San Francisco Botanical Gardens wedding | Melanie & Eric

January 7, 2023 Real Weddings

As a wedding photographer, I am always excited to capture the special moments of a couple's big day. But when I was hired to photograph the wedding of Melanie and Eric at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, I knew it would be extra special. They wanted to take photos all over the gardens together and with their bridal party both before and after the ceremony, and I was more than happy to oblige.


They were filled with excitement and anticipation as they prepared for their first look at the Zellerbach Gardens of the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Surrounded by vibrant flowers and the peaceful setting of the gardens, they finally saw each other, and their eyes locked in a gaze of love and emotion.


I snapped a series of photos as they shared a tender embrace, then walked hand in hand through the gardens, pausing for more portraits along the way. The first look is always a special moment for a couple, and Melanie and Eric's was no exception. It was a beautiful start to their wedding day, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.

After taking some portraits at the Zellerbach Gardens, we made our way to the Moonviewing Deck. This popular spot was fortunately empty when we arrived, providing us with the perfect opportunity to capture some fantastic photos. 


The Moonviewing Deck is a wooden platform suspended over a pond and surrounded by gnarled tree trunks and Japanese fauna. The serene and peaceful setting offered the perfect backdrop for some intimate photos of Melanie and Eric on their special day.


As I snapped some photos of the couple together, the soft light filtering through the trees and the gentle breeze rustling the leaves added to the dreamy atmosphere. We were lucky to have such a picturesque location all to ourselves, and we made the most of it.

The wedding ceremony was a truly special and unforgettable event, held amongst the towering redwood trees of the San Francisco Botanical Garden in a serene and peaceful grove. A beautiful circular arch decorated with flowers served as the backdrop, and a guitarist provided the music.


As the ceremony began, Eric shot me a look of excitement and anticipation. He knew that the love of his life was about to make her way down the aisle. And when Melanie appeared, his face lit up with joy.


It was clear to everyone present that Melanie and Eric genuinely loved each other, and their friends and family had come to witness and celebrate their union. One of their best friends officiated the wedding and did a great job of bringing warmth and humor to the proceedings.

The ceremony was intimate and emotional, and it was an honor to capture these beautiful moments.

After the ceremony, Melanie and Eric were all smiles as they posed for photos with their bridal party. They had fun together, laughing and enjoying each other's company. We also took some playful and romantic photos of the couple in front of the circular arch, with bubbles all around them. The bubbles added a touch of whimsy to the photos, and the couple was clearly having a great time.

As the sun began to set over San Francisco, we made our way to the New Zealand Garden for some more photos. The light was spectacular, casting a golden glow on the exotic plants. The couple had fun together, laughing and enjoying each other's company as we captured some beautiful and romantic photos of them in this picturesque setting. The soft light of sunset and the vibrant colors of the plants made for a dreamy and magical atmosphere.


These are some of my favorite photos from the wedding. The couple's happiness and love for each other shone through in every shot, and it was a joy to photograph them in this beautiful and exotic setting. The New Zealand Garden was the perfect spot for some stunning and memorable photos.

After the wedding ceremony and photo session, the couple and their guests made their way to a chic city restaurant, Starbelly, for the reception. The couple had planned a fun and interactive Trivia game for their friends, and the competition was fierce once everyone learned that the winner would get to sign the marriage license.


The reception was filled with laughter and joy as the couple's friends and family celebrated their union. The couple's moms hung out together, chatting and enjoying each other's company. It was a fun and joyful event, with a lot of laughter and emotion. Melanie and Eric's love for each other was evident in every moment, and it was an honor to be a part of their special day. The reception was a fitting end to a beautiful and unforgettable wedding day.

As I look back on the wedding of Melanie and Eric, I am filled with gratitude and joy. It was an honor to be a part of such a special and unforgettable event, and I am grateful to the couple for choosing me to capture these beautiful memories.


From the vibrant flowers of the Zellerbach Gardens to the towering redwoods of the Moonviewing Deck, the San Francisco Botanical Garden provided a stunning and diverse backdrop for Melanie and Eric's special day. And as their photographer, it was my privilege to capture all of the beautiful moments that unfolded.


I would like to thank the other vendors who helped make this event possible. From the florist who created the beautiful arrangements to the restaurant staff who provided delicious food and drinks, everyone played a crucial role in making this wedding a success.


Thank you, Melanie and Eric, for trusting me with such an important task and for being such a wonderful couple to work with. Your love and happiness shone through in every moment, and it was a joy to capture these memories for you. I wish you all the best in your future together and hope these photos will bring back happy memories for years to come.


Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: SF Botanical Gardens

Reception Venue: Starbelly

Planner: Exquisite Events

Photographer: Picturist Photography

Photo Assistant: Christina Perhac

Makeup & Hair: Beautiful by Maria

Musician: Christopher Nicklin

Rentals: The Arch Guy

From the couple:

From the couple:

"Danieka is an amazing wedding photographer and she did a wonderful job for our engagement and wedding. We have hundreds of beautiful, candid photos capturing every moment of our wedding, including unique shots that truly wowed us. She is very approachable and did a great job making my wife and I all feel comfortable. Finally, she went above and beyond by sharing a wedding day of timeline that helped us run ahead of schedule. We couldn't be happier and would wholeheartedly recommend her!"

—Melanie & Eric

Don't forget to check out the couple's engagement photos taken at the stunning Mori Point in Pacifica!

Pacifica Engagement session

Check out this couples engagement photos