Ana Paula + Marika // A Family-Centered Nicasio Wedding

This day warmed my heart in all possible ways. Ana Paula and Marika first contacted me last year, telling me about their relationship and their dreams for their upcoming wedding. They told me about how Marika’s parents had graciously offered their family home in Nicasio to host their celebration, and that you could see for miles into the rolling Marin hills. Whatever vision I had in my mind leading up to their wedding day did not come even close to the true magic they put together in reality that day.

I first got to meet AP + M when I photographed their engagement session, and I was overwhelmed by the sweet love they share, and how easily they could make each other laugh and smile. Then when I arrived on their wedding day, they welcomed me with open arms like we’d been friends for a lifetime. Before long, I could see that that was exactly how they treated everyone who joined them on their wedding day—like old friends and dearest family.

Every moment of their wedding day felt so perfectly planned, and yet perfectly unstructured. Marika got dressed in her childhood bedroom and wore her sister’s jewelry, and Ana Paula wore her mother’s earrings and her entire family helped her get ready. Every toast was heartfelt, every song they danced to held personal meaning, and even the food they ate was chosen specifically to highlight their culture, individual likes, and love story.

I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much on a wedding day before. I say that with complete honesty, because while of course I see many beautiful weddings and many touching moments on a regular basis, there was something about this day and these people that was different. There was so much openness, so much real, genuine joy and emotion, an emphasis on the importance of family, and the resounding message that love has no limits.

Love is love is love is love.

Huge shout out and thank you to my incredible second-shooter that day, miss Nataly Zigdon. It’s always such a treat to shoot with you on a wedding day and seeing you bring your A-game every single damn time. Love you to the moon, N.

Also all of these amazing vendors deserve a round of applause, so here is the credit they deserve:

Venue: Marika’s family home

Florist: Flower Casita

Hair & Make-up: Kat Louis

Wedding dress: Ana Paula= David’s Bridal; Marika: Lace and Liberty

Jewelry/Rings: Brilliant Earth

Cake/Dessert: Teeny Cake

DJ/Band: Heart of Gold DJ’s

Catering: Gerard’s Paella

Wedding planner: Andrea Long, Firewood Events

Others: Heirloom Events for china, tables and chairs

Now, press play and take a look at all the beauty of Ana Paula and Marika’s wedding day below: