Another pair of high school friends are now married, making me feel that much older. Haha!

Last weekend I spent with the Randle and Villarreal families for Sarah and Ernesto’s wedding in San Ramon, Calif. I’ve known Ernesto since elementary school – and we played sports together in Jr. High and High School. Sarah I don’t think I met until High School. However they’re part of the circle of friends my younger sister has known through school and college, so I grew up around all of them to some degree.

Last year Ernesto and Sarah contacted me about shooting their engagement photos during one of my trips the Bay Area. We had went out to Mountain View and spent a few hours together shooting and catching up a bit on life. Shortly after they discussed the possibility of me also shooting their wedding.
But when it came time for their big weekend last Saturday I finally had more time to catch up and hear about how they’ve been the last, well, many years.

I had a blast at the wedding – which I fully expected that I would. I knew several people that were guests, and a few of them I’ve shot for in the past. What made it even more fun was seeing and hearing the little things that Sarah and Ernesto did for their wedding to make it fun and meaningful to them. And even though Sarah joked with me many times that she hates being the center of attention, she definitely seemed to have fun and pretty easily ignored me pointing a camera at her all weekend! Plus it helps that Ernesto has no problem being the center of attention if needed. lol!

The weekend started out with the rehearsal in the afternoon at the San Ramon Golf Club where they would be having the ceremony at. It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend – which was a welcomed change from the cooler overcast weather the Bay Area had been getting. The pastor who would be performing the ceremony was a wonderful guy named Steve who I had met last year at the Rowe wedding. After a couple run-throughs of how the ceremony would go down on Saturday everyone headed back to the South Bay where we would all meet up that evening at the Randle house for dinner to celebrate with everyone. I was able to squeeze in a quick stop on my way home to see my brother-in-law and my niece, which was nice since I don’t see them as often as I’d like to.

The next day started in the afternoon for me. I met up with the ladies as they were starting their hair and makeup. All the girls were surprisingly chill and relaxed – usually it seems like wedding parties are a bitttt more anxious. But, all the girls were just hanging out talking about stories of their bachelorette weekend trip or catching up with those who hadn’t seen each other in a while.

The ceremony later that afternoon was beautiful. It was sunny, warm, and just breezy enough to not being annoying but also keep it cool enough that the everyone was comfortable in their dresses and suits. Ernesto and Sarah opted to do a first-look to be able have their own moment with one another as they saw each other for the first time; we were also able to take some photos of everyone before things started.

I’m going to just stop here and leave the rest for the captions about different parts of the weekend. Below the break you’ll find over 250 photos of my time with the Randle and Villarreal families. I had a great time and it was really cool to be part of another pair of friend’s wedding. I’ve had the pleasure of shooting for several old friends and it’s always sweet when they’re equally excited to have me as part of their wedding.

So, read on! And enjoy the rest of the photos from Sarah and Ernesto’s wedding..

Everyone getting arranged for the first practice

Steve, explaining how things are going to work tomorrow.

“Whoa! No kissing. That’s tomorrow!” – Steve

Now it’s time to practice lining up and walking out

Ernesto is all smiles watching Sarah be escorted down by her parents

Taco time at the Randle house!!

Manny and Paul catching up on life

As the evening was winding down everyone was still hanging out chattin after dinner

Just arriving on Saturday afternoon to shoot the girls getting ready

Sarah was rockin’ her Minnie Mouse bow from when her and her girls went to Disneyland a week before

All the girls were jealous their hair couldn’t do this

Pickin out the right accessories

Time for makeup… and the photos that the girls hate me taking…
So let’s go see what the boys are up to

Ernesto was ready to get-ready as soon as I arrived

A little help from best-man and best friend Kevin

Noah, Ernesto’s nephew, gettin a little help from dad.

Daniel, I think asking Manny why he’s not dressed yet. Haha

Noah was finishing getting ready and Ernesto went over to check out what he was doing

Tim, Sarah’s brother, was surprisingly quick and doing the handkerchiefs. Seriously, I normally watch guys struggle with this part of the outfit.

Daniel tying his son’s shoes. For some reason I really liked this in black and white

“John, I think I’m done. I’m going like this.”

Gracie, hanging with Grandma Randle while Mrs. Randle watches her daughter get ready.

Sarah’s almost done with her makeup and hair. Just a few last adjustments

Since a few of the girls still had to get ready, I headed to the venue with the guys since it was just down the street from the hotel. We decided we’d knock out some photos while we had time to kill

The guys really wanted a jump shot. haha! Even Noah was up for it!

Here you go, Sarah… presenting, your future husband!

Back in the bridal room the ladies were starting to arrive from the hotel so it was time to knock out a couple photos of the dress.

“John, I’m going to have to dive into my dress…”
“Haha, ok got it!”

As soon as Sarah’s dress was on and getting adjusted everyone was all smiles

Time to work on the corset-back straps of the dress

Mom arrived just in time to help with some of the ties.

Mrs. Randle, tying the bow on her daughter’s dress

Mrs. Randle laughing, Sarah staying hydrated, and me in the mirror working hard. hahaha

Garter time

Sarah’s something-blue were her slippers! How cute are those!?

