Marcel & Meher's Blog

Bunny & Jake’s Hitchcock Inspired Engagement Session

marcelandmeher — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:05:06 +0000

Bunny and Jake are getting married in 2012 at the Mark Hopkins in San Francisco. During our consultation Bunny and Jake mentioned that they wanted to do their engagement session in the area of the Mark Hopkins and incorporate some of San Francisco’s iconic locations. Jake, being a movie buff, suggested having a Hitchcock theme. For inspiration we watched Vertigo a few days before the shoot. Bunny and Jake were great sports and just like actors worked hard to make each scene perfect. We love creative clients!

Nancy and Brandon’s Intimate Gourmet Wedding

marcelandmeher — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:27:24 +0000

Nancy and Brandon tied the knot at their church in Alameda. Nancy started the day by getting ready at her parents home and making her way to Alameda. A reception followed within the church’s compound, with a light lunch and cupcakes. The couple had their first dance under the loving gaze of their family and friends, and then we proceeded with them to the hip Hotel Vitale by the waterfront in San Francisco. We started off our post wedding photo session at the Vitale and then proceeded for some cool shots by the metal rocket ship sculpture and then walked a few blocks to the the building where Nancy and Brandon had first met while working together. It was cool shooting amongst the financial buildings downtown. The evening ended with an intimate gourmet dinner for about 30 guests, at Alexander’s Steakhouse. From the name, we thought “a meat lover’s heaven”, but once we sampled their menu, it was simply out-of-this-world fantastic food.

Ceremony: St. Joseph Basilica http://stjoseph94501.parishworld.net/
Photos at Hotel Vitale http://www.hotelvitale.com/
Alexander’s Steakhouse http://www.alexanderssteakhouse.com/
Hair and Makeup by Meaganne McCandess http://meagannemccandess.com/Cupcakes from That Takes the Cake
Cake by Beaux Gateaux http://www.beauxgateaux.com/
St. Joseph Basilica Church in Alameda http://stjoseph94501.parishworld.net/
Flowers by Katharina Stuart Floral Art and Design http://www.katharinastuart.com/

iSteve – A small tribute to one of our heroes.

marcelandmeher — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:08:41 +0000

Dear Steve,
Our family is truly saddened by your passing. I still remember the life-changing experience the first time I sat in front of a Mac. A light bulb went off in my head, I remember thinking “it works like I think, it is so intuitive”. This was in 1994 and even though you were not at Apple at this point, your heart and soul was still in the product. In one instance I was converted from someone who literally hated computers to someone who fully embraced them. A Mac was not a “computer”, it was fun, it was a lifestyle, a philosophy and most off all an awesome tool that opened up entirely new avenues of creativity. Realizing that the business of photography and the way we consume media is forever changing, I taught myself Photoshop and graphic design, started designing websites and produced multimedia projects, even created small 3D animations (you can see one below) and eventually joined a multimedia startup. At one point I got to work with the Apple Quicktime team and got to present our flagship multimedia tool iShell in Cupertino in front of over a hundred Apple engineers. All of that without ever taking one computer class, which would have never been possible without your vision of computing. Now that I am back working as a photographer full time I am still working on Macs, surf the internet on the iPad and watch my children using your cool gadgets.

Steve we never met, but you have been with us for a long time. So thank you Steve for your passion and sharing your genius, for all the wonderful products and for making the digital age fun! Our condolences to your family and friends. You truly will be missed.

Sincerely,

Marcel Siegle

Here is a little animation I produced in the late 90′s on an 80MHz Power PC, using Strata 3D, Poser and Adobe Premiere. Some of he scenes took weeks to render. It was an exciting time.

Marisa and Matt Healdsburg Country Gardens Monsoon Wedding

marcelandmeher — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:44:04 +0000

Marisa and Matt got married at the Healdsburg Country Gardens amidst summer rain. The torrential downpours were totally out of character for June and took us all by surprise, but didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. The gorgeous location was a perfect setting for Marisa’s classical beauty reminiscent of an old-time Hollywood actress. Undeterred by the rain, Marisa and Matt had a private first look in the photogenic cottage on the property, and we did some photos with the couple alone. The ceremony took place in a tent, keeping the guests cozy and dry. Matt had tears in his eyes as he saw his lovely bride walk down the isle. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect; it stopped raining just after the ceremony, and we were able to do all the group, family and bridal party shots under a gorgeous oak with views of the valley beneath. A reception followed in the rustic barn, the tables were set with Tiffany-blue table linens, and the dinner was a scrumptious Spanish paella made in enormous paella pans by Gerard’s Paella. There was wild and crazy dancing after dinner and even an after-party at Affronti Bar in Healdsburg where Matt’s brother, a professional DJ, spun the tunes. A super wedding with a beautiful and fun couple.

