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Featured : VeraWang.com

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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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H appy Monday and I hope you had a splendid Thanksgiving weekend! I spent time with friends and family...eating copious amounts of carbs and reveling in every second of it. Speaking of appreciation, I'm beyond thankful to work with amazing clients who allow me to do what I love. Sonya and Eric Barton were such clients and their Terranea Resort wedding was one of the highlights of my year.
Of course I might sound biased (as well as the girls from Sterling Social, who planned the wedding goodness), but when Vera Wang contacted me about featuring this wedding on its website, I was beyond honored. Being a wedding photographer is a dream come true, but to see my images grace the pages of Vera Wang makes me feel like the luckiest girl. Ever. |



| As my wedding season comes slowly to an end, I'm incredibly appreciative to pursue my dreams and follow my photographic passion. Many thanks to my beautiful brides and to Vera Wang for designing gorgeous dresses for them to wear. |




    

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The Workshop : November 2012

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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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S ometimes the universe brings the perfect mix of people together, like puzzle pieces waiting to be made whole. There are moments when I feel the gravity of what I'm able to do and I realize I might be the luckiest person. Ever. Meeting and educating 20 photographers on their journey to becoming better at their art and businesses are things I'm honored to do...and I was happy this happened recently at one of my photography workshops.
Hosted here in Orange County, California, we covered eight components of branding and dissected businesses together to find ways to strengthen along the way. This group of photographers was strong, driven and full of amazing questions which made for a perfect day.
Many thanks to an amazing team for allowing things to come together in ways I couldn't manage on my own...
Makeup and Hair: Angelina with All Made Up
Dress and Accessories: Emily with Ferndales
Florals: Jaclyne with Heavenly Blooms
Models: Tiffany and Justin Jahangiri
All Around Awesomeness: JD |



| JD is the backbone for theWORKSHOP...he takes care of every last detail and plans the day so my focus can be solely on teaching. He also manages to be a wonderful host...my parents were right: I married up! |



| All of the behind-the-scenes photos were captured by JD...who makes fun of me for looking like a bunny when I talk. I can't say I disagree. |



| I was honored to work with Tiffany and Justin who traveled from Minnesota to model for theWORKSHOP...I couldn't be more thankful to work with such amazing couples who love each other...and make what we do as photographers effortlessly sweet. |


| We hosted a shoot and the goal was have each student photograph the models with specificity and intentionality, using the images to further the words they use to describe their brands. |






| The first 25 minutes of the shoot was a mixed demonstration and dissection of posing and lighting techniques...it was an overcast day, so we lucked out with perfect weather... |





| A portion of the shoot was open for students to take the reigns and pose the models in a way to further their brand via signature images. |







| Here's Arica getting down and WORKING IT OUT for a photo...rock it out, boo! |



This is my favorite photo of the day. I can't wait to see what's in store for this amazing group! I was challenged in new ways and I'm happy to have encountered such a great collection of minds, hearts, and drive. I'm convinced this industry is made extra wonderful with people like them in it. Really.
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If you'd like more information on future workshops and speaking events, be sure to sign up for the NEWSLETTER to be the first to know!
Happy Tuesday! |




    

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Carondelet House Wedding : Anniversary Inspiration

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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of collaborating with an amazing team. It's that time of year when wedding creativity for those of us who work in the industry might be waning, so we pulled together a shoot to have some fun and rethink ideas. Our idea: what would a wedding look like if we combined elements that signify the first ten years of wedding anniversaries?
The historic origins of wedding anniversaries date back to the Roman Empire, when husbands crowned their wives with a silver wreath on their 25th anniversary and a gold wreath on their 50th. Since then, more anniversaries began being represented and now it's commonly held that certain anniversaries are signified by different elements.
The lovely Jesi Haack--uber wedding designer extraordinaire--styled a wedding to incorporate various yearly signifiers as a couple tied the knot. This shoot highlights elements from the first ten years of marriage and showcases how personal style and the desire to weave the future into the present can dwell in a single day.
Venue: Carondelet House
Design: Jesi Haack Design
Hair + Makeup: 1011 Makeup
Hairpieces: My Olivia Nelson
Florist: Floral Kitchen
Paper Goods: Wiley Valentine
Cake: Sweet and Saucy
Bridal Styling: Marry Me Bridal
Models: Natalie and Hugo Lemas
Photography: Jasmine Star |


The first wedding anniversary is represented by paper and the second is represented by cotton...the wedding invitation sets the tone for the nuptials and represents what the future holds.
A third wedding anniversary is represented by leather, so the menus were comprised of leather bands, as well as leather ties draped across each triangle plate. Multi-colored leather chevrons were used as a runner across the table for a vibrant pop to compliment the table linens...and it just so happens the fourth wedding anniversary is represented by linen, too!
The table numbers are a mix of nails and wood, which make a perfect mix to represent the fifth, sixth and seventh wedding anniversaries (wood, iron and copper) and the wedding guests are seated at a long wooden table.
The dessert station is an homage to pottery and the ninth wedding anniversary. Mixing various pottery elements showcased the gorgeous wedding cake with geometric patterns, highlighted by the feathered backdrop.
The ceremony decor embodies the tenth wedding anniversary by incorporating a tin cross, colorfully highlighted--of course--with a little bit of Jesi Haack flair. |
















| To see more photos from this shoot, you can see them on Ruffled Blog! Happy Tuesday! |




    

