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

The LA Times wrote a small vignette on Justine and Steve and told their story better than I ever could. It ran in the paper yesterday and I know Justine was SO.EXCITED. about being featured, so go over and take a peek! Congratulations, Justine and Steve! You two are simply wonderful and I couldn’t be more honored to have been a part of your day!

Justine’s gorgeous dress is from Mary Me Bridal. Fit her like a glove.

Justine is a makeup artist and I caught her doing one of her bridesmaid’s makeup. You don’t see the bride doing someone else’s makeup every day. Loved it!

While Justine was getting ready, Steve was on the other side of the hotel getting his hair just so. Apparently Steve and his hair are “a thing.” I was asked by more than one person how long it took him to do his hair.  The answer? It took a while, but Rome wasn’t built in day, right Steve!?

My favorite part about Steve getting ready is the awesome faces he made while concentrating. James Dean, anyone?

The ceremony took place at the adorable Fleur De Lis Chapel in Upland. I was facing Steve when Justine first entered the room and I knew the precise moment she entered without turning around because he became emotional instantly. It was really sweet and I definitely cried from behind my camera.

Having your wedding reception at Planes of Fame means you spend the evening in an airplane hangar surrounded by vintage airplanes. Not a bad way to celebrate, I’d say! Florals were provided by In Flower.

Justine and Steve planned several surprises for their guests. One of my favorites was their grand entrance. Rolling up to their reception in a 40s-era plane? Yeah, that happened.

Shout out to the other vendors that made the day special: Day-of Coordinator: Be Dazzle My Events // Catering: Spaggi’s Restaurant // Cake: Cinderella Cakes // Officiant: Rev. Tom Mosley // Photobooth: Photobooth for Parties

The day began at the Four Seasons, Westlake Village, where Jennifer and her girls began preparations for the day. The light in the suite was so beautiful, I could have shot in there all day! Brides, when choosing a hotel room to get ready in on your wedding day, choose one with lots of huge windows, you won’t be sorry!

Jennifer’s hair was done by Lynn at Entourage Salon and her flawless makeup was executed by Nida Kowathana of Wish Wonder Dream.

I met up with Joe and his boys at a neighboring hotel.

We finally made our way to the beautiful Maravilla Gardens, or as I like to call it, my new favorite wedding venue! Everything about this location was picture perfect and very conducive to events. It was so much fun to wander the grounds and shoot.

Jennifer and Joe opted to do a First Look. It was a beautiful moment that was quiet, sweet and emotional. Absolutely perfect.

Unique Floral Designs created the vibrant floral arrangements that pulled together the bright and cheerful vision Jennifer had for the day.

Since there was already a putting green at Maravilla Gardens, Jennifer and Joe provided some cute custom golf balls as an interactive favor for their guests. Love it!

Dean Merrill officiated the beautiful and touching ceremony. Love this moment of Jennifer’s dad giving his daughter a heartfelt hug before handing her over to Joe.

The light immediately following the ceremony was PERFECT, so we took some time to wander the grounds and get some lovely portraits of the happy newlyweds.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give a huge thank you to Whitney of Wish Wonder Dream, Jennifer and Joe’s wedding coordinator. She was the one responsible for introducing me to Jennifer and Joe in the fist place and she made sure the entire day ran so smoothly and always kept me in the loop. She’s a dream to work with and I can’t wait to work with her again soon!

I don’t normally get to taste the cake when I’m shooting weddings, but I managed to get a slice of this one by Skiff’s Cakes, and it was delicious!

Derek and Keeley of SOS Entertainment did an amazing job setting the tone of the reception with a perfect playlist. I seriously loved every single song they played, which almost never happens. Also, I got super weepy during Jen and Joe’s first dance and the parent dances. They were just so full of happiness and smiles and Jennifer has this incredible way of floating around the dance floor in a very pure and happy way. It was great.

At the end of the night, Jennifer and Joe had a sparkler sendoff, which is always a great way to end a perfect day!

Congratulations, Jennifer and Joe!