Jacuzzi Vineyard Wedding
When you hear the name Jacuzzi what’s the first thing to come to mind? Most likely a bubbling tub full of warm water that soothe’s your body from head to toe. Well for Erin and Matyas its now visions of popping bottles of sparkling wine, friends, family, and feelings of intense love. The Jacuzzi Family Vineyards (yes the same family that brought you those same tubs) has an equally warm and friendly winery in the heart of Sonoma’s wine region. It is filled with stunning old world Italian architecture at every turn and surrounded with lush rows of grapevines.
This was my first time photographing at Jacuzzi’s estate and was encouraged to stop by for a tour of the property. Jessica, the event coordinator, was so welcoming and knowledgeable about the property including all the in’s and out’s I would need to know as a photographer. With a stunning bell tower that offers incredible lighting no matter the time of day, I was able to capture photos from any angle. There were rows of trees in-between seemingly endless rows of grapevines. I knew I had plenty of options for getting the shot!
On the day of the wedding, Erin arrived at the vineyard ahead of schedule with all her excited bridesmaids. The excitement amongst these close friends was instantly noticeable! Our timeline was on the tight side of things that day, so I started snapping candids right away because I felt the vibe was right. The women pulled their things from the car and dashed upstairs to get ready. The groomsmen, trying to play it cool, were first to be huddled together for photos with some getting ready shots in the bells tower. I encouraged the guys to tell stories about Matyas as they got ready which always leads to some great pictures and a relaxed vibe.
Walking into the Bride’s getting ready room was a wild affair compared to the men. Make-up and clothes everywhere with everyone in a scramble to look their best and let nothing else matter! So, as I do in every getting ready room, I do a little clean up and rearrange some furniture if it’s in the way of good shots. I quickly gather all the bridesmaids and bride for shots in their robes and then we clear the room so mother and daughter can have a moment alone while helping Erin get into her wedding dress. This set of photos from the day are some of my favorites. I love when my clients can let their guard down and have a real moment. Now being a parent myself I can image all the steps that led up to that point where you see your child become the adult you always hoped they’d be. I can’t help from crying myself just talking and thinking about it.
With all the bridesmaids in their gowns now, we snapped some quick pictures and went to the courtyard for the first look! I always recommend a first look, the opportunity to see your partner up close and personal for the first time without a giant crowd around is so intimate. Throughout your wedding day it’s important to set up opportunities to connect with one another which helps capture real emotions and the first look is one of the best at that. The first look also give the opportunity to get photos that I think take longer to get through after the ceremony, especially family groups. It never fails that after the ceremony everyone disperses like a heard of cats and that can make getting family members all together very challenging. It’s easiest to get the family photos before the ceremony while they have nothing to do but be there with a bright smile on their faces.
The ceremony was incredible, Erin wrote their love story and it had everyone in the audience in tears. Erin and Matyas are high school sweethearts and to hear cute stories about him riding his bike across town at night without his parents knowing just so he could see and talk to Erin through her window. This is stuff you think only happens in movies and its just so refreshing to hear in the age of tinder. Although I have nothing against dating site, I for one found my true love on OK Cupid.
After the ceremony we did some group shots of the wedding party. Erin and Matyas headed off to have a glass of wine with no one around, I used this time to capture some candids of guests and find where the light was most beautiful. I don’t typically do one long photo session with the bride and groom after the ceremony. I think its best to break it up to 2 or 3 mini session and let the good light of the venue dictate when and where. Dinner and toasts went off without a hitch, with your usual moments of the reception toast, first dances, and cake cutting. This lively group helped produce some of my favorite dance floor photos I’ve seen since pre-pandemic. I snuck the bride and groom away for some pictures in the courtyard and with that my night was finished. Erin and Matyas were off to Europe for their honeymoon!
Check out the full wedding day photoset in the slideshow below.