Last weekend the crazy rainy weather in the Bay Area broke for just one day for Gee Lyn and Evan’s wedding – and it turned out to be gorgeous that afternoon for a few outdoor images of them and their wedding party.
Evan and Gee Lyn were referred me by several friends of theirs when they had started looking for a wedding photographer for their San Ramon wedding. Evan said I was very highly recommended – which is always a great thing to hear at the end of a wedding day as things are winding down and we finally had a chance to chat a bit after a very long day.
Both Evan and Gee Lyn are car enthusiasts, which is how they eventually met me… through the car community. We had spoke entirely through emails leading up to the wedding figuring out several different details and getting plans in place for their wedding day. I did my absolute best to keep things laid back and chill for them when it came to photos, letting them know I didn’t need many more details beyond the “absolutely must have” photos unique to them or their family, as well as keeping me updated with the rehearsal times, etc.

Evan and Gee Lyn got married at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif. The rehearsal evening was rainy and blustery out – but the weather the next day called for clear skies. I even got to see and catch up with Eryn and Ryan King, other old friends whose wedding I shot, because they live nearby St. Mary’s so it was a great opportunity to visit the Kings and catch up on life.
The wedding day started just like any other for me. I met up with the girls in the morning while they were getting ready. Gee Lyn and her five girls made up a bridal party of six, so that’s a lot of hair and makeup to get through between them and the moms, as well. Gee Lyn and Evan had a full catholic mass wedding with several family members involved in many part of the ceremony. It was definitely very sweet to have so much close friends and family involved in their day. And when it came time for their reception that night there were some 200 or so people if I remember correctly that attended – plenty of friends and family to celebrate the night with.

I’ll leave the rest of my comments about the day in the captions below. Click the break for just over 250 photos from Evan and Gee Lyn’s wedding day! It was a gorgeous wedding and everyone was a blast to hang out with. I had told Gee Lyn and Evan as we left that night that “I don’t advertise myself as a wedding photographer, and because of that everyone I shoot for is some sort of referral… which means that I end up with wonderful couples and great people at all my weddings.” Gee Lyn and Evan are no different. I had an amazing time and felt as though they were just like any other friends I shot for that I had known for years. I hope you guys enjoy my images from the their wedding day as much as I enjoyed creating them.

And to Gee Lyn and Evan, Thank you for having me be part such an important occasion. If you manage to get to a computer with broadband during your honeymoon in Europe right now I hope you enjoy the photos!

 

Blustery afternoon with a bit of rain for the rehearsal

Mary, directing the the rehearsal and walking everyone though the motions

After two run-throughs, we’re set to leave for the night.

Arriving the next morning the girls were already halfway through hair and makeup for the morning

Gee Lyn, laughing with her girls while they wait for their turns

Even the flower girls got a bit of lipstick

All the bridesmaids had custom hangers for their dresses!

The bridal suite had an awesome full-wall window with a great view of the bay and San Francisco across the water

Gee Lyn’s turn to start getting ready

On the other side of the room the girls were all comparing earrings and accessories for the ceremony.

Gee Lyn rocked some gorgeous (and apparently very comfortable) Louboutin heels

When the girls came in wearing their little flower girl dresses I had to get a photo of the two of them together. I got one… they wouldn’t sit still after this first shot. haha!

Downstairs Evan was starting to get in his suit

Workin on the tie… it didn’t want to adjust

Getting help from the guys. haha! We we were laughing that a real tie would have been easier to just tie rather than this one.

Evan’s awesome socks

The ladies all had gorgeous red robes to wear that morning

Time to get her wedding dress on!

That lace back is always a bit tricky though… making sure everything lines up and looks great.

Fan service! The AC wasn’t working fast enough and with everyone running around it got pretty warm in that room pretty quick. Gee Lyn needed some fanning.

All the ladies were helping get Gee Lyn’s dress lined up. The dress shop said to fit properly the top of the straps needed to be at 3in. So, we had to use a dollar bill folded in half (pro tip!) for approx 3in since none of us carry a ruler around.

Finishing up the ties and we’re all set!

Time for the shoes.

Just a bit of a crowd watching as Gee Lyn put the final touches on her dress before we got packed up to head out.

Lookin’ beautiful for her wedding!

Heading out!

Everyone arriving at the church. Ceremony is in a bout 25 minutes

Some ribbon repair and straightening.

The guys were all working on figuring out their boutonnieres

Family, sponsors, and groomsmen all waiting for things to get started

The ladies, lined up and ready to walk.

One last shot with Gee Lyn before she heads down the aisle!
Focus-fail on my part! hahaha

Evan, escorting his mother to her seat

The flower girls

Evan, watching as he sees Gee Lyn come walking down the aisle

Gee Lyn, escorted down the aisle by her mother and uncle

Father Mundanmani getting things started

Danie giving the first reading.

