Laura and Chris have been such a joy to work with from day one! Not only do they have the most adorable little boy, Tucker, they are genionley crazy about each other!
Laura Haen & Chris Williams married at the amazing Wolf Lakes Park on Sunday June 3rd.
Laura is my western princess of the year....many special touches made in a very classy way!
Although it was a pretty "cowboy" wedding, the ladies all had some pretty great heels!
Below you will see the "brand" that I helped LAura and Chris design.....it was a lot of fun being a part of the creative design of the entire wedding theme!
The boys were REAL cowboys....for sure!
Once again, Laura really out did herself with so many dfetails...they really made the venue look like their own!
Tucker actually got to "ride" down the aisle!
I love having fun with the bridal party right after the ceremony.....it's such a great moment of the day where everyone seems to be flying high with such excitement and joy! I love my job!
It was a really great time working with Laura and Chris, from the first shoot at their ranch, to the numerous shoots on location and here in teh studio with their son Tucker, designing on-of-a-kind invitations for tehir wedding, showers & birthday parties....you name it! They are a great couple and wonderful people and I am so honored to have been part of their wedding day!
Always!
Tess Danielle
Finally, Casey Delano & Michael Dittmer are married! They had a beautiful wedding ceremony at Appelation California Winery...and then a great reception back at her parents home in Madera.....and since Casey and I have been friends from the time we were only 2 years old....it was like seeing my own sister marry the man of her dreams!
We first started out at the Marriot Springhill Suites in Madera with hair and make-up....and of course while the girls were working hard inside, the guys were taking advantage of the pool...outside!
We then took off for ApCal....and once we got there we had time for getting Casey into her dress and making all of those last minute touches on the venue.
Casey had gotten a spesial gift for bother her mom and dad...too sweet!
Here is Casey's real sister, Lindsay......such beautiful ladies!
My dad took a picture of Casey, her mom and her sister like this one....we back, probaly about 18 years ago in our studio....serious faces...in turtle necks...here's an homage to that one!
Casey and her dad, Mark!
I love this one of Casey....
So one funny thing to mention...even though the Delanos had decided to host a wedding with about 150 guests...a standard guest list in today's world....Casey still happened to work up a bridal party of TEN.....yes, that is 10 bridesmaids! What can you say....she's a friendly person with a whole bunch of friends!
Then it was time for Casey & Michael to see eachother......according to Casey, she would be far to anxious to wait until she walked down the aisle to see Micahel...so we let them have their moment before guests arrived.
It happened to be extremely windy this day, so the front of ApCal turned into not only a great backdrop for pictures....but the only place to shield from the tornado strength winds!
The Argyle socks are a huge hit lately. Always puts a smile on my face!
The guests must have really enjoyed just taking in all of the great details that Casey and her mom spent countless hours perfecting....the ceremony had only a hint of what was to come at the reception.
This was something new to me.....instead of a unity candle, sand ceremony or special song or reading....Casey and Michael turned the signing of the marriage license into an integral part of the ceremony - witnessed by all. It was very symbolic and a great idea!
Then it was happiness and excitement!
Once we finished with some family portraits, we headed out to Casey's parents home...preparing for the reception.
Once the bridal party arrived...it was time for some fun shots!
Here are some more of those wonderful details...good job!
Each table had a different vase.
They had a great band play.....really kept everyone on their feet all night!
Yes, that is an old window that they used for table assignments!
I was so happy to be part of Casey and Michaels wedding...it was a day I have been looking forward to for quite some time now...and yes, even I got to finally put down the camera and cut loose late into the night with these two great families!
Love you Casers!
Tess Danielle
Congratulations to the new Nr & Mrs Bangerter! The stunning bride, Jamie Cox, married the man of her dreams, Brian Bangerter, in the backyard of their loving uncle in East Clovis. It was perfect weather, and the entire family pitched in on the effort at making the day go perfect! It was a real blast to be a part of the wedding and see how much these two are absolutely crazy about eachother!
The decor was fresh and pring inspired....pale yellows, greens and a touch of pink.
The ladies were having a great time just getting dressed....
The home that the wedding took place at was located on the north side of Wolf Lakes, and had a great layout with the decks, covered front porch, pool & gazebo...not to mention the actual lake as a beautiful backdrop.
These were some of the cutest little flower girls!!!
Then after enough time in the heat with the bride and her family, it was time for the gentlemen!
They were quite calm and collected...maybe they were just wiped out since it was them that had been doing all of the heavy lifting of set up that entire morning! But we still had a fun time and finished just in time for the ceremony on the lawn.
AAAWWWWWWW!
