Patsy + Benjamin’s Wedding: 8/28/2010 – Greetings from Beijing, China! It’s currently 7AM but alas I’m finally ready to blog Patsy and Ben’s big day from this past weekend. I’ll write about the details of my current trip in another blog post and instead talk about how much fun it was working with Peanut Butter aka Patsy and Ben ;).

They had a super intimate wedding at a beautiful church in Palos Verdes Estates. Their ceremony, overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a beautiful Saturday morning, was filled with their immediate family and closest friends (around 40 guests). Afterwards, we headed out to The Cheesecake Factory in Redondo Beach for a luncheon reception.

We had a lovely cocktail hour followed by the first dance, toasts, and some hilarious games for Patsy, Ben, and all the guests. It was wonderful being treated like a guest and blending in with everyone. The funny thing was both Patsy, Ben, and a few of the guests including Ben’s sister Arlene are all into photography. So we had a good chat about cameras, lenses, and all that good stuff :).

Since Patsy and Ben had a morning ceremony and matinee reception, we had plenty of time afterward for portraits. We actually went back to the church and later Donald Trump Golf Course for photos. Special thanks to the church ladies and security folks at the course course for being so awesome and letting us do our thang. Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Ting, for being newlyweds and buying a beautiful home! I look forward to seeing you guys at an upcoming photography workshop ;).

Ceremony location: Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Reception location: The Cheesecake Factory in Redondo Beach, CA

Jennifer + Alex’s Wedding: 8/21/2010 – Seems like it was just yesterday when I got an e-mail from Alex inquiring about my photography services for their wedding. After meeting him and Jennifer at their lovely home and photographing their engagement session, I had no doubt their big day was going to be memorable with amazing moments.

Both Jenn and Alex have such a pristine and giving heart, always treating me like a friend rather than a vendor. Their soft smile and words always made me feel welcome and like an extension of their family/friends. Their wedding, from the getting ready and ceremony to portraits and reception, took place in the South Bay. It was a beautiful day along the coast as the sun came out and shined down brightly for Jennifer and Alex.

So much love and excitement filled the getting ready rooms of the Portofino Hotel, as Jennifer had seven bridesmaids and Alex had eight groomsmen. Everyone was a pleasure to work with! They had a full mass Catholic ceremony in Manhattan Beach. Following the beautiful ceremony was the reception at La Venta Inn on the hills of Palos Verdes, where Tim Kennedy and his first-class staff were spectacular (as always!) coordinating the festivities of the evening.

Some of my favorite moments from Jennifer and Alex’s wedding were: the look on Alex’s face as he saw Jennifer walking down the aisle (probably the biggest grin I saw on a groom’s face!), the heartfelt speeches/toasts (had to hold back a few tears!), the surprise groom’s “cake” that Jenn got for Alex – a life-size USC-decorated cookie, the coolest wedding slideshow I’ve ever seen (Alex works in video production I believe :), and Alex’s grandma stealing the show on the dance floor with her killer moves!

The newlyweds are off to Europe for their honeymoon and I wish them nothing but a blast on their trip. Thank you Jennifer and Alex for trusting me to document your big day as not just a photographer, but a friend. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek, can’t wait to share the rest with you when you get back :).

Ceremony location: American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach, CA

Reception location: La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Estates, CA

Arlene + Edward’s Wedding: 8/20/2010 – How is this possible? I’ve asked this question so many times and have pinched my own skin just as much. How is it possible to go from complete strangers to (what seems like) long-lost friends in such a short period of time? And absolutely feel so happy to do what I do because of the people that give me this amazing privilege?

An e-mail from Arlene and Edward a few weeks ago stated their wedding will be on August 20th (as in 2010 and NOT 2011) and they would like me to document it. Who are they? How did they find me? What’s their story? Is their wedding really in two weeks? Do they even know I’m really weird and a bit crazy!?!? :P

After meeting them at my studio, I had no doubt their big day was going to be amazing and simply unforgettable. Arlene and Edward, their big smiles, both the ones on their face and in their hearts…I didn’t think there were people in this world as happy and loving as these two. Their wedding was very intimate and the shortest one I’ve ever worked at, as Arlene and Edward contracted me for four hours. But it was still filled with so much emotion and moments.

The ceremony was at 11AM and both Arlene and I arrived at The Hacienda (a hidden gem in Santa Ana!) at 10:30AM. She wasn’t in her dress yet and the guests were already there. Not once did Arlene panic or show any signs of being stressed out. Instead, she greeted me with open arms and a huge smile, actually asking me if I wanted any champagne :). Her bridesmaids (sister, good friend, and step-daughther) were amazing, at helping her get ready and being by her side every step of the way.

I saw Edward at the beginning of the ceremony, as he walked Arlene’s mother down the aisle. I quietly said “Hi” to him as he looked back at me and gave the camera a big smile. The ceremony was beautiful. My favorite part was when Arlene and Edward invited their kids to the front and said their vows to them. They also poured sand into a glass vase, not just as husband and wife, but as a family.

And the reception was very intimate; every inch of the room at Morton’s The Steakhouse was filled with love, laughter, and happy tears. I couldn’t help but shed a few drops off my eyes when I photographed the mother/son and father/daughter dances; not just with Arlene and her dad and Edward with his mom, but also Arlene with her sons and Edward with his daughter.

To Arlene and Edward, I can’t thank you and your loved ones enough for treating me like a guest at your wedding and inviting me into your hearts. Everything on Friday was perfect. Congratulations on your new life together as one :).

Ceremony location: The Hacienda in Santa Ana, CA

Reception location: Morton’s The Steakhouse in Santa Ana, CA

Officiant: Reverend Michael

Kate + Mike’s Wedding: 8/14/2010 – I had one of the most memorable weekends this past Friday and Saturday, spending it at Kate and Mike‘s rehearsal dinner and wedding in Santa Barbara. There’s so much that I want to say about them and their family/friends that I honestly have no clue where to begin…

You couldn’t have asked for a more loving, fun, and simply wonderful group of people to help celebrate Kate and Mike’s big day. From the second I arrived at the rehearsal, everyone greeted me with big smiles and open arms. It truly felt like I was one of the family members attending the wedding and not just photographing it.

Kate and Mike have such a special and unique kind of love. From the way they met one another to how that relationship grew, and getting to know every single one of their family members…I just felt so lucky to have gotten such an amazing opportunity. There were so many moments from the wedding day that brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes (I was trying hard to hold back but couldn’t ;).

For example, I just loved how Kate and Mike’s mom high-fived each other after the ceremony; and before that, how the flower girl Lyla (sorry if I spell anyone’s name wrong!) was so darn cute during the getting ready (and for that matter the entire day), how Kate walked down the aisle with her dad and step-dad, how Mike gave an unbelievable speech/toast, how the wedding party stole the evening with their outrageous dance moves and other “interesting” acts ;)…and I thought it was super cool that Mike wore his uniform for the day!

My words and for that matter these photos don’t do justice on how spectacular it was to be a part of Kate and Mike’s wedding. And how honored I felt to be the one documenting it. Thank you guys and your amazing family for inviting me into your lives. Many blessings and wishes on your new journey!

Rehearsal dinner location: Creekside Bar and Grill in Santa Barbara, CA

Ceremony location: Elings Park in Santa Barbara, CA

Reception location: Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Barbara, CA