I had the amazing pleasure of meeting Kristin last year..when Jason and I owned a little bridal and accessories store….I saw her mom Sheri on a daily basis.. {She worked for the owner of our building}..She would always come in and buy my necklaces and accessories for one of her daughters Ashley……I never had met her other daughter whom she spoke so highly of….until her oldest, Kristin, got engaged to a rather lovable man named Sebastian. Sheri quickly brought in Kristin..to talk all things wedding..and it was an inevitable match. I just loved Kristin the second she sat on my little brown victorian loveseat. She was eloquent, organized, and just exuded tranquility…if that makes sense.:)You just feel so calm when you are around her:)In a world that is crazy, fast paced…and never stops for nothin…you need more people like Kristin to share life with. I got to meet Sebastian at their Napa engagement session…and I think I just loved how we was so gentle with Kristin. He puts her before himself..and just cherishes her every move. Jason and I loved every second of their Hollister Wedding…I dont think Leal Vineyards have ever looked better with these two prancing around:) Kristin and Sebastian, thank you for your playful and loving spirit with another…and allowing us the freedom to get beautiful pictures and share the day with you and your families!! XOXO
Amanda and Gavin actually “met” while Amanda was living in London and he was living in New York. Her friend met Gavin at a bar in New York and realized He worked at the same bank Amanda did…so she sent her a message on facebook saying that Amanda should move to New York because her company had cool brits there too.:) Amandas work visa was about to expire so her friend told her to email the 3 guys she had met…maybe it was destiny…but Gavin was the only one who responded to her email:)He set Amanda up with an interview with his boss and coached her on the questions she should expect. It turned out she was already interviewing for the same role with a different manager and when they found that out…. they offered her the job. Amanda and Gavin didn’t meet in person until she started a few months later…. but that introduction sweetly became the start of an amazing story to unfold.
Amanda and Gavin have a notable and overwhelming charm about them. There is this underlining classiness about them, that is simply timeless. Like an old Cary Grant or Audrey Hepburn film that you can watch over and over again. They got married at the Carmel Mission, which is one of our favorite spots in the world. Quite the romantic backdrop for a couples who’s story seems worthy of the big screen:)
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“But you could find yourself lost out in this world
And I’d find a way to get back to your side
No mountain’s too high, no stone is too small
I’ll build a bridge through the fire
For you I would crawl from New York to California”…..
This is just a little snippet from an AMAZING Mat Kearney track called New York to California, that was Leslie and Scotts “first dance” song. I had never heard it before that night, but ever since it has been my favorite…I cry every time I hear it because it make me think of my husband, and how I would go to any lengths of the earth for him. What a perfect song for Leslie and Scott who were separated by so many miles, so many times, over the course of their relationship.. {you can read more about their journey here, from their engagement session post} There are SO-OO-OO many thing that I loved about this wedding..I thought I would mix it up a bit and just throw in random tidbits as we go:) Enjoy!
I love…..the last spray of hair spray right before the bride is about to put on her dress. Her hair dresser has clearly already made it impossible for a single strand to move…yet there is something ceremonial about that very last final touch.. before the moment it all starts to “feel real” when you pull that white dress off of its hanger.
I love…bridesmaids who are rockstars and know how to “help a girl out”…
I love…what I like to call…”The NUZZLE”…with their noses. Just makes me happy.
I love…First looks with brides & their dad. Afterall..they were the main man in her life all these years, right:) *tear*
I love…when grooms take the time to write love letters to their bride…..its a small act….but it goes a LONG way.
I love….ADVENTUROUS wedding parties who arent afraid to get a little dirt on their heels and hop a few fences for a seriously cool shot:)
I love buttons. I love cake. I love BUTTONS ON CAKE even more.
Leslie & Scott…Thank you sooo much for choosing us to spend this day with you!!!….SOOO…when are the 4 of us gonna get dinner?? For reals..we miss you guys. Pretty Please:)
Venue: Garre Vineyards/Dress: Jim Helm/ Hair: Heather at Gary Patrick Salon in Pleasanton/ Makeup: Jen at LaDida Beauty Lounge/ Cake, Cupcakes Flower: Joy Smith from Details and More/ Guestbook Tree: Bleu de toi/ Hair accessories: Elitewoman/ Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale/ Mens Suits: Jos. A Banks/ DJ: Scott with Amos Productions
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Ashley! You. Are. Amazing! Thank you so much for the sneak peak at our photos! Name the place and time and we are SO THERE for a dinner date! I can’t thank you enough for lending your talent to us for our wedding. You have become a dear friend and we are so blessed to know you and Jason–and to have some amazing photos too:)
Lovely photos. You so captured the precious love and affection of Scott and Leslie and the celebration of the day! Can’t wait to see more. Thank you Ashley!
Fabulous put-together album full of great shots before and after the wedding ceremony! Thank you for sharing it especially with those who couldn’t make
it physically to the wedding but held you in their hearts during the whole occasion!
We love you, Auntie Nancy and Uncle Mikey
Felt the love in every picture. Congrats Scott and Leslie!
Stunning shots from a gorgeous day! A.MA.ZING work!
