rest of the various details for photos below.

However I do want to share something that Jacque said to me at the end of the night when things were winding down. While talking with Jacque she thanked me and said “There was no question that you were going to do my wedding photos. When I got engaged I knew it was going to be you, so, Thank You.”

Those kinds of things mean so much to hear, especially from old friends. I’ve been very lucky to shoot for several old friends over the years and to continually have others book me and be pleased with their decision is a wonderful feeling.

So, click past the break to check out just over 200 additional photos of Phil and Jacque’s wedding in San Jose. I know there are various friends and family that couldn’t make it, as well as Jacque’s brother who is currently deployed. For those that couldn’t celebrate with everyone here’s my view of the So wedding last weekend.

 

 

“John, you HAVE to make sure to take plenty of photos of my shoes. I’m not kidding” – Jacque

Jacque was rockin’ some gorgeous Jimmy Choo heels for her wedding

Heading back into the bridal room the girls were all doing hair and makeup

All the dresses

Going over details with Maid of Honor Julia

Time to start Jacque’s hair

It looked sunny and warm, but really it was still quite cool on the patio that morning

(laughing) “WAIT, AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW HOW TO DO THIS??!!!?” Jacque laughing and playing with her niece

Time for Jacque to start makeup

Ava gettin her curls touched up by Auntie Stefanie

Airbrush makeup is totally the way to go, looks awesome

The guys arrived and were next door getting ready in the locker room

Took all of about 10 minutes…. maybe.

When I walked out to the reception area, Mega, the coordinator, was climbing across the table to set decorations. She laughed when I took a picture and said “What!? I can’t reach, ok!?”

All the men were ready and hanging out with Jacque’s Dad waiting for their next task.

The families had brought space heaters, just in case. So the men went outside to start setting them up

It was actually pretty funny watching them

“Is this right? I don’t want to blow up…” All the guys were laughing and joking that they didn’t want to die while trying to start the heaters.

Back in the bridal room Jacque was in her dress and ready to get laced up

Corset  dresses are no joke, it’s a lot of adjusting to get them laced right – and comfortably I would imagine. But they look great. Who doesn’t like the laced-back style?

All the ladies are nearly ready

Jewelry time

Beth helping out with Jacque’s necklace

Little Marilyn was all ready in her dress and brought back to the bridal room to get a photo with mom!

All the men were lookin sharp and waiting for things to get started

One last shot of the ladies as the ceremony gets closer

And, of course, a shot of the heels

Last minute touchups on makeup

And I get to get a shot with the bride before heading out as well

Mom came in to give her daughter a kiss – she also totally stuck her tongue out at Jacque the second time. It was pretty funny. Gotta love family, right?

Ring bearer Jeis looking pretty GQ in his little suit

The mothers brought up their different sands for the sand ceremony

Jeis walked the whole way down! He was shy and hung to the side but woo hoo! he did it

Niece Ava brought daughter Marilyn down in a wagon!

And Marilyn was all smiles, too!

Maddison was right behind them distributing more flowers… and being very careful not to step on any that were already on the ground!

Phil’s first moment seeing his bride

Proud Dad Roger escorting Jacque down the aisle! Look at that smile!

Kisses from Dad

Phil, escorting his bride up to the alter. Look how happy he looks! Aweeee

Fortunately all the ladies were wearing shawls to help with the chill outside

There were quite a few laughs during the ceremony, too

Mr. and Mrs. So

Mr. and Mrs. Voegele

During the exchange of vows Jacque had to keep looking down! She was getting too misty and didn’t want to cry before it was her turn to speak!

Exchange of rings

I take you……Phil….
Haha! Jacque was so distracted she forgot to repeat what the pastor was saying and then both her and Phil started laughing. Very cute.

Sand ceremony

Thanking Jacque’s parents

And thanking Phil’s parents

Mr. and Mrs. So!

Once inside the congratulations start

We spent the next 30 minutes doing all sorts of variations of family photos. I think this was the cousin’s photo, no?
But look at all the kids!!! You NEVER get all the kids to start straight and smile. Good job everyone! seriously

I also really liked this one of the guys with Jacque

And Jacque wanted to make sure we had a funny one of the men. So I went with this idea again.

Planning out a few last things for order of events

Then it was time for some cutesy portraits of just the bride and groom

Mr. and Mrs. So

The cake

Everyone lining up getting ready for the entrance

Master of Ceremonies for the night was was Ratchelle.

Everyone entered to Gangnam Style!

