By Peter Bruce posted on Saturday, November 7, 2009 @ 8:44 AM - (General)
Peter Bruce Photo & Video was lucky enough to shot this great couple wedding at Mira Vista was the perfect place to host this couples weddiing even with the fog. Located only 20-minutes from downtown San Francisco, Mira Vista made the wedding feel like you are a world apart from the big city. The banquet room boast some of the most magnificent views in the entire Bay Area after the fog cleared. From the San Francisco skyline to the distant Mount Tamalpais to the Golden Gate Bridge, the views are vast and breathtaking. And once the sun had set over the Bay, there warmly lit banquet room created an equally glorious ambience for great food and wold dancing. Designed in the 1920s by the notable Bay Area architect W. H. Ratcliff, the clubhouse is a supreme example of the English Tudor Revival.
I hope you enjoyed the wedding as much as I did,this couple were the coolest and the there family and friend were the best
By Peter Bruce posted on Friday, November 6, 2009 @ 7:16 AM - (General)
Life is to short to not have fun so we decided to pull out some funny photos,let us know what you think...
He's Falling For Her... HARD
What a great photo.Because there's no way she can catch him! This leap of faith is a sure show of love, and with any luck she'll remember her vows to be there for him in his sickness and poor health, because that's the condition that he'll be in after he hits the dirt!
Do You Have Change For A ...
You get the impression that this guy isn't the groom, but the real groom obviously isn't wearing the pants in the family if the bride is already digging around in someone else's! Here's a big tip... Save wedding photo ideas such as this one for the people you aren't too fond of, because the ones who used to like you won't after finding this one in the wedding album! PS tell us know how high you think he is ?
This Guy Is a Morning Person?
Anytime a guy is willing to do this crazy stunt, it's a can't-miss photo op. Hopefully the groom calms down before the honeymoon, or there's the potential for quite a few funny wedding photos that the photographer won't be privy to! Take a tip from this picture for a few wedding photo ideas of your own – the use of color in this shot is phenomenal!
By Peter Bruce posted on Thursday, November 5, 2009 @ 7:38 AM - (General)
Beach Wedding Locations in California
Why California? Why not, it's the best
California has 840 miles of coastline (second to Alaska),Peter Bruce Photo & Video has shot at alot of them,so we thought we would give you some tips. There are hundreds of unique beaches for couples to choose from when planning their wedding. While the most popular image of a beach wedding that many couples have may be white sand, turquoise water, and towering palm trees, they assume those locations are only available in Hawaii, the Carribean
or other tropical locations, never realizing that there are many beach wedding locations in California that offer the same idyllic backdrop. At the same time, the wide variety of shore types along California’s Pacific Coast gives couples many options for more unique locations.
In addition to a wide range of locations, California is a more affordable, more convenient location for many couples whose wedding budgets may not stretch to distant islands or foreign countries, and it is a more affordable destination for guests as well. There is less paperwork required for a California wedding (no passports or extensive travel papers for U.S. citizens), and the state’s liberal nature makes it a perfect choice for couples who have unique plans for their celebration.
Types of California Beaches
With such a lengthy coast, there are many types of beaches couples can choose from to celebrate their wedding on the sand in California. Depending on where in the state they plan to wed, options may include:
State parks with picnic facilities
Small local beaches
Beachfront resorts Hotelswith private beaches, gardens, or golf courses overlooking the beach
Nostalgic piers
Dramatic coastal cliffs
Rented beach houses
Sandy beaches
Rocky shores with dramatic formations
Isolated, private coves
Chartered cruises or yachts
Grassy parks just steps from the water
City parks with bridges, mansions, and skylines in the background
Stunning west coast sunsets
Luxury beach clubs
Choosing the Best Beach for you
With such a wide range of beach styles to choose from, couples may feel overwhelmed when deciding on a specific beach. To narrow down the selection, there are several questions to ask to find the best beach for each unique celebration.
What beaches are near a convenient city for traveling guests?
Is the beach crowded or isolated?
What fees are required to perform a beach wedding or to use beach facilities?
Are facilities – parking, restrooms, etc. – adequate for the wedding?
What condition is the beach in regarding cleanliness, wildlife, etc.?
