The Ramsey

Rain on your wedding day can happen! Even with a slight rain, we will help you make your dreams come true!

The bride’s comments from their day:

….WOW!! The pictures are beautiful!! We are so happy with them! The lighting was perfect….

Back in December, Gerald and Felicia had contacted Weddings in Monterey and Heidi Borgia Photography about helping them with their dream wedding with their toes in the sand in Carmel on the beach.  They were coming down for a couple of days with their family from Clovis, California.

As with all of our wedding couples, we have a “plan B” situation in case rain is expected. Just a few days before the wedding we checked the weather forecast and it called for rain. As you may know, rain here on the Monterey Peninsula is very rare, so we were very surprised ourselves and started watching the radar forecast very closely from this point forward.

As you may know, rain here on the Monterey Peninsula is very rare, so we were very surprised ourselves and started watching the radar forecast very closely from this point forward.

A day before the wedding we were chatting with Gerald and Felicia and asked if they would indeed still like to get married with a slight rain. They both had dreamed of this day on the beach in Carmel with their families watching them exchange their vows – rain or no rain.

The day of the wedding we spoke with them multiple times and told them about little “windows” of no rain in this exact spot on the beach hour by hour… we found a time and we went for it. They did have a very slight rain during their wedding but it still worked out perfectly.

Their vows to each other were beautiful and included;

As Maya Angelou wrote, “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” Barbara De Angelis reminds us that “Marriage…. isn’t something you get. It’s something you do. It’s the way you love your partner, every day.

Days like these I am so happy that I always have an assistant with me to help set up my portable lighting – quickly and efficiently as we were beating the rain! By using off camera flash (multiple strobes), we were able to make the scenery pop and not dreary/rainy at all.

They stayed in a local venue at The Monterey Hilton Garden Inn and had dinner with their family to celebrate after at the famous Hog’s Breath Inn in Carmel. Felicia’s beautiful florals were supplied by Swenson and Silacci Florist. The colors in her bouquet were stunning.

A little rain in Carmel on your wedding day – don’t let that stop your dream wedding plans! We are always here for our couples to make anything happen.

Vendor Team

Wedding Planner and Permit: Weddings in Monterey

Officiant: Monterey Wedding Officiant – Brian Borgia

Floral: Swenson & Silacci

Photography: Heidi Borgia Photography

Rain on your wedding day…… 

Flexibility is key – rain does not ruin a wedding day!  We are so very lucky to live in an area in California that rarely rarely see’s rain… when it arrives we all sort of scratch our heads and wait to for it disappear very soon.  

We had heard that rain may be coming and knowing that most all of our ceremonies are outdoors, we always watch the weather forecasts for our couples.

Yesterday we were watching the radar maps minute by minute to see if we could make this couple’s dream come true without a drop of rain.  The radar maps showed that there was a cleaning expecting for an hour and a half which was perfect timing for their wedding. We all waiting in our cars (guests, us (officiant/photographer and assistant) with a few chairs – until it was the right moment to pop out and set up.  The day before Brian and I set out looking for an idea spot under the tree’s at Berwick Park to hold a wedding in case it rained.  We found this spot and a couple of other other spots before and after this area.    We knew we had out plan B and C and were super excited to make this happen for them. The couple was gracious and just knew that they wanted to have their wedding outside if they could – even in a sprinkle as they had waiting for was a long time coming.  They really wanted it to happen yesterday as it was their 6 year anniversary.  The pandemic had already altered their plans once and they hoped that yesterday it would be the day to exchange their vows.

In the end, the spot was perfect under the trees.  The rain in the end was a small sprinkle and no one even noticed the rain coming down.  Luckily, I was the only one that got caught in the rain a little and with ziplock bags (no kidding!) for my gear and my assistant holding an umbrella over my head – it was a great success!  As a wedding photographer I have always believed in having an assistant with me during the day to help out with gear, lighting and now… to help out to ensure I don’t get soaked!  My assistant helps ensure that everything is done in a timely manner with no lags during the day for setting up lights, etc.  One of my pet peeves is having the couple wait around for me to “get ready for the shot” and thankfully, I don’t have to do this with an assistant nearby all of the time.  This way I can also get them more images in the time we have together.  

One of the things in life that one cannot control is the weather – we’ve known this for the past 10 years we’ve been setting up weddings for our couples.  Just know that we will do whatever possible to help you have your perfect day – in sun, fog or rain!  We cannot control the rain, but we can control our clients stress levels.  We really appreciated this kind couple to enable for us to make this happen for them.

Congratulations TJ and Shea!

wedding day in the rain in pacific grove with weddings in monterey and heidi borgia photography
rain on your wedding day!

