Heidi Ryder Photography: The Blog » los angeles wedding photographer

Katie + Steve = Married!

Heidi — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:59:07 +0000

Katie and Steve were my last wedding of 2011 and they couldn’t have helped me end the year any better! Their wedding day was heartfelt and beautiful from beginning to end and I left feeling really great about what it is I do for a living. That’s how I know I just left a really great wedding.

Their day started out with the ceremony at one of the loveliest churches I’ve had the privilege of shooting in so far, St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. The interesting wood beams and large windows that let in tons of natural light had me swooning through the entire ceremony. If I’m going to shoot in a church, I love one that has lots of windows, and that’s hard to come by. The reception was held at Malibu West Beach Club, and had a lovely wintery theme, perfect for a December wedding.

Katie’s mom really put this wedding over the top when she surprised everyone (including me!) with an appearance from the USC Trojans marching band. Katie is a die-hard Trojan and comes from a long line of Trojans, so needless to say, this got the party started. It was an amazing night for an amazing couple and I’m so happy I got to be a part of it! Congratulations, Katie and Steve!

PS: Don’t forget to check out their feature on Elizabeth Anne Designs. I love that blog and am so thrilled to be featured there again!

Coordinator: Whitney Wing-Drake, Wish Wonder Dream // Florist: Greenwich Floral Design // Ceremony site: St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church // Videography: Jakfoto Productions // DJ: M&T Entertainment // Reception Design: CFS Design // Rentals: Ventura Party Rentals // Catering: Monrose Catering // Reception site: Malibu West Beach Club

Featured in The Knot Magazine!

Heidi — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:49:02 +0000

Here it is, my first post of 2012! And I think we’re starting the year off nicely with a print feature – nothin’ wrong with that! This feature is actually from last month, but it’s a Spring/Summer 2012 issue, so it’s still timely.

Justine and Steve‘s awesome wedding got lots of well-deserved attention online, so I wasn’t surprised when the lovely editors over at The Knot asked if they could feature it in their winter issue. I loved shooting Justine and Steve’s wedding day and I’m so glad so many others appreciate the hard work that they put into it.

Hopefully 2012 will bring new print features my way – it’s one of my goals for the year, so I’m going to do my best to make it happen!

Marcella + David = Married!

Heidi — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:01:27 +0000

Marcella and David both grew up in Southern California. It’s where they met and fell in love, but when work took David to Pennsylvania, Marcella soon followed. It’s where they live now, but they returned to to So Cal, the place it all started, in order to promise themselves to each other forever. They had planned on a private civil ceremony, but when Marcella’s mom offered to host something a little more special at her home, the wedding turned into something a little bigger, but still very sweet and intimate.

I was honored to get to document this day for them, and was thrilled when I got this awesome couple alone to myself for portraits at the Arboretum, before the ceremony that was held at Marcella’s mom’s house. It was a beautiful Autumn day and we actually found some trees with golden leaves fit for the season! Here are just a few of my favorites from their day, hope you enjoy them.

Congratulations, Marcella and David!

Emily + Perry = Engaged!

Heidi — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:23:16 +0000

Life is unexpected. We all know this. But Emily and Perry had an extra dose of the unexpected a few months ago when they where hit by a drunk driver while riding their motorcycle. It was a terrible accident that left both Emily and Perry in the hospital. They’re both lucky to be alive, but the fact is even the worst type of unexpected that life threw at them could not derail their love and commitment to each other.

I’ve actually known Emily since she was super young. She’s my best friend’s little cousin so this shoot was kind of surreal to me! It was beautiful to see the two of them together, so full of love for each other. I’m so happy these two found each other and that they’re safe, healthy and together.

Congratulations, Emily and Perry!

Janelle + Dan = Engaged!

Heidi — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:04:08 +0000

Before I sign off for the rest of the week to enjoy Thanksgiving with my family and friends, I wanted to put up a new post of a recent engagement session that I love. I got to hang out with Janelle and Dan at the Viceroy in Santa Monica, a place I’ve always wanted to shoot in but haven’t had the chance to until this shoot. It was worth the wait!