Time for the first look. Ernesto had been waiting quietly for about five minutes while I went to get Sarah

Such a cute reaction from Ernesto as he sees his bride for the first time

And sneaking one kiss before the ceremony

I backed off to give them a few minutes together. While I don’t have a photo because it would just be impossible to take, behind me were all the bridesmaids watching through the tinted windows of the banquet room. I could barely make out all of their smile and they watched and took pictures through the glass

Steve walked out with a gold Star Trek communicator pin on and said “Now I just have ONE question…” and as soon as Sarah and Ernesto saw it they responded with “Oh my god! Yes!” Both of them are big Star Trek fans and thought it was both funny and awesome to have a little touch of that in their wedding. So funny!

Sarah and her niece Gracie, the flower girl

Matching slippers!

Sarah made sure to make sure I got a photo of their “super nerdy” cake toppers! These were actually pretty cool looking I thought

One quick shot with the bride before things get started off

And one shot with dad before it’s time to head down the aisle

A kiss on the cheek before he hands off his daughter.

Ernesto offers his arm after shaking hands which his future father-in-law

Handing off the rings for the exchange

One small ceremonious thing that Sarah and Ernesto did was to tie their hands together with a rope – which is the origin of the phrase “tying the knot”

You may kiss the bride!

Another kiss after the ceremony finished and they were waiting inside for their wedding party

If any of you are the least bit nerdy in any way, I hope you make your own wedding your own just as much or as little as you like. Live long!

I was re-setting and checking lighting and Sarah and Ernesto starting posing and making faces each test shot

So I have quite a few of these

Blingin’

Vandering!
Sarah wanted to do a “Force Choke” photo. It only took the girls one try!

We went to do a photo in the gazebo just-because, and Sarah gave Ernesto a peck on the cheek making for a great shot

Me, with the Bride and Groom. Always the most important photo

My sister and brother-in-law were at the ceremony, too! It’s fun that I’ve been able to shoot several weddings and see my sister there as a guest

One last quick shot before we all break for dinner

As soon as you stand up to walk tables, and everyone sees you, everyone will start hitting those champagne flutes til you kiss..

Sarah was pointing out that even Ernesto’s ring has a couple diamonds in the design

Instagram!

I like to believe they were live-tweeting the events of the day… but that’s probably unlikely

Kevin got up to give his best man’s speech and told a really touching story about how much Ernesto’s friendship meant to him. How that Ernesto’s selflessness as a person helped Kevin when his family moved away and Ernesto went to visit and not only hung out, but went out with Kevin to meet people in the area and make more friends.

Ernesto’s brother Daniel also got up to give his best man speech next…

…and among other things, called out his brother for being a dork and asked everyone to wish the couple well with a Vulcan salute! Ernesto started laughing and said “but I can’t do that!” and used both his hands. What are brother’s for, right?!

Next up was Matron of Honor Rebekah

Sister Rebekah then got up to give her speech and tell a story.
She shared how while even though Sarah was a little bummed that Ernesto didn’t propose on their four-year anniversary like she had hoped, that Ernesto had already contacted Rebekah about waiting a week or so longer til she (Rebekah) was in town from Japan to be able to be there with the family and be part of it. Rebekah shared how touched she was and how much that meant as a sister that he went out of his way to include her in such a bit moment for Sarah.

Then it was time for the first dance… and they broke it down!

Rather than do a typical slow-dance Ernesto and Sarah had fun with something a bit more up-tempo that they could spin each other and have fun with

The always-tricky cake-on-forks moment!

When it was time for the all the single ladies to come out to the dance floor for the bouquet though there were only a few girls in the house that weren’t married!

Readyyyy!

Too high! I know this photo is small, but check out the girls expression when the bouquet hit the ceiling and falls directly behind Sarah!

Give a beat to Ernesto and he’ll dance though… Sarah was getting a bit of a lap dance as the garter toss approached and she sat and waited

Ernesto used his teeth, and Sarah laughed the whole time!

Kevin just strolls out like it’s no big deal and snatches the garter out of the air despite Dale’s best jump-and-reach in the photo above this one

Me with my brother-in-law and younger sister

Paul and Hilary

Ernesto dancing with his nephew

Monica, Matt and Kyle, goofin off  and posing between dancing

Me with Alan and Molly Rowe! I shot their wedding last year!

Sarah dancing with her new father-in-law

And Ernesto dancing with his new mother-in-law

And of course Dale… being Dale

Kyle goofing around that if Manny was going to dance behind him then clearly it had to be a Kyle sandwich. HAHAHA! This group of friends is the best

Argh! My strap! Sarah was workin it a bit too hard on the dancefloor

Even as they walk away Ernesto dances away

Had to get a photo with Brooks and Dale, I think I’ve been to… four or five? weddings with these two!

Ernesto dancing with his mom

Mr. Villarreal STILL on the dance floor. He was there most of the night

Father and Son breaking it down

Ernesto wasn’t about to let Matt leave the floor either

And the last part of the night?

A cartwheel contest between Dale and Ernesto.
At my sister’s wedding they had one toward the end of the night and I actually got a couple (badly lit) photos of it since it was outside in the field behind the venue. So this time they did it across the dance floor