In front of their closest family and friends, Rose and Vincent renewed their wedding vows, 65 years after their first exchange of vows. Their children and grandchildren were there to see it. Some friends and family who were there on their wedding day were there for the renewal. There was hardly a dry in the house as they recited their wedding vows again, 65 years later. It was a beautiful reminder that the promises couples make to each other on their wedding day create something bigger than themselves. I hope to witness this reaffirmation of commitment for other couples in the future.

And I hope Chris and I are lucky enough to have 65+ years together. Actually, I hope that for everyone. Here’s to a lifetime of love for all.

And so the wedding day carried on with as much fervor as any sunny day wedding, though maybe with a higher umbrella count. Cindy and Shiang were married at one of the mansions on the Ambassador Campus in Pasadena. It was the perfect setting for a rainy day wedding, because it felt like we were in the English countryside. The rain even let up long enough for us to take portraits outdoors!

Cindy and Shiang, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your amazing day. Your love for each other is inspiring and your kindness towards others does not go unnoticed. You two are so great together!

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!

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

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 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

I wanted to talk a little bit about the process, but I can’t for the life of me find the original inspiration board I created. I’m kicking myself right now! I think it’s really fun to see a starting point of design and see how it all ended up. Truth be told, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted when I hired Ashley, but I’m not so sure that I did. My old branding was great while I had it but as my own style began to take shape, I decided that the look of my brand was too cute. I wanted something more sophisticated, without being too stuffy. It still had to be “me.”

Because Ashley is great at what she does, she was able to ask me all the right questions and help me put a name on my aesthetic. I knew I liked the clean lines and ‘form follows function’ approach to mid-century modern design, but I also loved natural woods and nature.  And, I had to keep the owl, he just needed to grow up a little.  I explained all of this to Ashley and she said, “Oh, you like organic modern.”  And, with that, I had a name for the look I was into. Fantastic!

There is still one more very cool element being designed, but here are some photos of all of the other elements I’m using  for packaging and promotional materials. I love the way the kraft paper brings in the natural elements I love to the clean and modern design. It’s perfect! Some current clients have already seen some of this stuff and I’m looking forward to using it for my new clients, too!

Here’s a shot of the entire spread: From left: DVD case, letterpressed note card, envelope with custom liner and label, owl-stamped kraft box which contains the custom-engraved wooden USB thumb drive, which is sitting next to my letterpress business cards.

A closer look at my business cards. My custom pattern and branch design were letterpressed on a beautiful, thick cotton card stock. Kraft paper labels were letterpressed with my logo and contact information and each label was hand placed onto each card. I love them.

The DVD cases also feature my custom pattern and are personalized for each client’s wedding.

My note cards were letterpressed on the same card stock as my business cards and feature my logo on the front and the custom pattern in one color on the back. I use kraft envelopes with a custom envelope liner, where the pattern makes an appearance again. That pattern is definitely my favorite part of the entire brand.

Here’s a closer look at my wooden USB flash drives. I deliver my clients’ engagement photos on these and I think it’s always a nice little surprise. The best part is, they’re re-usable!

I’d like to give Ashley a big virtual hug for being so awesome and patient with me. The re-branding process is not easy, but she never made me feel like I was crazy or too indecisive. Thanks, Ashley!

If you’re a current a prospective couple of mine, shoot me an email to get more information about adding a photobooth to your wedding!

And then I heard about the kind of wedding they were planning, and my excitement level jumped through the roof. Seriously. These two put together a wedding day that was super fun, super cute and very much “them.” Jessica is a designer and so she of course handled their invitations and Save the Dates – the best ones I’ve ever seen aside from my own wedding invites. They’re 3D and come with monogrammed 3D glasses! Awesome!

And their reception? Their reception was at a bowling alley. But not your average neighborhood bowling alley. Montrose Bowl is only open for private parties and it’s completely retro. No electronic scoring and original decor and design from the 50s, which made it the perfect home for this 50s-inspired wedding. I’ll let the images tell the rest of the story. Enjoy!

And, I’m so pleased to see others appreciating this wedding as much as I do! Check out their feature on Ruffled!

Vendor Love: Ceremony location: Brand Art + Music Library // Reception location: Montrose Bowl // Invitations: Little Hinka // Bride’s bouquet: Made of brooches from bride’s friend and family, put together by bride’s mother // Bridesmaid’s bouquets, corsages and bouts: Made of paper, put together by bride // Catering: Seabirds truck // Cupcakes: Babycakes NYC // Bride’s Hair: Missy Lowe

Vee and Jessie, you two are amazing! I’m so glad I was part of your wedding day. Thanks for making me feel so welcome. And thanks to Amanda of In The Now for coordinating the day and helping Vee and Jessie pull all of their ideas together into one cohesive, beautiful event. As an example of just how great the wedding was, it’s been featured on Green Wedding Shoes today! Head on over to my favorite wedding blog and take a look-see at more of the incredible details!

A list of the vendors who made it all possible: Coordination: Amanda Aeur of In The Now Weddings// Graphic Design: Kristen Pon of In The Now Weddings // Venue: Riverside Art Museum // Catering: Soho Taco // DJ: John Suarez, After Dark Entertainment // Hair & Makeup: 1011 Makeup // Dress: David’s Bridal // Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Custom // Veil: Tessa Kim // Shoes: Vivienne Westwood for Melissa // Groom’s Suit: Nautica // Flowers: Leslie Burgess // Linens: La Tavola Linen // Rentals: Signature Party Rentals // Cake and Cupcakes: Phood on Main