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

Daria + Ryan’s Wedding: 11/6/2011 – Before I went out of town, I had the privilege of photographing two very special individuals’ big day. Daria and Ryan held a beautiful, intimate ceremony and reception at Tivoli Terrace in Laguna Beach. What started out as a gloomy, rainy day quickly turned into a gorgeous, clear sky afternoon and evening when I arrived at The Balboa Bay Club and Resort for the getting ready part of the day (the streak of non-rainy weddings for me continues!).

You won’t find a couple that’s more dear and simply nice than Daria and Ryan. It was so much fun documenting Daria get ready with her two bridesmaids and meeting her mom, aunts, and uncle from across the Atlantic in Germany and Poland. She told me about what a salt and bread ceremony is, their honeymoon plans, and just a bit more about herself and Ryan. And speaking of Ryan, he was all smiles during the first look, and even got a bit emotional during the ceremony.

The entire day was filled with so much love and emotion. And when you have an intimate wedding, you know every guest at the wedding is extra special to Daria and Ryan. Huey of Platinum Peaks helped get the party started, as both Ryan and Daria had a surprise song + dance performance for one another. From folks throwing up their hands like they didn’t care to doing a dance train, I had a blast photographing everyone having a good time :).

Thank you Daria and Ryan, you’re one of the most caring and fun couples I’ve ever worked with, and certainly the only bride and groom that actually asked me to take a photo with DURING the family formals, what an honor! Hope you two enjoy Costa Rica, make every day of your life, just like your honeymoon, really, really count! Congrats and please enjoy the sneak peek!

Ceremony and reception locations: Tivoli Terrace in Laguna Beach, CA

Music: Platinum Peaks Entertainment

Hey gang, I’ll be out of office from Thursday through Sunday to shoot Junko and Charlie‘s wedding and day-after portrait session in Oahu, Hawaii. Special thanks to Yingka of Master Plans Events and Design for introducing me to this awesome couple :). I’ll be returning phone calls and responding to e-mails when I return, aloha!

Priscilla + Roger’s Engagement Session – I joked with Priscilla and Roger that they win my award for the most laid back and easy-going couple ever! They were so awesome to book me about a year ago just via e-mail. Our paths actually across in Vegas this past February, when I was out there for WPPI and they were on a business trip. It was our first time meeting and we hit it off right over Starbucks coffee. It means so much to me that Priscilla and Roger treated me like an old friend from the second we said hello and shook hands.

Fast forward 9 months later, and I had a blast shooting their e-session around the South Bay. Priscilla and Roger met 14 years ago through a mutual friend. Talk about commitment and love in the truest and longest form! I can’t commend them enough for having such a strong relationship, which certainly showed during the shoot. Priscilla and Roger were all smiles, laughs, kisses, hugs, and giggles the entire time. I seriously think both do modeling or acting on the side, as they weren’t hesitant to show their affection towards one another in front of the camera (major brownie points from me).

I’m beyond excited to shoot their wedding in…wait for it…LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. Yup! Told you these two lovebirds were super relaxed and chilled :). Besides a destination wedding, this is the shortest period of time between an e-session and wedding for me, but I’m just happy to get to see Priscilla and Roger again and so soon. Thanks guys for being so much fun to work with and know, see you in a couple of days. I’ve no doubt your big day is going to be amaaaaazing!