california Wedding Photographer
Unscripted moments. Genuine laughter. Photos that feel like you.
For the wildly in love, the carefree, and the real.
Your Wedding Day Deserves More Than Poses. It Deserves Your Truth.
I'm here to capture the moments you'll feel, not just the ones you'll see. The spontaneous laughter. The tearful vows. The way your partner looks at you when they think no one's watching. These are the photographs that will make your heart skip a beat 20 years from now.
After documenting over 400 weddings across the US and internationally for 11 years, I've learned something important: the best wedding photos aren't created—they're captured. They happen in the in-between moments, the unscripted seconds where your true story unfolds.
I don't believe in stiff poses or fake smiles. I believe in gentle prompts that let you be yourselves. I believe in arriving early and staying late because I refuse to miss the magic. And I believe that your wedding photos should feel like flipping through the pages of the most beautiful day you'll ever live—authentic, vibrant, and unmistakably yours.
Your new wedding photographer and best friend
MY NAME IS HOANG DAO AND I AM A DESTINATION PHOTOGRAPHER & FILMMAKER
Hi, my name is Hoang Dao ( Henry Dao ) and I am a professional wedding photographer in California. This is my passion and profession which I have found in love with shooting weddings. This beautiful journey have fulfilled me for 11 years shooting wedding over the world. To me, doing a wedding is not just a job but also one of the kind experience and joys that no other job can bring up.
When I deliver your gallery and you cry happy tears seeing yourselves truly seen for the first time that's my passion. That's what drives me.
Unpopular opinion: posed wedding photos feel...off.
You know the ones. Stiff smiles. Awkward hands. Everyone looking at the camera but no one looking happy.
That's not how I shoot weddings.
Because here's what I've learned after 400+ weddings: the photos that make you CRY years later aren't the posed family formals.
They're:
Your mom fixing your veil with tears in her eyes
The way your partner's hand trembled during the vows
Your flower girl's face when she saw you in your dress
That moment you looked at each other and just...laughed
These moments can't be posed. They can only be captured.
That's the Ethereal Wedding difference. Real moments. Real emotions. Real you.
Ready to tell your authentic love story? đź’•
Our work
Kinds words from our client
The photos are just the beginning. It's the experience, the trust, and the peace of mind that makes all the difference.
After 400+ weddings over 11 years, I've had the honor of witnessing and capturing hundreds of love stories. But don't just take my word for it—here's what couples say about working with Ethereal Wedding:
Contact us.
We are so excited to know more about you
Tell me all about your wedding!
I love getting to know more about you and connecting with you? How did you two know each other? How did you/ your fiance propose? What are some obstacles to your love journey and how did you two overcome them? Have you decided on your big day? what are you two’s hobbies? Do you have pets? Do you guys enjoy spontaneous adventure? What can I do to help you achieve your dream wedding? ANYTHING you would love to tell me because I care! I'm here to help and guide you with all things wedding photography and beyond. Use the form below to get in touch and I promise I will get back to you as quickly as I can
WHY SHOULD YOU BOOK ME?
What Makes Ethereal Wedding Different
I'm not just your photographer—I'm your backup wedding planner, your timeline guardian, and your calm in the storm.
Here's what working with me actually looks like:
I arrive early (because the getting-ready moments are pure gold)
I stay until you're done (sparkler exits don't wait for contract hours)
I plan your day like it's my own wedding (timelines that actually work? Yes, please)
I give you prompts, not poses (I'll tell you what to do, then let you be you)
I have 4 backup cameras (because Murphy's Law doesn't take wedding days off)
I deliver 1000+ images (usually way more than promised—I can't help myself)
FAQs
WHY HIRING ME AS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER ?
Because I care about your wedding as much as your care about yours. Not just I and my team will be there capturing your wedding’s moment. I will be with you throughout the wedding plan to make your big day significant. From designing your timeline to help you manage other details within your budget. Coming from a strong background in Wedding industry, I want to make you you enjoy your big day as the way you want, capture the real moment as you deserved !
COVERAGE + TRAVEL
I work mostly in the Northern/ Southern California , however I also travel to different state or regions if requested .
Most of my wedding is free of travel within 120 miles of driving . I do charge an additional $0.5/ mile if it exceeds the 120 miles limit. Clients have responsibility to cover up hotel and any applicable travel fee if it is in different state or the location requires extensive traveling .
DO YOU OFFER WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY ?
Yes, I offer both photography and videography service. I have collaborated with a lot of awesome and talented videographers in the pasts that can help you with the video . Please send me an email / reach out to me if you need your video covered.
WHAT PRIMARY PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Making photos at your wedding requires me to be excellent at several styles of wedding photography. In a typical wedding day there will be times where I will need to work in a contemporary style, a documentary style, a fine art style, or an editorial style. A wedding album isn’t complete without stunning portraiture, and Mom will kill you if we don’t get some traditional posed photos made. But if I have to label myself, I would say my work is a blend of documentary and contemporary portraiture.
WHEN WILL WE GET OUR WEDDING PHOTOs?
Wedding photos are processed immediately upon your wedding day and generally arrive 1-1.5 months after that. Because each wedding is unique, the amount of time to complete them can vary, but it’s sooooo worth the wait!