Jessica + Jonathan’s Wedding: 12/23/2011 – Right before heading to South America for the holidays, I had a chance to document my last wedding of 2011, Jessica and Jonathan‘s. They held a special, intimate wedding at the beautiful Spanish Hills Country Club. With a super small wedding party (just a best man and maid of honor), the most adorable kids I’ve ever seen at a wedding, Christmas and traditional, cultural elements sprinkled throughout the day, it was such a joy watching and photographing all the amazing moments of Jessica and Jonathan’s wedding.

Although we did all our communication via e-mail and didn’t get a chance to meet one another until their e-session, it felt like I’ve known Jessica and Jonathan long before I got their inquiry. Currently living in the Boston area, this sweet couple had their wedding in So Cal, where their family and friends live. What I love so much about J + J is how much they truly care about each other and their loved ones. Jessica and Jonathan treated their guests and vendors like they were the stars on December 23rd. They were so selfless, thoughtful, and such a joy to work with.

Thanks again Jessica and Jonathan for trusting me to photograph your amazing day. I hope you guys had a blast in Hawaii for your honeymoon and enjoyed your first Christmas + New Years as husband and wife was memorable! Congrats and please enjoy the sneak peek below :).

Ceremony and reception locations: Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo, CA

Coordinator: Orange Blossom Special Events

Christine + Dennis’ Wedding: 11/26/2011 – What a blast it was this past Saturday photographing Christine and Dennis‘ wedding at the ooberly awesome Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach! Feels like it was just yesterday when I met this wonderful couple and shot their engagement session. You couldn’t have asked for a more care-free and fun couple like Christine and Dennis.

I love how Christine and Dennis held a very intimate yet grand wedding, with their guests dancing their heart out and sending them off with sparklers! Everything was super easy-going and stress-free. Looks like Christine will be getting her orange cat and Dennis will get to watch the NFL all the time from this point on ;). To Christine and Dennis, congrats to you both, enjoy Hawaii, and most importantly, never stop laughing, loving, and dating ;).

Ceremony and reception locations: Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach, CA

Make-up artist and hair stylist: Kelly Zhang

Officiant: Anthony V Yuro II

DJ and MC: Elevated Pulse Pro

Priscilla + Roger’s Wedding: 11/19/2011 – Awesome time on Saturday shooting Priscilla and Roger’s wedding at Pacific Palms Resort. I love how everything from the getting ready and portraits to the ceremony and reception were all at once place, which means more time for portraits ;). Both Priscilla and Roger were all smiles the entire day, as nearly 200 of their closest family and friends came by to celebrate them tying the knot and celebrating the next chapter of their life together.

It’s been nothing but a joy “working” with Priscilla and Roger. I put working in quotes because with this wonderful couple, everything seems to laid back and dare I say relaxed :). From the moment we started exchanging e-mails to the final hour of the reception, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know P + R and working with them. Thank you guys for everything, congrats, and hope you plan your honeymoon trip to Europe sooner than later!

Ceremony and reception locations: Pacific Palms Resort in City of Industry, CA

Videographer: Studio 205 Films

Junko + Charlie’s Wedding: 11/11/2011 – They got married on the most popular date of 2011, but more importantly, they brought nearly a hundred of their closest family and friends from Asia and the United States to Hawaii, and threw one heck of a party. From the moment I met Junko and Charlie, we connected like we were old friends catching up over dinner. They’re such a unique couple, one that I’ll certainly never forget. From being super duper fun to hang out with to being so considerate and accommodating, I feel so blessed to have met Junko and Charlie and photograph their amazing wedding in Oahu last Friday.

It’s crazy how sometimes, things just work in your favor. When I arrived in Oahu last Thursday, the weather changed from sunny to cloudy to rainy to windy and back to sunny, all in a matter of minutes. But I think the weather Gods were once again on my side, as there was not a single drop of rain on Junko and Charlie’s wedding day, as well as their Trash The Dress portrait session the day after (more on that later)! On a random note, I don’t think I ever had a bride and groom go from taking shots out of a ice sculpture Jack Daniels to going craaaaazy on the dance floor – Charlie did you ever end up finding your shirt and coat? :)

And how could I forget to thank the very reason I was able to meet this awesome couple and document their big day: Yingka Chou of Master Plans – Events & Design! You won’t find a planner/coordinator/florist/linen supplier/Ms. Do-it-all as amazing as Yingka. When she’s coordinating a wedding and I’m shooting it, I know the day will be in good hands. I can’t thank Yingka enough for referring me to Junko and Charlie and also praise her (as well as her partner in crime Chester!) enough for planning and coordinating a beautiful wedding. Plus, it was wonderful to finally work with vendor friends on a destination wedding (no more hanging out and eating like a loner :P).

Everyone from the parents and wedding party to the guests and even vendors stayed at the Ihilani JW Marriott Hawaii Resort Hotel and Spa. It was really convenient having the getting ready, ceremony, portraits, and reception all take place at one location, and also being minutes from your own bed/room! But that’s only a small example of how thoughtful Junko and Charlie are. They really went out of their way to make sure all their guests had a good time, including yours truly, with FOUR cans of Red Bull personally delivered by them. Well, enough of me rambling on…I put together a slideshow of Junko and Charlie’s wedding, and would love for you to check it out here. Stay tuned for a post on their TTD session the very next day!

Ceremony and reception locations: Ihilani JW Marriott Hawaii Resort Hotel and Spa in Oahu, Hawaii

Planner and coordinator: Master Plans – Events and Designs

Videographer: Supreme Video Productions