Are there local place to stay
, attractions, and other amenities available for guests?
What views are available from the beach that may be reflected in photographs?
Is the beach easy to access, both in terms of driving as well as walking along it?
By considering each of these questions carefully, couples can narrow down their choices of beaches to find the perfect spot for their wedding.
Popular Beach Wedding Locations in California
With many of the state’s largest cities sprawled along the coast, there are a number of highly popular beaches that frequently host weddings. Some of California’s most popular beaches for weddings include...
Say I do on the sand.
Santa Barbara Beach
Crystal Cove State Beach near Newport Beach
Bolsa Chica State Beach near Huntington Beach
Paradise Cove in Malibu
Marina Del Rey
Pismo Beach
Santa Monica
Sunset Beach in northern Cal
San Francisco Bay beaches
Monterey
Laguna Beach
The exact places vary widely based on the type of beach wedding a couple envisions; beaches just a few miles apart may have vastly different physical characteristics. Before choosing a beach simply because it is near a popular destination, couples should try to visit the site or arrange to see photographs of the location, preferably of recent weddings there. This can help couples decide if that luxury Malibu Beach wedding is right for them, or if they’d rather have a more isolated, casual celebration in Pismo Beach.
Arranging a California Beach Wedding
Couples who live in California may have no difficulty arranging a beach wedding, but as the state becomes more popular for get a way weddings, different wedding planners have begun to offer package services to help arrange beach weddings. Packages typically include all the basic services for a small, non-denominational service: an officiant, flowers for the happy couple, music, a limited number of pictures cakes, and other details can all be arranged. Most packages can be customized for a couple’s unique wishes, and many wedding planners are also willing to help coordinate larger celebrations. When contacting a planner, couples should ask about their experience with beach festivities and what geographic range they can provide services for within the state.
By Peter Bruce posted on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 @ 7:09 AM - (General)
1... Money – Yes it's true,show me the money Peter Bruce Photo & Video says. While it may seem impersonal or uncreative,screw it, money is my number one recommended wedding gift. Most young couples are saving for something big – a house, a car, a piece of furniture, or are still paying back their student loans. Money may also help them have an extra-special honeymoon or let them order that extra photo for their album. While it's rude for a couple to ask for money, it is never rude to give cash. If you still want to give a personal wedding gift, combine the two: attach a check to a beautiful picture frame, a kitchen gadget, or a long letter detailing your wishes and advice for their marriage. The people that say money does not buy happiness are DUM.
2... An expensive item off of their registry – Often the more-expensive items on a couple's registry are dream wedding gifts that they don't think they're actually going to get. Whether you're wealthy enough to buy such a wedding gift on your own, or you organize other guests to all chip in, you'll be making dreams come true.
3... A luxurious hotel room for their first night as a married couple – Start their marriage off right by giving them a night to remember before they take off for their honeymoon. Check with the bride's mother or the maid-of-honor to ensure reservations have not already been made, and give your gift early so that they'll be able to include it in their plans.
4... A wedding gift to stand the test of time – Whether it's a bottle of scotch or fine wine with instructions to open on their tenth anniversary, a gorgeous vase, or piece of art, give a gift on which the couple will be able to look fondly and say "Our friend John gave us that for our wedding." Other ideas include the couple's wedding invitation in a beautiful frame, a handmade quilt or tablecloth, or an antique piece of furniture.
5... Make their honeymoon extra sweet - If you've ever been to the place where the couple is honeymooning, use that knowledge to get them a gift certificate for your favorite restaurant or resort activity. You could also upgrade their plane tickets to first class, give them a camera to help them take great pictures, or give them some spending money tucked inside a guidebook of the area.
We hope this helps, not that you did not know money does buy happness
By Peter Bruce posted on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 @ 6:30 AM - (General)
One of the best wedding stories
We were married in Vegas NV. We are geeks, so we booked our wedding online. We wanted everyone to join us, but knew not everyone would be able to travel to Vegas. So, we found "The Little White Chapel" which had a wedding web cam in the church. It wasn't a live stream, but took snaps about every minute. We even booked Elvis online! We sent out the wedding invitations via email and gave everyone the URL for the wedding cam so they could join us remotely.
