vivianchenweddings

Hi! 👋🏽 It’s been awhile since we introduced ourselves. We’re Vivian and Erin! We are visual storytellers with nearly two decades of experience who focus on organic moments while highlighting a sense of space and showcasing your beloved communities authentically. After an eventful few years, I realized a website redesign for Vivian Chen Photography was long overdue. With so much new work to present, I wanted to make sure my associate, @erinpradophoto, received the recognition she deserves. She’s captured over 60 weddings (and counting!) during our time working together, and I’m thrilled to continue showcasing her beautiful and thoughtful photography.   BIG THANKS to @flightdesign for making everything functionally beautiful and to @karen__santos for the new headshots (and @julie_dy for glamming us up)!   I’m incredibly proud to have a website that truly reflects who we are. (Link in bio!)

To say I love redwoods would be an understatement. As a self described biophiliac, redwood forests hold a profound place in my heart – they are a place of peace, my sanctuary and happy place. I love hiking under their canopy breathing in the smell of damp forest air on misty, foggy mornings all while feeling small and insignificant among these ancient beings. I’ve even been lucky enough to work with @savetheredwoods, a partnership that allows me to chronicle their efforts to preserve these magnificent woodlands for generations to come. By embarking on a personal mission to explore as many groves as possible, I’m able to combine my love for these majestic trees with my love of weddings. So I've finally compiled my nearly two decades of knowledge into an ultimate redwood wedding venue guide! Link in bio to see the whole list (including some local hidden gems you might not know about!) 🌲🌲🌲 Slide locations featured here: 1: Grove of the Old Trees, Occidental 2-3: @muirwoods, Mill Valley 4-6: @ralstonwhiteretreat/Mount Tamalpais, Mill Valley 7: Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland 8: @gualalaarts, Gualala 9-10: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Guerneville

Sweet moments from Carrie and Larmon's Chinatown elopement celebration featuring a SF City Hall ceremony and a delicious meal at the award winning @misterjius @moongatelounge. Swipe for more cuteness including when we stopped by Portsmouth Square playground where Carrie used to play as a kid. ❤️

Gorgeous old Hollywood vibes for M + C’s Santa Barbara wedding celebration with a ceremony in the stunning Mural Room of the Santa Barbara Courthouse and reception party in downtown Santa Barbara at @villaandvineweddings. Photographed by associate @erinpradophoto. ✨ Ceremony: @sbcourthousedocentcouncil @countyofsb Reception: @villaandvineweddings Wedding Planner: @elceventsco Photography: @erinpradophoto for @vivianchenweddings Florals: @cascadeflorals @ellaandlouieflowers Dessert: @francesbakingco H+MUA: @emilykimmakeup Rentals: @dreamsamerica Lighting + DJ: @groypresents

If I ever need a reminder that I have the best job in the world, I can think back to the morning I spent capturing M + P’s grocery store scavenger hunt and surprise proposal. M wrote some clues based on their five years together for P to figure out while shopping the aisles of @biritesf (who graciously allowed us to photograph in their market.) After a fake out with a candy ring pop, M took P down to Marshall’s Beach where she proposed to P with the real ring overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate Bridge. Being in the orbit of their joy and love was exactly what my soul needed this month and I can’t wait for their wedding next summer! ♥️

The start of new families and traditions. ♥️ So much love for H + T (and S!) with their Golden Gate Park Shakespeare Garden ceremony and Dandelion Chocolate dinner reception (where they had their fifth date!). All lovingly captured by associate @erinpradophoto. Accommodations: @ensohotelsf Ceremony Venue: @sfrecpark Reception Venue: @dandelionchocolate Florals: Natalie Mack / Mack Floral Catering: @burmasuperstarsf Cake + Dessert: @be.loved.bakery + @dandelionchocolate Rentals: @brighteventrentals H+MUA: DIY by H with @iliabeauty H’s Outfit: @starlet_bridal + @anthropologieweddings T’s Outfit: @hallmadden Jewelry: @solanojewelers

When mom and dad get married! Sharing some teasers from the sweetest weekday SF City Hall elopement with A + C (and J!) from last week featuring vows under the rotunda, SF skyline views in Potrero Hill before a delicious lunch reception at @piccinosf.

M + R’s wedding at @brazilianroomevents was filled with so many sweet, personal touches, from R’s custom black velvet Nudie suit to the handmade wedding dress crafted by M’s mother, and the fact that they chose same venue where M’s parents had exchanged vows many years ago. And of course, the surprise lion dance that opened dinner made it an autumn evening to remember! 🎊🧧

Intentionally #accidentallywesanderson for C + W’s Wes Anderson inspired engagement session at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed @marincountygov Civic Center. A dream building to wander and I already want to go back! ✨

So many sweet weepy moments this past weekend for C + M’s magical forest wedding in the Mather Redwood Grove at @ucbgarden in Berkeley. Having officiated five of her friends weddings, it was clear that C + M were surrounded by those that truly love and support them from all facets of life. So grateful to have been a part of this one (and to see two of my past wedding couples as guests again!) 🌲 Venue: @ucbgarden Wedding Planner: @lavendercrownevents Photographer: @vivianchenweddings Florals: @villageno7 H+MUA: @julie_dy Catering: @midsummer.kitchen Band: @jazzmafiamusic

We’ve had so many weddings this year with mariachi bands and I’m here for it! Can’t think of a better way to instantly add joy into a celebration! Sharing this colorful and festive backyard wedding with G + A from this past weekend beautifully captured by associate @erinpradophoto. Photographer: @erinpradophoto for @vivianchenweddings Florals: @frontporchfarmer H+MUA: @bykeshawnprince Catering: @oldskoolcafe + @platedandplanted + @bakelikethewind Desserts: @brownbutterbakery_ca Band: @mariachisanfrancisco.ca + @theletterboxers Chuppah: @craftedby.talia Ketubah: @rosalindoesart Rentals: piedmont_party Invitations: alliviews G + A's Outfits: @anthropologie

Simple and sweet with a tea ceremony at home and vows in @sfbotanicalgarden. This lovely little San Francisco elopement photographed by associate @erinpradophoto is up on the blog this week. Link in bio! « A + S — July 2022 »