Picture the scene, a peaceful summer forest with a small path of steps, dug out of the earth, leading down to the pond’s edge. The ground here is covered with flat rocks that remind me of large Lilly pads. Now add about 150 guests, 7 bridesmaids, 5 groomsmen and a great looking couple standing at the water’s edge trying the knot.

The location’s called Nestldown and is located just south of the city of Los Gatos in Northern California. The temperature for the July 2nd wedding is ideal at 80 degrees and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. Nestldown plays hosts to weddings constantly and is ideally situated for these personal events. It is tucked right into the forest and has something for everyone, from a treehouse to working mini-train for ferrying guests to bocce ball to a 1960’s taxi from London.

The serenity such a place instills in the guests only makes my job easier and puts the wedding party at ease on what is usually a hectic and rushed day. I could point my camera in any direction and capture a unique and beautiful scene and this is before the management has setup any decorations. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s jump back to 11am and where Kaitlyn and Bodey’s day began, the Toll House hotel.

Situated in Los Gatos, the Toll House hosted the bridal party’s preparations and the honeymoon suite for the couple. I have been brought to California on the recommendation of my good friend, Melinda Bunker, who will be shooting the photos at the wedding along with Stacy Ziegler and Neezar Samara. I will be documenting the day’s festivities with my Canon 7d DSLR and the techie accoutrement that goes with it. This will be my second wedding shooting video and then editing the GBs of data into a 5-7 minute highlight video.

The bridal party prepares their makeup, hair, and attire amidst laughing, World Cup soccer games and a few beers. The atmosphere is joyous and building up as the magical hour approaches. After getting ready at Toll House, the bridal party arrives at Nestldown for photographs and the First Look. Kaitlyn and Bodey have chosen to see each other in their wedding garb before the ceremony and it wasn’t easy keeping the camera steady during that tearful event.

The ceremony is conducted by Kaitlyn’s uncle and runs like clockwork and the new couple arrives at the reception up the hill on Nestldown’s mini-train. The catered food is excellent as is the spirits of everyone attending climaxing in the reception in “The Barn”. Kaitlyn and Bodey amaze everyone with the fleet-footed dancing and the set the standard for 1st dance performances. The evening draws to a close as the happy newlyweds jump into the London taxi and are spirited away to the rest of their happy lives.

Watch their video below (or the HD version on YouTube) and please feel free to leave comments. Thanks.

Photographer: Melinda Bunker
www.MelindaBunker.com

Photographer 2nd Shooter: Stacy Ziegler
www.stacyziegler.com

Photographer 2nd Shooter: Neezar Samara
www.samaraphotography.com

Invitations: Joe Garver
Push Visual
Joe@PushVisual.com

Caterer: Cafe Primavera
Erika Garcia: Erika@cafeprimavera.com
www.CafePrimavera.com

DJ: Kaveh Gorgani
Sound in Motion DJ
Kaveh@simdjs.com

Florist: Rose Smith
Flowers with a Personal Touch
925-447-8095

Bakery: Noland’s Cake Shop
www.NolandsCakes.com

Shuttle: Santa Cruz Experience
831-421-9883
www.theSantaCruzExperience.com

Bridal Party Hair: Sarah Gordon
925-339-5124

Makeup: Tina O’Shea
925-768-9362