Thank you so much Ashley!! It was so much fun to have you as part of Leslie and Scott’s day! The pictures are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!
Your work continues to take my breath away.
Leslie looks gorgeous, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dress
OMG, the shots in the tunnel are REDONCULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
So…. I know that I always say how much I love my clients…and when the bridesmaids have cute dresses, I joke to the bride that I want to be one of her bridesmaids too…but Tina and her girls…SERIOUSLY made me want to pass my camera to someone else, slip on a navy blue dress and pumps.. and jump RIGHT into this wedding party…like the second I got there. Tina and her girls made me feel like family, and that I had been in their circle of friends since grade school…I cant even tell you how much of impact it makes on me during the wedding day, when I feel welcomed. You think that YOU have nerves because you are getting married? WE have the the most important job of capturing every second of it…we show up with butterflies in our stomach just like you do!!:) Tina and Danny’s warmth made us truly feel at ease ALL DAY…so much at ease…I think I might have even busted a few moves on the dance floor that night…..and if you know me…you know that NEVER happens.. {dancing= #3 on my “fear” list after public speaking and spiders:} ANYWAYS…Tina and Danny…can you guys get ANY MORE LOVABLE? I wouldnt have been surprised if you both got nominated “Most Likely to Bring Home to Mom” in high school..because you both are every parents dream of a future daughter/son in law. Thank you for having such a pure and selfless love that you share with EVERYONE around you…its contagious..and a blessing….And as Tina and her girls would say…its “SOFASHION”…and will always be in style. XOXO.
A huge Thank You to Luke Cunningham for second shooting this wedding with me..as well as a few others over the summer when my hubby couldnt:) We are a good tag team:)
Tinas mother passed away about 5 years ago….and although she couldnt physically be there with Tina…her spirit and joy were was undoubtedly felt by everyone there that day…
These next 5 pictures were taken by the fabulous Luke:)
So…..what do Disneyland, The Eiffel Tour and Stanford University ALL have in common?……… TOURISTS!!!!! We were snapping photos of the girls and I literally felt a swarm of of people circle us in an instant…they were feverishly trying to snap as many photos as their little memory cards could handle….they were even trying to get the girls to look at THEIR cameras..we all couldnt stop laughing…we were like…”What the heck are they gonna do with the pictures of them…put them on their Christmas card? Frame them on the fireplace??? On the fridge? Facebook????” It was hilarious.
Lovely shot on the left by Luke:)
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Thank you SO much for these BEAUTIFUL photos and for the sweet words! I can’t stop looking at these pictures! You are so very talented Ashley! We can’t wait to see the rest! xoxo
all of these pictures are amazing, I can’t decide which are my favorites. thank for sharing them with us
lots of
Renee
These are gorgeous…some of your best. But when don’t I say that? =)
Lauren and Joey are two hot little Italians:) From the moment I met them..they have been nothing but over the moon A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I got asked to make the hair accessories for Lauren and her girls…which gave me an excuse to keep connected to Lauren on a regular basis throughout her planning months leading up to the wedding. What I loved so much about Lauren…was that amidst the details…the invitations…the d.i.y projects…seating charts…and dress fittings….more than wanting everything to be JUST perfect…she just really really really couldn’t wait to marry JOEY. I think it is so easy to get lost in the illusion that it is ALL about the wedding day…when REALLY…its about everything that happens AFTER the wedding day. Marriage is such a beautiful thing when it is not taken lightly…and what a joy that Lauren and Joey totally “get it”. Lauren…you are the girl that I wish I could sit and have coffee with everyday…you are so uplifting…and when I see your name pop up on my phone….its like an insta-grin on my face!!!! Hope as you look at these pictures, you and Joey have fun reliving one of many “best days of your lives” together. XOXO..
Cupcakes: Jens Cakes
Flowers: Jeanette’s Flowers
Hair: Jennifer from Salon Mesh
Makeup: Rebecca from Kiss and Makeup
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Ashley these pictures are beautiful! You did an amazing job of capturing how special the day was. You truly do beautiful work…I can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures!!
Everything about this wedding was exquisite, and the bride and groom amazing. Ashley Maxwell captured the day beautifully. The photos are very moving – and bring back the wonderful feeling of the day!
Great photos, of course look at the subject. Can’t go wrong with Lauren as the subject. Fantastic photography!! Dave and Mary, parents of the bride:))
Ashley big big hugs to you!!! I love this so much!! I can’t believe how much Joey and I shine through! You really did capture us so perfectly! You are so amazing and so blessed with such wonderful extraordinary talent! I love everything about you!!! XOXO!!!
Ashley
These photos are just beautiful/amazing. Joey and Lauren look wonderful in every photo. I love them all. Sal looks adorable.:0) What did Lauren say “wonderful and extraordinary talent”.
Aunt Diana
Absolutely amazing photos!! Truly captured the beauty of this special day 
Beautiful photos!
My eyes filled up with tears of joy while looking through this blog…it felt like I was reliving Lauren & Joey’s special day! B-E-A-utiful!!! Love you guys!
I love it!
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