The Wedding Team
Coordinator: Jenny Ke
Florals: Neely Joyce
Centerpieces: Centerpiece LG
Hair & Makeup: Faces by Emily
Catering: Feast for a King
Music: Vivian Kuang
Santa Cruz Mountains, California
I loved meeting Emily and Steve in person before their wedding. We talked about the kind of photographs they were hoping for, especially natural colors and the balance between editorial and documentary style in wedding portraits. It felt very much in line with how I approach photography, and I was excited to work with them.
Their wedding began with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony at their home in San Jose, before continuing to Chapel on the Hill in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was a celebration centered on family and the people closest to them. I loved seeing the warmth they shared with their parents, family, and friends throughout the day, from the ceremony to the final dance.
A Chapel Among the Redwoods
Tucked into the Santa Cruz Mountains of Los Gatos, Chapel on the Hill felt like a little retreat from the city. Surrounded by tall redwoods, lush greenery, and cool mountain air, the chapel offered a secluded setting for the celebration.
The warm wood interior complemented the surrounding landscape, while the red florals and reception details brought a beautiful contrast of color. With the ceremony and reception spaces nestled among the trees, the whole setting felt intimate and welcoming.
A Moment Away
After the ceremony and family portraits, while guests enjoyed cocktail hour, we stepped away with Emily and Steve to a quiet, secluded pathway beside the reception area. With the afternoon sunlight coming through the trees, it was a chance for them to slow down and enjoy a few moments together. With gentle direction and room to enjoy each other's company, we kept the portraits relaxed and unhurried.
We also returned to the chapel during cocktail hour, where the quiet interior and soft afternoon light offered another setting for portraits. Later, after the sunset and enjoying the reception, the warm light glowing through the chapel windows gave us one final photograph to close the day.
Wedding photography by INNER DELIGHT STUDIO, serving the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.