About a week ago I got to spend a couple days in Gilroy with Kevin and Nichole to photograph their wedding!
I want to say the three of us first met at Ernesto and Sarah’s wedding… but I could be wrong. We might have met at another wedding before that and I’m remembering incorrectly. I’ve had the opportunity to shoot for several couples within the same group of friends – which is very cool but makes it easy to lose track.
Either way, it meant that I saw Kevin and Nichole a couple times before they reached out and asked me about shooting their wedding for the two of them!
Ironically months before the wedding they moved down to SoCal, where I had been living, and I re-located back up to the the Bay Area. So instead of needing to travel for this wedding like I first thought, it was the bride and groom that had to make the trip up to the Bay.
Kevin and Nichole’s weekend was beautiful. The weather worked out great – warm but not scorching hot like the week leading up to it. Their venue in the foothills in Gilroy was lovely, and Nichole and her sister Tammy had everything planned out, made up, and ready to go when it came to decorations. Ok, to be fair the girls said they finished all the arrangements/etc in the days leading up to the wedding, but that’s normal and their work was so good you’d think they did it professionally.
So, for those ready to scroll through the Przybyla wedding.. Read on!
I have a couple hundred images from weekend to share with you all!
As usual, I saved a lot of info for the captions rather than typing it all out here..
Arriving at Fortino Winery in Gilroy
Debbi, explaining the order of events for the run through
Practicing the walk down the aisle
Kevin and Mr. Cupps did the handoff a few times because they were laughing too hard at messing it up the first time
Lighting at that time of the afternoon was amazing. Let’s do the ceremony now guys!
Going over a few details for setup tomorrow with her girls
Dinner that afternoon was local in Gilroy as well
Nichole and Kevin thanking everyone for coming and being part of their weekend ahead
Nichole had also assembled gift bags for each of her girls!
Sunday morning was an early start for the ladies.
I met up with them an hour or so after they had all started their day
Everyone was already busy with hair and makeup
But with an early start it meant a comfortable pace for all the girls, who were able to take their time and enjoy everything rather than rush to get ready
I think Jenna snapchatted the whole wedding day… did anyone catch her story?
Makeup time for the bride!
All the girls were rockin’ their robes that Nichole had bought them
Helping Mom with her hair
One of the few times you’d see Tammy sit that day. She was busy running around taking care of things for her sister the rest of the afternoon!
Nichole also came prepared with lots of ideas she wanted captured that day!
I was also warned early on that Nichole would probably look at me every time the camera was pointed at her and she saw it… so silly moments like these were the result
Some final touches on the makeup for Nichole
Arriving at the venue we had a bit of free time still before Nichole had to get in her dress… So we put Kevin inside so we could take some shots outdoors
Where did I find the guys, though? In the wine tasting room…
Clearly they had problems being forced to wait in there
It was mid afternoon and with gorgeous weather it the perfect time to get some shots of the men since I had spent all morning with the ladies
Prom!
I mean… we took serious ones, too, but these are way more fun to share!
Kevin, looking sharp!
Then it was time to unload the cars and start setting up more of the decorations
Tammy, Nichole, and their family spent the day before building all these
And also arranging all these and planning the center pieces, etc
I’m in full agreement that in Tammy ever decides to quit her job, she can become a wedding decorator/planner and do very well.
I will say that Kevin did the number burning, and these looked awesome as well
Heading back upstairs the girls were ready to help Nichole get in her dress
Mom, getting her daughter zipped up
Sister and Matron of Honor Tammy doing the clasps
Accessorizing
Nichole wore ballet style slippers! So cute!
Outside all the tables were done, and they looks amazing! Nice work everyone!
We’re ready for guests to arrive soon!
The boys were all busy chatting with friends and family that were arriving
Upstairs Nichole had been hiding out. Debbi came by to let her know it’s time to get ready
Last shot with Nichole while she’s still a Cupps!
Officiant Bill escorting Kevin and Ernesto out
Kevin seeing his bride turn the corner back at the entrance to the courtyard
And getting a little teary
Nichole was all smiles walking down the aisle with her father
Until she saw Kevin’s reaction and had to look away herself for a moment!
Bill, welcoming everyone
A quick hug for dad and it looked like Nichole was shoving him off like “ok, marriage time!”
