When Athena, Anthony and I went searching for spots for their engagement photos in Monterey, we found a beautiful clearing under a stand of pine trees along Monterey’s rocky coastline near Lover’s Point.

The couple liked the spot so much, they decided to hold their Monterey wedding ceremony under those same trees.

Athena and Anthony’s wedding was all about friends. Their wedding party was the biggest I’d ever photographed — ten on each side, plus flowers girls and a ring bearer. To fit them all in to a single picture, we assembled the sizable crew on the rocks near the wedding site, and even then had trouble finding places for everyone to stand.

But the photos turned out beautifully, as did the wedding. The reception was held at the Monterey Marriott, in an elegant ballroom with a large mezzanine outside for hors d’oeuvres and socializing.

The guests filled the ballroom for a delicious dinner and were certainly not shy about mixing it up for the bouquet and garter toss, both of which ended in a fun struggle for dominance among the many friends.

In addition to friends, Athena and Anthony’s wedding was all about family. After Anthony danced a heartfelt mother/son dance with his mom, Athena chose to have her dance with her two children, since her own father was there only in memory. It was a touching moment.

For some of my favorite pictures from the day, check the gallery below …