Ceremony and reception venue – Healdsburg Country Gardens (hcgweddings.com)

After party venue – Affronti Healdsburg (affrontihealdsburg.com)

Caterer – Gerard’s Paella (gerardspaella.com)

Cake and truffles – Penelope Jane Designer Cakes (penelopejane.com)

Spanish guitarist – Mike McCall (montaramusic.com)

After party DJ – DJ El Conductor, Mason G Narez (djelconductor.com)

Hair/Makeup – Melissa Moreno Studio (solasalonstudios.com/directory/2404)

Invitations and programs – Kale Elledge Designs (web.me.com/kaleelledge/Portfolio/Home.html)

Coordinator – Sandi Scott (925-786-0327)

Event rentals – Wine Country Party & Events (winecountryparty.com)

Annalisa and David’s Mayacamas Ranch Weekend Wedding

marcelandmeher — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:14:39 +0000

We felt at home with Annalisa and David from the time we first met them. We appreciated their warmth and humor and spirit of adventure. David is a fly-fisherman like Marcel and Annalisa likes to read a good book while enjoying the outdoors with her sweetheart. (Which is exactly what Meher does while Marcel fly-fishes.) Their fly-fishing engagement session was a first. Their wedding took place at the gorgeous Mayacamas Ranch in the mountains above the town of Calistoga. Mayacamas ranch is the ultimate wedding site for those who want to party for the whole weekend. Close family and friends had stayed at the ranch with Annalisa and David, renting the several cottages on the scenic property, enjoying the pool and the gorgeous surrounding areas for bicycling and hiking and even some fly fishing. So everyone was pretty relaxed by the time we got to this little oasis in the Mayacamas mountain range. The wedding ceremony on Sunset Meadow had guests (and at least one photographer choking up, while the bride’s veil flew around in the wind making for great photos. David and Annalisa were radiant after their commitment to each other and couldn’t stop smiling. They danced the night away surrounded by the love of friends and family. It was a pleasure working with Marilyn Ambra, Mayacamas’ exclusive wedding and event planning partner, whose calm presence and expertise ensured the day unfolded seamlessly.

Venue: Mayacamas Ranch, Calistoga http://www.mayacamasranch.com/
Wedding Coordinator: http://www.marilynambra.com/
Flowers: Karen Baba of Plan Decor http://www.plandecor.com/
Food: Elaine Bell Catering http://www.elainebellcatering.com/
Cupcakes: Sprinkles http://www.sprinkles.com/
Officiant: Lili Freitas, Weddings of Heart http://www.weddingsofheart.com/
DJ: Michael Luna, Michael’s Music 707-795-3115
And hair and makeup: Deeana of It’s A Date Salon http://www.itsadate.biz/

Maria and Jon’s Big Fat Greek Wedding

marcelandmeher — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:37:03 +0000

Maria and John had warned us that theirs was the ultimate “Big Fat Greek Wedding,” and they were right! Their ceremony was at the Ascension Greek Orthodox Church in Oakland, a gorgeous domed church unlike any other we have worked at. The ceiling has the look of hammered copper with larger than life iconic paintings of saints watching over the bride and groom. The ceiling cast a golden hue on the whole scene. That, combined with the smell of frankincense and myrrh, made the ceremony very special. The reception which was chock full of dancing, love, food and fun, with the guests throwing money at the bride and groom as they danced, which made for wonderful photos!

