Napa Portrait and Wedding Photographer

This is the sweetest love story, about two very special people.  Please allow me to tell this beautiful story of  Mark and Linda.  Mark and Linda dated way back in 1978, and even went to Senior Ball together, but before they knew it, it was graduation and they went their separate ways.  Mark stayed in Northern California for his education and subsequent career, where he married and raised two beautiful children.  Linda moved south after high school, to UCLA, then ASU, before settling in San Diego in 1985.  Linda married briefly in the late 80′s, but raised dogs instead of children.  Eons later (in their words), their 30th high school reunion rolled around.  Both came very close to NOT attending, but as fate would have it, they both did.  When they ran into each other at the Friday night “grads-only” cocktail party, the first words Mark said to Linda were, “Are you married?”.  Luckily for both of them the answer, “Nope!”  They started dating shortly thereafter, hopping Southwest flights north and south to visit each other until they became engaged on a trip to San Francisco in September 2009.  Mark did his best to recreate their Senior Ball date with visits to Coit Tower and the St. Francis on this trip.  How cool!  Linda made the big move back to the cold north and they no longer must endure flights back and forth!  So, as they say, “the rest is history”, and almost three years later … make that Thirty-three years later, they are very much looking forward to starting a new and exciting chapter in their lives, together!  Beautiful, no?

Even though Mark and Linda are getting married in our beautiful Napa Valley, I suggested we meet somewhere in between, in another gorgeous wine region, Suisun Valley.  I know, far to few of us know about this little gem.  Earlier this year, I had photographed a wedding for the Vezer Family, who own and operate wineries in three locations in Suisun Valley.  I believe I mentioned something like this before, in my post about that wedding here, but I have to say it again, I’ve never met a more gracious family than the Vezer’s.  When I said that I was heading over to their part of the woods to photograph Mark and Linda’s engagement session, Liz Vezer said “I’ll make sure Frank is here and he’ll do a barrel tasting for your couple and give them a tour of the sites”.  This was the most amazing engagement session.  Mark and Linda were floored by the hospitality they received from the Vezers.  Frank Vezer, the owner of the winery, pulled out all the stops and we all had such a wonderful time.  Of course, I didn’t do any tasting!  That would not have been so good for my focusing, me thinks, ha, ha!  However, because I could not partake, Frank sent me home with a bottle of their over-the-top 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Yum!

Mark, Linda, I’m beyond thrilled that you chose me to be your photographer.  I can’t wait for your wedding this weekend, it’s going to be fabulous!  Thanks so much for your kind comments throughout these past several months leading up to your very special day.  I think the world of you both.

Three.more.days!

Couldn’t help myself, had to start with this image.  Where it all began folks.  Prom 1978.

We had a little fun with some updated Prom posturing.

Onto our tour and tasting.  Very dim, yet beautiful light in the barrel room with Frank Vezer pouring.

After a bit of tasting, we ventured upstairs to this richly decorated room above the barrel room.  You can look out over the barrel room from here.  Some pretty stellar views of the grounds and vines/hills too.  When weddings are held at The Blue Victorian, it’s also a favored place for ‘the getting ready’ for the girls.

Well, needs no explanation.

Moved onto the surrounding beautiful countryside.  Just breathtaking scenery.

And, here we are, 33 years later.  It’s not Prom, but I think a wedding is pretty exciting.  Cheers!