Intimate Luxury at the Legion of Honor & Cathedral Basilica: Patrice & Matthew’s Wedding Story

Some moments in life are so quietly profound, they leave you breathless. Being entrusted to capture these moments is one of the greatest honors of my work as a Bay Area wedding and engagement photographer. Patrice and Matthew first came to me through a recommendation from my coworker, and from our very first consultation call, I knew their love story was going to be extraordinary.

CONSULTATION AND CONNECTION

I always tell my couples that preparation is everything. Luxury weddings, even intimate ones, are about thoughtful details, seamless timing, and creating a day that feels effortless. Patrice and Matthew scheduled consultation calls with me to map out their engagement session and wedding day, discussing everything from lighting and location to capturing authentic, candid moments that reflected their personalities. Their attention to detail made my job as a photographer a joy.

ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE LEGION OF HONOR

For their engagement session, Patrice and Matthew chose the iconic Legion of Honor in San Francisco. With sweeping views of the Golden Gate and a stunning neoclassical backdrop, this location perfectly suited their editorial and romantic aesthetic. We spent the afternoon wandering the museum grounds, capturing the natural chemistry between them through both posed portraits and candid moments. The fog of the early afternoon added a dreamy, cinematic glow, creating images that felt timeless yet modern, just like their love.

INTIMATE CATHOLIC WEDDING CEREMONY

The couple’s wedding day was an intimate gathering of just 10 to 12 of their closest family members at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose. Their ceremony, steeped in Catholic tradition, was both reverent and deeply personal. From the soft lighting of the historic cathedral to the quiet joy shared between family and friends, every detail felt curated and intentional. My role was to capture both the grandeur of the space and the intimacy of their love story, including stolen glances, tender hand squeezes, and quiet smiles that make a wedding day unforgettable.

CAPTURING LUXURY AND INTIMACY

For Patrice and Matthew, every moment was a balance of editorial elegance and documentary authenticity. From their engagement portraits at the Legion of Honor to the ceremonial moments at the Cathedral Basilica, the images reflect both the sophistication of their locations and the emotional depth of their day.

WHY CHOOSE THE LEGION OF HONOR AND CATHEDRAL BASILICA

The Legion of Honor is a premier location for engagement sessions and elopements in the Bay Area, offering dramatic architecture, museum grounds, and sweeping views of the Golden Gate. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph provides a historic, elegant setting for intimate Catholic weddings, where light, space, and spiritual gravitas converge to create unforgettable imagery.

PLANNING YOUR INTIMATE BAY AREA WEDDING

Whether you are planning an intimate elopement, a luxury micro wedding, or a full-day celebration in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, or San Jose, I help my couples curate a day that feels intentional, luxurious, and completely unique. My goal is to capture your love story with elegance, authenticity, and the editorial quality that makes your photos feel timeless.

If you are dreaming of an intimate, curated wedding or engagement session in the Bay Area, reach out today. Let’s design a day that is as unforgettable as your love story.