Just a day after documenting their wedding day, Laura, Michael, Jared (thanks for all your help!), and I trekked down to the beaches of Santa Barbara for their Trash The Dress (TTD) shoot.

They were such troopers for braving the water and more so willing to literally trash their wedding attire (although Michael kinda cheated and wore one of his other suits :P while Laura drenched her beautiful dress!). Jared helped me record some behind-the-scene video clips of what we were up to.

Please check out some of my favorites from our hour-long shoot. It’s Friday afternoon, April 30th, which means it’s time to get one of these. 3G here I come!

Laura + Michael’s Day After Part 1 – 4/26/10 from Henry Chen Photography on Vimeo.

Laura + Michael’s Day After Part 2 – 4/26/10 from Henry Chen Photography on Vimeo.

Laura + Michael’s Day After Part 3 – 4/26/10 from Henry Chen Photography on Vimeo.

Hear no evil, see no evil, and say no evil. Ladies and gents, welcome to the next installment of our photo shoot/photo booth/on-site studio/call it what you will funky/crazy/down-right weird photos! My good friends Ari Zadok and Nathan Nowack swung by the HCP bat cave this afternoon for some whacky fun time with the magic backdrop.

We still don’t have a good name for this yet but we’re definitely rolling out this service at all upcoming weddings. If you’re getting married and are interested, please get in touch with me and I’ll fill you in on the 4-1-1! Check back soon for more disturbing photos :P. Now let the good times roll…

Laura + Michael’s Wedding: 4/25/2010 – As I drove up to Santa Barbara this past Sunday, I was thinking to myself how Laura and Michael’s big day was going to be the first of many things for me as a wedding photographer. Their 7-guest wedding at the enchanting and mysterious Bacara Resport and Spa in the outskirts of Santa Barbara (in Goleta) was as intimate, personal, and memorable as you can get. I’ve never photographed a wedding this small, where I knew all the guests name.

And how touching was it to only have your immediate family as guests. Laura’s parents and brothers Simon and Ray plus Michael’s parents and sister Meredith. Everyone even played such and important part in the photography aspect of the wedding, as you might see in some of the photos below :). From blowing bubbles and doing the wave to toasting the newlyweds and jumping in the air, I had an absolutely amazing time hanging out with Laura, Michael, and their family.

Speaking of Laura and Michael, I kid to them I was a bit more nervous working with a 7-guest wedding than a 700-guest one, as it would be a bit tough for me to hide in the crowd ;). I also never did an e-session from L + M; instead, we had a Trash The Dress (TTD) following their wedding day this past Monday (more on that later). But when I showed up at the doorsteps of Laura and Michael’s respective rooms at Bacara, they welcomed me with open arms and big smiles. Boy were they SOOOOO much fun and easy to work with. We had a first look before the intimate ceremony, officiated beautifully by Mariam Lindbeck, and then another hour of photos afterward.

I also want to extend a huge shout out to the top-notch staff at Bacara, starting with the on-site wedding coordinate Jennifer. Everyone from Jennifer and Joe of the catering team to the gentleman that drove us around on the golf cart and the valet guys (who was nice enough to not charge me – thank you gentlemen!)…it was a pleasure working with you all. Also a special thanks to my man Jared Crawford for putting up with me this past Sunday and Monday. You won’t find a more humble and dependable person to help you out at a wedding than Jared. To Trini of NOZZA Studio for introducing me to her clients L + M. And most importantly, the biggest thank goes to Laura and Michael for entrusting me to document your big day.

Ceremony and reception locations: Bacara Resort and Spa in Goleta, CA

Stationery: NOZZA Press

Officiant: Mariam Lindbeck

Juna + Paul’s Wedding: 4/24/2010 – If there ever was a contest for the most easy-going and care-free bride and groom, then Juna and Paul would win it hands down. And if there was also one for the HAPPIEST groom, then Paul would win it every single day and twice on Sundays. It’s certainly not an exaggeration to say that Juna was just happy with anything on her big day and Paul couldn’t have been happier marrying the love of his life.

Both my second photographer Will and assistant Jared for the day agreed: you couldn’t have asked for a nicer groom than Paul. He was smiling ear-to-ear in every single photo we took. It’s only a testament to what kind of person he is and how Juna makes him feel. They got ready at the new J.W. Marriott Hotel at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles, where we also had the first look. Did I mention that Paul had a HUGE grin on his face when he saw Juna for the first time?

We then headed out to the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles for the ceremony and reception, where both Juna and Paul’s immediate family greeted us with open arms. There were so many little but wonderful moments on Saturday. Some of my favorites were taking photos of the cutest and quite frankly smartest flower girl Chloe ever (she said the darnest thing at just 5!), Juna and Paul giving flowers and hugs to their parents, and beautiful speeches by Paul’s best man/brother and Juna’s bridesmaids.

The newlyweds held an after party with their closest friends at Remedy Lounge, where they rented out the entire place and had open bar until the wee hours of the night. And to no surprise because they’re just that awesome, but when I said goodbye to Juna and Paul, they gave me the biggest hug ever (more from Paul than Juna :P). I felt so honored and simply happy to be a part of not only their day but their lives. Thank you Juna and Paul from the bottom of my heart.

Ceremony and reception locations: First Congregational Church of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA

After-party location: Remedy Lounge in Los Angeles, CA

Coordinator: Nouveau Events

Caterer, cake, tables, and linen: Nakwon Catering

Make-up artist: Janet Park

Hair stylist: Donna Malatino

Florist: These Buds a Blooming

Lighting: Event Plus

Photobooth: Photobooth LA