Ryan and Lucy's Wedding at the Wente Vinyards

By Mark Pereyra

There are a lot of people who talk about being best friends and partners at the same time. But Ryan and Lucy embody that aspiration.

I remember planning their surprise proposal with Ryan. He was going through all these loops because he knew Lucy so well that she would know that something was up just based on the little things that Ryan was doing. For me, that was the first clue that these guys have an undeniable chemistry.

So when they asked me to shoot their wedding, it was a no-brainer.

How would I describe Ryan and Lucy?

Lucy is someone you ride or die with. Someone who will be there for you, with you all the way - whether that's Ryan or her family or her friends. Ryan loves how Lucy can be in the same room with you and just enjoy your company. She makes everyone feel super comfortable, and it was on display at the wedding.

Ryan is one of the most caring guys you’ll ever meet, and he really loves his friends. And it was super apparent throughout the wedding day. During the first part of the day, Ryan had gifts for all his guys, but at the same also wrote letters for the bridesmaids. It just shows you the type of person Ryan is.

Ryan and Lucy complement each other so well. He’s such a goofball that Lucy keeps him in check (in a good way!). It's this yin and yang that's undeniable.

First, we had the ceremony.

It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony with white flower petals on the aisle, giving it an elegant vibe. The day was perfect, with the sun low enough just before sunset, so it wasn't too hot. I remember Ryan walking down the aisle, nonstop smiling, even giving personal handshakes to the guys and fist pumps to some of the girls. And I remember Lucy walking down the aisle with her father as he gave his blessing to Ryan, and it was nonstop smiles from everyone.

Then, the reception.

It was an eventful evening of dancing and R&B jams, and a whole family and friend affair that felt like a nonstop party. From the artistic first dance with the fog and sparkler entrance (some of my favorite photos, by the way) to the lion dancing, to the heartwarming father-daughter dance with Lucy's dad, who is one of the warmest and funniest people ever. Throughout the whole dance, Lucy's dad was just smiling, laughing, and thankful that he got to see his daughter grow into the person she is today with Ryan. We even got to capture a whole group photo, which is hard to do. B they had the perfect venue for it, with a nice vantage point to capture the whole group.

But we can't forget the cow suits that ended the night.

I knew about this plan ahead of time, and towards the end of the night, they came out of nowhere in their cow suits, dancing in the middle of the dance floor. One of the most memorable parts of the night, for sure. But that just speaks to their relationship. They are true best friends, and it's a relationship that anyone should take notes on and just admire.

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I’m so honored to be able to capture these moments and be there for all parts of their life leading up to the day - from the surprise proposal to the rehearsal dinner and the tea ceremony, up until the wedding day.

Thank you, Ryan and Lucy, for trusting me with your photos. I hope you have an amazing life together, and congratulations again.