Destination Wedding – Alexander Rubin Photography

Madeleine and John – Charles Krug

30Think Audrey Hepburn on a Roman holiday meets Leonardo DiCaprio in Great Gatsby… except in Napa Valley. Yes, it was THAT beautiful and by far one of the most magical and stunning weddings that I have ever photographed.

Charles Krug is the oldest winery in Napa Valley (founded in 1861!) and is the ultimate of vineyard venues. Charles Krug is also one of only five wineries in Napa Valley that can host weddings. And what a venue it is…

The “First Look” photos began in the recently renovated Redwood Cellar, which has a rustic yet modern feel with high, open-beam ceilings. A sliver of light filtered through the small windows, adding a perfect glow to the beautiful couple.

The Great Lawn outside of the historic Carriage House offers an array of options for a gorgeous ceremony backdrop. This park-like setting dotted with heritage oak trees and surrounded by vineyards was simply spectacular for Madeleine and John’s “I-do” moment.

Enter the Carriage House with it’s soaring vaulted ceilings, stunning period chandeliers, arched doorways and a large dance floor that is perfect for any wedding. Here, dinner was served to all 90 of Madeleine and John’s guests who had journeyed great distances to be here for their special day. However, as incredible as the wedding venue was, the best part of the day was seeing Madeleine and John shimmying it up on the dance floor together… happy, in love, and MARRIED!

Madeleine and John, your wedding was absolutely spectacular. I could feel the love between the two of you, your friends, and your family, so much so that documenting your day was simply a breeze. Thank you for the moments!

A special thank you to Mary and Stephanie at Off The Beaten Path Weddings for the flawless wedding coordination. Always a pleasure to work with you.

Amy and Andrew – Gardner Ranch, Carmel

I have been fortunate enough in my profession that I’ve traveled to many beautiful areas, but few hold a special place in my heart like Carmel-by-the-Sea.

AKA Carmel, this quaint town is located on the breathtaking coast of Northern California in Monterey County and is renowned for it’s food, wine and natural scenery that will take your breath away.

When Amy and Andrew first contacted me from their home in Texas about photographing their wedding in Carmel, I couldn’t be more excited. The venue of choice was Gardner Ranch, a charming property located on the banks of the Carmel River. Twenty-four acres of lush meadows and majestic oaks, while being walking distance to shops and restaurants made it the perfect venue for a destination wedding.

Every detail about Amy and Andrew’s day matched the mood and ambiance of Gardner Ranch to a tee. Elegant and charming yet rustic – with a big dose of fun and laughter at every stage of the day. For example, just look at these bridal party pictures… they were having a blast and it showed. When you have a group of people that are this relaxed and focusing on what’s important, it’s not hard to get great photos.

This vibe carried well into the day and evening. It’s clear that these two live life to the fullest and are so loved by everyone around them. And, they sure know how to throw a party!

I could go on and on about this magical day, but I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

I can’t thank wedding planner Andre Roberts enough for putting together such a seamless and beautiful day and a fabulous team.

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Nicole and Josh – Landmark Winery

ˈlan(d)ˌmärk/ a change marking an important stage or turning point in something.

The turning point on this special day was one of a beautiful union of two families from Minnesota. Nicole and Josh chose Landmark Winery as their destination wedding venue, and what a venue this is! With breathtaking views of Sugarloaf Ridge, Landmark Vineyards is truly an incredible location to tie the knot. Nestled at the base of the Mayacamas mountains, this spectacular 20-acre property boasts historical agricultural roots and rustic charm that is perfect for an outdoor ceremony or an intimate reception. The dramatic hills, working vineyard, well-tended gardens, and fountains create an enchanting background that makes for one of my most favorite Sonoma wedding locations to date. There is even a cottage and a guest house on the property for those wishing to spend the night.

And the wines, you ask? “Less is more” is the overriding philosophy, according to winemaker Eric Stern. He believes that “the less the wine is manipulated, the more flavors and aromas remain to enjoy”. Food-friendly, fruit-forward Chardonnay is Landmark’s flagship wine, along with Pinot Noir and Syrah.

It’s always a delight to collaborate with Lindsay from Oh La La Weddings, and it was so beautiful to see Nicole and Josh’s day unfold. From the heartfelt, hand-written letter from bride to groom, to the guests getting their groove on after the first dance, the emotion and design of the day were first class. It was an honor to not only witness, but document the love this couple has for each other.

