Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Hello last day of August! Oh how fast you have gone. I had the pleasure of photographing Shana and Marcus’s glorious day at the Morton Arboretum a couple weeks back. Despite the scorching heat and persistent mosquitos, it was a truly magical day full of good friends and loving family. Thanks to Dawn for hanging in there with me!! Enjoy the sneak!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Glossy red nails and birdcage veil, yes please.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Shana and Marcus had hints of Korean details.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

I must say – toasts from friends and family were incredibly funny and emotional. Love it! Let the party begin!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Such an honor to be a part of your big day!!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Today I bring you Kristen and Gene! Super sweet and mellow couple. You could say their engagement session was a normal Sunday morning theme; walking the dog, grabbing coffee and exploring their family-friendly neighborhood all in the quiet that is Sunday morning. The best part was discovering spots they didn’t even know about like all the incredible vegetation inside the children’s community garden (including finding a school desk prop!!). Enjoy the sneak peek!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Thanks for hanging in during our heat and garden mosquitos attack!!! Can’t wait for your wedding!!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Good to be back home! Flew in last night from a wedding in the midwest and just in time for a birthday dinner for my Jman. So excited to share Caroline and Andres’s engagement session with you! Thier wedding will be held in wine country so they wanted to change the scenery up a bit! The perfect evening consisted of beautiful murals at Balmy Alley, ice cream at the incredibly yummy Humphry Slocombe and a trip to Andres’s childhood park for some futbol love! Enjoy the sneak peek!

Her shoes were SO cute!

Old paint can we found.

Andres and his notoriously silly faces ;)

Ice cream flavors we had: brown butter, secret breakfast (I believe corn flakes, bacon, etc), blue bottle coffee and more!

Let the childhood memories begin. Andres was so excited to show us the park he grew up playing in. One minute your staring at an urban mural and the next you’re playing in the park full of eucalyptus in the air, this is why I love San Francisco.

So cute you two!! We had such a good time! Can’t wait for the big day!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Wow, it’s Wednesday already! Headed out-of-state again tomorrow for another wedding this weekend. I’m just all over the place! Denise and Dave – what a couple of love birds on their magical day. The midwest locusts hummed all day & night and families were as happy as can be. I was smitten with the whole day – their 1800’s Chicagoland home, handmade decor details, absolutely photogenic couple (although they were worried about being awkward in front of the camera!) and lively guests. I’m going to stop chatting away and let you know that you’ll need 2 cups of coffee for these images ;) Enjoy the sneak peek!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Aw the first sight of each other.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

A couple special details to mention: Denise is a twin. Her and her twin sister (maid of honor) wore matching purple/gold rings that their mother gave them. Their mother is also a twin so the rings were extremely special as they were worn by her and her sister who passed. You will not believe there were 3 generations of twins there! One of the ring bearers and the flower girl (Denise’s niece & nephew), twins! As a surprise, Denise wore the special locket that Dave gave her when they were dating.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Loved the thistle in her bouquet!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Another magical prop appearance! Out of nowhere, a couple of kids road by on this Joy Rider….had to take advantage ;)

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Details were specially handmade by the couple and their family/friends.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Doesn’t he look great in this seersucker suit?!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

They’ve tied the knot! I brought along some rope purchased from a hardware store as a wedding photo souvenir.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

So sweet these two!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Their diy details were classic and clean with a touch of rustic. Crocheted doilies, rustic tree truck bases with various glass vases. I love the use of burlap, robin’s egg blue and hints of yellow.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Incredible local food and drink – guests had happy bellies!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

They hung vintage fabric for a do-it-yourself photo booth on their front porch. Blue grass sang with the locusts…time for toasts!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Dave’s brother and best man, read a poem by Robert Frost (both have an appreciation for writing).

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

After dinner, the couple shared more toasts with friends and their first dance. So many sweet moments, wish I could share them all with you!! Dancing to an incredible playlist and eating organic donuts (amazing flavors!) for the rest of the night, yummy!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

THANK YOU for an incredible day Denise and Dave!!! It really touches my heart that the first home purchased together hosted their celebration of love for one another. Stories and many moments to share with future kids, wink ;)

Vendors: Venue – their house, tent rental – Blue Peak, Live Music – Sunnyside Up, Caterer – Fig Catering, Flowers – Moss Modern Flowers, Dessert: Glazed Chicago Donuts, DJ/sound engineer – Chris Demonk, Linens – Brooke Marino, Officiant – Paul Petroccione and John Henriks. I’ll have more details from the bride soon, will be sure to share!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Get ready for this sneak peek folks! Not only did I have a wedding in the good ole Midwest but also an engagement session. How in the world did Terri, Adam and I manage to get all these amazing shots in 1.5 hours while having an absolute blast running around Chicago?! The stars must have aligned for us…even the rain gods. We were prop crazy, love crazy and on a mission! So grab your morning coffees for this one! Can I say how incredibly awesome it was to run into a Tina Turner impersonator?! Sassy.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Balloons and upscale attire were brought in for a ’special’ project for later…

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Our journey to the L stop. This is where the magic began…bike rickshaw in purple, check. No traffic, check. Release of the bouquet of balloons in Terri and Adam’s wedding colors being uber cute, check.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Terri brought fab book props. Coincidently, I brought newspaper props thinking it fit them well…turns out it’s part of their wedding theme as well! Magic again.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

A little sexy time on our way to and at The Wit.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Elevator love.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Tina T. is that you?

