Charu + Tony’s Wedding: 7/2/2011 – What a weekend it was, and where do I even begin the story of how I met Charu and Tony this past Saturday on their wedding day? Well, there’s no better time to tell that story than at 4AM, that’s for sure :). It was a few months ago when I got a phone call from my favorite cinematographers Rebecka and Michael of Visual Masterpiece. I had worked with them a few times over the past year and they’re always my top recommendations when any couple asks me about videographers.

Turns out Charu and Tony had hired Visual Masterpiece to not only shoot video for their Indian wedding, but also for photography as well. However, both Rebecka and Michael were already booked on the 4th of July weekend and couldn’t fly out to Newport, RI to physically shoot Charu and Tony’s wedding. But they were so thoughtful and asked me to cover the photography. The date worked out perfectly as I had some stuff on Thursday and even another wedding on Sunday, but had Friday and Saturday free.

So I graciously accepted Rebecka and Michael’s amazing offer, flew out to Rhode Island on Friday morning, got to the Providence airport and later hotel around 2AM (keep in mind this is East Coast time, which is 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles time, and I already have trouble falling asleep in my own timezone), managed to finally fall asleep around 5AM, got up around 7AM, and headed out early to where Charu and Tony’s wedding was going to be at. On another note, I drank 4 Red Bulls on Saturday, the most ever within a 24-hour period, but that kept me wired all day :).

The drive out to Newport was absolutely beautiful. It was a very sunny yet not too hot of a day, with the New England culture filling the atmosphere. Being that it was 4th of July weekend, many folks were already out with their family and friends celebrating. I was really excited to meet Charu, who was at a local salon doing her hair and make-up with the other girls, and Tony, who was at a huge Victorian rental home minutes away from the wedding venue also getting ready. And of course, both were absolutely wonderful from the second we said hello to one another!

I honestly don’t know where to begin to tell you how much I love Indian weddings. Sure it’s a long day and there’s always something happening every second of the day (and in some cases the entire week!), but the sheer amount of emotion, love, culture, details, and dancing are absolutely OFF THE CHARTS. Did I mention dancing? Because that’s what everyone did from roughly 2PM, when Tony rode in on a horse with his family and friends, all the way until 11PM+, when guests danced to the tune of sweet Indian music on the reception dance floor. Well, there was also a 1.5 hourly Hindu ceremony in between, but even that was filled with non-stop rituals and celebration!

And it was such a joy to not only meet and work with Charu and Tony, but all their family and friends. Also, it was an honor and pleasure to work with Talon and Chris of Visual Masterpiece, who flew out from LA and Utah to shoot video. Thanks guys for keeping me company all day long, hope I didn’t get in your way too often ;). Indian weddings will always be one of my favorites, because they’re filled with the elements that make me so passionate about shooting two people’s most important day: culture, personality, emotion, color, and even motion (lots and lots of dancing!). Thanks again Rebecka and Michael of Visual Masterpiece for this wonderful opportunity, can’t wait to work with you guys again!

Ceremony and reception locations: Castle Hill Inn in Newport, RI

Kayla + Ricky’s Wedding: 6/26/2011 – Everything came together perfectly on Sunday as Kayla and Ricky tied the knot in front of their closest family and friends at Calamigos Ranch. It was a beautiful, warm day in the mountains of Malibu for a wedding, as excitement and love filled the getting ready rooms, ceremony site, and reception hallway. I just loved how Kayla and Ricky’s wedding had that intimate, personal, relaxed, and stressed-free feeling.

I had met Kayla and Ricky toward the end of last year and they couldn’t have been more nice and easy to work with from the very beginning. And on the wedding day, it was such a great feeling to be treated like a guest by the newlyweds. Ricky is truly one of the most stand-up gentlemen I’ve ever met, as he made sure everyone was taken care of. And Kayla was beautiful inside and out, as she had the biggest smile on her face when she saw Ricky. They had met while working at Starbucks, and the rest, as they say, is history :).

Thanks again Kayla and Ricky for choosing me to be your photographer. Ricky is an artist himself so it was such an honor to be considered and selected by this wonderful couple! May you drink lots more Starbucks together, smash each other with wedding cake a few more times, and dance together like there’s no tomorrow every single night!

Ceremony and reception locations: Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, CA

Katie + George’s Wedding: 6/25/2011 – Good times on Saturday as Katie and George held a very intimate backyard wedding in West Covina. Everyone got ready at the Pacific Palms Resort just a few minutes up north before heading out to George’s dad’s beautiful home for the ceremony and reception. The first look between Katie and George was one of my favorites, and they did something no other couple has ever done while taking pics – play pool and eat nachos!

My good friend Brian and I had a great time working with Katie, George, and the entire bridal party! Everyone was super easy-going and fun from the minute we arrived at the hotel. We loved how laid back things were but how family and friends poured their feelings of joy to Katie and George. A guest even jumped in the pool for them while others gave beautiful speeches and many hugs.

Thanks again Katie and George for being so awesome to work with from the first time we met. Have a blast on your honeymoon up the coast of California, hope you like the sneak peek of photos. Congratulations!

Michelle + Kevin’s Wedding: 6/18/2011 – June has been absolutely nuts for me, is probably the craziest month ever in my business with a few surprises, and we’re not even done with it. But right in the middle was a special day that I’ve been looking forward to ever since I met Michelle and Kevin. From the moment we started chatting, I just knew we had this great connection and was really hoping I’d get the chance to be their wedding photographer.

After meeting their family, especially the parents, I knew immediately where Michelle and Kevin get their sweet, caring, and loving personalities from. It was such a joy to work with not only the couple but their bridal party, family, and friends. Every guest at the wedding was filled with so much love for Michelle and Kevin, which made every second of the day filled with moments, moments, and more moments (my favorite thing about a wedding!).

I felt like I was among family and friends on Saturday, snapping photos of Michelle’s beautiful laugh, Kevin’s charming personality and quite frankly the nicest groom’s suit I’ve ever seen (I MUST HAVE!!!), Michelle’s older sister and brother…I mean mom and dad’s :P warm-hearted smile and spirit, Kevin’s family’s love and even curiosity to camera (hi Kevin’s grandpa!)…and just everything in between.

Kelly Duprat did a fabulous job planning, decorating, and planning Michelle and Kevin’s wedding to perfection. It was such a pleasure to finally meet and work with you! And of course, every thank you goes to Michelle and Kevin. Enjoy your honeymoon in Italy, congratulation guys!

The nicest “Uncle Bob” grandpa ever! He kept me company throughout the whole day :).

One with my second shooter Jove Yambot and the wonderful couple Michelle and Kevin!

Ceremony location: Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA

Reception location: S Fine Dining in Westminster, CA

Planner and coordinator: Kelly Duprat