Nicole and Josh, thank you again for allowing me to be part of your big day. I wish you all the love and happiness, along with many more sunset like the one we enjoyed on your wedding day!

Leslie and Joe – Auberge Du Soleil

Sunlight flooded the luxurious suite at Hotel Yountville as the bridesmaids buzzed around Leslie, sharing laughter, joy and of course – Champagne. The day was finally here – and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Located at the very southern end of Yountville, this boutique hotel is a must-stay in wine country. Small and intimate, Hotel Yountville beckons guests with buildings constructed of stacked Napa river rocks, heavy timber beams and copper accents. The rooms boast a romantic decor and perfect starting point for a wedding day.

Cheers to the start of not only an incredible day, but to a lifetime of happiness.

Speaking of incredible, look at that ring.

No wedding in Napa is complete without obligatory vineyard shots, and the Stags Leap district always provides the most stunning and dramatic of backdrops. As Lesley and Joe twirled their way throughout the rows, the sun began to lower, boasting that warm glow that Stags Leap is renowned for.

A Michelin-star menu, exquisite wine list and astonishing views is what led Leslie and Joe to choose Auberge du Soleil as their wedding venue. Nestled in the Rutherford hills, this magical resort is secluded, yet close to everything that wine country has to offer, making it a favorite for destination weddings (and a favorite of mine to shoot at).

As a wedding photographer, one of the most priceless moments is capturing the groom’s face as he sees his bride for the first time walking down the aisle.

Dinner was accompanied with happy tears, raised glasses and full hearts – not to mention some serious dancing! As I snuck away with the newly-weds to capture their first sunset as husband and wife, we could still hear the laughter and joy from the two families that on this day, became one.

Lesley and Joe, thank you for inviting me into your lives and love on this special day.

Napa Valley Engagement Session of Jessica and Bryan

Napa Valley’s beauty is one of the reasons it’s a top travel destination spot. And it’s why so many couples choose Napa for their weddings, elopements, and engagements. Jessica and Bryan who hail from the East Coast came to Napa this past fall for their engagement session, and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day. We photographed their session at Far Niente Winery and then The Oakville Grade which is high above Napa with incredible views of the valley. As you can see from the images, the vines and leaves had changed color and the trees created a dramatic backdrop for their shoot. I’m always pleasantly surprised with how my couples incorporate their own sense of style into their sessions. I think you’ll agree that they nailed it! They were so much fun and very comfortable being playful and romantic with each other. Being dressed formally was a great contrast to the rugged terrain. For their wardrobe change, they opted for a more casual look. It was fun getting them to walk among the vines and have fun with the leaves. I’m excited about how this session turned out. Everything about this shoot was visually stunning. From the beauty of the landscape to this beautiful couple, it was everything we hoped for. We shot well into the evening, which allowed me to play with lighting. I hope you enjoy this session as much as I loved shooting it.

Soda Rock Wedding of Katie and Miles

Why is Soda Rock Winery in The Alexander Valley so popular for weddings? There are so many reasons. It’s a historical property in Sonoma that dates back as far as the 1800s and is thought to be the first to make a branded wine. But it’s the attributes of the property itself that make it so sought after for picturesque weddings. The stone wall, the antique barn, and multiple indoor and outdoor venues make it a top pick. Katie and Miles dated in the area and it’s a place that has great significance for them. The barn was became the cornerstone for their day with the ceremony being held next to the amazing barn, their cocktail hour being in the barn, and their reception in the ballroom.

The ceremony was emotional and a great celebration of love for all in attendance. During the cocktail hour a group of friends of Katie’s dad belted out a roaring chant called Boom-shaka-a-laka, and oy did it kick off the tone for the rest of the day. It was a great photo moment. Some of my favorite photos of the day though are in the incredible barn. The way the light shines through the wood slats is intense. I could have shot there all day!

One of my favorite wedding planners Kaitlyn Finley of Ohh La La Weddings was at the helm of this wedding and she made my job a cake walk. Every time we work together I am guaranteed a happy and relaxed couple, a stellar creative team and a smooth and fun day! This team consisted of some of the best in the valley and I’m happy to have been part of it.

