San Francisco is a romantic backdrop for any wedding. There are a myriad of perfect venues, that are guaranteed to charm your guests. As a wedding photographer, I enjoy shooting weddings and engagements in San Francisco.  

Last weekend I shot a wedding on a yacht. The couple was married by the captain of the boat immediately following the launch of the ship. We cruised around the bay, enjoying the spectacular backdrop and perfect weather. 

One fun and unique idea I saw at this wedding was: during the reception they played a right-left game at the tables. At some weddings there are table games, but this was unique in both the story about the couple, and the wrapped prizes.


Here is how the game worked:  
- Each table was given a wrapped prize
- A starting guest at each table was chosen by volunteer
- A story about the couple was read out loud
- Every time the word "right" was said, the prize was handed to the person to the right
- Every time the word "left" was said, the prize was passed left
- Whoever was holding the prize when the story was over won the prize


 It was much like musical chairs to a story, except no one had to stand up, and someone from each table won a prize. This was a fun way to break the ice before lunch. The game provided many smiles, and much laughter.        

Last weekend we shot a wedding in Napa. It was a destination wedding- the bride and groom were from Arizona.  As the sun started to set over the Napa hills, pink and billowy clouds set the stage for a perfect-picture wedding.  

All of the guests were staying at the same hotel, so they all traveled to, and from, the winery in a chartered bus. This was not only convenient, but a wonderful way to assure their loved one's safety leaving the winery.  

One moment during their wedding that was unique and fun was: during the first dance, every guest was blowing bubbles towards the newlyweds at the same time. The couple was completely swimming in bubbles. The support and love in the room was magic.   


Some fun uses for bubbles at weddings are:

• Bubbles instead of rice- this is a modern tradition
  
• Bubble Guns on the dance floor- en garde
  
• Glow-in-the Dark Bubbles would look amazing with the right DJ equipment
  
• Edible Bubbles would be cute, floating around in a dessert room 
  
• Bubble Performers can be hired to wow your guests
  

As a wedding photographer, I have seen many fun and fresh ideas over the past couple of months. I have been busy every weekend. 

The summer is rich in marriage, rich in love. 





Some of the more interesting and original ideas I saw were:
 

*  A bouquet, delicately adorned with glitter.  It twinkled like her eyes. 


*  Reception shoes with the words JUST on one toe, and MARRIED on the other-  Perfect for the dance floor.  


*  A photo booth shaped as a giant Tiffany's box.  With a giant Tiffany-style heart with their name etched into it. It was amazing! The father of the bride had made it all by hand; and what a wow! 

 
*  A videographer put a GO-PRO on the hood of the Bride and Groom's Bentley


*  A giant and fancy picture frame. When I say giant, it was six feet by four feet. We got some creative and fun shots.


*  A break dance performance by the groom. They also had a rapping DJ. 


*  Flame-less candles inside of hanging plastic orbs. That was really romantic.   


*  An officiant dressed as video game character. It kinda looked like a naval uniform. The officiant was telling me it was a male cheerleader character. So he not only looked cool, but he was cheering them on  

*  A bagpiper- turn down, for what?


A couple weddings back we were at a Rose Garden in San Jose. It was beautiful and smelled nice. It was early in the day, and the light was beautiful. Everything was beautiful. The bride's dress reminded me of my wedding dress, but strapless. It was a princess style dress, and she looked the part. She was as graceful in her demeanor as she looked. 


 In fact, their soundboard had gone out just before she was to walk down the isle, which in this case, was a red carpet in a rose garden. Okay, love that!  Anyway, when the sound went out, she kept her cool and grace. Instead of being frazzled or upset, she smiled as we all sang her down the aisle with the traditional wedding march. It was amazing, and even now I feel the love and wonderfulness that that unique situation unfolded.