California Wedding Photographer – 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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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!

Laguna Beach California Engagement | Voula & Vasili

VOULA & VASILI | ENGAGEMENT | THE MONTAGE & THE QUEEN MARY | LAGUNA BEACH & LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
[quoteLeft]Adjectives: Dramatic, Colorful, Fun, Warm, Light, and Beautiful.[/quoteLeft] I LOVE California! There are so many reasons… the scenery, the beautiful weather, fantastic food and wine, and of course, working with my wonderful clients. Voula and Vasili’s relationship was established in California and Seattle. There are so many special spots for them in and around the greater Los Angles area. The Montage in Laguna Beach is where Vasili proposed to Voula. For that reason, it was an ideal spot to shoot their engagement session. This was my first trip to Laguna beach, and its beauty was astounding. The views are reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast in Italy. We also shot at The Queen Mary, a historic ocean liner docked in Long Beach, which is where they had their first date. Take a look at my favorites from their Southern California session below!