#rainonyourweddingday

Vendor Team

Planner –  @weddingsinmonterey

Venue – Berwick Park in Pacific Grove

Officiant – @montereyweddingofficiant

Photographer – @heidiborgiaphotography

Married on the most romantic day of the year – Valentine’s Day! And being on the top of the cliffs of Big Sur with your closest friends and family watching you exchange your vows. True bliss for these two.

Their attention to detail was perfect! Even the all of the girls in the wedding had matching purses. And her shoes….. total perfection.

To end up the day, they had a fabulous dinner provided by Tarpy’s in Monterey.

Vendor Team:

All inclusive Wedding Planner: www.weddingsinmonterey

Officiant: https://www.montereybayweddingofficiants.com/

Photographer: https://heidiborgiaphotography.com/

Florist: https://swensonandsilacciflowers.com/

Hair and Make Up: https://powersbeautyartistry.com/

Bride’s Dress and Shoes: https://www.davidsbridal.com/

Men’s Apparel: https://www.menswearhouse.com/

Little One’s Apparel: https://www.janieandjack.com/

Dinner Reception: https://www.tarpys.com/

Big Sur Wedding Elopement with Weddings In Monterey

Ahhh- what a session this was. We all met down at the picturesque Glen Oaks Big Sur. The minute you step foot at this venue, the moment your blood pressure drops 10 points! No kidding. So serene and calm/peaceful. I really wanted to play with some new lighting techniques with these two – and I thought the big redwood tree’s would be the spot.

After the Glen Oaks, we headed South about 15 minutes to Pfeiffer Beach. It was crazy windy (you may see this from the imagery) and with just a 1/2 hour before it closed – we had to move quickly. Grateful everyone braved the wind that swept along the beach. My favorite is the first one below – most iconic spot at this beach. Loving on the sunset this magical evening in Big Sur.

photographer: https://heidiborgiaphotography.com/

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidiborgiaphotography/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidiborgiaphotography

venue: https://glenoaksbigsur.com/

Big Sur Photography Heidi Borgia

Where do I start with these two? Let’s just say it was all meant to be. These two met me out at Bernardus Lodge for a quick session in the Rose Garden… where they will be married in late June of this year. I was lucky to meet both of their mom’s too! They were all there that morning doing a tasting for the wedding and it was the perfect time to connect.

I love getting to know my couples a bit before their big day. It allows us to chat and have a little fun and get to know each other.

Their chemistry is electric and we had so much fun together. In all of my years shooting, I’ve never had a groom throw a bride up in the air so high! I’ve had dad’s throw their little one’s up – geez! He is strong!

For fun I asked them to fill out a love questionnaire of sorts – check out their answers below.

Cannot wait for their wedding at the gorgeous Bernardus Lodge and Spa this summer. Stayed tuned for their wedding blog post!

Gettin’ to know Kayhon and Lizi:

First date? The Coffee Shop in Walnut Creek. COVID safe… for the first 2 minutes

Who was interested in who first? It was mutual! We both swiped right! 

Who said I love you first? Lizi

Most impatient? Kayhon

Most sensitive? Lizi

Loudest? Depends who’s wants to be heard more!

Most stubborn? After 15 minutes… we’ve decided it’s a tie.

Cooks better: Kayhon

Better morning person: Kayhon

Better driver: Kayhon

Most competitive: We’re a team… and we ALWAYS win 😉

Funniest: Lizi has been off her meds and thinks it’s her.

Who is more social? We are both butterflies from different cocoons 

Who is the neat freak? LIZI

Where was your first kiss? Our first date (Stud)

Who initiated your first kiss? Kayhon (stud x2)

How long did it take to get serious? I vetted her from our first chat – I wasn’t messing around and was dating to marry. – Kayhon 

Who picks where you go to dinner? Lizi’s allergies.

Who sings better? Winston – the dog.

Spends the most? Kayhon’s taken full advantage of Neiman Marcus filing chapter 11…

Hogs the remote? We don’t watch tv!

Who drives when you are going somewhere? Kayhon – always.

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Session Details:

venue: https://www.instagram.com/bernarduslodge/

https://www.bernarduslodge.com/

photographer: https://www.instagram.com/heidiborgiaphotography/

https://heidiborgiaphotography.com/

Bernardus Lodge Wedding and Engagement Session

When a puppy brings two people together…

Yes! That is exactly what happened with K and R! These two sweet millennials met on Facebook over 8 years ago. She saw a picture of his new puppy and yes, that was it. She DMed him and soon the rest was history.

Kelsey said their first date they “ate an endless amount of clam chowder and laughed the entire night and we’ve been inseparable ever since”. Ricky proposed at the beautiful Hotel del Coronado in San Diego and even hired a secret photographer to capture it all so their families could see it too.

On their wedding day, they look back and loved “living in the moment and hearing the sounds of the ocean”. The truly had planned so long to get married and decided that a Big Sur Elopement with Weddings in Monterey was perfect!