AND everyone did the dance on the way in, it was great

Roger welcoming everyone to the reception, thanking them for being there and sharing a few thoughts on everything. He said a number of very sweet things about Jacque, raising her and her sisters, and what it meant for him to give her away that afternoon.

All the girls laughing at stories

Jacque laughing as her dad reads a letter that her brother and sent him to read. Jacque’s brother is deployed and couldn’t be there, but was still able to give a small speech through their dad that afternoon.

Next up was Maid of Honor Julia who gave her speech to her best friend

Best man Jung was up next

Ratchelle’s daughter is Maddison, one of the flower girls who kept running up to stand with her mom while she was talking

Next the paster got up to give a short prayer before dinner started that night.

The candy bar.

Time to walk tables and greet the guests

Everyone watching the Niners game on one of the groomsmen’s phones

Meanwhile the girls were already out on the dancefloor practicing their spins

Shots!

Once the kids heard the candybar was no longer off limits it was game-on

And they were all over there in a flash

 

 

These guys were all actually standing by the DJ booth… not sure why, I think they were actually making requests at one point

Time for the first dance

Phil and Jacque’s first dance as husband and wife

Niece Ava watching her Aunt and Uncle dance

Time for the Daddy-Daughter dance

Which is always the best dance of the night. Always.

Phil and his mother were up next for the Mother-Son dance

Julia’s sister was video duty that night

And as soon as the dance floor opened up to everyone these guys were breaking it down

Andddd the most important photo of the wedding… the one with me

Ratchelle pulled the wedding coordinator onto the dance floor to break it down with everyone

Jacque dancing with some of her girls

Ratchelle, spinning with her daughter

Jacque dancing with Marilyn

The guys kept wandering to the bar to check the game

I remembered to get a photo of these of course… but totally forgot to actually fill one out for Jacque. They’re little quilting squares with messages from the guests.

Time for cake

Jacque started laughing because the fondant wasn’t cutting very easily

Ok, they cut it… now they just have to lift… right?

Aghh!! Still stuck!

They were sweet and used forks, no face smashing

Phil approves of the cake!

The crowd watching the cake ceremony

The winners of the anniversary dance that night! Mr. and Mrs. Venkat and Gayatri Aachi

Still watching the updates on the game at the groomsmen table

Beth putting a money crown on Phil

“See, beautiful”

I thought this expression close-hugging-dance-cuddle-thing was funny…

Til I looked over at Phil…

Jacque, Mom Dianna and sister Sandra

Game is getting intense!

Mom Dianna and her girls!

After the honeymoon dance.
As I’m typing this I asked Jacque who won… because it’s totally a contest. She informed me that Phil won… but that’s ONLY because HER line was TOO long… and HER aunt had to dance with him and give Phil HER money.
So, you read it here, Jacque totally won.

Ratchelle wanted a shot with her family… her daughter Maddison gets awesome points for being this awesome though. Seriously.

Me and Julia! Been a long time since our classes in Jr. High and High School… but obv. we’re still spring chickens.

These two were cute. Ring bearer Jeis and his sister being held by their dad who was dancing with them

The So family at the end of the night

Jacque was a little sad to say good night to her daughter. They wouldn’t see her for several days while on their honeymoon. Grandpa and Grandma So were going to babysit! How exciting for the grandparents though!

Phil, being ridiculous. Actually all the guys were goofing around at this point

TOUCHDOWN!!!

Danny, dancing into the photo

Gettin packed up for the night.

Jeis dancing with his sister Evy

HOW CUTE ARE THESE TWO?!

These kids were still dancing too! I’m guessing because of the candy bar… that has to be the only way they’re still awake

Jacque dancing with her mom and dad as the night winds down

Jeis wanted to dance with his Dad, who was already dancing with his mom and sister… so, he just grabbed onto his dad’s leg and danced along!

Phil went and changed before they all headed back to the hotel, and turned out, before the last dance too.

Tackle-hugs for Uncle Phil!

After quite a bit of coaxing Jacque finally got a huge from Jeis.

Jacque and her ring bearer!

That’s it! Hope you guys enjoyed the So wedding as I saw it! The rest of the images, along with these, I’ll be prepping and sending to Jacque and Phil in a few more weeks once I’ve finished editing the remainder.
I had a great time last weekend and it was awesome to share so many fun memories with Jacque and get to meet her family, Phil’s family and their friends as well.

As for me, I’m back in San Diego and should be moving back to Los Angeles area in a few more weeks. So keep an eye for some new projects  I’m working on.