After the ceremony, it was a great time when we got all of the bridesmaids and groomsmen together....you could tell they were all very close and were really enjoying themselves!
I will never get tired of photographing Jamie's eyes....always stunning.
The color and tonation of the wood siding......such a great backdrop!
Then it was time for the reception!!! Once again, the family did an amazing job with all of the set up and decor...it was a very beautiful backyard event!
Once dinner was served we headed outside of the gate, down towards the water for some evening pictures...it was so peacefull, and the lighting supurb!
Brian was such a gentleman...even after I refused - he insisted helping me cari one of my strobes, too funny!
They did a great job with the hanging lights and lanterns, didn't they!
At the end of the night, Brian's uncle announced for the couple to hide in the house for a special suprise! So once the couple was out of sight, all of the guests headed down onto the lawn and lit these large paper lantern...then once they were ready we brought the couple back outside and off the lanterns went...filled with wishes for the happiness of Jamie and Brian for their future together...so romantic!
Congratulations & best wishes for your future together. Thank you so much for allowing me to be apart of your wedding day...I truely enjoyed it!
Tess Danielle
Jessica & Nick were married alongside their family and friends at the Blue Heron Restaurant in Coarsegold on Saturday, May 12th.
They were such a cute and entertaining couple during their engagement shoot last year, that I was really looking forward to watching their quirky antics with each other once again, and surely they did not let me down!
I started at a family member's home with all of the ladies as they got prepared for the big day....hair, make-up, the works. The weather was starting off a little warm so we were all doing our best to keep cool and keep positive....but that was pretty easy with the great group of friends that Jessica had as her entourage.
As soon as we finished with hair and make-up, we headed outside for some great portraits of the girls just being themselves.
There was a great little field just across from the house that we were able to get some nice pictures of the ladies....very whimsical.
Once we got to the Blue Heron we had a few minutes to kill while we waited for the beautiful bouquets made by a close friend.....shoe shots!!!
The front entry was a great place out of teh heat, yet some great reflective light....yummy
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The purple colors really popped against the natural wood and greens.....a really nice combo
Nick was ready to go, and the guys were a pretty funny group....some great friendships there
The guests were able to get a head start of the cocktail hour as they waited inside the air-conditioned reception room until the ceremony began....I always love a "happy" crowd!
The iron gazebo was one of the pretiest I've seen in a really long time...perfect with the blue sky
As soon as the ceremony was over, the entire group was ready to party...so first we got some group shots out of the way and then we headed to the other side of the lakes for a great off-the-beaten-path spot!
The "off-the-beaten-path" spot....the ceremony was held on that large knoll in the background.
I love these in the high grass...I have a favorite spot up at Shaver Lake in the summer that this reminds me of...awwww
So Jessica had this idea of taking a ring shot with the day's newspaper....for reason of showing the date and of course keeping the actual paper as a keepsake itself....well as I was flipping through to get the "right" angle...I don't think I could have found a more fitting heading!
"CLOSE TO THE HEART"
The indoor reception was lovely...and people were on the dance floor from the minute the reception started to the very last minute of the night...this was a great party crowd....and such an amazing energy in the room!
You could tell that Jessica & Nick planned to have a great time on their special day...and that everyone there that day was special to them...
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As the sun began to set.....you could tell that the newly weds had truely enjoyed theri day and I was greatful to have been a part of it!
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Pent!!!! To many great years and hope to keep working with you in the future!
Tess Danielle
I would like to acknowledge The Blue Heron Restaurant & Sweet Dreams Cakery as part of thise beautiful wedding!
Cristina Banuellos married her best friend, Zac Chatman, at the bautiful Wolf Lakes Park on Friday May 4, 2012.
It was a great wedding to be a part of and allow for creative juices to flow.....Cristina, or "Tinni" as her friends and family call her, had so many great touches of their personality involved that I never had a moment to put down the camera - there was a great shot available from every angle and special items to capture the entire night through!
Cristina had gotten all of her "Ladies" matching monogrammed dress shirts and pj shorts......we couldn't resist!!
(a little taste of "Risky Business")
Once the beaming bride was ready....yellow heels and all....we whisked her outside for her portraits......
I'm not too sure how many potential brides are reading this......but it is so important to have a bridal veil!!! Without one I believe a bride doesn't look complete...and with one look at the possibilities of great images! Endless!
Cristina had been telling me about this idea of shooting pics of her with a huge yellow balloon.....I thought "awesome!"
But when the wedding day arrived, no balloons! That is, until her soon-to-be father-in-law came strolling down the walkway with a great big yellow ballon in hand!
