What an amazing San Francisco Wedding at Piedmont Community Hall. This was my first destination wedding in America, in fact, this was my first ever trip to America, and what an incredible experience I had.
Jane contacted me through Instagram enquiring if I would photograph her wedding in the States. She explained that she loved the documentary approach some U.K photographers have and she loved my natural style. We arranged a Skype call for the day after. Jane and her partner Gene were getting ready for bed and I was just waking up when we had a chat online to discuss their plans and arranged my trip over the pond. To say I was excited is a bit of an understatement.
Flights booked, bags and camera’s packed, full breakfast and the obligatory pint at the airport, I was ready to go!
Piedmont Community Hall Wedding Day
After a quick stop off at New York, I arrived in San Francisco and had a couple of days to see the sights. What an absolutely incredible city. So much to see and do. (and eat)
On the day of the wedding, the sun was shining, the weather was just beautiful. Jane and Gene wanted an informal wedding that was about the celebration and definitely a good party. They arrived at the venue after me and started setting everything up.
Before the ceremony, we had a walk around the beautiful grounds of Piedmont Community Hall. We got some lovely natural photos of of Jane and Gene together.
Friends and family started to gather in the amphitheater surrounded by stunning Californian Redwood trees. The ceremony was filled with joy, we had a reading from both Jane and Gene’s fathers which had everyone in stitches with laughter. The newlyweds also had some lovely words for each other.
Great Music & Food As The Sun Goes Down
After the ceremony and hugs of congratulations from friends and family, everyone started to gather around the tea house for pork buns and refreshing cocktails. Melvin Leonard and his Hot Sauce Band were already set up playing the best blues music. As the sun started to set we made our way down to the main outdoor dining area of Piedmont Hall.
Dinner & Speeches
Both parents of the bride and groom made a grand entrance to be seated at the top table before Jane & Gene joined them to huge cheers from all their guests.
An incredible 8-course dinner was served as Jane and Gene walked around the tables and chatted to guests. As the sun set we were given a couple of great speeches from the brother of the groom Michael and the sister of the bride Jewon. After the speeches a huge plate of food was waiting for me in the kitchens, it was absolutely delicious!
First Dance & Light Party
After food and more drinks, the merry party made their way inside for the first dance and evening reception. The newlyweds danced together gathered around by their guests before Jane had a dance with her father.
Time to party as the tempo got notched up and huge glow sticks were passed around to everyone on the dance floor. The taco truck pulled up which did the best tacos I have ever had in my life. Everybody was in great spirits as coloured light trails filled the dance floor, this really did make for great photographs and got my creativity really going.
Things started to get a bit messy when the glasses were ditched and most started drinking from the bottle, what a party!
I had to step back from the action a couple of times and pinch myself that I actually do this for a living. It really is the best job in the world, I get to meet some amazing people from all over the world.
At the time of writing this blog, we are currently in lock-down. I just can’t wait to be able to photograph weddings again both here in the U.K and further afield. Please everybody, stay home and keep safe and this will all be a thing of the past soon. X
Piedmont Community Hall Weddings
Piedmont Community Hall is located in Oakland, California. It is one of the most popular venues in Northern California and for good reason. The building is surrounded by a beautiful park setting with huge Redwoods and flowering cherry trees that look down on the amphitheater which is a perfect setting for a wedding ceremony.
The garden has a Japanese Tea House where couples can have a small ceremony, or brides can spend some quiet time here before the wedding and use it as a private place for bridal preparations. Two side walls of the Tea House are removable, so when the weather is mild, it’s a great location for an extra bar for canapés and cocktails. The main garden area in front of the hall is great for an outdoor dinner with plenty of room to set up tables for guests. The hall itself is perfect for the evening reception when the sun goes down and you can party the night away with your guests.
Big shout to
Dress: Davids Bridal
Planner: Tiffany Won
Catering: EM Deli & Catering
Band: Melvin Leonard & Hot Sauce Band
DJ: Plural Music – Marselus Cayton
Canapés: Good To Eat Dumplings
Dinner: 5 Joy Restaurant
Photobooth: Photomatica
Taco Truck: Tacos Sinaloa Truck
San Francisco Wedding Photographer
If you are planning a wedding in San Francisco or anywhere abroad and would like a natural photographer to capture all those special memories, I would love to hear from you. Please contact me to request my brochure.
Absolutely stunning. Wonderfully captured. I feel like I was there. ?
What a fantastic nice wedding. You DEFINITELY did it right. the photographs are stunning. CONGRATULATIONS to all!