If they were going to join us in Vegas the dress code for the wedding was "Big Dog" attire. You would have to wear a t-shirt or some other "Big Dog" apparel. My dress had Big Dogs all over it and the groom had a Big Dog bow tie and cummerbund. Most guests wore a Big Dog t-shirt and loved the fact that it was so informal.
For the rehearsal dinner, we took everyone to King Arthur's court where we ate our dinner with our fingers and watched a jousting match.
Elvis was late arriving at the church and everyone said it's because he was dead :) We ended up filling the church and it was standing room only. While we waited for Elvis, someone had the idea to start a "wave" for the folks at home that couldn't make it to Vegas. So we started to do the wave and would pause for the wedding cam to snap a shot then change to the next wave position and waited for the cam again. We kept doing that until the wave was complete. The folks watching remotely said they knew exactly what we were doing and thought it was a riot! There was no audio, so I called work from my cell phone and had someone hold it during the ceremony so they could hear what was going on. There were about 50 people at work watching our wedding - they even brought a wedding cake!
Our wedding was enjoyed remotely by friends and family across the country and about 40 joined us in Vegas!!! After the ceremony, we had everyone back to our 2 bedroom resort suite for champagne and finger foods. For the folks that couldn't make it to Vegas, we had a reception at home after we returned from our honeymoon in Hawaii. MANY people commented that they had more fun at our wedding than any other wedding they had ever been to. People are still talking about it!!! Did I mention this wedding HAD to have been the easiest and most stress free wedding to plan??? Also, the wedding costs were very low, which enable us to spend more on our honeymoon!
By Peter Bruce posted on Monday, November 2, 2009 @ 7:41 AM - (General)
Don't rely upon oral agreements with vendors. Get everything in writing!
Don't try and do everything yourself. Planning a wedding can be a full time job in itself. So, don't try and take on such an enormous project alone, delegate as much as you can! When it comes to weddings, everyone loves to help, so let them!
Don't insist on having it your way all the time! Come to an agreement on the things that are less important.
Don't skimp on your photography. Your wedding day goes by so fast, and after it's over, all you'll have left is your memories and your pictures.
Don't get crazy over every detail. It can really take the pleasure out of the wedding planning process. I mean, will it really matter that the ribbons for the favors are baby blue instead of ice blue?
Don't start your wedding planning without a budget. One of the most stressful elements to wedding planning usually is money. Make sure you decide up front how much your total wedding budget is going to be and who will be contributing and how much.
Don't spend more than your budget or what you can afford. Your wedding day is an important day, but it is only one day. You don't want to start your new life together by going into "serious" debt from your wedding expenses and being strapped with that debt for the next five years
Don't forget to thank everyone involved in your wedding and those that gave you gifts. Also, don't let those thank you notes pile up. Send them out promptly after you receive a gift.
Don't overload yourself the day before your wedding. This is not the time to put together 200 favors. Try to do only one or two small tasks and leave the rest of the day to relax and pamper yourself.
Don't expect perfection for your wedding day. Expect a "terrific" day and set reasonable expectations. Never forget, the main goal is to get married and have fun.
By Peter Bruce posted on Sunday, November 1, 2009 @ 8:57 AM - (General)
Getting Married in California The License
Here's what you need to know to make the marriage legal in California.
So many people forget the small stuff and we at Peter Bruce Photo & Video get asked all the time what do I do about the licence,so here are the facts.In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of the court to find out what your local rules are.
You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.
When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.
And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.
Appointment Suggested... It is recommended that you call the County or City Clerk's office to see if they suggest setting an appointment. You could find yourselves in a long line with as much as a 2 hour wait without an appointment in some locales.
ID Requirement: Picture id such as Drivers License or other valid identification. Some counties recommend bringing certified copies of your birth certificates. Know your parents names,moms' maiden name and places of their birth.
Application Requirement... Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying.
Residency Requirement... Do not have to be a resident of California.
Waiting Period... No waiting period.
Previous Marriages... You must show proof of divorce, death or annulment. You need to bring a copy of your final divorce decree if you have divorced within the 90 days through past year (varies by county.)
