I love shooting weddings in California. Not just because the cities are great (although there is a special place in my heart for San Francisco), but because you can’t throw a 5D Mark II without hitting three great wedding photographers there, so when a couple says “We want to fly you in to shoot this,” I know that their styles and mine will mesh perfectly. That was true with Karen and Kamil, and it was oh-so-true in the case of Valerie and Matt.
I mean, all you really need to know is that they Rick-Rolled their ceremony. After the gorgeous and heartfelt ceremony (with vows that Val, of course, read off her iPhone), the strains of Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up came over the loudspeakers, and the crowd went nuts as the wedding party danced their way off.
I don’t have to tell you how much fun I had; just look at the photos below and the slideshow. Their love, their awesome friends, and their care for their guests having a good time was constantly palpable. Congratulations Valerie and Matt!
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Brad Ross Photography - You captured the fun part of this wedding story to perfection. Another superb job.
Luis Godinez - Wow!!! Ryan, when was this wedding. I was ins SF and specifically on The Golden Gate when I saw a wedding party & I swear it was this one!!! Awesome photos. I love the Nike Dunk Lows on the guys :)
Luis Godinez - I just saw the date on the slideshow. 6.26.10. :)
Luis Godinez - Amazing. I think I saw you take this photos. I was in SF that weekend and I was at the Golden Gate. Awesomeness all around :)
Stefano Choi - I love that group shot on the inclined street. Killer set Mr. Brenizer!
Ana - This is fantastic and looks like such a fun wedding! Having been a guest at Karen and Kamil’s wedding, I totally enjoy the quirky fun things you photographed at this one too :D
Chris Lin - Star power!
The hill ones are topsy-turvy. I dig the shot of the guys standing straight/leaning.
Natalie Gibbs - I just really admire the way you rock the hard shadows and silhouettes. That dark profile shot of the bride getting ready is absolutely stunning. Love the bridal party in the big brick building, too!
Thomas Lester - Pure awesomeness! Love the classic nikes. The group lean is incredible! Great job!
George L. Koroneos - OMG, this is possibly the coolest wedding ever. I would have killed to have been a fly on the wall. I can’t believe the groom whipped out a Guitar Hero controller.
shipra - gorgeous! The portraits of the bride getting dressed are my absolute favorites. And what a fun wedding party. The dancing in the aisle is fabulous, it looks like it was a non stop party!
Andi Hatch - unbelievable, these are sooo great. i know why they flew you out here!
Dean G - They picked the perfect photographer – your style’s combined are magic. Surely, this has to be the coolest bride & groom ever? Retro Nikes, feather boas, Kanye shades, dancing in the aisle. Great job, makes me wish i was there.
Joe Sanfilippo - Very Cool shots here!! Leaning groomsman and the bridal party up the hill are pure awesomeness- love these!
geneoh - I think this is one of my favorite weddings you’ve done! Nice work, Ryan!
“I Should’Ve Had a V8″ | Free Stock Photography & Fashion Show Videos - [...] You should check out Matt and Valerie’s awesome, topsy-turvy wedding right now. I’ll wait. [...]
Tweets that mention Wedding: Valerie and Matt in San Francisco » Ryan Brenizer — New York City Wedding Photographer -- Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ryan Brenizer, Nisa Nguyen. Nisa Nguyen said: 's blues went away thanks to http://tinyurl.com/2f3s7dm by the talented @ryanbrenizer. Absolutely joyful day – absolutely joyful photogs. [...]
gabe aceves - Ryan, you are so good at what you do that its kind of silly. The shot of the bride sitting on the bed is insane. Love it.
John Elrod - Extraordinary work, Ryan! The shots on the hill are crazy-awesome!
Paul Krol - these are great. always good to see the b&g and guests going wild and having such a blast. some fantastic shots in there as well!
Dennis Yap - Wow this is amazing… ^^
David Barrett - Inspiring again Ryan. Do you mind me asking what you do about the music? I’ve used tracks where I’ve approached the artist and asked for permission or paid them a fee for use of their track on a wedding slideshow online. I’ve also sometimes used a track that both I and the couple have paid for from itunes to their video slideshow on disk (ie not on the web and not published to anybody other than those that already own the track.)
Karen B. - Excellent job Ryan! and the couple are so stylish!
Erin Lassahn - Love love love love (can’t say this enough) the bridal party marching up the hill in SF. Has to be hands down one of the coolest bridal party shots ever! Oh yeah and the rest of the shots are amazing too! :)
Shella - LOVE the group shot where everyone was looking at the b&g in the middle arch. V cool!
Kelly Ry - Dress & hair – Perfect. Location – Perfect. Creative photographer capturing crazy cool shots – Perfect.
MAURONSTER - great wedding, complimentis
Dot Sartier - Brought tears to my eyes when I saw your wedding pix. So happy for you Val & Matt.
PS. Now, I’m just waiting for Justin. :O)
Dustin Hall - You’re really not that good Ryan…You’re that AMAZING!!! This is some of your best work. I can FEEL how fun this wedding was. I love the wedding party shots on the streets, and that shot of the Bride where you captured that sliver of light on her, wow, just wow!
Form of the Face | Free Stock Photography & Fashion Show Videos - [...] See Valerie and Matt’s whole wedding post! [...]
Eric Yerke - So this is what it’s all about… That story was so well told I felt as if I were there. No lie
Heather Kanillopoolos - Dude!!! Rick rolled, seriously?!!? AWESOME! And that shot of the bridal party walking up the steep hill is epic. Wonderful!
Ken - These images are terrific! The portraiture is excellent and so are the documentary images.
Rodrigo Vargas - I’ve been lurking here for a while and it’s time I left a comment. Your work inspires me! Beautiful, creative, amazing!
Gina - Yeah, these are fabulous! Love all the energy and style with this couple. You’ve got amazing skills Ryan, I love your work!!!
Eliza - Just come across this from the SWPB link – this is AMAZING Ryan – so much fun! Is the shot of the bridal party on the roof a flash composite? L-O-V-E it!
Ryan Brenizer - Thanks! It is indeed.