We first met Lisa+Matt in a quiet coffee shop in Alameda, CA, and were immediately struck by the warmth they shared; though they had only recently been engaged when we met them, they felt like old souls, effortlessly molded to each other. Outside of being great company, it was beautiful to see the moments of fond remembering as they told us their story. There was already a sense of teamwork and living for and through each other in them; that we caught them just before a weekly dinner at the restaurant of their first date was no coincidence.

Their wedding at The Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, CA was more of the wonderful same, but shared with an intimate set of friends and family. There was a palpable and genuine sense of happiness for their union in their guests and it certainly comes through the photographs. It was energizing to be around people who were so happy for Lisa+Matt to exchange tearful, heartfelt vows, because they believed so much good was in store for the new family now and in the future.

Going through the day with Lisa+Matt made us appreciate their beautiful venue, The Claremont Hotel, nestled on a hill overlooking Berkeley, CA. It seemed that everywhere was a great opportunity for us as photographers, and it was a joy to shoot there throughout the day. We were able to concentrate on the tenderness of the day, particularly between Lisa and her daughter, who was also her Maid of Honor. Throughout the day, Lisa’s daughter did a loving job of everything from preparing her mother for the ceremony, or making making sure that the dress from Janene’s Bridal Boutique was ready to photograph.

Matt’s parents stood out as they constantly beamed, seeming to always have a broad smile on their faces. It was great to see that they were so happy for Matt to cement his place next to his soulmate, and even happier to accept Lisa and her daughter into the family. Matt’s father and his infectious joy was a hallmark of this wedding, and even better for us, he wore that happiness on his face all day.

As for Lisa+Matt themselves, we could not have asked for more real and loving people on their wedding day. Photographing them was never a question of whether or not we “got” anything, but only how good it was. They were wonderful to work with, and it took so little work to get evocative expressions from them; there was no doubt that there was a deep love between them, and you could literally pick that up from looking at them together. The best.

Lisa+Matt’s day was a distillation of the important parts of life; good friends, family, and the love that they share between them. We are so honored to have been there to document it for them.