Fees... $80.00. Some counties will only accept cash and this may vary
Other Tests: No tests. NO BLOOD TEST IS REQUIRED.
Under 18... If either the bride or groom is under 18, at least one of the minor's parents, or legal guardian, must appear with the couple. Certified copies of birth certificates are required. The couple must also schedule an appointment with a counselor and then appear before a superior court judge.
Proxy Marriage... No.
Cousin Marriages... Yes.
Common Law Marriages... No.
Same Sex Marriages... No. However, Domestic Partnership Certificates are available in San Francisco and Marin Counties. One partner must live or work in that county and both must have photo ID.
Officiants... Any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, of the age of 18 years or over may perform marriages. Ministers must complete the marriage license and return it to the county clerk within 4 days after the marriage.
Valid: License is valid for 90 days. The license can only be used within the State of California.
Confidential License... A regular marriage license is a public record. A license and certificate of confidential marriage is only accessible by the husband, wife, or by decree signed by a superior court judge. At least one witness is required to observe the solemnization for a regular, public ceremony. No witnesses are required to observe a confidential marriage ceremony. A regular license may be used throughout the state. However, the confidential license may only be used in the county of issue. The confidential license costs $80.00 same as the regular license.
Solemnization Authority... Marriage may be solemnized by any of the following who is of the age of 18 years or older:
A Priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination.
A judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired commissioner of civil marriages, commissioner or retired commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of record in this state.
A judge or magistrate who has resigned from office.
Any of the following judges or magistrates of the United States:
A justice or retired justice of the United States Supreme Court.
A judge or retired judge of a court of appeals, a district court, or a court created by an act of Congress the Judges of which are entitled to hold office during good behavior.
A judge or retired judge of a bankruptcy court or a tax court.
A United States magistrate or retired magistrate.
A legislator or constitutional officer of this state or a member of Congress who represents a district within this state, while that person holds office.
Each county offers civil ceremonies performed by a judge or commissioner. The cost is approximately $40.00. For additional information call your County Clerk's office.
Here are the California County Clerk's Office...
Alameda County Recorder Oakland, CA 510.272.6363
Alpine County Recorder Markleeville, CA 530.694.2281
Amador County Recorder Jackson, CA 209.223.6469
Butte County Recorder Oroville, CA 530.538.7691
Calaveras County Recorder San Andreas, CA 209.754.6375
Colusa County Recorder Colusa, CA 530.458.0500
Contra Costa Recorder Martinez, CA 925.646.2360
County Of Orange Recorder Santa Ana, CA 714.834.2500
Del Norte County Recorder Crescent City, CA 707.464.7216
El Dorado County Recorder Placerville, CA 530.621.5490
Fresno County Recorder Fresno, CA 559.488.2609
Glenn County Clerk Willows, CA 530.934.6407
Humboldt County Recorder Eureka, CA 707.445.7593
Imperial County Recorder El Centro, CA 760.339.4427
Inyo County Records Independence, CA 760.878.0410
Kern County Clerk Bakersfield, CA 805.868.3588
Kings County Clerk Hanford, CA 559.582.3211
Lake County Clerk Lakeport, CA 707.263.2293
Lassen County Recorder Susanville, CA 530.251.8217
Los Angeles County Clerk Norwalk, CA 562.462.2137
Madera County Clerk Madera, CA 209.675.7724
Marin County Recorder San Rafael, CA 415.499.6092
Mariposa County Recorder Mariposa, CA 209.966.2007
Mendocino County Clerk Ukiah, CA 707.463.4370
Merced County Recorder Merced, CA 209.385.7501
Modoc County Clerk Alturas, CA 530.233.2512
Mono County Recorder Bridgeport, CA 760.932.5241
Monterey County Salinas, CA 831.647.7906
Napa County Clerk Napa, CA 707.253.4246
Nevada County Clerk Nevada City, CA 530.265.1221
Placer County Clerk Auborn, CA 530.889.7948
Plumas County Recorder Quincy, CA 530.283.6305
Riverside County Clerk Riverside, CA 909.486.7000
Sacramento County Clerk Sacramento, CA 916.874.5522
San Benito County Clerk Hollister, CA 831.636.4029
San Bernardino Recorder San Bernardino, CA 909.387.8314
San Diego County San Diego, CA 619.237.0502
San Francisco County San Francisco, CA 415.554.4176