I asked Kelsey about what she felt was important to share with other couples in planning for her wedding day and she said “…photography was number one important as an aspect from our wedding day…. We did a lot of research. Read review! Also, always hire your photographer for extra time. Spending the money for a quality photographer is soooo worth it”. Insert me, Heidi… blushing here :-).

This intimate wedding was picturesque over the cliffs of Big Sur. After the ceremony we took some portraits along the cliffs of Big Sur and then headed down to the Redwoods at Glen Oaks Big Sur. Travel and Leisure even said that they were “one of the world’s most romantic hotels”. Check them out! We highly recommend them as a place of peace and tranquility.

Vendor Team

Wedding Planner – @weddingsinmonterey | www.weddingsinmonterey.com

Officiant – @montereybayweddingofficiants | www.montereybayweddingofficiants.com

Photographer – @heidiborgiaphotography | www.heidiborgiaphotography.com

Hair and Make Up – the bride!

Shoe Designer – @Target –www.target.com – last minute change of plans to get sneaks for the beach!

Bride’s Gown – @davidsbridal | http://wwww.davidsbridal.com

Groom’s Tux – @friartux | www.friartux.com

Floral Designer – @swensonsillaciflowers | https://swensonandsilacciflowers.com/

Cake Designer – @mainst.bakeryandcatering | https://www.mainstreetbakeryandcatering.com/

Accommodations – @glenoaksbigsur | https://glenoaksbigsur.com/

Sweet Chelsea reached out to me as their plans had changed due to the pandemic and I was thrilled she did! This was the most beautiful and elegant small event at the gorgeous La Playa Hotel located in Carmel. She knew when she met Christian 6 or so years ago, that he WAS the one for her. Their vows were so genuine and touching to each other. Brought a tear to my eye. This is just the first of two ceremonies that they are going to have. They surprised most everyone they know that they eloped! Their big ceremony will wait for a bit – but they are so thrilled that they are married now. Melisa at the hotel was a gem and helped them with their dream mini wedding. La Playa – one of the most magical spots to get married in Carmel. After the ceremony (officiated by their dear friend) we took some portraits on site and then a few down on Carmel Beach. I cannot wait to keep in touch with these two and follow their love story….

Team

Venue – @laplayaca

Photography – @heidiborgiaphotography

Floral – @fleursdusoleilmonterey

Hair – @bridalhairbykelsey

Make Up – muahmakeupandhair

la playa hotel wedding

Jeni and Jonathan were to get married originally in August – but their plans changed due to Covid. They switched courses and we were so grateful that they found us! They had just a few guests present to include their sons, her mom and two sisters.

These two were together for six years (wow!) on their wedding day. Another reason they chose Carmel? Jonathan told Jen that he loved her the first time when they were on vacation in Carmel and he also popped the question in Carmel! We are sensing a renewal of vows in Carmel in a six years time too 🙂

Mini Wedding Elopement Wedding with Weddings in Monterey in Carmel, California

Vendors:

Wedding Planning – Weddings in Monterey

Officiant – Brian Borgia

Floral – Wildflower by Hayley

Make Up and Hair – Spa Bella Mobile Day Spa

Photography – Heidi Borgia Photography

Mini Wedding in Carmel with Weddings in Monterey

Was honored to be asked to take Angelita’s senior portraits this season. She is the ‘baby’ of the family as I’ve also taken her two older brother’s senior portraits in the past few years. The first time I met this sweet girl she was in catcher’s gear and in beast mode during a travel softball tournament. My daughter also played travel ball and the two of them were on the same team for a bit. She was so young back then and now.. voila… just like that she’s a senior in high school at Notre Dame in Salinas and has already committed to play softball for Iowa State with a scholarship! Go Angelita! She is one of the most dedicated softball players I have seen over the years – always practicing to up her skills and it paid off! She’s truly a beauty inside and out.

Wishing Angelita a great final year of school at Notre Dame… cannot wait to watch her play softball at Iowa!

I jump for joy (literally, I’m not kidding) when one of my clients orders something that will be ultimately be printed… whether it be a beautiful metallic print, an album, wall displays, framing or more.

Living in this digital age so many images that are taken just sit… sit on your phone, sit in your online album. You have the greatest of intentions of ‘doing’ something with them but sadly a lot of the time they just sit. Why do they sit? Is it because there are so many choices to make? You just don’t have time to look closely at your images?

I personally am exactly THIS person. If you know me, you would know that my husband Brian each November tells me that what HE wants for Christmas is for me to put prints up on our walls at home. I’ve s- l -o -w -l -y been doing this – but alas, I still have a long way to go – to the chagrin of my husband.

For this reason, I’ve decided to offer STEEP discounts on prints for two weeks after your gallery is delivered – 50% OFF! And 30% off everything else that I sell for that two weeks timeframe. I’m hoping to encourage you to order some prints and other items as soon as possible.

