John W. Farrand Photography Blog

There really are no words for how uniquely pure the love is between Anna and Andrew. Watching them slowly stitch their lives together over the course of their engagement has been such a gift to us, so you can imagine how completely satisfying it was to witness and document their wedding day.

Sometimes love looks like flowers, sunsets, and champagne. But with these two, it looks more like Marvel comics, Storm Trooper masks, swing dancing, and Lord of The Rings goblets. Everywhere we turned, there was some sort of token pointing to the distinctive bond that they share. When it comes to showing guests a good time, Mr. and Mrs. Hare are unmatched.

Thank you, Anna and Andrew, for inviting us to be a part of your big day. Cheers!

We are so excited to be shooting Anna and Andrew’s wedding coming up in just a couple months!  We wanted to do a little “warm-up” session with them, so they can get used to how it feels in front of our camera.  I think they’re doing just fine.

See for yourself.

BTW, the lettering on the thumbnail for this post came directly from their wedding invitation designer Cassie Poe.  Thanks Cassie for letting me use your amazing hand-drawn typography!

Announcing Daniel and Serena Hinojosa!  We couldn’t be more excited to share this day with this amazing couple.  From our first meeting in Starbucks, we knew we were on to something good with these two!  We had so much fun with them during their engagement session in Disneyland earlier this year, and knew that their wedding was going to be a blast.  We couldn’t wait!  This sweet couple is full of love for each other, and those around them.  In case you couldn’t tell from these pictures, they’re also some of the happiest people you could ever hope to meet.

Daniel and Serena are also fellow Disneyland lovers, so they have a special place in our hearts.  If that weren’t enough, Serena had a hidden Mickey sewn into her dress!!  Check out the last picture of this set.  I couldn’t help but giggle like a little boy (or probably more like a little girl) when she showed me.  I hope you enjoy these pictures!  This day was so much fun!

Thank you Daniel and Serena for letting us be a part of your day.

Wedding coordinated by the incomparable Tracey Buys of Attention To Detail.  This is the 2nd chance we’ve had to work with Tracey, she’s amazing!  Seriously!

Well, this was a BIG wedding and was A LOT of fun!

I was asked to do something a little different for this wedding… video!  Even though most of my adult professional life (well, pretty much all of it), has been dedicated to video work.. when it came to weddings, photography was really where I focused.  One of the main reasons I moved back to Bakersfield in 2006 was to start a wedding video business.  As life would have it, that didn’t happen!  I decided to professionally photograph weddings instead.  This little video was sort of an experiment.  Beyond being an experiment, [the wedding] was an EXPERIENCE.  This was the biggest wedding Melissa and I have attended, and wow, was it amazing!  The DJ Bino Bates was hands down, the best wedding DJ we’ve experienced!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception DJ
Bino Bates (Bino’s Entertainment/Let The Music Play)
Wedding Photography:
Ashley dePoncier Photography

Melissa and I are blessed to work for an organization in town that actually lives up to it’s motto(s).  There are several mottos and titles actually, but probably the most important, all-inclusive title for Covenant Community Services is “HQ of Hope.”  We get to see this come true everyday with the former foster youth who walk through the doors, who have little hope to succeed in life, but with the help of the “Transitional Housing Program,” they are able to find real help, guidance and hope for their lives.

Without saying more about the program I wanted to share a truly special day that Melissa and I were lucky to be a part of.  One of the success stories from Covenant, David Anderson and his [now wife] Veronica were able to have a small wedding on 12-12-12 at the Mill Creek Linear Park in Downtown Bakersfield, CA.  They still plan on having their big wedding next year, but how cool to have that date as your anniversary?

Early in the afternoon, I said to David, “So, this is a big day for you?” (Profound, I know.)

“Yeah, I never thought I’d be getting married…”  David responded with a gentle smile.  “It’s a good day.”

The overcast skies didn’t even matter to anyone in attendance.

Here are a few pictures from the day and at the bottom, I’ve posted David’s story that I edited a few months ago.  Considering his story, I’d agree with him…

12-12-12 was a good day.

These two beautiful people, along with their families, made us feel so welcome during their special day.

We had an absolute blast shooting this wedding.  From the R2D2 groom cake, to Michelle’s response speech to her Maid of Honor toast (“First of all… “), I found and continue to find myself amused by these bright lights we get to now call our friends.  We found perfect Disneylanders too!  You can see that here.  :)

Thank you Jeremy and Michelle.  We can’t wait to see where life takes you guys, and let us know about babies!

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This wedding was so beautiful.  We noticed spectacular planning by the amazing Tracey Buys of Attention to Detail.  Looking back, Melissa and I wish we could have used Tracey for our wedding.  She is dynamite.  If you’re getting married, look her up!

Emceeing the evening was Kyle Brown of Good Time Entertainment, who was exceptionally helpful to us.

What can be said about the Bell Tower Club?  Amy and the entire staff were a delight to work with.  I just remember thinking, “This is a classy joint!”

And, as always I want to thank our awesome 2nd shooter Laura Tavarez!

Here is a sampling from the day:

I always like to set up the photo booth right off of the dance floor.  People love to get crazy when they’re dancing, and get their picture taken!!  Even at the Bell Tower Club!  I’ll post more from this blast of a wedding soon!  For now though, enjoy the craziness!   Jeremy and Michelle, we LOVED your wedding!  Thanks again.

Head to the ordering gallery to see more photos!

The day came and went, but this beautiful day won’t soon be forgotten.

What a sweet day this was!  Taryn and Andrew were married at the Cesar Chavez Center in Keene, CA.  I was amazed at how pretty the facility and grounds were.

Take a look at their day.. my pictures can’t come close to how special the day was.

Special thanks and shout out to Laura Tavarez Photography for helping me on this HOT day!

Melissa and I LOVE doing PHOTOBOOTHS!  We have so much fun with the guests!  For our weddings we always offer a Photobooth as a popular add-on.  The images that come from our photobooths are always high quality and super fun!  You can see why these are so popular to include at a wedding.  In and around Bakersfield, you may see us at a wedding or company party, and sometimes even a house party!

Misty and Greg [Higgins] asked us to be a part of their beautiful wedding day.. and after the sun set, the dance music triggered the start of the photobooth!  Take a look at these fun pics!  Misty and Greg.. Your wedding was so fun!

The Gardens at Mill Creek are a great place to host a wedding!  A really beautiful venue.. Check it out!

This wedding was so sweet!  Melissa has known Sam and Cheyenne for a long time, and being invited guests was really special for us. Their wedding was at Savior’s Community Church in Visalia.  I don’t have any pictures of the wedding, because Melissa and I were enjoying just being guests this time.  :)  But, check out this photobooth!  It was so much fun!