A Very San Francisco Wedding at Cavallo Point

There are wedding guests, and then there are VERY IMPORTANT wedding guests. For Caitlin and Alex, that was Sadie 😂 Their golden retriever came along for their Bend, Oregon proposal, so obviously she needed to be there for their Cavallo Point wedding too. Add perfect fall weather and the Golden Gate Bridge behind them, and this was a pretty dreamy day.

Add in one of those ridiculously beautiful fall days at Cavallo Point, the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, their friends officiating, their favorite beer on tap and a packed dance floor… it was such a good day.

Golden Gate Views and a Very San Francisco Weekend

For Caitlin and Alex, a huge part of choosing the venue was getting to show off San Francisco to everyone coming into town.

“Our vision was really centered around hosting all our favorite people in San Francisco. We had guests traveling in from all over the world, including Spain and Chile, so our goal was simply to show off the best of the city and the Bay Area.”

Cavallo Point made that pretty easy.

You’ve got the historic buildings, huge eucalyptus trees, open lawns and the Golden Gate Bridge RIGHT THERE. They didn’t need to do a ton to make it beautiful.

“It’s such an iconic spot tucked right under the Golden Gate Bridge that it almost feels like the scenery does the decorating for you.”

Their flowers from Blümhaus Floral Co. followed the same idea, with terracotta, cream and white pulled from the old military buildings and lots of green to blend into the property.

If the location is half the reason you’re getting married there, your photos should show it off too. See more of our California weddings.

Sadie Was Obviously Coming to the Wedding

I mean… LOOK AT HER. 😂

Sadie wasn’t just brought along because having your golden retriever at your wedding is adorable (although YES). She was there when Caitlin and Alex got engaged too.

They spent a lot of time in Bend, Oregon during the pandemic and kept going back every summer. On one of their hikes along the Deschutes River, Alex proposed on a little knoll overlooking the water, with Sadie right there with them.

So when it came time for the wedding, she was IN.

“At the same time, it was important that the day felt personal. We brought in kegs of our favorite beer, added little touches that felt ‘us,’ and even included our dog in the ceremony.”

She got loved on before the ceremony, posed for photos, and then came trotting right down the aisle in front of everybody. She was generally VERY pleased to be included.

What Does Candid Wedding Photography Actually Look Like?

Sometimes it looks like Sadie barreling down the aisle.

Or Caitlin cracking up with her bridesmaids. Alex kneeling in the grass kissing his dog. Guests watching their friends marry them under those giant trees.

That’s the stuff we’re always watching for.

We’ll absolutely help make the beautiful portrait, but candid wedding photography is really about all the little things happening around you while you’re busy actually having a wedding.

How Much Time Do You Really Need for Wedding Portraits?

Caitlin and Alex wanted great photos, but they also wanted to GO TO THEIR WEDDING. Which… same. 😂

They were totally game to step away when we needed them, make some great photos and then get right back to everyone. No dragging things out. No disappearing for an hour while cocktail hour happens without you. This is pretty much our favorite way to work.

Later that evening, Sam grabbed Caitlin and Alex for one more QUICK round of photos.

And with the Golden Gate Bridge sitting right there, you kind of have to.

“We stepped onto the lawn just as the sun was setting behind the bridge, and those photos turned out beautifully. We’re so glad we took a few minutes to capture that moment.”

We find the good light, give you direction so you’re not standing there wondering what to do with your hands, move around a little, get what we need and send you back to the party.

Great photos, lots of direction when you need it, and plenty of time left to actually enjoy your wedding. Here’s how we do it.

A few minutes is the important part here. Sunset photos don’t have to become another giant portrait session. We’re watching the light all day anyway, so when it gets really good, sometimes it’s literally, “HEY GUYS, come outside with me for five minutes.”

For Caitlin and Alex, that was enough time to walk into the field, get some gorgeous photos with the bridge, have a minute together and head right back inside.

Their Best Wedding Planning Advice

Caitlin’s biggest piece of advice is VERY good:

“Try not to overthink it. The details do matter, but once the day arrives, you’re so wrapped up in the excitement of getting married and being surrounded by your people that the small things fade into the background.”

They also recommend getting the big things locked in early, especially your venue, so you have more flexibility with your date.

And one thing they were especially happy they did before the wedding: “Definitely book engagement photos. It’s a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and build rapport with your photographer.”

Your Cavallo Point Wedding Photographer

We LOVE photographing weddings at Cavallo Point. San Francisco views, Marin hills, historic architecture, giant trees, open fields and that little Golden Gate Bridge situation happening in the background. C’mon.

After 15+ years as a California wedding photographer, we’ve learned that beautiful photos don’t need to take over your wedding day.

We’ll direct you, find the good light, move quickly when we need to and then get out of the way so you can go drink your beer, hug your people, dance and hang out with your dog.

If you’re planning a Cavallo Point wedding and that sounds like your kind of photography, come tell us what you’re planning and check our availability.

Caitlin + Alex’s Cavallo Point Wedding Pros

Venue + Catering: Cavallo Point
Planning + Coordination: Oh Splendid Day
Photography: onelove photography
Officiants: Isabel Hines + Gui
Florals: Blümhaus Floral Co.
DJ: AMS Entertainment
Beauty: Contour Bridal
Transportation: Pure Luxury Transportation
Rentals + Lighting: Encore Events Rentals