At the start of the shoot, Janelle and Dan told me they were a little anxious about having their photos taken. I can say with certainty that they could have fooled me, because these two seemed as comfortable as can be in front of my camera. Though, I’m sure the fact that I just made them stare into each others’ eyes while cuddling the whole had something to do with it. Love can do that to a couple.

After we rocked it out at the Viceroy we headed to the Santa Monica Pier, which happens to be the site of their first official date. Perfect!

Bubba Gump was where they ate dinner, so it had to get its own little shout-out during the session.

Thanks so much for being so awesome, Janelle and Dan! Seriously cannot wait for your wedding next year!

Judy + Tom = Married!

Heidi — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:48:28 +0000

Judy and Tom was the last of my weddings before a break for several weeks. I was looking forward to some downtime and I was so pleased that my last wedding before the break was such a beautiful one! Judy had three outfit changes and looked absolutely radiant in each and every one. Tom wore a killer bow tie, so you already know how happy that made me. But, most importantly, Tom and Judy were obviously so excited to finally find themselves in the middle of the walnut grove at Tierra Rejada Ranch, on their wedding day.

The day couldn’t have turned out more perfect and I was so honored to be a part of it. Thank you, Judy and Tom – I’m so happy for the both of you!

I’m also pleased as punch to see this wedding featured on The Loveliest Day today! Head on over there to see more from this beautiful wedding:

Caterer: Command Performance //Event Planner: Mia Bella Weddings & Events // Floral Designer: LV Floral // Reception Venue: Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Ranch // Dress Designer: Vera Wang // Shoes: Badgley Mischka// Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew// Photo Booth: The Original Traveling Photo Booth

Lori + Tyler = Engaged!

Heidi — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:50:16 +0000

Lori and Tyler are getting married next year in Maui (jealous!). And while I’m not their wedding photographer, I was so glad to be able to spend an afternoon with them capturing some fun images to celebrate their engagement. They already had a vision in mind and we started the shoot off at the Planes of Fame Museum, a place I’ve shot at a few times before. I’ll never get tired looking at the very cool vintage planes there. They make a great backdrop for photos!

Lori and Tyler are both super into fitness (Lori was even in a fitness video), so they really wanted to show this side of their relationship in photos. The couple who works out together, stays together. Or so I’ve been told!

Before the sun started to set, we grabbed a few more with Lori’s cute bike. These two are just adorable together!

Congratulations, Lori and Tyler!

Lindsay + Brandon = Married!

Heidi — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:41:26 +0000

All of the weddings I photograph are very special to me, but this one has a special place in my heart because the bride and groom are family to me. Lindsay is my cousin-in-law (or CIL, as we call each other) and I was so honored when she asked me to photograph her and Brandon’s wedding in Utah. I’ve mentioned it several times on here, but I really got lucky when I married Chris. Not only because he’s amazing, but because his family is absolutely wonderful, and now they’re my family, too! I didn’t get to actually meet Lindsay in person until after Chris and I were already married, but I adored her instantly. And I didn’t meet Brandon until a couple of days before the wedding, but he’s the perfect match for Lindsay in every way possible and I’m so happy they found each other.

Their wedding was absolutely beautiful and it warms my heart that I was able to play a small part in it. And, because Lindsay loves me, she hired another photographer, the lovely Kayleen T., to cover the reception so that I could pack my gear up, put on a party dress, and dance the rest of the night away. It was the best of both worlds, really!

So, here’s the story of my CIL’s wedding, as seen through my eyes. Hope you enjoy!

The day started off at the salon, so Lindsay could get her hair did. The lovely lady in green is Lindsay’s mom, or Pretty Aunt Lori, as the kids call her. I luff her very much!

Karlie, my other CIL, was also there. She is the bees knees and I feel like I’m laughing every time she’s around. I luff her very much, too!

Lori had a very sweet gift for Lindsay, and made sure to give it to her before her makeup was done, which was very smart because we were all crying when she opened it.

When Lindsay asked me to shoot her wedding I was of course very excited, but when she sent me a picture of what her dress would look like, that was the moment I could hardly wait to get to Utah. It. Is. Amazing.

Lindsay was supposed to have Bridal portraits done with Kayleen a few weeks before the wedding, but her dress wasn’t ready in time so we headed over to the gorgeous venue, Log Haven, early to get a few. When I was shooting these photos I thought I had probably died and gone to heaven. The light, the location, Lindsay, that dress, THOSE RUFFLES! I mean, seriously!

