Stephanie FINALLY let me photograph her. But, really, she didn’t have much of a choice..

I’ve known Stephanie for 11 years. She’s one of my best friends and probably my closest female friend. And I’ve been bugging her for yearsss to let me photograph her and she pretty admittedly refuses. Hahaha. Clearly she loves me.
I’ve known Adam for nearly 7 years now, he’s been exceptionally kind to me during our friendship and has become someone I look forward to seeing with Steph on my trips back to the Bay Area. I mention this because it’s very rare that female-friend’s boyfriends get along with me. Adam and I get along great and he understands my friendship with Stephanie goes back many years. And in reality, he “wins” that game anyway. Stephanie and Adam have been friends since childhood… like 5 and 6 six Steph and Adam have pictures together. It’s one of those disgustingly cute things. Even though they’ll laugh and tell you there was never any sort of childhood crush or anything, it’s still cute that they have those kind of pictures from their past.

Also, Adam (unlike Steph, yep, calling you out again Stephanie) has let me photograph him! Hahaha. Adam owns several motorcycles and a couple years ago I wanted to test a new camera rig and remotes I had just bought. So Adam was happy to go out and let me practice with him.

 

Stephanie will of course just say “Well Adam got to wear full gear so you couldn’t even see him!”

Either way, Stephanie and Adam got married just over a week ago in Napa Valley – and I was fortunate enough to be their photographer. While they were picking out dates for the ceremony a year ago they kept checking with me and my availability. I told them I would understand if, because of my busy Fall, they chose someone else if I couldn’t make it. Steph basically “John. We’re choosing a date you’re free. We want you there to shoot for us.”

Their wedding day in Napa Valley was gorgeous, too.
I think I was just as excited for them to be married as they were.

The ceremony was at a location in the hills called Aburge de Soleil, a restaurant and small vineyard in the hills. But, a lot of stuff there has a small vineyard, right? haha.
We started bright and early that morning since it would be a mid-morning ceremony. So that meant that I was up at 4 am to be ready and meet the girls at 5 am in Steph’s room as they did hair and makeup. Rebecca and I started the day at Starbucks – where she quickly pointed out that I was way too happy and awake for that time of day. In my defense I was stoked for Adam and Stephanie.

The wedding morning, ceremony went really smooth and very quickly. It seemed to be exactly what Steph kept telling me she wanted… something small with family and a few friends. And even though their small wedding was still bigger than they wanted, it was beautiful, and people had a great time.

I’m not going to write a bunch more because I’ll leave all that for captions.

Be warned, though, as there are a ton of photos to follow.
I love Stephanie and Adam and it was just too hard for me to narrow the photos down. So there are nearly 300 shots of their wedding weekend after the break.

Read on! …if you have time, and enjoy the shots!

 

Dinner time with family and friends

I was basically just watching Steph and Adam before we ate getting shots of them interacting with everyone. Had to get used to me pointing a camera in their faces. haha! Not something I’ve ever really done around them before.

Restaurant kitty is hungry, apparently… just strolling on the patio saying what’s up to guests.

Steph was really excited to bring some of the food bad. apparently the potatoes were delicious. haha!

Adam jumped behind Steph and grabbed her as I took this picture. This is exactly how I always think of them though. So it’s perfect I think. haha

And of course a shot with me, too!

Bright and early the next morning. Steph and Rebecca starting with their hair

Mrs. Joe arrives and is chatting with her daughter

Steph was laughing and talking about stories with her Mom

I was expecting many faces like this throughout the day when Steph would see me pointing my camera at her

Fortunately I was able to get alot of stuff like this, too

Ashlene and Erika arrived and were getting ready to steam the dress to get any wrinkles out from the drive

Erika had always joked with Stephanie that she would propose to her with a ring-pop… so, that morning Erika got down on one knee and proposed. Steph said Yes! Sorry Adam…

“Still taking our picture huh…”

Mrs. Joe was up next for makeup

Steph is close to finished, and she’s looking amazing

I ran downstairs since it was now time for Adam to get ready. And since guys only take about 10 minutes to get completely set, I knew it’d be quick

Former roommate Chris was hanging out with Adam, who would have otherwise just been hanging out by himself that morning

The ladies stopped by briefly to see if anything needed to be picked up and what stuff Adam was bringing in his car

Back upstair Steph was getting a few touchup to her hair.