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Four Seasons Las Vegas Wedding : Robyn+TJ

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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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L ess than three months into their relationship and they knew it was different. The One, soul mates, a kismet match. And that was six and a half years ago. Robyn had taken to calling T.J. her husband a few years back--far before he proposed--because she knew the title fit like sole of an old Italian shoe. Perfectly. From Chicago to Los Angeles back to Chicago again, they remained by each other during every move and grew into each other's nooks and crannies.
Their growth was no more apparent than at their wedding. Having written their own vows, T.J. spoke to Robyn in front of their friends and family and promised to love, honor, cherish...and to not put the Kings' hockey games above their time together. A few minutes later, Robyn unfolded her written vows and promised to love, honor, cherish...and to enjoy the Kings' hockey games with her husband at her side. This couple embodies growth and compromise beautifully, which is something they knew early on because, really, soul mates just know that type of thing.
Robyn and T.J., you are incredible. Really. Thank you for inviting me to document your wedding in Las Vegas and allowing me to capture your love. I appreciate your kindness and overt accommodation to ensure we were welcomed! I hope you're enjoying every minute in Maui and relaxing on the beach together! Much Love and Appreciation... j* |





| JD hung out with T.J. while he prepared...and received special assistance with his bow tie ;) |


| T.J. and Robyn opted to see each other before the wedding ceremony (lovvvvved it!) to ensure we had plenty of time for pictures at various places on the Las Vegas Strip...here's my angle of the First Look... |






| Shortly thereafter we made our way to Hyde for more wedding photos...it's a night club, but midday it served as a great backdrop! I loved Robyn's willingness to plan her day around unique locations for various looks... |


| Oh, Robyn, you are too much...you make Las Vegas look even better! |


| I loved Robyn's wedding hair piece...head band...gorgeous beaded and sequence wedding band...whatever you call it, I loved it. It was the first time I photographed a Doloris Petunia piece and I was smitten. Fashion props to Robyn for finding it on Etsy... |





| I love the way T.J. looks at Robyn...it's as if she's the only person in the world. |



| I think was the moment when Robyn realized she can now officially call T.J. her husband... ;) |



| The wedding reception was hosted around the Four Season's pool, and Robyn insisted someone from the party would jump in by the end of the night...her friends and family were incredibly fun and crazy...this quiet moment during the First Dance was likely the last before things got crazy fun... |


| Bride and groom reactions to the best maid of honor speeches I've ever, ever heard/seen... |


| Lanterns strung over the pool, great music, and lots of love was how the night ended for Robyn and T.J...and they deserved nothing less. |






    

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Trump National Palos Verde Wedding : Shala+Omar

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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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S he stared out the window of her suite and let out a soft squeak. Doesn't look like rain today, she announced to everyone within earshot of her elated voice. Shala had morphed into a meteorologist the week leading to her wedding day, spouting rain statistics and cross-referencing weather websites to ensure the day was safe. But just in case, she bought umbrellas. Lots of umbrellas hidden in the closet for to see them might betray the cloud-like doubt in her heart. No, it couldn't rain.
Shala and Omar passed notes to each other from their suites--love letters filled with promises and declarations of forever--until it was time to see each other before the wedding ceremony. Omar waited on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Coast, but as Shala made her way to him, the skies parted and the rain fell. At first it danced on the pavement, almost teasing Shala to complete what she had set out to do, but when puddles formed along the pathway, she turned and waited for Omar.
Under an expansive oak tree, Omar and Shala met for the first time on their wedding day. The rain slowed to a drizzle and they laughed at their luck. Together they'll face any storm life pushes their way with similar sentiment: as long as they have each other, every day is perfect.
Shala and Omar...words fail to describe how appreciative I am to have joined you on such a personal and intimate day. You're both incredibly kind and warm and deserve all the goodness that's come your way. Just like your wedding day, the sun will always shine for people who are entitled to the warmth they themselves give so freely. Enjoy Bora Bora and good luck with your new puppy! Much Love and Appreciation... j* |




| Shala wore a stunning Vera Wang gown and a bejeweled belt...so beautiful... |


| The afternoon was beautiful with just a few clouds in the sky... |


| In a matter of minutes, the weather turned, but it didn't dampen the spirit of the day...JD captured this moment when Shala and Omar saw each other for the first time... |



| I love sisters. I know it's a blanket statement, but it's also true. The love and loyalty sisters have with each other is something I'm always impressed with at weddings...Shala, Sarah, and Shahira are three amazing girls, but even better siblings... |






| The day became overcast after the ceremony, but I didn't mind one bit because the light along the coast was just beautiful...and it didn't hurt I had such lovely models for the day! ;) |



| Oh, Shala...GO ON!!!!!!!!!!! Rawr. |



| Shala and Omar opted for an intimate affair for their closest family and friends. But one of the things I adore about Shala is her inability to keep things simple...her attention to detail is something I love... |



| Trump National Golf Course served as a perfect location for their wedding and reception and the ballroom reflected Shala and Omar's personal and refined style. |


| In addition to the adorable wishing tree, I should mention I photographed Shala's sister's wedding two years ago. Chris and Sarah are phenomenal people and working with their families again was a true honor...I love my clients!!! |


| They danced with soul (many thanks to Al Green) for their First Dance...love... |


| This couple--and their amazing guests--knew how to keep a party going...and going...rumors are they danced so much there's holes in the carpet! ;) |



| A perfect night for a perfect couple.... |






    




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