DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens

DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography

Jaymee and Drew’s wedding felt like going to the wedding of an old family friend.  Maybe it’s because I’ve known Jaymee’s family for a while – they were at Lyndsay and Mike’s wedding and I did family portraits for them when Jaymee was still in high school. I knew and loved a lot of people at this wedding and so in a way, it felt like home and I just loved it.  Jaymee and Drew have been together for a LONG time –  we’re talking like 8th grade here, folks.  What I found so wonderful is how supported and adored they are.  Everyone who knows them is rooting for them, and it’s a beautiful thing to be a part of.  Every second of this wedding day was filled with love and excitement – not just from the bride and groom – but from every person there.  It was definitely my kind of wedding.  Add on the multitude of personal touches Jaymee designed and DIY’d and it was just a stunningly perfect day.  Have a peek at all the pretty.

DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography

I love that after all these years there are still new places for us to shoot weddings.  This was our first trip to the Berkeley Botanical Gardens and I felt like a kid in a candy store.  Acres of beautiful gardens, amazing light and this beautiful couple – it was magic!  Since Jaymee had planted and grown loads of succulents for the wedding we decided to do their first look in the succulent and cacti green house.  It worked out fantastically!  Then we grabbed some portraits of our couple and their incredibly delightful bridal party.

DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography

Then it was time to get these two hitched!  Off to the redwood grove we went.  It was nothing short of amazing!  I couldn’t believe how pretty it was in the grove – or how many banana slugs there were, but I digress.  The way the light cut through the trees was breath taking.  Then you add in this glorious couple committing their lives to each other in the company of their nearest and dearest and it was even more spectacular.

DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography

Then it was party time!  Everything you see at this reception that is cool and awesome – yeah, Jaymee made that.  The flowers, the place cards, the guestbook, the glitter signs, the potted succulents and air plants, the LOVE sign (that is now their headboard! AMAZING!) – all made by Jaymee.  She is one of the most incredibly gifted designers!  It made me incredibly happy to point my cameras around all day.

DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography

Please make sure you are seated for a quick Everly Mae cuteness break… I don’t want the adorableness to just knock you down or anything.  I can’t properly express how much I love this kid!  I’m so glad she was there for me make faces at.  I really love making faces at her.

DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography

Now back to our regularly scheduled wedding post!  The reception was A BLAST!  Lots of dancing, hilarious toasts, slightly embarrassing stories about the happy couple, copious amounts of high-fives and mini bundt cakes – that is what I call a recipe for a successful wedding!

DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography DIY Wedding at The Berkeley Botanical Gardens by Sarah Maren Photography

Jaymee and Drew we can’t thank you enough for having us be part of your incredibly beautiful wedding!  We are so happy for you!  Check out their SLIDESHOW HERE for even more delightfulness!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception: Berkeley Botanical Gardens

Photography: Sarah Maren Photographers

Flowers and Decor: The bride!

Catering: Willa Lott Catering

DJ: Extreme Productions

Cake: Nothin’ Bundt Cake

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