There was a sign at Ilene & Mike’s Perry House Monterey wedding that said “Today two families become one, so pick a seat not a side.”

It was a gentle refutation of the long-standing wedding tradition that determines where guests sit during the ceremony, and the gesture wasn’t hollow: Ilene & Mike’s wedding at times reminded me of a family reunion.

The couple got married in one of my favorite venues, the Perry House in Monterey. Not only is the venue a beautiful and cozy spot, but there are lots of locations nearby that provide great backdrops for photos. We were able to do all the group photos and portraits within a one-block radius of the Perry House, and still have a large variety of gorgeous looks for the pictures.

We had a great day, starting early with first look photos and family pictures, taking some time to relax before the ceremony, then a beautiful ceremony leading into a warm reception, with touching speeches and fun dancing. I worked with my friend and colleague Conner Jay at Ilene & Mike’s wedding, and between the two of us we produced a huge number of photos of their day. Check out my favorites in the gallery below.