Recently I returned from Carmel by the Sea where I photographed Alison and Sean’s wedding at Rancho Cañada during a gorgeous weekend in the last days of July. While I had not met Alison prior to the wedding, Sean is someone I worked with many years ago. We had met while working together for Riverview Systems in San Jose. I had spent just over a year and a half with Riverview as part of a traveling tech team around the US for trade shows and corporate events. Sean worked on the installs team that I ended up joining my last few months with the company over the summer.
We spent my last couple weeks there working at San Jose State University on a huge project – but to be honest things with the project started so disorganized that a lot of our time was spent chatting and joking during the confusion of “we don’t have the right supplies/tools for today’s part of the job…”
Shortly after that I moved to LA to pursue photography full time and Sean continued with Riverview before leaving for another job as well. But we loosely kept in touch online and Sean had continued to follow my work over the years.
And when he decided to propose to Alison, Sean later reached out to me about coming back up to the Bay Area to photograph their wedding weekend in Carmel.
Once plans were in place we locked down the dates and I made my way up to the Bay Area to meet up with the Soria and Lionbarger families.
It was a great weekend with everyone and we had some absolutely gorgeous weather. There was a break in the heatwave that had been going on which resulted in a very comfortable two days for the ceremony.
So, read on!
I’ve uploaded about 350 or so images from the entire weekend for you guys to enjoy. I’m sure there were several friends and family that weren’t able to be there, so hopefully this gives you an idea of what you missed!
Enjoy!
Arriving on Thursday afternoon for the rehearsal
Going over names and order for the ceremony
Gorgeous weather that afternoon
Mr. Lionbarger jokingly yelled “No you can’t have her!” and they walked down the aisle
Wrapped up both walk throughs, not determining what to do the rest of the afternoon
We took a few couples photos after everyone left
And the realist moment when they were both chatting and talking to each other. Haha!
A photo for the wall at home for sure.
The next morning, and wedding day, started with hair for the girls
And of course make up as well
Getting the dress ready for photos
Between taking turns for hair and makeup, the ladies were chatting and talking about old stories… and sometimes work. haha!
Alison’s wedding dress, and her first dress when she was a baby
New sisters! Yayyy!!
All the ladies getting in their dresses so they can help Alison is a moment
Time to get the bride dressed!
Alison is holding up a youtube video on how to line up the corset-back in order. Gotta love technology. I usually see the guys doing the same thing with various ways to tie their ties.
Mom getting Alison strapped up evenly
Lauren, helping with the heels
Not long after we arrived at the country club. Sean and Alison wanted to do a first look by themselves. With somewhat limited options, we chose the courtyard
Cutest moment when they both got a good look at each other. They also had secretly brought each other a gift!
Sean had Alison do a little spin
Exchanging gifts
Pearls for Alison
And a pocket watch for Sean
Inside the flowers had arrived.
Getting ready on the patio. Giving the guests below a little more time to arrive. Traffic on the highway was at a standstill, so people were running late
Jessica and Logan
Savean hanging out with his new Step-Mom…
…the poses and ridiculousness didn’t the stop the rest of the day. I think he was having the most fun of anyone at his dad’s wedding!
The Soria men. Three generations
The Moms didn’t stop smiling the majority of the day either. You would have thought these two were friends their whole lives
The Soria siblings
Just about time to line up, so, one last photo with the bride before she’s married!
Logan got shy about halfway down the aisle
Uncle Sean with a bit of encouragement!
Seeing Alison come down the stairs and turn the corner to the aisle
A handshake from his new father in law
And Mr. Lionbarger handing off his daughter
Sean’s uncle officiated
Exchange of vows
Savean was laughing that it was taking some work to get the rings out of their bag. But hey, he was not about to lose those and kept them safe.
Exchange of rings
A few final words
Husband and Wife!
Best photo from all the posed portraits! Clearly.
Mr. and Mrs. Soria!
Done with photos, time to rejoin the party
Inside the place was decorated and already full of people
The wedding party was waiting out side for the entrance and introduction
Help from mom with the bustling of the dress
The DJ confirming the order for the entrance
Everyone listening to directions. Probably the quietest the group was the whole day. haha!
Mr. Lionbarger welcoming everyone
Time for dinner!
After getting some dinner Sean and Alison started making their way through the tables
Savean goofing off with his Uncle Rob
While Jessica was playing with her son and nephews on the floor
Meanwhile, outside, the wedding party was busy decorating Sean and Alison’s car…
Sean and Alison were none the wiser
Stole the rings briefly for a few photos
Savean was my morale support and entertainment while shooting the rings. haha!
So it was sundown and I knew that Sean really wanted a sunset photo, regardless of if him and Alison were in it. I cut into the conversation and borrowed them for a photo anyway.
Once back inside it was back to photos and chatting
See! These two… just laughing and having a great time all night
Then it was time for speeches. Brett started things off
Sean’s mom also said a few words
And gave an incredibly touching speech that I think even caught Sean off guard
Alison’s dad was up last
And also had some wonderful things to say to the bride and groom
Then it was time for the first dance
Mr. Lionbarger then joined Alison for the Daddy-Daughter dance
Mrs. Lionbarger watching her husband and daughter
Sean went over to sit with his mother in law during the dance
It was really sweet to watch
Daddy-Daughter dance is always my personal favorite
Followed by my second favorite dance, the Mother-Son dance
So proud
Then the Lionbargers were invited out to dance next!
With the whole floor to themselves
Sean got up to say a few words and thank everyone for coming out to celebrate with them
Getting ready for the cake cutting! Had to make sure I was dialed correctly before they started!
They said they were going to go easy… but it looked like Sean wasn’t about to go through with it. haha
Nope! Making a mess!
These hams goofing around…
Getting the few single ladies out tot he dance floor for the bouquet toss
Alison’s new sister in law caught the bouquet
Next was Sean and the garter toss
Right to Brett!
Had to also get my usual shot with the bride and groom, most important photo of the night
Then it was dancing and socializing for what was left of the evening
Jessica and her mom getting down
Wait… there was a sign out front? I missed that… granted, I went in the other way.. but still
Toward the very end of the night the long day and exhaustion hit Alison and her and Sean got ready to leave a little earlier than planned. So there were a few goodbyes outside as they packed up to leave
Sean and Brett laughing about the car decorations
Meanwhile, back inside the party continued for the last 45 minutes or so that was left.
And after the last goodbyes and the rest of the decorations were packed up, that was it! A successful wedding weekend for Alison and Sean!
That’s also it for this photo writeup for you all! I hope you friends and family that didn’t make it enjoyed a brief look at Sean and Alison’s wedding! And the family and friends that were there, hopefully this helped you relive a bit of it, too!
Sean and Alison, thank you for having me be a part of your weekend and lives! I had a blast with you two and your families, and I hope you’ve enjoyed the images and this look back at your wedding so far!