California Wedding Photographer

Bay Area Wedding Photography // Jane & Leo’s Mini Session

RahelMenig — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:18:19 +0000

One thing I love most about being a Wedding Photographer is to hear real life love stories. Yes, I’m quite the romantic… Jane & Leo share such a beautiful story. They met through Bible Study (whoohoo, way to go BSF!) and when they told me the long version underneath these gorgeous trees I got goose bumps all over.

I created the so called ‘Mini Sessions’ to give prospective couples a chance to get to know me and how I work. This way you will see a sample of my work with you in it! Read more here about this concept and how it works.

xoxo, Rahel ♥

Cupertino Wedding Photography // Christy & David

RahelMenig — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:05:03 +0000

When a Bride tells me that she’s going to be wearing mint shoes on her Wedding Day, well, let’s just say that gets me pretty excited! It means, she cares about details. I love details. As in LOVE details. They say so much about a couple. They truly tell their own little stories on a day that brings it all together…

Christy & David live in Texas and even though we didn’t get the chance to meet prior their Big Day, I felt an instant connection. Maybe because we have the same believes, maybe just because we’ve emailed a lot.

Enough chatter, let me share with you their beautiful love story. Enjoy ♥

Thank you Christy & David for letting me witness your love. I’m so happy with and for you for being Mr & Mrs now! I wish you only the very best for your future and may God bless you and keep you safe.

xoxo, Rahel ♥

Laguna Beach Wedding Photography // Natalie & Damian

RahelMenig — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:00:59 +0000

Telling the story of a couples Wedding Day is truly my passion and I was excited to finally get the 2013 season started with this gorgeous Laguna Beach Wedding at the Surf & Sand Resort.

Natalie has such a great taste. The bridesmaid bouquets were made out of succulents and don’t even let me start gushing over the dress! Made by the Australian Wedding Dress designer Anna Campbell, it was a true piece of art. Perfect for a beach wedding with that extra sparkle.

These two make such a wonderful couple. During Damian’s speech I teared up like a big old baby and was more than thankful to be able to hide behind my camera…

Thank you Natalie & Damian so much for having me there with you to document your Big Day! Such an honor. I wish you both all the very best in your future as husband and wife!

xoxo, Rahel ♥

Out of the Office

RahelMenig — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:57:15 +0000

The waiting for this year’s Wedding Season is finally over. In just a few minutes I will be leaving Gilroy to head down south to document Natalie & Damian’s Big Day in Laguna Beach! I have a feeling that it’s going to be such a wonderful day. Later next week – on the 8th to be exact – Adrian and I will celebrate our three year anniversary together! Crazy how fast time goes by. I think we will go to Lake Tahoe for a quick trip and if the weather plays along, go for a horse back ride! Excited!

I will be trying to answer emails as much and quickly as I can within the next two weeks, but please forgive me if you don’t hear back within the usual 48 hours…

Happy Weekend everyone!

xoxo, Rahel ♥

Introducing: Bride to Bride

RahelMenig — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:43:26 +0000

Flash back almost exactly three years – Adrian and I had less then two weeks til our Big Day! Gosh, we were excited! And somewhat exhausted. I had an ugly burn on my hand from making table decorations with my pink little hot glue gun and while we were super excited to finally be married (we had been waiting for this day for years while being in a long distance relationship…) we just wanted to get it over with and enjoy our honeymoon in Hawaii.

I’ve definitely learned a lot about planning a Wedding then, but I’ve gained so much more experience from working as a Wedding Photographer that I’ve decided to share my knowledge with you. You know, from Bride to Bride ♥

Find helpful Tips & Tricks about Wedding Planning HERE

and more great Ideas about what to wear for your Engagement Session and other stuff HERE.

Enjoy ♥

San Luis Obispo Photography

RahelMenig — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:35:29 +0000

Adrian surprised me with a little road trip down to San Luis Obispo last weekend. We love to explore and spend time together driving down random roads. By the time we got to Pismo, all ‘normal’ camping sites were full and so we spent the night on the beach. Way cool.

xoxo, Rahel ♥

Engagement Photography in the Oakland Redwoods

RahelMenig — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:30:00 +0000

As always I got to the location early. I like to be able to take a look, capture some detail shots of the area and simply get in my little photography zone. Natalie & Damian met in Sydney. Natalie went over there – well, just for a short time, met Damian at a bar she wasn’t supposed to meet men and renewed her visas until she couldn’t get any more of them. That’s just the short cut, but I think you get the idea: These two have quiet the fairytale love story ♥

Anyways, I’m rambling away. Here we go, the gorgeous Natalie & Damian at the Redwood Regional Park in Oakland!

Natalie & Damian, thank you for showing me the spark! I cannot wait until we meet again soon!

xoxo, Rahel ♥

Santa Cruz Engagement Photography

RahelMenig — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:00:39 +0000

New Brighton Beach was the perfect spot for Jamie & Marko’s Engagement Session. The gorgeous cliffs and the foamy waves close to Santa Cruz, CA made us three gush – especially Jamie as she LOVES the beach and the ocean.

Later we drove on Park Avenue in Aptos CA and found these great eucalyptus trees that frame the railroad. Of course we had to stop for some more photographs…

Thank you Jamie & Marko for this fun shoot! I’m looking forward to capturing your wedding day and wish you lots of energy for the planning!

xoxo, Rahel ♥

Santa Cruz Engagement Photography

RahelMenig — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 22:39:47 +0000

Stephanie & Rico made my day. Actually more like my entire week. We met at ‘Twin Lakes Park’ in Santa Cruz for their Engagement Session. They are lovers of all things vintage and so they brought their uber cool, very vintage looking bikes! And of course their puppy. I loooove dogs and apparently their Beagle pup knew instantly that I’m a dog person. A dog person with a cat at home Oh well…

We were blessed with about 10 minutes of pure sunlight coming through the thick wall of rainclouds. After we had soaked up every last beam of light, we went to their beautifully decorated home and captured a few lifestyle moments. You know, the things we do on a day to day basis.

Stephanie & Rico, thank you so much for letting me document the love you share. I’m so excited to see you again soon – on your Wedding Day!!

xoxo, Rahel ♥

Interactive Engagement Guest Signing Book

RahelMenig — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:01:23 +0000

There are many ways to remember your Wedding Day and your loved ones. One of them are Guest Signing Books. I felt, like there needed to be more to a Guest Book than just photos of your engagement session. So I set out and designed a more fun and interactive way for guests to leave a little note.

These 8×8 albums consist of 10 spread (20 pages) and features photographs from your engagement shoot. The layouts are designed to leave lots of white space, where people can sign, leave a comment or a piece of wisdom for you. But wait, now comes the fun part – YOUR love story! Give your guests and loved ones a little insight on how you met, what you think of each other, the proposal and thank them for coming out and celebrating with you.

HOW IT WORKS ♥

Once we’ve met for your Engagement Session, I will send you a questionnaire that will help you write your story. Make yourself a romantic evening, with candle light and a glass of wine, and write your love story by answering the questions. As soon as I have your write up, I will design your Guest Book with your photos and send you a link where you can pre-view your album. Give me the okay to order and you will have your brand new book within a few weeks!

Not only is this a gorgeous book by itself, it looks even prettier with company. Think about having a couple of books in your book shelf – Wedding and Guest Signing Book. And why not make it a trio with a secretive Boudoir Album…?

xoxo, Rahel ♥