Clara and Kyle, fellow high-school sweethearts, were engaged overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the beautiful skyline of downtown San Francisco–their home since they packed up what they owned and moved to California together after college. If we haven’t been clear in the past, Leandra and I are big fans of high-school sweethearts and adventures, so it was obvious to us that it would be a joy to spend the day photographing the two of them. Clara, a certified event planner, planned a beautiful wedding from across the country (with a lot of help from her sister and maid-of-honor, Mindy). Although they didn’t have their wedding in California, it was impossible to overlook the San Francisco influence in their choice of locations. The ceremony was held at Ciccone Vineyards, which sat atop a hill overlooking acres and acres of grape vines on one side and the bay on the other. Their reception was held at the Traverse City Opera House–a beautifully preserved turn-of-the century building only blocks from the bay in downtown Traverse City. The beautiful weather and beautiful places only added to the excitement that Clara and Kyle, surrounded by their closest friends and family, exuded through the day. Their bridal party was so helpful–it was easy to see that each one of them was there solely to support and help their dear friends on such a big day, and (of course!) celebrate with them into the night. A few favorites from their day…

Clara and her sister, Mindy (on the left).

Clara’s grandparents:

Nerdy fact: while Northern Michigan feels more like Outer Mongolia during the winter, it’s acutally at a similar latitude to Northern Italy! Leandra and I were surprised to learn this during our first trip to the Traverse City area. Yes, the fact that we’ve only been twice makes it immediately obvious that we’re not native Michiganders. We’re okay with that. It certainly doesn’t diminish how absolutely beautiful the area is. We LOVE photographing there…

Clara’s style will be just as beautiful 50 years from now. I know Leandra will tease me for it, because I start an uncanny amount of sentences with “When I’m a grandpa,” but when I’m a grandpa, I’ll show all my grandkids the pictures I have of Leandra on our wedding day–even if it’s boring to them. I’ll want them to see the woman I fell in love with and will still love, the woman I dreamed all the dreams (that hopefully came true, for the most part) with. I’m pretty sure Kyle doesn’t have as many dreams of being a grandpa as I do (I don’t have that many, anyways…), but whether it’s “when I’m a grandpa” or “when I’m a dad” or “when I’m 30″, we always strive to capture the emotion and the love our couples share on their wedding day precisely for that occasion in 5 or 10 or 50 years that you need to show someone else or remember for yourself what it felt like.

Leandra’s favorite, on the right:

From the vineyards, we headed to the waterfront downtown…

My favorite:

Clara and Kyle’s menu featured all local (and very good!) food, wine, and beer.

Their wonderfully-executed choreographed first dance.

And out to the beautiful lobby to end the night…

We’ve already gushed enough, but to say it again–it was such a joy to photograph the two of you and your day, Clara and Kyle. Thank you and both of your familes for your hospitality and help through the day. You made our job easy!