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Napa Wedding – Howell Mountain Private Home

Howell Mountain Appellation is a short 10 miles from the center of Napa. If you’re not careful you can miss it. This area is famous for it’s rich Cabernet wines, and some of my favorites can be found here. It’s safe to say I spend a lot of my time here….working of course, working. When Jenny and Ryan asked me to photograph their wedding I was extremely excited. You see the wedding was to be held at a private estate owned by Jenny’s father on Howell Mountain. What more can you ask for than to do what you love, in a place that you love.

The property had features reminiscent of an Italian villa, and a stunning pool that served as a showpiece for many of the portraits I captured. Jenny and Ryan are both fun loving with great personalities. Their families are mirrors of them and you can see in the images how much fun everyone had. We got some great shots of the couple in the nearby vineyards. I love the shot I got with the on the sign post showing all the wineries on Howell Mountain. Shooting weddings at private homes is such an honor for me. They traditionally have an intimate group of a couple’s closest family and friends. It allows for a relaxed wedding where love and fun flow freely, and it shows in my shots. After dinner and formalities everyone let their hair down and partied with a live band under the stars. It was a great way to end a perfect day!

Goosecross Winery – Engagement Session

Aren’t Nicole and Josh a beautiful couple? I think so too, and I’m so fortunate they hired me to photograph their Sonoma wedding next summer. They recently came to Napa for a planning session, and we squeezed in their engagement session. We shot at Goosecross Winery in Yountville on a perfectly sunny day. The sky looked so soft and light against the contrast of the vines that appeared to be drinking in the light. They looked electric! We also got some sexy and dramatic shots among the casks of wine that I love. It’s always great to spend time getting to know my couples better during the engagement session, especially for a destination wedding couple like this couple who hail from Minnesota.

After shooting at Goosecross, I whisked my couple off to a favorite vineyard location in Yountville. It’s where the original founder of the town planted the first grapes in an area. This place is magical to me and sharing it is always an honor. So many people enjoy Yountville because of the notoriety of The French Laundry. I love it for it’s history and beauty as well. I’d love to share it with you sometime soon.

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Garden Pavillion Sonoma Wedding of Jillian & Tom

Garden Pavillion in Sonoma is a “best kept secret” for weddings. Lucky for me Jillian and Tom found this amazing property for their wedding. Some of the attributes I loved about it include a collection of small cottages and an estate that sleeps 16. Jillian and Tom and their entire bridal party were able to stay at the house and have complete comfort and privacy. You can see from the images I captured how incredibly beautiful it is. I loved the blue cottage where we hung Jillian’s gown. It really allowed her gown to stand out!

The wedding took place at the cusp of Fall and you could feel a slight chill. But not to worry, the couple was enveloped in the warmth of their family and friends. Their ceremony was very emotional and you could feel how truly loved this couple is. Garden Pavillion has lush lawn for their rustic reception and dinner, followed by one great dance party! I can’t wait to work at this property again. If you’re looking for a truly private venue in Sonoma, you have to take a look at Garden Pavillion.

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Destination Wedding – Sun Valley Idaho

Being a destination wedding photographer allows me to work in many beautiful places with beautiful couples like Kelley and Aaron. They chose Sun Valley Idaho for their nuptual. I wish you could have been there to feel that sweet cool chill at the beginning of Fall. The weather couldn’t have been more fabulous. Clear blue skies prevailed throughout their wedding weekend. Kelley and Aaron wanted complete privacy, and to have their most beloved family and friends to share in their celebration. In order to so, they rented a private estate and enlisted the help of Jenny Harding of New Chapter Weddings and Events. She’s planned hundreds of wedding throughout the US and Internationally, and we were fortunate to have her there to lead us. She was a delight to work with and made this wedding smooth as silk.

Sun Valley Lodge is a very special place and we were lucky to capture some amazing images around the area. But I really love the images we took at the estate. It was rustic and warm allowing for some beautiful shots like the one of our couple laying on the wood floor. And of course there is nothing sexier than a peek of cowboy boots under a wedding gown. I can’t wait to get back to Sun Valley again soon. If you’re planning a destination wedding, I’d love to hear from you. I’m always up for a great adventure and a wedding. No matter where it is!

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