Some weddings are so magical, they feel like they were plucked straight from a dream. Amy and Arjun’s Bay Area elopement was one of those days—a celebration of love that seamlessly blended urban elegance with coastal charm.

The day started early, well before the sun had even begun to paint the sky with hues of pink and orange. We packed our gear into the car, eagerly anticipating the day ahead. Today was the day Mikey and I would capture the love story of Celina and Brock in Yosemite National Park.

Who would have guessed that the East Bay Area would be home to a stunning redwood park? Ashley and Nico celebrated their engagement amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Oakland Redwoods. As an engagement and wedding photographer with a keen eye for capturing love stories, I couldn’t have asked for a better setting.

From the moment I arrived at the venue, I knew that this wedding would be different. Disco balls adorned the tables and entry tables, handmade paper flowers set as the sweetheart table backdrop; and what’s a wedding without a full blown pretzel bar?! It was as if the couple had transported their guests to a whimsical wonderland, where joy and celebration were the only things that mattered.

Sarah, Lucas, and I have a history. I was so so excited when Sarah wanted to do another family session together, this time at one of my favorite places on earth, Carmel-by-the-Sea. Little did Sarah know that this family photoshoot would take an unexpected and exciting turn.