Hellman Hollow Archives

I was honored when Rachael and Sam asked me to photograph their Golden Gate Park wedding in San Francisco.

Rachael has been my best friend since elementary school and I am so happy she found her person in this world. If you’re around Sam and Rachael for five minutes, you can see why they belong together.

Sam and Rachael are both bookworms and die-hard Harry Potter fans. They chose Hellman Hollow in Golden Gate Park for their wedding because of the namesake to “Godric’s Hollow” in the books. Their wedding date is also the birthday of both J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter. Was it really an accident? 😉

Rehearsal in Hellman Hollow

A few days before the wedding, I arrived in San Francisco to explore and attend their rehearsal. The weather in Northern California is always so unpredictable. The wind chill crawled through your skin and stung your eyes to tears. We huddled in a circle to share our favorite memories of Sam and Rachael, in front of the giant tree they would exchange their vows. Then it was time for pizza to warm our bones.

Wedding Day in San Francisco

It was cold and drizzly the morning of the wedding, but it didn’t dampen any of our spirits. I spent time with Rachael and Sam in their separate rooms at the quirky Oceanview Motel as they prepared for the day. The anticipation got to them both. It was so sweet to see how nervous, and terribly excited, they were to see each other.

It was a truly unique experience to capture their special day as it unfolded in front of my lens. Congratulations you two! Your joy is contagious and I love you both to pieces!

Rachael & Sam’s San Francisco wedding is featured on H&H weddings. Check it out here.

Private First Look in Golden Gate Park

We picked a crooked, Roman-looking monument by a small pond for their first look. All the nerves and stress of the day disappeared after that small shoulder tap. You couldn’t wipe the smile off their faces after that if you tried.

Picnic-style Ceremony in Golden Gate Park

Everyone rolled out a blanket and found a seat in the grass before the ceremony began. The celebrations concluded with a fist pumps as they walked back down the aisle together.

Bottles popped and hugs were exchanged. In true picnic style, the reception consisted of dancing in the grass and lawn games. Classic Sam and Rachael.

Portraits at Land’s End & Sutro Bath Ruins

Rachael, Sam, and I took an Uber later that day for the last of their couple portraits at the Sutro Bath Ruins. It was foggy and cold, and we were exhausted, but it was so worth it. What a magical day.