Jun & Stephen - wow!

I was thrilled to photograph Jun & Stephen's wedding earlier this month. We began by photographing their engagement photos at Baker Beach, the Financial District in SF, and Stephen's family chicken farm in Georgia! Things just got even more fabulous after that. The wedding started with a high-tea for the bridal party (all 30 of them) at the Top of the Mark then off to Grace Cathedral for the ceremony. Jun wore a beautiful barong tagalog and Stephen wore a handsome tuxedo. The ceremony was wonderful with touches of Jun's Filipino heritage included - cord sponsors draped the yugal (a decorative silk cord) in a figure-eight shape--to symbolize everlasting fidelity--over the shoulders of the couple and Stephen gave Jun 13 coins or arrhae, as a sign of his dedication to Jun's well-being and the welfare of their future children. We then paraded over to the Mark Hopkins Hotel to enjoy an evening of traditional dancing by the Hiyas Philippine Folk Dance Company, music by DGroove, a chocolate buffet by Cocoa Bella, chocolate fountains by Sweet Springs Chocolate Fountain, ice sculptures (including a life-size piano bar and Mr. Peanut (as a nod to Stephen's southern roots)) by Chisel-It Ice Sculptures, video pals Jewel & Chuck of Savadelis Films, and a photobooth by Red Cheese. Everything was made perfect by my friends Rebecca Reategui (event planner extraordinaire), Karen Axel of Tapestry Flowers (one the most amazing floral designers I've ever seen), and Marisa at Classic Party Rentals for all the rentals & lighting.

SLIDESHOW
ENGAGEMENT GUESTBOOK
WEBSITE
WEDDING ALBUM
EVENTS ALBUM

Christine & Joe in San Francisco

Christine & Joe were married at my favorite church, St. Dominic's in San Francisco. Joe is in the armed services and has been knighted by the Vatican! Their service was lovely with special honors given to our fallen soldiers. After photos on the church stairs, the guests headed to the Presidio Officer's Club while the couple and I made two stops - to the Legion of Honor and the top of Lyon Street to get some photos with the cherry blossoms. Christine was gorgeous in her Monique Lhuillier dress and flowers by Deborah Berhel. Indulge Caterers created a delicious meal for all the guests and Baytenders were pouring the signature drink - a "caipirinha" (since Christine & Joe will be relocating to Brazil very soon). The Martini Brothers kept everyone dancing after a special performance of traditional Portuguese Fado music.

SLIDESHOW
WEBSITE

Wildflower 2008

I just completed my first Olympic-distance triathlon! Wildflower (at Lake San Antonio, CA) is one of the world's most beautiful and challenging tri's. My goal was just to finish - I did! Here's a photo of me and my girls (Odessa & Meg) at the finish line - more details to come...

Inside Weddings Spring 2008

I am lucky enough to have a wedding that I photographed published in the newest issue of Inside Weddings! Take a look and Jennifer & Yiu's gorgeous wedding...

And I was lucky enough to work with many of my favorite vendors on this amazing event...

Venue - The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Cake - Elegant Cheesecakes
Wedding Designer/Coordinator - Ha Le Events
Florals - Flower Divas
Lighting - Enhanced Lighting & Sound
Rentals & Linens - Classic Party Rentals
Videographer - Weddings On Film

On-site photo studio.

I have received requests over the years for something unique and different - something that guests can really have fun with...

We're now offering an on-site photo studio! Have it at your cocktail hour or reception and your guests can visit it and at their leisure. Your guests will really have a great time with them... allowing their true personalities to emerge. And the quality of the photos is really high (unlike many of the photo booths you can rent) so you can include them in your wedding album - maybe as a collage page like the one seen here. Contact me for a quote - usually $1000-$2500.

PS - Instyle Weddings Magazine loved the idea so much, they published it!

The cutest 'save the date' card.

Take a look at this adorable Save The Date card that one of my favorite couples created from their engagement photo.

Amanda & Luis are a very creative & fun couple. Amanda owns a very cute boutique in Los Altos - check them out at http://www.151boutique.com/.

I can't wait for their wedding in July!

One of my favorite places & two of my favorite people...

If ever you need a GORGEOUS location for a wedding, party, or corporate event, make sure you check out the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. And make sure that you meet Tony & Debra or their wonderful co-workers (called "ladies & gentlemen"). I am always awed by the Ritz - the beauty of the location, the AMAZING ladies & gentlemen who work there, and the fact that I always feel like part of their family - and you will too! Look at what fun we have!...

Wedding Workshop

My good friend, Melissa Panico of Melissa Panico Event Planning is holding a Wedding Planning Workshop. If you need help getting started, creating a budget, designing a timeline, etc., this is the class for you. It is on Saturday April 19th from 1pm-4pm. The costs is $80 - check it out!

THE PARTY'S NOT OVER

If you weren't able to make it to my opening on Sunday, don't fret! The show will be up until March 29th. Check it out...
Luka's Taproom & Lounge
2221 Broadway (at Grand)
Oakland, 94612
(510) 451-4677

THE show!

Last Sunday Luka's in Oakland hosted the first showing of my travel photography. Me and 60 of my closest friends, colleagues, and clients gathered to watch the Oscars, view my BIG prints, and eat Luka's awesome food...

Top right to left - #1 John Woods, me, Kevin Chin, Justin Fone, and Suzy Clement. #2 Luka's before the show. #3 Me and Andrew Weeks. #4 The hallway at Luka's. #5 My husband, Craig and my travel buddy, Sue Meylan. #6 Elisheva's cute husband, Elisheva Basseri, Nancy Liu Chin. #7 Armando. #8 Amy Hayson. #9 Luka's during the show. (Photos taken by Kevin Chin, Michelle Walker, and Amy Hayson.)

A very, very special thank you to John Woods of Enhanced Lighting who made my work look really good, Amy Hayson of Peculiar Pair Press who created the invitations, Maria & the crew at Luka's Taproom and Lounge, and DJ Joe Franco who spun the rockin' tunes.

Every year I get to travel somewhere exotic and fun to photograph my personal work. For Luka's show, I displayed photographs from Cuba, India, Africa, and Peru. To check them out, please go to my NEW website at http://www.michellewalker.com/.