I am so pleased with Zac's pics here, because a groom on a regular day has enough on his mind...but Zac here had added responsibility of creatively decorating the entire ceremony area just minutes before we took these pictures...let alone the fact that it was super hot on this day.....but Zac was "cool" as ever!
Argyle socks anyone???? Someone always has to try and be different!
The guys tried their hand at a little shadow writing here....just for you Cristina!
"LOVE"
The ceremony was lovely...and Zac really did a great job of decorating.
Once again...the veil!!!
Once they kissed we were off and had a blast taking more pics out behind the park!
BALLOONS!!!!!
(It was a little windy too)
Yes, those are her shoes in hand as a silhouette on the balloon.....
So I happened to see something kinda like this on....yes, Pinterest...but I have to say I like my version better!
It's more than obvious that Cristina is also a big fan of Pinterest.....and I have to say she executed each idea beautifully!!
ceramic owls and birds, hand made grey and yellow everything, chalkboards...you name it, she did it!
Is it just me? But I want to squeal with excitement when I see these bubble shots....and I think I might have squealed a little when I was taking them too!
I love these stairs....only Wolf Lakes! That goes for the docks...and the lanterns...and......
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Then the party really started...and the photo booth was a massive hit!
What a whirlwind of a wedding.....what a whimsical couple! I really enjoyed working with both Cristina and Zac and hope I was able to capture their unique and beautiful wedding!
I wish you two the very best and can't wait to continue photographing your family and friends for the years to come!!
Tess Danielle
Special recognition to my wonderful assistant Joelle Leder, Wolf Lakes Park, Haro Entertainment, Brown Bunny......anyone else I met be forgetting????
Elisha Maldonado and Jacob Henson were marries Saturday, April 28th at the Catholic Church in Kerman, CA. It was a lovely ceremony and we had a really great time doing some much needed portraits at the Kearney Mansion on our way to the reception in Fresno....it was quite a beautiful day!
The colors of the wedding were pretty much all white, with a nice navy blue......however, that didn't hold Elisha back from going totally pink with the shoes!
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Because of a last minute change in schedules from teh church...our usual orgabization of the day got swapped around a bit.....but that's why people hire the professionals!!! To ake sure things go smoothly regardless of what gets thrown your way!!
Even though the church was pretty stark....it allowed for some great architectural pics!!!
We were able to have some fun with the guys just before the ceremony began....I think they were able to "loosen" up a little!
Yay!! they did it!!
Off to Kearney Park....and the Mansion!
The shoes were a nice touch!
When finally made it to the Hotel for the reception and then snuck outside for a glimpse of the sun before it set!
Then the dancing began......awwwww
My second shooter, Andrew, and I shot just about everywhere with this wedding throughout the day...and we had a great time with Elisha, Jacob and the rest of their bridal party and family. It was a very special day for them and I am so honored to have been a part of it!
Tess Danielle
Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Carter!
We had such a great time with pictures throughout the entire day - from early pictures with the bride and all of the ladies,
all the way through the end of the night pics by the fountain.....too much fun!
Macae was such a character, we had many laughs & smiles!
I love shooting at Wolf Lakes Park...and luckily Macae and Scott were the only bride and groom that day
so we were able to use the entire grounds for portraits...it lends to so many great spots and fantastic lighting!
The "LOVE" Picture :)
I get a lot of rolled eyes when I ask bridal parties to "jump".....maybe it's for my own amusement....but I think they are too much fun to skip!
So the boys were ready to go when we got to them....and Scott, although a little anxious...great with all of the pics I insisted on!
The football was totally Scott's idea....he had mentioned ahead of time that he was bringing it, and we just kinda ran with it!
The weather, although a little muggy...was actually pretty perfect for the day. And the ceremony was at Lakeside, so there was a great on-shore breeze as everyone found their places and the groomsmen boarded their pontoon boat for the arrival.
They had a "wine" theme going with the wedding, so the ceremonial "Wine Pour" was done in lue of a unity candle...cute touch, I thought!
As Husband & Wife!
SO then we got to have a little fun with the whole group......too much fun!
Then it was time for the Reception!!!
Beautiful decor!
Immediatly after they were announced, we had to rush out to the dock before the sun went over the horizon...it was close!!!
The lighting was perfect for these :) And of course...the bike!
I love all of the great and funny expressions on their faces throughout!
I LOVE THIS!!!
Once again, congrats to the newly weds. I wish them only the best in their future! Thank you again for letting me be a part of your awesome day and making it one to remember!
A big "Great Job" goes out to all of those at Wolf Lakes Park, Haro Entertainment, Brown Bunny....and of course, Weddings by Cassandra for yet another beautiful wedding day come true! And also to my new friend and second shooter, Joelle!
Tess Danielle