Dr. Bhullar doing the second reading

Marriage vows getting started

I was actually a bit confused at this part. The Father made a comment about not taking photos/being respectful during the vows. So there was about 30 seconds there that I had no idea if I was supposed to put my camera down. It didn’t last long and I decided to keep shooting anyway. That’s an important part of the ceremony to capture a couple photos of.

Evan, giving his vows to Gee Lyn

The exchanging of rings

Pinning of the veil

Placing of the cord

Presentation of gifts

Blessings and communion

One last blessing (concluding rite)

Andddd, you can kiss your bride!

As Evan and Gee Lyn walked out there were a few students walking around the campus who congratulated them on their marriage

The wedding license being signed by the witnesses.

After this it’s completely official

As confusing as photos can be, things went fairly quickly and we wrapped everything up mostly on schedule

Mr and Mrs Zhang, lookin all sharp

As we left that afternoon to start the trip to the reception it was a breezy overcast afternoon

We stopped at the waterfall outside the country club to take some shots around the water and bridge

I was glad that lighting was on point that afternoon and cooperating with us while we snapped a few shots before heading to the reception

We had plenty of time to play around a bit, too

The clouds broke toward the end of the day and it was a really beautiful afternoon/evening

I ran off briefly to shoot the reception hall which was nearly ready for the guests.

Gee Lyn and Evan’s custom topper was pretty cool

Heading down tot he course for a few more photos since we had the time

The bridal party hanging out trying to figure out how they wanted to arrange themselves.

I don’t think the weather could have been any nicer for these two as we wrapped up photos with them that day.

Evan is a member of the Supra community in the Bay, so, several of his good friends are from that same group. They all rolled out to the ceremony with their cars

Had to get a couple shots with the car!

I HAD to include this one. They were talking and laughing to themselves a bit, but it almost looks like Evan is think “what did we just sign up for??”

Got to love a car-guys wedding because you can say “car group…. photo!” and everyone immediately knows who that is

Back inside the reception hall was ready for the guests to start filing in

Meanwhile, DJ Eugene was getting the family and sponsors lined up and ready for entrances

Brother and sister, Jacob and Jacqueline were rockin it that day with their duties as  ring bearer and flower girl.

Evan and Gee Lyn came in and went straight into their first dance.

After a minute or two they were definitely in their own little world despite some 200 sets of eyes on them.

So just before this photo the DJ had a married couple show the audience “how to kiss your wife” and Evan had to do better…

He went for it. And I think he won

Gee Lyn’s older brother started off the speeches that night

Evan’s mom gave her speech next. She greeted everyone in english, and then continued her speech in Chinese, her native language.

One of Evan’s cousins? I think? Translated Ms Hui’s speech. It was honestly one of the sweetest and most touching speeches from a mother to her son I’ve ever heard at a wedding. She thanked Evan for always taking care of her as he’s got older as she once did raising him as a boy. I’m sure there were some teary eyes in the room

Thennnn Fatima got up change the mood with some stories of her friend Gee Lyn and their friendship

Second to last up was Matron of Honor Catherine who got up to say her piece

It wasn’t long before emotions got the best of everyone

Catherine’s daughter ran up to give her mom and napkin when Catherine had to pause her speech before she could continue.

Best man Nguyen was up last

And it was hilarious. Like any good friend he made sure to throw in a few jabs at Evan and get everyone in the room laughing at the silly things from when they were younger

Shortly after dinner service the cake was cut

WHATCHU KNOW ABOUT RED BOTTOMS!!!

Gee Lyn split her dance up between her Uncle and brothers

Evan had a small speech he wrote thanking his mother for everything she’s done for him over the years before their Mother-Son dance

So much love. It was very sweet

And shortly after that everyone headed out to the dance floor to break it down

A slightly bro-mantic moment during the dances

Ok, maybe not “slightly”… but it was awesome either way

I don’t know who this little lady was, but she was patiently waiting to dance with Evan

DJ Eugene, on the far left, getting everyone down the slide

I’ll give you one guess who my favorite people on the dance floor were that night…

Have you figured out who yet? Those guys… those guys right there in front. hahaha

Ok ladies, it doesn’t look like anyone tried too hard! hahaha

The “oh man, my girlfriend has the bouquet” face…

Evan got down on one kneed to remove Gee Lyn’s garter…

And Eugene stopped him and told him he better take it more serious than that.

Evan didn’t even hesitate! Rolled up his sleeves and crawled on his knees up to his wife.

And managed without his hands!

One hand to remove Gee Lyn’s heel’s buckle all while removing the garter with his teeth! hahaha!

Skills.

Evan and Gee Lyn and written one last thing thanking everyone for coming out to celebrate with them

As the night wrapped up I made sure to get my usual photo with the bride and groom before we called it a night.

I had a wonderful with with these two, and their friends and family were all awesome to spend the day with. For those of you who made it this far, I hope you enjoyed the images!
To Gee Lyn and Evan, thank you again for having me! I hope your honeymoon has been great so far!