Orleans Town Clerk Albion, NY 716.589.5100
San Joaquin Clerk Stockton, CA 209.468.2362
San Luis optisp County San Luis Obispo, CA 805.781.5088
San Mateo County Clerk Redwood City, CA 650.363.4711
Santa Barbara County Clerk Santa Barbara, CA 805.568.2250
Santa Clara County Recorder San Jose, CA 408.299.2481
Santa Cruz County Recorder Santa Cruz, CA 831.454.2800
Shasta County Clerk Redding, CA 530.225.5378
Sierra County Recorder Downieville, CA 530.289.3295
Siskiyou County Clerk 510 North Main Street, Yreka, CA 96097 (530) 842-8084
Solano County Recorder Fairfield, CA 707.421.6319
Sonoma County Clerk Santa Rosa, CA 707.527.3800
Stanislaus County Clerk Modesto, CA 209.525.5265
Sutter County Recorder Yuba City, CA 530.822.7120
Tehama County Recorder Red Bluff, CA 916.527.3350
Trinity County Recorder Weaverville, CA 916.623.1222
By Peter Bruce posted on Saturday, October 31, 2009 @ 10:29 AM - (General)
Amid all of the excitement in the weeks surrounding your engagement, there are a few tasks you'll want to take care of right away. Here, five must-dos from Peter Bruce Photo and, most important, how to have a good time accomplishing them.
Start Spreading the News... You may want to let people in on your engagement as soon as the ring is slipped on your finger. Or you might want to keep the moment private a bit longer. However you share the information, even if you veer from tradition, you should tell your parents first, then other family and friends. You'll make phone calls of course, but you can also send email, or have cards printed. You could even throw a party (and no, you don't have to invite everyone on the engagement-party guest list to the wedding). Have fun with it: Turn photos of the two of you holding a "We're engaged" sign into table decorations or posters.
Discuss a Date... Once the word is out, expect lots of questions, including "When are you getting married?" Reveal a date if you have one, or let curious friends know plans are in the works -- as they should be, especially if you want to hold your wedding at a popular time of year, such as June or over a holiday. Locations, photographers, caterers, and other professionals book up early, sometimes a year in advance.
Think About the Big Picture... Envision the type of wedding you both want -- maybe it's the event of childhood dreams or one that reflects your grown-up tastes. For Let your imagination run free.
Even if you are set on a formal event in a ballroom, considering other possibilities, such as a seaside ceremony or a Sunday brunch, may change your mind or reinforce your choice. The same holds true for selecting the time of day and mood of the wedding.
Prior to making any decisions, figure out what you have to spend and whether your families will contribute. Make sure you and your fiance are in agreement about your priorities before talking to your parents about budget and logistics.
Register for Gifts... Surprising as it may seem, as soon as people find out about your impending nuptials, presents will start flowing in. It's never too early to register, not only to help ensure you get something you like and need, but also to make it easier on friends and family who are pondering what to purchase. Even if you don't select everything right away, at least go to one store and decide on some things for your list. You can always add more later and register at other stores. Try to limit your registry to three places. This way, it'll be easier to manage. And, in case you don't get everything you put down, many stores will keep your registry active for as long as a few years.
Insure Your Ring... You may never want to take off your priceless new treasure, but realistically, you'll have to at times. It's a good idea to talk to an insurance agent about coverage in case the stones or the ring itself ever need to be repaired or replaced.
You will first need to get a appraisal by a certified independent gemologist; most jewelers will provide this service upon purchase. And make sure you understand all the terms of the policy. Find out whether you are covered if the ring is lost, stolen, or damaged, and what stipulations there are, if any. If the ring is damaged, does the company give you a check so you can have it repaired by the jeweler of your choice, or do you have to use one of their jewelers? You'll also want to know how long the claims process takes.
You might be able to add a jewelry rider to your existing homeowner's or renter's policy; if not, set up a separate policy. And, most important, take very good care of your ring -- when you're wearing it and when you're not -- because that's the best insurance of all.
We hope this helps you get started. Please let us know