I asked Lindsay to give me some movement with her dress and she gave me her very best Flamenco dancer impression. LOVE IT.

This shot on the left is just one small reason why I adore this girl.

It was finally time for the first look and I met with a nervous and excited Brandon who was looking super sharp and ready to see his bride!

If I could shoot at just one place for the rest of my life, I think it would have to be the mountains of Utah in the Fall. Holy cow.

I helped stuff these little boxes with licorice, so I just had to post a photo of them! Karlee made the cute little love bird tags.

Congratulations, Lindsay and Brandon! I love you guys so much!

Tracy + Jim = Married!

Heidi — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:11:56 +0000

When I first started shooting weddings, I set out with the goal of attracting clients who were unique and crafty and were creating a wedding day that was as unique as they were. Tracy and Jim are those clients, one hundred percent. Not only are they super fun, super cute and super in love, they are crazy creative and really talented. And their wedding was a direct reflection of all of this, which made my job of capturing their wedding day so much fun.

There are so many great handmade details and elements to show here that I couldn’t possible point them all out, but my favorite detail by far is Tracy’s purple ombre dress that she MADE HERSELF. I just loved it. Thanks so much, Tracy and Jim, for allowing for me to be a part of your amazing day. It was so fun watching you two enjoy every second!

I’ll let the rest of the photos tell the story here, but for full details, head on over to 100 Layer Cake, where the wedding is being featured today! Tracy dished to them all about the DIY elements and particular items that were most special to them.

Videography: Erin Yaeger //Catering, Rentals, Florals: Kitchen 12000 // Hair & Makeup (and cake!): Brittany Moody // Ceremony Music: Love, Resonate // Printing: 1 Up Graphics / /Calligraphy: Katrina Presto // Gown & Garter: made by the bride // Shoes: Steve Madden // Jewelry: from the bride and groom’s late grandmothers // Groom’s Suit & Shoes: Zara // Groom’s Bow Tie: Upper French

Sharon + Nick = Married!

Heidi — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:50:02 +0000

I’ve been looking forward to Sharon and Nick’s wedding for what feels like forever! You may remember them from their cooking engagement session, which is still one of my favorites. They were one of the lucky couples who got married on 9/10/11 and even though they live all the way in North Carolina, I’ve gotten to know Sharon over the past year and a half and she’s seriously one of my favorite people! And I just love seeing her and Nick together. They make a fantastic team and it was such an honor to be a part of their wedding day.

Sharon and Nick, thank you for trusting me with your wedding day. It was such a pleasure to be a part of all of the fun and emotional moments you two had together.

Sharon got ready at her parent’s house, which is full of awesome pop-culture references – hundreds of McDonald’s Happy Meal toys and cool posters. I just love this shot of Sharon checking out her make-up with Audrey Hepburn looking on in the background.

Sharon and Nick chose to do a First Look, which allowed us ample time for photos before the ceremony. This one was extra special because they took the opportunity to read personal vows to each other, which made it sort of like a pre-ceremony ceremony. It was seriously beautiful and unbelievably special.

Sharon and her coordinator, Eva from Red Velvet Occasions, spent an entire day making these awesome buttons, which were placed at each table setting. They incorporated such a fun personalized element into the wedding. I took home four with me and have them proudly displayed in my office since I am totally Team S&N!

I loved their cake, and the cake topper, made by a friend of the couple, is just perfect. It’s their Wii avatars! So cute.

Nick planned a little surprise for Sharon, and it was so sweet and adorable I could barely stand it. He sang “I Want to Grow Old With You” from the movie The Wedding Singer. He stood up there and sang it right to her, as if no one else was in the room. Love!

Congratulations, Sharon and Nick!

Vendors:
Coordinator: Red Velvet Occasions // Videography: Shade Tree Films // Flowers: Flower Mart // Hair and Make-up: Susie Chhour Hair | Makeup Studio // Bride’s Dress: Allure Bridals // Groom’s Suit: J. Crew // First Look Venue: Los Angeles Arboretum // Church: St. Thomas More Parish // Reception Catering: Golden Soup Restaurant