She looks pretty stunning with curls, however she said that no matter what she does that curls will fall out of her hair almost immediately.

Hugs from Mom before heading to the venue

Stephanie sent me a photo of her in her dress back around March. I couldn’t wait to she her dressed for her wedding. Very elegant and exactly what I would expect Stephanie to wear on her wedding day.

Some help with the zipper from Rebecca. Mrs. Joe was running a bit late, so she would be doing the buttons when she arrived. but we had the first-look to shoot so Rebecca stepped in to help

I almost missed this little moment with Steph when she turned around with this huge grin on her face! (which is why it’s a bit blurry) Stephanie kept talking about not wanting a ceremony, that she’s not girly, etc…. but as she got more and more ready and then into her dress I feel like her whole attitude toward it changed and she was starting to really enjoy everything and like looking as great as she did.

Erika helping out with the dress and make sure the train is all set.

Deciding on what jewelry to wear

Stephanie went for simply jewels and stones. Very pretty, and matched the dress very well.

“You have to let me do bridal portraitss!!!” -me

Stephanie was finally completely ready for the first-look with Adam, but before that I wanted to do a couple portraits of her.

And as her laughing during the photos proves, she was having fun with it. See? SEE!? Wasn’t so bad with me taking your picture was it!? Makin me wait yearsss to take her picture. Sheesh. hahaha

Turns out Adam was hanging out upstairs while we were shooting. Snapped this right before setting up the first look

At this point in the morning both Stephanie and Adam were a bit nervous (at least as close to nervous as I saw either of them get). I was explaining to Stephanie how/where I needed her to walk for this photo and before I was finished she was pretty much shooing me out the door so she could go to Adam. She had reached that point that she just wanted to see him and calm back down.
So cute.

My favorite moment in this series

Big moment of relief for them both I’m sure.

And stealing a quick kiss

Adam taking a look and his bride

I think they were talking about “wow, you ready for this?” as they were looking at the chairs and setup for their ceremony which was about 90 minutes away.

Another moment between these two that is very “them”. Always smiling and laughing. We all should wish to find someone to be that happy with

Mr. Joe’s first time seeing his daughter full dressed up that morning

Hugs from the soon-to-be Mom-in-law

Mrs. Joe helping her daughter get buttoned up

We’re all going to be so sad when Stephanie cuts her hair… Truth.

Total Mother/Daughter moment right here. haha!

Heading out for photos

We went down to the vineyards for some photos.
It was overcast at that point in the morning, which actually made for wonderful lighting

..And if you ignore the couple for a few minutes… they’ll do their own thing

Got some portraits in of the two of them, of course

Adam lookin sharp as well. I never get to see them dressed up

“I wanna take a picture with the cat-thing!” -Steph

I wanted to get plenty of photos of them just being together. There wouldn’t be time later, and I know that they’d look back and appreciate everything we took time to do.

One last photo of us being silly before heading back up

Mrs. Joe and everyone else back in the bridal room laughing and having fun

The girls have arrived to touch up Stephanie’s hair one more time before getting her veil on for the ceremony

Instagramming I’m sure. hahaha

One quick family photo before the ceremony

And a shot with her duck, Quackers, from childhood. She’s had her forever so Steph brought her to the wedding, too!

I got one more quick shot with the bride before running out – which I usually try to do if there is time. haha

Adam chatting with Mr. Joe. Adam had been waiting by himself for a few minutes before getting bored and going out to socialize a bit with the guests

Adam watching Stephanie walking out of the building with her dad

And as she turned the aisle…

Mr. Joe walking his only daughter down the aisle. It was very sweet seeing how excited Mr. Joe was throughout the whole day.

