Haley & Evan: A Styled Shoot
I moved to San Francisco from New York the summer I turned six years old. I’ve lived in eight different neighborhoods throughout the 20+ years I’ve been in the Bay and have fallen in love with a handful throughout that time. In my elementary years, Pacific Heights had all the best playgrounds. In my teens, it was all about the Presidio (home to the largest and least visited parking lots). In my twenties, we preferred the slightly grungy bars of the Mission with close proximity to late night burritos. And now, in my thirties, I have found myself in a deeply committed relationship with the Outer Sunset. Oh Sunset. A neighborhood I never thought I’d find myself in. Why, you ask? Well, it’s sleepy. But isn’t that the hilarity of aging? With every year I log, sleepy becomes more and more appealing. While I once balked at the idea of living 20-25 minutes from the city center, I now find myself appreciating the extra time in the car to listen to an audiobook. I was never one for the salty ocean air but being able to toddle down to the shore with my toddler in arms is one of life’s greatest joys these days.
So it came as no surprise to me that I felt pulled to put together a styled wedding that brought to life the beauty of my current neighborhood. I wanted to create a space filled to the brim with colors as vibrant as the houses surrounding my home: bright orange, dusty pink, and shades of cool turquoise. I also wanted to bring to life the lesser-celebrated beach lifestyle of Northern California: a bit less refined, embracing of the rusted metal so often associated with ocean living, wild, natural, and littered with seashells and driftwood. After weeks spent rolling down the sand dunes of Ocean Beach and marveling at the rainbow of ice plant that litters it’s path, we knew there was only one place we wanted to shoot: all up IN those dunes.
Another goal of the shoot? To create a visual reminder not to be afraid of leaning into a theme. Inspiration can come from anywhere and if you work with a talented team of vendors, anything is possible.
While the idea may have begun in my head it took flight with the help of the grooviest team of vendors this planet has ever seen. Huge thank you to the wildly talented and warm-hearted Megan Moura. Megan is a Hawaii-based photographer who, despite shooting countless events on the seashore, was stoked to join us on this endeavor. Second ginormous shout-out to Rose of Rose & Olive who created the floral arrangements of my DREAMS while sick (bless your soul). You are my idol. And of course, to our gorgeous couple who stood frozen in the wind, I hope you won’t think it’s weird I’ll be printing a giant photo of you both for my office… we’re that close now.
Additional team details below,
Planning: @willaviaweddingco
Photography: @megan_moura
Florals: @roseandolive.design
Couple: @haleybgardner @vandeluxmusic
Paper Suite: @studiostillwater
Furniture Rentals:
@Otlvintage
@abbey.party.rents
@fulcrum.group
Mens wear: @tailorskeep
Dress: @shop_resa
