Julia and Mike found us as local photographers to them in the Bay Area. From the beginning, we knew that these two were unique and adorable humans that we wanted to photograph. 

They decided to have their wedding at Mike’s family’s Swim and Racquet Club in Los Gatos. We anticipated nothing less than an interesting day because let’s face it, every wedding day has it’s rollercoaster of emotions!

Walking into their hotel, we found Julia’s bridal suite to be massive and filled with approximately 80 people. Ok, so more like 12, but between each of the ladies’ getting-ready bits and pieces, the florals, and all the gowns––you can understand how a room becomes packed to the brim quite quickly. If you’ve ever been inside of a “getting-ready room,” you know exactly what I mean. Part of the experience.

It is hands-down one of the most interesting moments of the day being a wedding photographer. Standing outside the door, we usually pause a second to take a deep breath and anticipate a multitude of things that could be happening on the other side.

Said getting-ready activities range from gangsta rap and flowing champagne, dancing and singing, to missing pieces of clothing, taping up dresses, to finding safety pens and sharing bobby pins. Then mild panicking “does anyone have any deodorant?” My personal favorite? When all the ladies share in seeing their bestie bride is in her dress and all ready to walk down the aisle.

That’s precisely what happened this day. Like it does at every wedding. Everything is a little crazed, a touch hungover from the rehearsal dinner, and maybe have not slept much because of excitement. What we mean is, patience can be a little short. But once everyone is ready to go, the stress of getting ready is lifted and the excitement and emotion of what’s going to happen that day sets in.

My favorite moment was when Julia and her mom looked at each other and burst into tears. This, of course, made everyone else cry (including myself).

We went on to do an epic first look. We harnessed our inner Vanity Fair with the bridal party portraits while trying not to pass out from heatstroke. Los Gatos is famous for being a warm region of the Bay Area, and tennis courts are known for retaining heat. Put the two together and you have a recipe for many very hot people at a wedding.

Despite the heat, the tennis court ceremony site was pretty epic. There was a great view and I loved that the court itself was blue.

With a theme of all white florals and white chairs, there was a certain Greek crispness to it all, like no other wedding ceremony I’ve ever been to.

When it came time for the ceremony, Julia’s mother walked her down the aisle as her father passed away a few years back. It was an incredibly touching moment of the day, and you could that her father was there in spirit.

The officiant was told he had 15 minutes to do what started out to be a regular length a sermon by Father Bruno. He sounded like he was at a bingo hall or an auction––he kept asking the crowd questions and waiting for answers! He also got the entire party (that’s 300 people, mind you) to stand up and make a big hand-held circle around the entire tennis court for a “circle of love.”

I loved this so much… At the time, it was very confusing and we didn’t know what he was going to do next, because getting the first kiss is probably the most important photo at a wedding photographer can take!

We’ve been to so many ceremonies of so many different religions and styles, and there is always some sort of sequence that we can follow that prepares us for when they will be pronounced husband and wife, “you may kiss the bride…” (Or groom!). However, on this day, we were very thrown for a loop…Looking back on it I know loved it, but at the time it was stressful from a photographer’s vantage point.

We must say that having a reception at this particular tennis club was incredibly unique. With the large palm trees and the peach color of the pool house, it was quite lovely. During dinner, Father Bruno brought a huge, gorgeous bread loaf for the breaking of the bread where he invited all the groomsmen and bridesmaids to come up and rip the spread apart to give to each table. It was a really special touch. 

We had a great time on the dance floor. There were so many people so it made for a really epic dance party. We still haven’t heard yet whether everyone ended up in the pool after we left, but we’re guessing it’s quite possible…

Julia and Mike’s fun Los Gatos wedding was one to remember. Congratulations to these two!

Thank you to our fellow creatives!

Planning // Andria Leigh Events // @andrialeighevents 

Coordinating // Paisley & Plum Events // @tina.paisleyandplum

Photographer // Michaela Joy Photography // @michaelajoyphotography

Florals // The Flower House // @jingerleonard

Hair // Eileen Synegal // @eileensynegalhair

Makeup // Stylebee // @stylebee

Calligraphy // Bright Line Studio // @thebrightlinestudio

Catering // The Party Helpers // @tphcatering

DJ // More SF // @moresanfrancisco

Photobooth // Say Ya! Photobooth // @sayyaphotobooth

Rentals // Danny Thomas Party Rentals // @dannythomaspartyrentals

Film Scans // Richard Photo Lab // @richardphotolab 

Film // Film Supply Club // @filmsupplyclub @kodakprofessional