Gorgeous flowers by Polly at Valley Flora  in Napa. Scrumptious cake by Fleur de Lisa Wedding Cakes.  Wedding Dress by LAZARO.

Thank you to a fantastic team of San Francisco Bay Area  vendors who helped make this day extra special.   Erin brought her hair stylist up from Beverly Hills…….and I could see why when I saw how beyond amazing her hair was!  Be sure to check out Dean Roybal at Planet Salon.  Classic bridal make up by Stacey Miller.

Wedding  Coordinator Janece  Shellooe  ( and team) of  Every Elegant Detail were phenomenal at ensuring that no detail was overlooked.    Outrageously gorgeous flowers by Amy Burke Designs.  State of the art sound and music by premier DJ/MC Ron Grandia.  Thanks to Sacie Tamaki at The Flirty Guide!

Bridal Make up by Shannon at  Spa Voutique.

Thank you An and Leven for a fabulous day!

 Gorgeous Flowers and Design  by Tricia Renia with The Floral Department  in San Diego.

I love this image of the bride’s mom… and the groom’s mom…..simultaneously taking a few shots during the cocktail hour!

Art Sculpture on the terrace.  Museum of Contemporary Art  San Diego.

The Del Dotto Estate  in St. Helena is stunning.  I didn’t have time to venture inside, but I will be back for sure!  The caves are lined with italian marble and ancient tiles.  Had I gone in, I may have never left.  I hear the Venetian chandeliers and marble floors are spectacular. 

I have some fabulous clients coming out from New York for an August wedding at Tra Vigne in St. Helena.   This one is for you!

Domaine Chandon Winery  in Yountville was bustling with happy people enjoying the gorgeous day and sparkling wine.   I loved the cement mushrooms…….

Nickel & Nickel Vineyards. Loved it!

And because this flower girl was so darn cute, I had to include this one!

Overlooking the First Presbyterian Church of Napa.

Yikes! I’ve been asked to speak on a panel with a group of fellow  “Divas” for PPGBA’s  (Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area) monthly meeting in February.  I am not one for public speaking…. Until now,  my unofficial mantra has been that “I could never” teach, as I would just be to nervous. Fortunately, I will be up there with a group of talented ladies, so the pressure shouldn’t be to bad…

Each of us has been selected to talk about a particular area of strength within our business.  You can read more about The Diva’s Panel on PPGBA’s website.

If you’re one of my 2009 clients, and would like to offer your feedback , I would love to hear from you!  stellmacherphotography@yahoo.com

Wish me luck!

Jake was happy as a clam with his Canon PowerShot  in tow.  You can’t see the huge smile on his face behind the camera, but believe me…it’s there!  He had to show me every cool shot he took.  As long as he has his camera,  I can drag him along with me to scout out locations.  I didn’t get him a camera for his 6th birthday just because he wanted one!

Flowers by Napa Valley Florist Anne Appleman.

Cupcakes by Scandia Bakery in Sonoma.

It’s your wedding.  You can wear whatever color wedding shoes you want!  They should match the colors of your wedding, bouquet, or tie into the bridesmaid’s dresses.  But ultimately, this is a time to express your style and have fun with it! I LOVED both pairs featured here!

Sweetie Pies  in Napa is the place to go for gorgeous….not to mention yummy wedding cakes and pie!   I was fortunate to work with them often in 2009.  It’s always a treat (pun intended) to photograph a lovely cake.   To see the darling cake topper they put together (last minute) for Cyndie and George’s Sonoma elopement, take a peek here. 

If you’re in town planning a wine country wedding, be sure to stop by for some tasty treats.  Sweetie Pies  is conveniently located in Downtown Napa on Main Street.  The cafe is small but quaint, with a lunch menu that doesn’t disappoint.  If you’re lucky, you might get to try their Napa Grape Pie made with Cabernet Grapes for dessert!!

There is so much to love about being a wedding photographer.  I especially love the ceremony because it is so rich with anticipation and emotion.  When couples write their own vows, it is especially powerful.  It gives me a deeper insight into the history of their relationship, and an understanding of what drew them together.

 Here are a few quick tips to get started in writing your own wedding vows:

 1.  Relax! You don’t have to be a professional writer to pull this off. Your wedding vows should come from the heart so just be yourself and write what you feel. Writing down what you appreciate most about your fiancé, or how you have grown during the relationship, will help guide your thoughts.

 2.  Once you tap into your feelings, write everything down. You can make sense of it later…… right now,  just make sure that you are writing down everything that comes to you!  Humor is always appreciated! It’s wonderful to mix a little laughter in with the tears!  (It also makes for great photographs)

 3.  After a few days, you will probably have pages filled with notes. Now you need to sit down and organize your thoughts. You may have some thoughts that you want to keep personal, and others that you’ll want to share with your guests.  Get them prioritized and into meaningful sentences.

 4.  Some couples may want to keep their vows private, and share it with their other half on the big day.  Other couples will want to be on the same page, and have a mutual idea of what will be said.  Only you can know what works best for you!

 5.  Practice, practice, practice.  You will be excited and nervous on your wedding day, so being prepared is good! Practice your vows until they become second nature. Your ceremony will be an emotional time, and adequate preparation will help you stay focused!

 6.  Remember to wear waterproof mascara!!!

 Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!! I look forward to seeing you there!

                                                                    Hair by Armando Sarabia