#berkeley wedding

When Shirmila and Tommy decided to plan their wedding at Panoramic Hills in Berkeley with stunning views of the San Francisco Bay Area, they knew they wanted their guests to feel right at home. With friends and family coming in from all over the world, they wanted to showcase what they loved most about their new home in the Bay Area. In doing so, Shirmila and Tommy chose to focus on creating a warm, intimate environment for their guests. The inspiration for this was the Danish concept (they met while both studying abroad in Denmark) of “hyggeligt” which roughly means a cozy, homey, delightfully intimate, genial moment or thing, like when you are cuddled up on the couch at home with candle lights and warm blankets. The ceremony was officiated by a family friend and dinner and dancing rounded out the evening as the sunset provided the perfect backdrop to their celebration.

If you've met Sylvie and Chris, then you know that a traditional wedding isn't them. When they first asked me to photograph their wedding, they told me they were planning to throw a party. No major ceremony, just a reception where they could spend time with their friends and family. The day started with Chris and Sylvie sharing the same hotel room at the Hotel Shattuck Plaza while they were getting ready. No need for big reveals, just a relaxed goofy atmosphere that truly allowed them to be their understated and sweet selves. After a quick portrait session around the streets of Berkeley (that mirrored their pop culture/entertainment engagement shoot), they joined their guests for an extended cocktail hour in the Hotel Shattuck Plaza courtyard. The reception began with a video (edited by Sylvie!) that detailed their story through their close friends who read different chapters of their relationship. Sylvie and Chris then invited their family to stand with them for a short ceremony where their sweet vows and declarations of love had everyone in the room feeling teary eyed. My favorite part of all the DIY details besides the cupcake and candy bar, was the hundreds of framed love song lyrics that the guests were invited to take home. As big music aficionados, I couldn't think of a better way for Sylvie and Chris to show us who they are as a couple and what loves means to them.