Flowers/Tables/Centerpieces/Bouquets/Reception design: Isidro Lopez Designs (isidrosdesigns@hotmail.com)

Videography: Marmalade Sky Films ( http://marmaladeskyfilms.com/)

Ceremony: Ascension Greek Orthodox Church (http://www.groca.org/)

Reception: Resurrection Greek Orthodox church ( http://www.cvresurrection.org/)

Hair: Gamma Salon (http://www.gammasalon.com/)

Make-up: Face it Make- Up (http://www.shopfaceit.com/)

Photobooth: (http://partybooths.com/)

Catering: Savory Fare Catering (ilonamarlenee@comcast.net)

Molly & Greg’s Intimate Tilden Park Wedding

marcelandmeher — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:47:37 +0000

Molly and Greg tied the knot at the Brazil Room in Tilden Park. They both managed to get ready at their house without seeing each other, before going over to Tilden Park. It was a morning ceremony on a beautiful spring day. The bride was radiant, the groom dapper in in his tux. The bridesmaids wore pretty butter-cream yellow dresses that contrasted nicely with the lush foliage of Tilden Park. It was fun working with our friends from Culinary Excellence who did a wonderful job with flowers and catering.

Jill & Justin Tie the Knot on Paradise Ridge

marcelandmeher — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:53:31 +0000

Jill and Justin tied the knot right in our back-yard. Not literally, but just 15 minutes from where we live, at the Paradise Ridge Winery. Jill got ready at her mother’s house, calm and collected as she sipped champagne from the coolest little cans with friends! We did some portraits of Jill showcasing her gorgeous blue eyes and beaming smile. Justin and Jill saw each other for the first time as Jill walked down the aisle. Their two tiny dogs had front row seats to witness their “parents” getting married. We were lucky to be able to sneak out after dinner to photograph the bride and groom in the last rays of the setting sun. The view of vineyards below the winery, captures the essence of the wine country. The Golden Gate Hot Club band played their Gypsy Jazz through the evening, keeping the toes tapping. Justin and Jill are excellent dancers, and led the way for friends and family to join them on the dance floor.

Venue: Paradise Ridge Winery
Caterer: Park Avenue Catering
Band: Golden Gate Hot Club
DJ: Clay Mitchell Premier Productions
Cake: Michelle Marie’s
Day of coordinator/flowers: Kelly Cloney Kelly & Company
Hair/Make-up: Carrie Powder room
Invitations, name cards, etc: by Justin Kai (he is a graphic/industrial designer)

Naela & Andrew Down By The River Side

marcelandmeher — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:19:38 +0000

This was one of the rare weddings that Marcel and I did not shoot together. Instead, I had our talented assistant Devon with me. We had not met Naela before her wedding day in Chico but knew the groom’s family from Katie & Jamie’s wedding a couple of years ago. Turns out Naela, who is Egyptian, is a world class golfer, probably one of the top women golfers on the entire African continent! The spring day threatened rain but thankfully never delivered. The wedding and reception were at a gorgeous private estate in a canyon, right on the Butte river in Chico. There was a historic covered bridge only minutes from the estate where I took the bride and bridesmaids to do some pre-wedding photos. The ceremony took place on a lush green lawn right at the river’s edge. Part of the ceremony included the bride and grooms family taking turns blending waters from the Nile River and the local Butte River flowing only a few feet from us. This act was symbolic of the fusing of Neala’s Egyptian culture with Andrew’s American roots. There were emotional speeches, good food and wine and plenty of dancing at this memorable event.

Tim and Davy Get Hitched at the Tiburon Yacht Club

marcelandmeher — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 06:57:31 +0000

Tim and Davy tied the knot at the Corinthian Yacht Club on the Tiburon Harbor. Before the ceremony Marcel took the couple for a photo shoot around Tiburon. This Vietnamese-Chinese-American wedding had it all: tea ceremony, dress changes, cupcakes, a violin recital, and even limbo dancing! Davy started the day in her white wedding dress, changed into her Vietnamese wedding outfit for the ceremony, then into a Chinese dress for the couple’s grand entrance, and finally back into her white wedding dress for the cake cutting and dancing. And she looked gorgeous in them all! Lucky man Tim!

Venue: Corinthian Yacht Club
http://cyc.org/

Catering: Corinthian Catering and Dining
http://corinthiancatering.com/welcome.html

Flowers: Vo Floral Design
http://www.vofloraldesign.com/

DJ: Aykut Events
http://www.aykutevents.com/

Cake: Kara’s Cupcakes
http://www.karascupcakes.com/

Makeup: Van Pham
http://vanitypham.com/