Kevin and Mr. Cupps again laughing as they shake hands, and Mr. Cupps hands off his daughter
As “serious” as this moment is, I love when everyone laughs and has a good time with it
They really did select a lovely location for their ceremony. Outdoor weddings can be so tricky sometimes
Officiant Bill reading the exchange of vows..
Nichole said “For richer.” And stopped and waited, leaving out “or poorer”. Then both her and Kevin started laughing. It was great
The exchange of rings
One for Kevin as well
A few last words…
And they’re married!
Mr. and Mrs. Przybyla!
Debbi escorting the bride and groom out. Shortly after everyone would get assembled again for photos
Out in the vineyards Nichole was again prepared with many shots she wanted!
And I’m always down for a bride, or anyone, to have shots they know they want! I would never “know” that a bride wants this photo without that bride telling me. So it was great that Nichole had many in mind!
And for portraits we remained in vineyards, rather than the usual arch photos
And got plenty of cute stuff like this
And this
Not long after was the entrance… and these two literally stopped and said “DID YOU GET OUR PHOTO?!” ha!
The first dance!
It’s actually rare that I shoot a reception outdoors! This was such a change and gives an entirely different feeling to their images!
They didn’t stop smiling through most of the dance quietly talking and laughing with one and other while they danced
Next up was the Daddy-Daughter dance and Mr. Cupps joined Nichole on the dance floor
Dinner was served shortly after the dances
And almost immediately Kevin and Nichole were up and walking tables to chat with family and friends
Nichole talking with her 85 year old grandfather – whose age I only mention because later that night he gets down on the dance floor with everyone!! How awesome!
Siblings being siblings and wanting a group photo!
..and another with their Dad!
Kevin and Nichole had a cupcake tower!
But with the wind being a little intense during parts of that afternoon it was safer to leave the top layer of cake on the table.
Check out their beautiful cake topper though!
Brides just photobombing photos! Acting like it’s their day and all! haha!
Speeches were started off by Best Man Ernesto… who talked about growing up together with Kevin and his friendship over their lives
It was both very sweet, and had some humor thrown in
Matron of Honor Tammy, Nichole’s sister, was next
And then it was Father of Bride, Mr. Cupps’ turn to talk
And in true Dad fashion, had to share some almost embarrassing stories about his little girl when she was a kid
After the last of the tables had been walked, Nichole joined everyone on the dance floor
And for the most part everyone stayed here most of the rest of the night
a quick break to cut the cake
Nichole was nice when giving Kevin his piece of cake
Kevin though… Kevin alllllmost went for the face-smash
But I think he knew better
Bouquet toss for the single ladies!
Nichole waited and made sure everyone she knew that was single was out there though!
And next up was the garter throw
Far few single men… YOUR ODDS ARE GOOD, GENTLEMEN!
Kevin and Nichole then took the mic for a minute..
And they both thanked everyone that was there to celebrate with them.
Then Nichole called her dad and aunt up on stage.
It was their birthday, too! So we were all going to sing – they also got the first cupcakes!
So I had to get this photo with two of my past couples! I shot Ernesto and Sarah’s wedding in 2013, and Hilary and Paul’s wedding in 2014!
Then the Bride and Groom walked by, so had to add them!
And of course the most important photo I have at every wedding – me with the bride and groom
Had to get a shot of these two, sans-bride. haha!
All the ladies in the family!
See! Nichole’s Grandfather hit the dance floor multiple times that night! It was awesome! I hope I’m that cool when I’m his age!
Protip guys… if you’re shooting outdoors in the late evening, 5000ISO is your friend.
As the night was winding down, Nichole and Kevin spent most of it on the dance floor together
I don’t think Nichole left the dance floor at all!
Last dance, and last kiss on the dance floor of the night!
And after this all their friends and family not only helped clean up, pack up all the cars and all the gifts and decorations… But everyone made sure that those who had drank had rides home and that everyone was taken care of! Such an awesome group of friends and family.
And one really beautiful day all around!
So that’s it! That’s my preview and look at the Przybyla Wedding for those of you who weren’t able to celebrate with Nichole and Kevin. Or those of you who just wanted to relive everything from their weekend.
Hope you enjoyed everything!