Archive for April, 2009

Tomomi & John’s Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Written by Door51 Photography on Apr 26 2009 | Wedding

We are so grateful to have been able to not only witness, but photograph this event. With an American wedding in it’s footsteps (set for next week), this Japanese ceremony was a relatively very private event.

For the ceremony, Tomomi wore a traditional white wedding kimono called shiro-maku (white-pure). Watching the bride be wrapped in the many layers and adorned with myriad details was nothing short of awesome. There’s something magical in tradition and rich culture.

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

John was dressed in a montsuki kimono with pleated hakama pants. He wore it well. :)

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

The similarities.
Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Having done some research about Japanese wedding ceremonies, we made a decision to give the day’s photos a traditional look. We hoped to replicate the feel of the century old photographs we’ve seen online. We’ll let you be the judge of how well we did, and would love for you to leave us a comment.

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Tomomi and John’s ceremony was performed at the Sokoji Temple in San Francisco.
Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

The photograph below portrays the bride and groom engaged in what is known as the “san-san-kudo” ceremony, a three-times-three exchange of nuptial cups. Pass the sake, please! … okay, now we want some sake.
Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Door51 Photography: Tomomi & John's Japanese Wedding Ceremony

There is something incredibly charming about holding an old photograph in your hands, isn’t there? And we don’t mean of you as a baby, we’re talking about the one of your grandparents getting married – the one of a kind, faded, cracked, irreplaceable, and priceless.

Click the photo below for a larger version.
Click to enlarge

Tomomi, John… we’ll see you next week!

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Our Two Year Anniversary in Santa Barbara, CA

Written by Door51 Photography on Apr 11 2009 | Family

April 8th made two years since we got married. Little did we know then, that only two years later we’ll have an extra person in our midst. And one that travels so well, too!

Santa Barbara, CA has been at the top of Nicole’s wish list for a long time, and when we got there, it did not disappoint. A five hour drive (with Eva sleeping peacefully in her car seat through just about all of it) got us to what was officially the most amazing hotel we’ve ever stayed in. The place is called The Eagle Inn, and their website does not do it justice! I’m convinced we got the best room in the place, too.

This, right here, is the front of the hotel.

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

… and the side of it …

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

… the lovely landscaping touches …

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

And this is us, taking full advantage of the rich bougainvalia plants blooming all around the place.

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

Day 2, unlike the previous, was nice and sunny! The three of us went for a walk up and down the popular State street. Little did we know that it would turn into a nice 5 hour walk!

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

Had lunch at an Indian restaurant, where food was as good as the service was bad. Eva slept through the whole thing. Good girl. She loves her car seat. (Thaaaank you, aunty!)

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

After lunch we visited the beautiful Santa Barbara Court House. The architecture of the city, much reflected in some of these photos was just amazing. Made us want to move, it really did.

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

A few more of us…

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

… and the mandatory Elvis lip shot. You gotta love that look.

Anniversary in Santa Barbara

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