Pajaro Dunes Wedding Photography~ Ali & Ryan!

Ali and Ryan got married on a perfect September day at the stunning Pajaro Dunes.  But their hope was not to impress their guests with the gorgeous view of the ocean. In their own words, “Ultimately, we wanted loved ones around us having a GRAND old time celebrating the wedding of the century.”  How might one pull this off? By turning their wedding into a music festival.  Not just any music festival but Ozelliott Palooza! Stay tuned for more on this!

Ali’s J Crew wedding dress was perfect for her! And it had pockets, extra perfect!  She paired it with colorful sandals and an amazing veil with purple lace.The youngest member of the wedding party looking so pretty!And she even had some purple flair on her binky!Ali’s Mom did the honors of getting her all zipped up!And were cracking up most of the time!So pretty!!! Love the lace and the layering of the necklaces!
Ali had the girls hiding in the other room and called them in when she was all dressed! Guys were also getting ready, which means they stood around drinking Scotch until the last minute!Ryan, your beard is amazing!!! The guys cleaned up pretty nice! Ryan waited for Ali amongst some Cypress trees for their First Look. We were hiding behind the trees and using long lenses to give these guys some privacy. I love watching it all unfold from afar…
Paparazzi style!And then the crack up!!!  Shenanigans with the bridal party!The things you can get your friends to do on your wedding day….And at least one classic shot with the ring bearer, flower girl and baby!It was that time, time to get married.  The guests walked through the arch into Ozelliott Palooza!

So much fun to have the ring bearer holding fancy ring pops and the girls and ladies with pin wheels!Ali is escorted down the aisle by her parents.Always stoked when a venue has a roof that can be accessed- love the bird’s eye view of a ceremony!Can’t take his eyes off Ali!Someone escaped from Grandma’s lap!!
Ali and Ryan wrote personalized vows to each other that were sweet, funny and……for Ryan’s ears only!Rings were then exchanged!Kissing happened!And MARRIED!!!!!!!!Everyone!!!! We can’t always get high enough to get this shot but when it can be done- it’s awesome.  We have one from our wedding and love it!
While everyone was off at cocktail hour, I stole Ali and Ryan for about 20 minutes to capture some of that newlywed bliss!  The light was perfect, the dune grass was exceptional and I had a bride and groom sporting amazing outfits- I was pretty much in photo heaven!
These two crack each other up!  I have no doubt that they are going to have a blast being married til they are old and gray!
During my walkthrough with Ali and Ryan months prior to the wedding, I saw this tree. I dreamed of this image and now here it is… so grateful when my brides and grooms are so easy-going and well, basically just sit and snuggle where I ask them to!
Pretty paper flowers, drought friendly too!  Ali was inspired by how some of her favorite stores were using paper flowers as decor and in their merchandising and decided she could do that too! Job well done!Off to join friends and family at the cocktail hour and of course, Cornhole time!Taking a little break after she won the game!Passing down the skills!
How guys pose when I tell them I need to photograph their socks. Hysterical! And no, the guy on the left is not Blake Shelton!
Ali and Ryan with their families’ help, did such an incredible job personalizing their reception room.  So much love and creativity went into this whole wedding- it really was amazing! All of the table names were from shows that Ali and Ryan have gone to. Each centerpiece had a record from that show and on the label was the date and location of when and where they saw that show.  Additionally they added their favorite album from each band!

They incorporated family members’ pictures on the fireplace since family is so important to each of them.

Cocktail Hour winded down and everyone came into the reception room having so much fun, laughing, taking selfies- it was really sweet to see. And everyone even diligently filled out the note for the bride and groom!Wedding days, when moments between generations like this are all around you!  One of the many reason why I love weddings.The wedding party was announced getting the crowd rowdy for the main act!
Toasts started right away and the guests were cracking up! Such a great part of a wedding day and this crew did an extra exceptional job!
And to wrap it all up so perfectly,  Ryan’s aunt read a beautiful Irish blessing:

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

and the rain fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again my friend

May God hold you in the hollow (palm) of his hand

Screw the wedding cake, Italians know how to serve dessert!

Although the Irish blessing had left everyone’s eyes a little welled up, Ali took it upon herself to get the shenanigans going again!

And Ryan took it like a man while Ali licked her fingers in defeat!Rings on a record!The sunset was pretty but the moon rising was exceptional!Everyone migrated to the adjoining room for the dance party! Ali’s Mother started it off by reading her note to the bride and groom that was on her place setting.
Parent dances! Ali with her Dad!
Ryan with his Mom!Then on to the newlywed’s first dance!It was sweet, super romantic but it was time for the party!Things kicked off immediately! Nonstop dancing and fooling around- everyone was having a blast!After so much cardio activity it’s always good to hydrate.Hair shaking madness!
Everyone gathered round for the last dance…And probably not the last kiss! Congratulations Ali and Ryan!!  Thank you so much for having us document your super creative and fun wedding!

A HUGE Thank you to the fellow vendors!

Michelle Bergman- Wedding planner extraordinaire!!!!

DJ- Nick Sohriakoff

Monterey Bay Caterers – food, linens, & caterers