Our memories are everything! I do believe that… but wouldn’t it be nice to pass by a wall print every morning on the way to the kitchen to make your coffee? It will make you smile and bring you back to that moment in time. Think about opening up your wedding album on your anniversary and thumbing through it with a glass or two of champagne with your partner. Make it a tradition! Then share that tradition with your future kiddos…. just minus the bubbly.

On June 19th, Scott and Lisa came into town to exchange their vows. Brian married them and I was lucky to document their moments. After they were home they spent some time looking at their portraits from their day and decided on finding that perfect picture that would work well as a wall split. A wall split is ONE image that is divided over many different images.

Please reach out to me with any questions you may have about prints/wall art or albums. Side note – I work with a lab that only works with professional wedding photographers and my computer is calibrated to match colors perfectly so you’ll know that the product is outstanding.

This wedding season, due to the pandemic, many couples have been faced with making very hard decisions based upon what is right for them. From deciding to postpone their wedding for a year to changing up their venue location to whittling down their guest list. From the beginning of COVID, I’ve felt for all of my couples having to facing their own situation and the impending question ‘what do we do now?’. I’ve tried my best to listen to each and every situation and lend as much support as humanly possible – inherently they all know what the right call will be for themselves and their family and friends.

This amazing couple that did just that…. meet Caroline and Edward from Florida. They had been on my calendar for months and we tried multiple times to meet before their ceremony, but COVID snuck in and changed plans. Instead, we had to formally meet on zoom and the minute I “e” met them – I was thrilled as they were fabulous and calm, cool and collected. They knew that they for sure were going to be married on their original wedding day of July 18th, but now the question was how to make it happen. Again, they and some of their guests were coming from out of the state.

In two weeks time (no, I’m not kidding) they changed course from a resort in Monterey to a completely different resort in Aptos. Everything worked out perfectly! Seascape Resort was able to accommodate them and their guests in a beautiful ceremony and reception all set outside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The ceremony chairs were 6 feet apart and the reception tables, that normally sit 8-10 were set for four guests only and also set apart. Social distancing at its finest!

It was an honor to be present and fully take in their moments during the day from behind my lens. I’m grateful to see that smaller sized weddings are still possible for our couples and their dreams can still come true!

Vendor Team

Photography – @heidiborgiaphotography

Venue – @seascapebeachresort

Music – @dnaentertainment

Florist – @swensonsilacciflowers

Cake – @freedombakery

Officiant – Father Jerry of Santa Barbara

Event Lighting – @bayareaeventlights

Seascape Beach Resort Wedding Covid Socially Distanced | Heidi Borgia Photography Wedding Photographer

These two lovebirds… where do I start? Oh my goodness. This past June, Lauren reached out to Brian my husband asking if Weddings in Monterey could help her and her fiance get married. They wanted Brian to officiate the wedding and me to document their day. After spending some time with Brian talking over all of the amazing spots to get married locally – they decided on the gorgeous Bernardus Lodge and Spa. We love working with the staff at Bernardus and were thrilled when they chose this beautiful location in Carmel Valley.

The actual wedding day went off without a hitch! She had just a few family members witness their vows in the rose gardens with the picturesque sunset setting behind the mountains.

You could see in an instant the connection these two have for each other. Wishing them both the absolute best in their new lives together!

Team of Vendors

Venue – Bernardus Lodge and Spa

Hair and Make Up – Mrs. Powersbeauty by Carina Powers

Floral – Unskripted Design by Aga

Officiant – Monterey Bay Wedding Officiants – Brian Borgia

Photography – Heidi Borgia Photography

Bernardus Lodge and Spa Wedding Elopement

About a week ago, these two Monterey locals exchanged their vows in front of their family at the exquisite Highlands Inn overlooking the grand Pacific Ocean. They had bigger plans before the pandemic to have a larger wedding – but decided to make alternate plans that ‘fit’ during this time for them. They had just a few family members attend their wedding and help them celebrate. It will be a surprise to some folks that they did indeed get married after all – they wished you could all be there, but they hope to celebrate with you all after the pandemic is gone and everyone can connect safely.

I loved being a part of their little day and it was even more fun as Stela is also in the hospitality industry locally and we know a lot of the same people! Being an event planner, she knew exactly what she wanted for her big day. With that said, they were so kind and laid back on their wedding day – it was like hanging out with friends and I just happened to bring my camera with me 🙂

Wishing these two fabulous friends a lifetime of happiness.

Vendor Team

Venue – The Highlands Inn

Officiant – Brian Borgia, Monterey Wedding Officiants

Cake – Layers Bakery

Flowers – Burst and Bloom

Hair and Makeup – MUAH

Wedding Dress and Tuxedo – Epiphany Boutique

wedding at highlands inn mini wedding

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