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When I first met Adrianne and Connor during their engagement session, I immediately knew their wedding day would be something to remember. There’s an effortless sophistication about this couple—the way they move together, laugh together, and simply light up when they’re in each other’s presence. Their vision for their San Francisco wedding was classic elegance with modern touches, and from the moment I saw their black and white invitation suite, I knew we were in for something beautiful.

The day began at the iconic Fairmont San Francisco, where morning light streaming through the grand windows created a warm atmosphere. When it came time for the bridesmaids’ first look at Adrianne in her wedding dress in their suite, the room fell completely silent before erupting in genuine gasps of joy. Their faces lit up with emotion, some covering their mouths in surprise, others reaching for tissues, but all radiating the kind of love that makes my heart sing as a photographer. The bridesmaids looked elegant in their black one-shoulder gowns—a perfect reflection of Adrianne’s sophisticated style.

Connor’s first look on the Fairmont’s rooftop garden was touching to witness. As Adrianne approached him with the city sprawling behind them, you could see his entire face transform the moment he turned around. That quiet intake of breath, followed by the biggest smile, reminded me exactly why I fell in love with wedding photography. The connection between these two is simply undeniable—the way Connor gently touched Adrianne’s hand, how she immediately relaxed into his presence, and their quiet conversation filled with promises and excitement for the day ahead.

The wedding party portraits against San Francisco’s classical architecture were enjoyable to capture. This group looked like they stepped straight out of a fashion magazine, with the contrast of black formal wear against light stone columns creating dramatic, timeless imagery. Moving to the streets of downtown San Francisco gave us that urban sophistication, with the iconic skyline and architectural details of the Financial District surrounding us.

The classic car ride to Saints Peter and Paul Church with her father was a beautiful transition from the morning preparations to the ceremony. The ceremony at Saints Peter and Paul Church was memorable. This church, with its soaring white columns and ornate altar, provided a beautiful backdrop for Adrianne and Connor to exchange vows. The banners celebrating “100 Years” of faith, hope, love, care, and peace felt like the perfect blessing over their union. As they stood before family and friends in this sacred space, the light filtering through the windows seemed to embrace them.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds rode together in the classic car to the Julia Morgan Ballroom, and this is where we captured some of my favorite portraits of the day. The vintage car against The Merchants Exchange building was classic, timeless, and quintessentially San Francisco. We also took advantage of the surrounding streets and the beautiful lobby architecture for some stunning couples portraits.

The Julia Morgan Ballroom is one of my favorite venues to photograph, and returning there for Adrianne and Connor’s reception reminded me exactly why. The ballroom’s intricate ceiling details, chandeliers, and rich architectural elements offer endless possibilities for creative composition, and the sophistication of the space always elevates every celebration. When Adrianne first saw the reception space transformed, she was visibly moved—you could see the emotion wash over her face as she took in all the beautiful details that had come together perfectly.

The reception design was a perfect reflection of Adrianne’s impeccable taste—hurricane candles in varying heights created romantic ambient lighting, while lush white and green florals added organic elegance. The black accents throughout tied everything together beautifully. Their grand entrance into the first dance had the entire ballroom holding its breath. Under those chandeliers, with their closest family and friends forming a circle around them, Adrianne and Connor moved together with such grace and obvious joy.

The evening continued with heartfelt toasts from close family and friends, each speech revealing more about this couple’s impact on the people they love. The cake cutting brought out their playful side, and the parent dances were filled with tender moments that reminded everyone of the deep family bonds that brought them to this celebration. As the evening progressed, the energy was contagious. The Lucky Devils Band had everyone on their feet, and watching this sophisticated crowd let loose on the dance floor was enjoyable.

One of my favorite moments came later in the evening when Adrianne and Connor made their fun outfit change. Seeing them with their arms raised in celebration, surrounded by their favorite people, perfectly captured the joy and spontaneity that makes their relationship special. These are the moments that remind me why I love what I do—capturing not just the formal beauty of a wedding day, but the genuine happiness.

From the elegance of the Fairmont to the beauty of Saints Peter and Paul Church, and finally to the sophisticated celebration at the Julia Morgan Ballroom, every moment was a reflection of their love story and their connection to this city. Adrianne and Connor, thank you for trusting me to capture your celebration. I feel honored to have been part of documenting this chapter in your story.