Meriwether & Willy // Intimate Ashram Wedding // Sonoma, CA
Marketing a wedding photography business can be admittedly difficult. It’s all about trust and building a genuine connection to the couples we work with. Wedding work is different from any other form of photography––for almost any other occasion, you can reschedule, re-photograph, redo it. But trusting someone to take your wedding photos is an emotional experience, and you have just about one chance to get it right.
Given the weight of the work, the best way for us to connect with new clients is often through the personal recommendation of someone who knows us both––and knows that we’re going to connect, and create something authentic and beautiful.
This is precisely what happened in the case of Meriwether and Willy! We were introduced through a mutual friend, who told us the two were on track to get married in about four weeks. And in 2020, planning a wedding only four weeks out sounds about right! Heck, let’s get married tomorrow!
Right away, we hopped on a video chat with Willy and Meriwether (we were “zoom-ing” before it was cool!), which gives us a great first opportunity to connect face-to-face and build trust from the start.
Talk about a beautiful couple in every way! I got off our chat and immediately called Tim, declaring, “Meriwether is my soul sister!” We both grew up in Seattle, love horses, play volleyball, and do yoga. Even more, Willy also went to CU Boulder!
The commonalities were unreal, and I took to them straight away. When they told us about their experiences being sober, and that Meriwether works at an alcohol recovery center in LA, I fell in love with their authenticity even more.
Their day finally came, and we were as prepared as we could be with just a few weeks of planning! We’ve been to weddings at just about every kind of venue––but this was our very first at an ashram.
For those unfamiliar, an ashram is typically a remote place for spiritual practices, such as yoga and meditation. The one in Sonoma––where their intimate wedding took place––is right next door to Willy’s family home––literally, they share a fence. It fit perfectly with their relaxed spirits and style.
Now one thing we should share with you is that Meriwether planned all of it with her mom. Usually we get a little nervous when this is the case, but despite our preconceived anxieties about weddings without a planner, it went off without a hitch. And, yes, I hate to use that rather cliche phrase, but it was absolute perfection. Everyone was on time––early even–– and perfectly emotional, yet agreeable.
The whole day was just filled with love, warmth, and gratitude. It started with Meriwether deciding to get ready out in the yard, which goes to show how beautifully laid-back these guys are. As the “getting ready” bedroom was destroyed by all of the guys, she dropped those pants in the front yard and put her dress on right then and there. It was hilarious, and set the mood for the day.
Their outlook on the wedding was very go-with-the-flow, riding the roller coaster and rolling with the punches. Because they’ve been trying to get married for a while––having had to relocate twice and losing all of their original vendors––they eventually found us, and we are so happy that they did! They also used our brand new photo booth, which (not to toot our own horn or anything) was a hit.
At one point, right before she put her dress on, Meriwether’s sweet dog, who was supposed to walk down the aisle as their ringbearer, showed up absolutely covered in manure it’d found and, of course, rolled in. Instead of losing it as many brides probably would, she exhaled and said, “Well, I guess my dog is just gonna be covered in shit walking down the aisle, and that’s just how it’s going to be!”
It was another treat for us to work with one of our favorite caterers, Elaine Bell. Their cuisine is innovative, photogenic and delicious. We also love their style, as the staff is always dressed professionally and super kind.
These are our kind of people. Their ease made for an incredible day for themselves and their guests alike, and we are so grateful to have been a part of it.
Thank you to our fellow creatives!
Photography & Photobooth | Michaela Joy Photography
Catering | Elaine Bell Catering
Beauty | The Powder Room- Ashley
Gown | BHLDN