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Terri and Adam – I appreciate your eagerness for fun and lovin! I had a blast getting to know you and can’t wait for your winter wedding!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Production like a maniac over here! This wedding season I’m averaging about 2 weddings away from California a month. I’m excited to share this one with you. During the winter, Mary and Andy flew to San Francisco for their engagement session, and we had a blast exploring Hayes Valley and Crissy Field. Now it was my turn to fly to Ohio where they wed at Geneva-by-the-Lake, a tiny little town full of summer time memories (retro burger!)! Enjoy the peek!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

First sight…always a special moment. Their wedding style was fresh, polished, light and nature-inspired.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

A little pickup prop from my adventure in town ;)

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

The breeze of Lake Erie.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

A climbing obstacle to get to this sandy spot and totally worth it.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Moss cone vases stuffed with white hydrangeas hung from the ceremony aisle chairs.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Mary and Andy chose to see each other before the ceremony (which I highly recommend) so that we could have time for great photos of them with no rush, and they could enjoy their guests for the rest of the afternoon/evening.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Such a lovely color combination of greens and whites – so clean and fresh.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Haha, we witnessed a couple of hotel staffers ‘off-road’ this quadcycle to us!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

DIY mini jars of honey as favors, yummy! Even better? Mary’s father is a beekeeper, and the honey in the jars were from his bees. Labels purchased and put on each jar separately.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Mary and Andy – such a sweet couple with sweet families, such a blast! Thanks for letting me be a part of it!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Vendors:

Venue & Catering: The Lodge at Geneva-by-the-Lake, Cake: Create-a-Cake, Inc., Florist: Fresh Tendrils, Bridesmaid dresses: J.Crew, Bride’s dress: David’s Bridal, Day Of Coordination: Rachel Tomlinson, DJ: Kris Koch of Num Num World Music, Inc., Favors: DIY by the bride’s father

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Happy Monday everyone! Today, I have a sneak peek of Ashley and Nick’s super intimate destination wedding held in the wonderfulness that is Sonoma! Both sides of the family flew out for this special affair (including Ashley’s 94 year old great grandmother!) to take in our lovely wine country glow- such a special way to celebrate with your 25 guests.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Ashley wore the fabulous Alvina Valenta with creamy Badgley Mischka shoes. The brooch on her bouquet has been in the family for over 100 years. Love the history that was a part of the day. Her lovely bridesmaids wore plum and fuchsia Alfred Sung.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Ceremony looking over the Gundlach Bundschu vineyards in Sonoma.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Beautiful light!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

It’s not often that I have the opportunity to take a group portrait of the entire guest list! Super sweet moment! A dinner celebration continued in the wine cave with fresh, local foods. Ashley and Nick’s family hosted a reception back home for the family and friends that could not make it out.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo

Thanks to Chris Andrews of  Sonoma Wedding Source – all your planning needs.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

Hello!! It’s been a busy week prepping and organizing for my vacation/work trip. But before I go, I had to show you a sneak of Monique and Phillip’s breathtaking elopement in Napa. Nothing beats a week day photographing lovebirds from Canada in wine country! Enjoy!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

Held at a private estate tucked in the rolling hills…ah, I love me some Napa. The chocolate gnash cake was to.die.for!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

Quite romantic! Monique had her dress custom made in Canada and held drapping white orchids in her hands.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

Red wine for the couple to share and unite with the surroundings.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

What you don’t know is that it rained just before their ceremony time – we had to photograph a little evidence ;)

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

The light and her cheek bones give me goosebumps!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

I hope you 2 had a fabulous time on your Hawaiian honeymoon!! A special thanks to Chris Andrews of Napa Wedding Source for planning!

Photo: Edyta Szyszlo Photography, LLC

Yesterday, I photographed an elopement in Napa and was lucky enough to have the rain let up to get some gorgeous shots. I just HAD to post this photo of the bride’s bouquet…all white orchids. They draped oh-so romantically from her hands…this is all the peek you get for now!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

I realize that most of the country is getting hit by snow but here in SF it sure feels like spring! Spring cleaning itch! This week I had the pleasure of photographing a very charming small wedding affair in St. Helena (just north of Napa). I have to admit, while it’s easy to label it an elopement because this couple whisked away to wine country from Texas…they did bring their immediate family. Someone want to help me coin a new term for the ‘inbetween’ elopement and wedding?! In the meantime, these images will give you the spring that you need! Stunning!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

I had a few minutes to capture Elizabeth getting ready with her mom. Always sweet moments.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Elizabeth pinned 2 family lockets to her bouquet. I fell in love with the hint of history in the day.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

A warm sun glow, violinist, tree perfumed air and their closest family’s happiness equals the perfect ceremony. Justin had a couple teary moments, super sweet.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

The most charming details! Elizabeth’s mom brought the New Testament bible passed down in her family, which was signed by each couple on their wedding day since the 1940s. Nothing beats Grandpa using an iphone :)

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

It was my first time visiting Meadowood Napa Valley and certainly NOT my last! The lodges are all tucked into the hills, and the rain that we’ve had made everything so green and mossy. Amazing grounds, you have to visit for the perfect getaway!

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Elizabeth’s dress was purchased from Priscilla of Boston. The lace was the perfect compliment to the scenery.

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Ahhh, the cutest mustard yellow wildflowers filled all the vineyards in the region! Winter means no leaves or grapes, but the wildflowers were simply magical! You can see here how much I loved them :)

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Photos: Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Elizabeth and Justin – hope your day was full of magic! Interested in a getaway wedding in wine country?! Chris of California Wedding Packages was their gal and can be yours too!