Giving away Stephanie

And a small peck on the cheek for Dad

Adam repeating his vows to Stephanie

And Stephanie to Adam..

Exchanging of rings..

“Wait! Which one is your left!?” -Stephanie, when she got confused about which hand

A few more words…

And Married!!!

I’m pretty sure they’re both laughing that they “finally did it” and it was official

 

 

They were both excited, which was ridiculously cute

Back inside it was time to make it official on paper. Mr. Fischbach signing

Mrs. Joe signing her part

We started portraits shortly after. They didn’t take long as the couples-shots we already did. Stephanie and Adam wanted to have plenty of time to spend with their guests

Even I got to be back in the friends-photo too!

Adam, showing off his badass four-metal folded-forged Japanese ring.

Adam already understanding his husband-duties. Stephanie, laughing at him

As big a Disney fan as Stephanie is, she kept Disney out of her wedding except for two small things. This “Happily Ever After” sign she made was one of the two pieces.

The other small Disney element Stephanie added.

Sean, joking “Does your camera have a ‘black-man’ setting? You know what I’m talking about right?”
“haha, yeah man! You’ll show up, don’t worry. lol”

The reception area was setup and ready for everyone to have lunch

Back in the bridal room Erika was hiding under Stephanie’s dress

Laughing and taking the pins out of her hair from the veil

Mr. and Mrs. Fischbach’s first dance as husband and wife

There were several very sweet moments while they danced if you watched close enough.

 

 

Adam was all smiles the whole time, too

Afterward they thanked everyone for coming all the way out and being part of their wedding day

Blast! the brief moment of them laughing together about something was bit blurred!

“hey look, it’s John!” “Um, where’s our food?”

I was just sitting on the ground watching these two for a bit while lunch was starting… got this gem of a photo while they were talking quietly to each other in their own little world.

Meanwhile out back Mr. and Mrs. Joe were taking a picture together, so I snapped this for them.

Mr. Joe said “One more John!” and then snuck a kiss quickly while I took the shot. They’re so cute

Walking tables and greeting guests

Adam, talking to his Mom and Dad.

The view from the patio.

Stephanie hanging out chatting with her Dad and Mom

“I see you over there John…”

Mr. Joe heard a song that he liked and took the opportunity to dance with her daughter. I’m so glad he did. Watching him all day I could tell what a wonderful time he was having. And I knew the Daddy-Daughter dance opportunity meant a lot to him.

Even if Stephanie was going to not force the Daddy-Daughter dance I probably would have. As long as I’ve known her she has always spoken extremely highly of her father. She’s very proud of him and I know their relationship means the world to her. So I’m so glad that they danced and that I was able to get a lot of photos of it – for both of them.

The former-roomies photo

Stephanie and Adam did an artsy dip photo! I never would have thought she’d let me shoot this, too!

And the silly group of friends shot

The most important photo of every wedding, the one with me in it!

The wedding day was wrapping up and guests were heading out.

A simple ring shot. Adam spent a long time looking for the perfect stone for Stephanie, and they also selected a custom right for him, too, so we had to get a shot of their hands.

The last photos that Adam requested were a few photos with his car. He’s had his Supra many years, and in addition to them being rare, he doesn’t take it out of the garage often except for certain occasions, like their wedding weekend.

He also wanted a photo of his wife with it – which I thought was a very cute request. Stephanie was happy to oblige.

 

So that’s it. That’s my massive blog of photos from the Joe-Fischbach wedding. It was so great to be part of such a special weekend for the two of them. They’re currently traveling all over Europe for their honeymoon, and I think are currently in Paris this week.
But like I said, Stephanie and Adam’s friendship means a ton to me and they’ve both been there for me through good times and bad over the years. To share the biggest day in their lives at this point was very special.

Love you both.