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.

Amanda and Maneesh – Auberge Du Soleil

Can you say COLOR?!

Among the many festival-related rituals in a Hindi’s life, weddings are by far the most extensive of ceremonies. Laughter, vibrancy and fun were the recurring themes of Amanda & Maneesh’s wedding on this gorgeous day in Napa Valley, and let’s just say they know how to party!

Auberge Du Soleil was the perfect setting for this wedding. This venue embodies the natural beauty of wine country, but with a luxurious and modern twist. The space is intimate yet has the capacity to host larger parties if needed.

After the heavenly ceremony was over, the reception was held indoors in the function room that provided a cozy and romantic environment for the celebration. The sweethearts were welcomed into each other’s family and shared a fabulous dinner thanks to the incredible culinary talents of the Michelin star restaurant at Auberge.

As you scroll through this beautiful wedding day, I hope you enjoy this gorgeous couple as much as I did – their smiles and their joy are contagious. Amanda and Maneesh, thank you so much for allowing me to capture this incredible time of your life. It was such an honor to be a part of it.

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!

Auberge Du Soleil Wedding | Napa Valley

Auberge Du Soleil is one of my favorite wedding venues in Napa Valley, especially for more intimate ceremonies like Lauren and Dan’s. Lauren and Dan said I do with all of Napa Valley behind them along with their closest family and friends gathered around. It was a beautiful ceremony followed by a delicious Michelin stared meal and very fun dance party.

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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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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The Vintage Estate Yountville Wedding of Jennifer and Keith

When planning a Napa Valley wedding, there are many choices for a venue. Jennifer and Keith discovered The Vintage Estate in Yountville and I’m so glad they did. This stunning property gave me an abundance of spaces to capture beautiful images of Jennifer and Keith. Their ceremony took place under an Italian style gazebo. A particular shot that I love was Keith’s face as he watched his bride walk down the aisle to him. That gets me every time. It was a perfect Napa evening for their reception under the warm glow of lights during dinner, followed by dancing and celebration in a historic barrel room. This property has so many options and I love that my couple used several of them. It allowed me to get varied styles of shots all in one day. From rustic to elegance, this wedding had it all!

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Carmel Valley Wedding – Sneak Peek

I’m very excited to share a preview of Amy and Andrew’s Carmel Valley Wedding, held at the Gardener Ranch, along the banks of the Carmel River. Features of this rustic property feature 24 acres of lush meadows and majestic oaks. Amy and Andrew are both from Texas, which made this a true destination wedding. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect for an outdoor California wedding. I love working in Carmel, and this is truly a special the venue in the Monterey peninsula.

Just look at these bridal party pics. 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 pics. I loved how playful Amy was. Especially when we put a vintage chair in front of a stunning oak tree. There are so many more pictures to share. Stay tuned for many more of this beautiful wedding and all the details soon.

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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