vivianchen

[vivianchen]

New website, new logo. All of it can be found @ www.vivianchen.com

[vivianchen]

“For me, childhood roaming was what developed self-reliance, a sense of direction and adventure, imagination, a will to explore, to be able to get a little lost and then figure out the way back.” - Rebecca Solnit, A Field Guide to Getting Lost 

If there ever was a sentence that defined who I am, it's this one. My happiest childhood memories are of my time alone wandering the woods behind our home in Westford, Massachusetts. I remember one particular winter afternoon when I walked along the brook that flowed between two neighborhoods. Climbing up the trunk of a fallen tree, I sat and watched the snow fall. There was no sense of urgency, no sense of time. Just peaceful silence and contentment. As an adult, especially in moments of personal stagnation, I find myself trying to recapture that feeling. So it's no surprise that my recent solo road trip to Humboldt County renewed my spirit deeply. The first morning I set out, my heart was racing, knowing I had the full day to myself, to explore, to wander, to be free to fill the day with possibilities.

See more from my trip on Instagram. Follow me @vivian.p.chen!

[vivianchen]

"Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground." - Rumi

We’re having a photography exhibition! I’ll be sharing some of my recent nature and landscape photography on a larger scale. Please join me, Molly DeCoudreaux and Diana Rothery for our opening night reception at the Mission Bowling Club on February 2nd. (And if you can’t make it out, don’t worry, our photographs will be hanging until May 1st.) I hope to see you all there!

[vivianchen]

Happy 2016! It’s been a busy couple of months while I wrapped up what I could of 2015. This year was not without its ups (epic travel plans, see my personal Instagram) and downs (internal struggles I don’t like sharing with many people.) Needless to say, I am looking forward to what this new year will hold! I have some changes in the works for my business and I can’t wait to share them! I also have a major case of wanderlust which I was able to indulge with this sweet rainy day wedding in Oregon. Here’s hoping 2016 is filled with many more outdoor adventures like this! Stay tuned!

[vivianchen]

Shirmila and Tommy’s Berkeley Hills wedding is featured on Snippet & Ink today! Check it out!

[vivianchen]

I can’t believe it’s December already! It feels like just yesterday that we were back here again. I’ve been so busy with weddings and holiday portrait sessions that my personal photography has unfortunately fallen by the way side. Hoping to get back some alone time in the upcoming weeks! I did get a little break in November with a visit to Long Island to spend time Len’s parents. Here are a few photos from our time there as well as a little trip into NYC. You can see more on my personal Instagram feed. 

[vivianchen]

Erica and Dom’s Chalk Hill Estates vineyard wedding is featured on Borrowed & Blue today! Check it out!

[vivianchen]

Tracy and Jarret’s wedding at Beatnik Studios in Sacramento was quite the party! From the hilarious ceremony officiated by Tracy’s uncle to the delicious food truck snacks, their guests were treated to lots of merriment and fun through out the day. Congratulations you two!

Venue: Beatnik Studios » Florals: Wild Flowers Design Group » Baker: Sugar Shots » Food Trucks: Mama Kim Cooks & Krush Burger » Hair & Make-up: The Traveling Stylist » Wedding Dress: Miosa » Shoes: Jimmy Choos » DJ: Beat Fleet DJs

[vivianchen]

Eric and Guinevere met in San Francisco and fell in love with the city as their relationship grew. For their engagement session, we started our portraits in Potrero Hill for a gorgeous view of the city skyline before heading to Palace of Fine Arts where their sweet dog, Maya joined in for some of the photos. I can’t wait to share their San Francisco City Hall wedding!

[vivianchen]

Ana and Zvonimir traveled all the way from Belgium to get married at San Francisco City Hall. Their intimate ceremony featured just the two of them with me as their witness! After some sweet portraits around the building, I said my goodbyes as they were about to embark on a three week road trip adventure through many of America’s National Parks including Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite! Such a wonderful way to celebrate their honeymoon! 

[vivianchen]

While I was in Yosemite for Anna and Erik’s wedding, my cabinmate was Anna’s childhood friend, Miss Indigo Blue. She’s an award winning burlesque dancer and headmistress of Academy of Burlesque in Seattle. When she told me she had brought one of her burlesque outfits and wanted to do a little photo shoot, I jumped on the chance. With the gorgeous high desert landscape around us, I just knew that we’d make some photo magic. Thanks so much for collaborating!

[vivianchen]

Anna and Erik met while hiking the John Muir Trail and they wanted to extend their love for the great outdoors to their closest family and friends with a wedding at beautiful Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park. The whole wedding party got ready at the Double Eagle Resort in June Lakes before heading over to Tenaya Lake. Their sweet ceremony right on the lake under the gorgeous floral canopy design by Katharina Stuart included several readings and a traditional knot tying. Afterwards, their guests were treated to a delicious picnic lunch by the lake. We also snuck in a few portraits at Toulumne Meadows before heading home. What a stunning location!

[vivianchen]

Erin and Joseph’s Piedmont Community Hall wedding is featured on WeddingLovely! Check it out!

[vivianchen]

When Shirmila and Tommy decided to plan their wedding at Panoramic Hills in Berkeley with stunning views of the San Francisco Bay Area, they knew they wanted their guests to feel right at home. With friends and family coming in from all over the world, they wanted to showcase what they loved most about their new home in the Bay Area. In doing so, Shirmila and Tommy chose to focus on creating a warm, intimate environment for their guests. The inspiration for this was the Danish concept (they met while both studying abroad in Denmark) of “hyggeligt” which roughly means a cozy, homey, delightfully intimate, genial moment or thing, like when you are cuddled up on the couch at home with candle lights and warm blankets. The ceremony was officiated by a family friend and dinner and dancing rounded out the evening as the sunset provided the perfect backdrop to their celebration.

Florals: Orchid Florist » Baker: Cakes Made By M.E. » Caterer: Toast Catering » Wedding Gown: Winnie Couture from Emerald City Gowns » Invitations: Brittany Kay » Hair: Rose Bouvier/Panache On College » Make-Up: Adriane Stannish-Rivera » DJ: Love in the Mix » Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

[vivianchen]

Jenny and Alvin wanted to keep it simple for their San Francisco City Hall wedding. With their small group of friends and family, they celebrated the day after the sweet ceremony with a lunch at Park Chow featuring homemade cakes and cookies!

[vivianchen]

Autumn love in Sonoma. See more teasers from Amanda and Oliver’s day on my wedding Instagram.

[vivianchen]

Nancy and Chris’s Clift Hotel wedding is featured on MODWedding today! Check it out!