Marilyn + Jowel - Boracay, Phillippines - The Lind Hotel Pre-Wedding

After getting know Marilyn + Jowel during their their wind turbine-starring Altamont Pass engagement session, we were glad to be invited to cover their destination wedding on the tropical island paradise of Boracay Island, Philippines.  To celebrate the sunset of their single-personhood, they asked us for short session just before their wedding at The Lind Hotel Boracay, where they were to be married.

It was a welcome shift to be in more intimate scales distinct from the sweeping landscapes and expansive scale of their engagement session.  Our goal here was simple: show this wonderfully stylish pair in love just before they were to meet their destiny as husband and wife.  

Starting in their suite, we chatted as we moved around the resort, loving every moment about how they fit into the chic modernity of the hotel and embracing the contrast of the white stucco, metal and glass against idyllic views of the sea and lush jungle.  Seeing them together, just under the glow of their imminent wedding, reminded us of that last bit of anticipation mixed with a light tinge of anxiety as we flipped between being glad plans were coming together and hoping all the rest of the plans would follow suit.  No matter what was going through our minds, it was great to see such love find each other do the most with it.

This work was another data point to support our conclusion that Marilyn + Jowel were meant to be.

Marilyn + Jowel - Livermore, CA - Altamont Pass, Brushy Peak, Del Valle Regional Park Engagement

In short, Marilyn and Jowel are super cool but if you told them that, they wouldn’t believe you, and that's what makes them equal parts awesome and adorable.  If you’re lucky enough to be one of their buddies on Instagram, you’ll see that the love they between them overflows to their families and friends.

You’d also see that they have a POWERFUL selfie game; we don’t mean that they’re really good at holding a camera at arm’s length; we’re talking more like a low angel, from behind looking up at the AT&T Park signage at Willie Mays Gate, in Giants jerseys shot on a timer. There was no doubt in our minds that they were going to be great on camera, though as we grew to know them during our first chats, they didn’t feel the same way, despite our strongest suggestion to the opposite.  We’re proud to say we were right.  They great for us this session.

During our first chats, we grew to be fast friends, and when we discussed what they saw for themselves for these photos, they wanted different while nodding to the life they've started and shared in and around the Altamont Pass, Livermore and Del Valle Regional Park.  

This ended up being an inspired choice, allowing us to step away from our usual work with motifs of visual density and geometry, to a situation where to best showcase the locale was to emphasize scale and space.  It’s a testament to their brilliance as a couple they despite the power of their surroundings, they still shone brightest.  Working with them through the wind turbines, wooden overpasses, and unexpectedly green fields allowed us to get to know them, and we loved everything about we found.  We learned firsthand how so many people could love and support them; they’re just that great of people.  

Congratulations to Marilyn and Jowel on their engagement, and we have to thank them even more for giving us the honor of being there for their wedding on the Philippine resort island, Boracay, early next year.  If these photos are any indication, it’s going to be a great time.

Catherine + Jeyel - San Francisco, CA - 1300 Fillmore Wedding

There isn’t much to say about Catherine + Jeyel that we haven’t already covered.  Just as they were during their engagement session, they were still beacons of goodness in every dimension on their wedding day.  Photographing them is always a treat and the emotional heights of their wedding day only made them better.

While the love between Catherine + Jeyel was just as apparent this day as it was during their awesome engagement session, the center of those emotions shifted to Catherine's sons, Cale and Hayden.  While they might have started as just Catherine’s, Jeyel has taken them as his own; the respect he has earned from the two boys could not be more apparent than on this day.  The real appreciation and respect for Jeyel was just as strong as the sentiments of paternal love and leadership he had for the boys.

This connection was not a surprise; while we were learning about Catherine+Jeyel, they intimated that Jeyel proposed to Catherine not only marriage, but also a pledge fatherhood to Cale and Hayden who he also insisted be in the room.  The image they painted for us, with Catherine, Jeyel, Cale, and Hayden in embrace and Jeyel declaring that he wants for life what they were in that moment is the beautiful light cast on everything that happens with this familiy.

From their wedding day, it is evident that he has taken up the mantle of father to the young boys with an uncommon verve.  To us, the heart of this day is the love that was cultivated between Catherine and Jeyel that was so big that it extended to Cale and Hayden as well.  They are a story of complete acceptance that could only be perpetrated by exceptional individuals who magnify the best in the other.

The day itself started at The Clift Hotel in San Francisco, and continued across town at the Chapel of Our Lady in the San Francisco Presidio.  The ceremony was the first time we felt all the warmth this family brought out in all those who cared for them and it proved just the start of the good vibes of the day.  After a ceremony featuring Catherine’s sister Christy as the officiant, a cocktail and dinner reception was held at the stylish 1300 On Fillmore.  The combination of dramatic bar area, the history of jazz on display, and dynamically lit dining areas was a perfect complement to the complexities and depth of Cat+Jey’s cool.  It was an easy hipness that reflected them perfectly.

We cannot thank Catherine+Jeyel enough for having us for their wedding day; you’ve touched us and shone us real light in humanity.

Instrumental Music by Michael Dayao

Ceremony Florals, Boutonnieres, Bouquets by Nikko Bautista

Reception Florals by Farm Girl Flowers

Wedding Cake by Purple Elephant Cake

DJ - Mackswell

Photobooth by Boogie Events

Invitations from Wedding Paper Divas

Reception Stationary by Minted

Wedding Favors by Anthony's Cookies

Second Photographer Reggie Ballesteros

Bride's Dress from And Something Blue, the Katie May Collection

Hair by Ellyse Magsino, Salon Le Rouge, Burlingame, CA

Makeup by Huong Vo

Veil by Yuri C

Shoes by Valentino

Bridesmaid's Dresses from Lulus

Groom's Tux/Groomsmen's Suits from J.Crew

Groom Shoes by Alden

Wedding Bands by Tiffany & Co.