Mitch and David // Monte Rio

Mitch and David's wedding took place in the tiny town of Monte Rio. It's rare that I get the chance to photograph a wedding in the place where I live. Monte Rio "Vacation Wonderland" is such an easy place to miss when driving on Highway 116 toward the coast. Mitch and David and their group of family and friends brought new life to this sleepy river town.

They love the California coast, so we decided to head out in the early morning to make some portraits at one of my favorite beaches just south of Jenner. We decided to meet at 7am in Duncans Mills.  I was unshaven and a bit groggy, but Mitch and David looked fresh in their stylish matching suits. The light was beautiful that morning. They requested some shots of them jumping to add to their growing collection of airborne self-portraits on beaches around the world. Goat Rock Beach was the perfect place to catch them leaping off the dunes.

Their wedding was held at the meadow behind the Rio Theater. They wove Vietnamese and Jewish traditions into the ceremony, ending with the Jewish tradition of breaking a glass. Family and friends walked with them to the river to launch their canoe and paddle upstream.

Mitch and David arrived at the Monte Rio Community Center dressed in brightly colored traditional Vietnamese shirts and got the party started.