A destination-style vineyard celebration filled with intention, romance & unforgettable moments!

Maddie & Tyler’s Ponte Winery wedding was the perfect blend of story-driven romance, European-inspired architecture, and heart-filled moments that made everyone feel like they were stepping into a fairytale. Their love story began with a DM, but it’s the way they live in the moment — laughing, tearing up, holding hands through the vineyard — that made their day so uniquely them.

If you’re dreaming of your own Ponte Winery wedding (or a long-weekend vineyard celebration anywhere in the world), this post answers the 10 questions couples ask me most about how I create an experience — not just dreamy photos.

Because yes, your gallery will be gorgeous…
but how you feel on your day matters even more. ✨

10 Questions to Ask Your Vineyard Wedding Photographer (Answered Through Maddie & Tyler’s Day)

1. “How do you make a vineyard wedding feel unique to our story?”

This is my FAVORITE part of documenting a vineyard celebration — turning a popular venue into a story that feels completely your own. I never want your day to feel like “just another Ponte Winery wedding.”

For Maddie & Tyler, I knew they wanted magazine-level photos of their intimate moments. So instead of simply walking through the iconic rose arches or pausing along the rows of vines, I waited intentionally until golden hour when the light turned soft and cinematic. I snuck them away for private portraits where it felt like the world paused for just the two of them.

Anyone can walk through the vines; not everyone gets to relive a sunset that was theirs alone.
And those photos — hand in hand, wrapped in golden light — are the ones that last forever.

2. “How do you help us build a timeline that matches our priorities?”

Your timeline is where the magic starts, and it’s one of the things I’m most intentional about during your planning.

During their timeline meeting, Maddie & Tyler told me their biggest dream was to breathe and truly live each moment. So we built their day around that:

• balcony getting-ready portraits with sweeping vineyard and ceremony views
• a bridesmaids first look + a heartfelt father–daughter first look
• portrait pockets that weren’t rushed but fully lived
• a natural flow of celebration after the ceremony

One of my favorite choices?
We used Ponte’s courtyard for family photos — a beautiful balance of privacy while still letting loved ones peek in, smile, and then seamlessly rejoin cocktail hour as each grouping finished.

Your priorities drive every decision. My job is to protect them.

3. “Do you scout locations around Ponte Winery for wedding portraits?”

Absolutely — and this is where my destination wedding experience shines.
I walk the venue, map out the lighting pockets, and find areas that photograph beautifully and feel different from the typical spots everyone uses.

This gives you variety without ever leaving the property — an elevated experience without sacrificing time with your guests.

4. “Will you help us feel comfortable in front of the camera?”

Yes, countless times I’ve been told by couples that they consider themselves awkward in front of a camera. By getting to know you, demostrating a pose, and more – you’ll feel at ease, ready for more poses!

One of the best ways to feel comfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day is by not passing up on an important opportunity! Engagement sessions are one of the most valuable parts of your wedding package because they help us connect long before the day arrives. They help you get comfortable with my posing style and build confidence in front of the camera so your wedding portraits feel natural and effortless.

For example, Maddie & Tyler’s Salt Flats destination engagement session helped them trust the process so deeply that their Ponte portraits unfolded with ease!

5. “How do you balance candid moments with editorial portraits?”

Your wedding day is once in a lifetime — and I protect that.
I will never turn your day into a photoshoot. But I will absolutely seize the chance to make you feel celebrated in your wedding attire with editorial moments that feel luxe, emotional & completely YOU.

One of my signature techniques?
I’ll have one of you pose while the other stands behind me hyping you up — head to toe — about how breathtaking you look and how excited they are to finally see you in the outfit you’ve both been counting down to.

It transforms a simple portrait into one of the most romantic memories of your day.

6. “Do you photograph multicultural or multi-day celebrations?”

Yes — and I absolutely love them.
Every tradition, every ritual, every cultural moment adds depth to your story.
Be sure to mention this in your inquiry so we can talk through every meaningful detail!

7. “Will you help with outfits, color palettes & vineyard-friendly design?”

Absolutely — this is one of my favorite parts of the planning experience because the right styling elevates your entire gallery.

I create custom style boards, vineyard-friendly palette recommendations, and vendor suggestions tailored to your season and aesthetic. For Maddie & Tyler, their warm neutrals paired perfectly with the soft greens and sunlit stone pathways of Ponte Winery — creating a timeless, editorial look from start to finish.

But I always share this reminder:
While I help refine and elevate the visual elements that impact your photos, I do not replace a wedding planner.

A luxury planner is one of the best ways to continue protecting your desire for a high-end, intentionally paced wedding weekend. They handle logistics, guide your guest experience, and create the space for you to be fully present while I document your story with heart and artistry.

Your planner + my storytelling
= a wedding experience that feels effortless, elevated & unforgettable.

8. “Will you help us slow down and be present for our Ponte Winery wedding?”

YES — and this is the part couples and families rave about for years.

To this day, Maddie’s parents still talk about the getting-ready moments I created for her and the golden-hour pockets I protected for the two of them. They said those minutes were priceless — the kind of memories money can’t buy.

Presence is the real luxury of a wedding day.
My job is to make sure you get to feel it.

9. “Do you travel for vineyard weddings?”

Always!

Whether you’re planning a Ponte Winery wedding, a Napa celebration, a New York vineyard estate, or a once-in-a-lifetime weekend in Tuscany, I bring the same level of intention, storytelling & heart — no matter the destination!

10. “Why choose you as your Ponte Winery wedding photographer?”

Because luxury with me isn’t just in the photos — it’s in the experience.

From the moment you inquire to the final gallery delivery, I’m invested in creating a day that feels intentional, heartfelt & elevated:

• I protect the moments you’re dreaming of
• I find pockets of presence you didn’t even know you needed
• I elevate your experience with editorial artistry
• I guide you through posing that feels natural and romantic
• I work seamlessly alongside your planner to serve you deeply
• I tell your story in a way that feels personal, cinematic & entirely YOURS

Your vineyard wedding deserves more than pretty photos.
It deserves an experience that feels magical, unrushed, and crafted with care.

That’s what I created for Maddie & Tyler.
And it’s exactly what I’ll create for you! Save your date here!