This family farm wedding for Maria and Jon was long in the making, and after years of planning, they finally said I Do!
Monterey Wedding Photographer
Hey, there! Welcome to the blog. My name is Dana and I am a destination wedding photographer based out of California and Japan. Since 2018, I have photographed many weddings for incredible couples that bring me joy. Maria and Jon were one of them. My couples are why I love my photos and love being a wedding photographer. Seeing two people come together and become one is such a joy. This blog shares all about the weddings I capture and the travels I do, so thank you for stopping by! Now, let’s chat about this lovely couple.
Jon and Maria
There is such history between these two and myself. When I first moved to Monterey, back in late 2020, I did a contest for a free engagement session. Couples would apply and I decided the winner based on their story of love and growth. Maria and Jon won, and I am so glad they did. These two have been such a joy to know. For a few years, we had stayed connected. Then, when they both wanted me as their wedding photographer, I cried. I adore these two and now they trusted me to fly all the way out from Japan to photograph their wedding. Truly felt like such an honor.
Jon and Maria met online and chatted about a month before they officially met. The bonded over trying new places to eat, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors. On Christmas, he asked her to marry her by simply placing the ring box inside another box. She opened his gift first, and once she saw the ring, he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him!
Now, as they are married, they want to start a family and work together to grow Jon’s own security company. Personally, I love when couples come together and support each others dreams. Maria and Jon both have big hearts, and make each other laugh! These two are met to be in so many ways, and I am so glad I had met them.
Family Farm Wedding
The day started off very hot in Mountain View, but that did not stop the wedding from continuing on. This day was what Taylor Swift would say, ‘a long time coming’. I remember when I first did their engagement session in 2020, and then when they hired me last year to be their photographer. The time had gone quickly, and the weekend I have been waiting for had arrived.
Everyone who had attended this wedding was hot. Fans were provided and so was cold water at every part of the wedding venue. Still, everyone smiled with happiness because they were excited to see these two day I do!
For their ceremony, Jon broke the glass for a tradition for his Jewish heritage. They wrote their own vows, had a first kiss twice (they couldn’t help it), and their parents blessed the rings before the official exchange.
As for their reception, we had incredible food and a dessert table that will leave me dreaming of those s’mores cookies for ever!
We cannot forget about the dancing, Jon singing to his bride, and an incredible exit that pulls the end of the wedding perfectly.
My team and I loved being part of this day, and we wanted to say thank you for the family for being very welcoming and supportive of us!
