Jewish wedding ceremonies are such a joy to photograph. They contain a great amount of meaningful historic rituals and LOTS of celebration! As a wedding photographer, it presents a wonderful challenge to document all of these moments as they unfold during the day. The following pictures will give you an idea of just a few important elements in the Jewish wedding day. Jennifer and Matt hail from rainy San Francisco (see San Francisco engagement pictures) but fortunately for me they chose sunny Orange County to commit themselves to each other. The day started in Monarch Beach Dana Point at the beautiful St. Regis Monarch Beach where Jennifer was getting ready with her Mom . . .


I could spend hours at the St. Regis Monarch Beach doing photography – wedding, engagement, getting ready photos, etc. This one grand staircase takes up at least 45 minutes each time I get to shoot there . . .

I caught up with the groom over at the cereony site – Laguna Village Occasions in Laguna Beach.

Every Jewish wedding that I have photographed, the bride and groom always see each other BEFORE the ceremony. The signing of the Ketubah (Jewish marriage document) takes place . . .

and also the bedekin. The bedekin is a humorous moment when the groom actually greets his bride and visually approves that this is the woman he has chosen to marry, and then he veils her.

Please don’ t make me photograph any more weddings in locations like this . . .

Bride and groom under the chuppah (a symbol of the home that is to be built and shared) . . .

Some great black and white wedding pictures out on the street in Laguna Beach . . .


A final kiss after the cake cutting . . .

What a beautiful day!