he'll never forget the way he looked pushing her and her roommate on a sled over a chilly Boston ice skating rink, his face flushed from just under his ski hat. Elyse met Andrew by way of Natalee, who worked for Andrew. It was their company's ice skating night and Natalee invited Elyse to join her. That evening she met Andrew...in his adorable ski hat. And, yes, adorable is the word Elyse used to describe how he looked the first time she saw him.
After a few dinners out with mutual friends, her graduation party from Boston University, and asking for her phone number while celebrating a friend's birthday, Andrew showed up on Elyse's doorstep with a bouquet of sunflowers. Her favorite. They enjoyed dinner, dessert, and later that evening joined friends for what could've been the best first date, well, ever.
A few months later, Elyse interviewed for jobs in California, but her heart vacillated between coasts as she wondered what would happen to her and Andrew's new relationship. However, before they started dating, he'd been interviewing for a job in California as well...it seemed as if life was pointing them to the West coast. Together. They've since settled in Los Angeles, but will wed in New York City later this year with many thanks to a ski hat and a bouquet of sunflowers.
I'm terribly excited to be photographing Elyse and Andrew's wedding because spending an afternoon with them made me smitten with everything they are. I was lucky enough to shoot their engagement photos in the Larchmont neighborhood where they spend their weekends at farmer's markets, buying great wine, and enjoying their favorite indulgences.
Elyse and Andrew have great taste, so when they recommended one of their favorite pizzarias for a midday snack, I couldn't have been happier. I mean, a little bit of bling and mozzarella are a match made in heaven...
After a quick change, we walked to one of Andrew's favorite wine stores and picked out something nice to go with dinner later that evening...
The weather was spectacular on Monday, so we enjoyed roaming the streets adjacent to Larchmont and the beautiful light it provided...
Many thanks to The Dry Bar on Sunset Boulevard for doing a phenomenal job with Elyse's hair and Jessica at Blushington for a lovely job with makeup...oh, and Elyse? Rawr.
To see more of Elyse and Andrew's Los Angeles engagement photos, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow with music by Hannah Miller provided by The Music Bed.
he number 13 is considered unlucky in some instances, but for Rachele and Will it's the perfect number. It took that many years for them to walk down the aisle together--surrounded by their friends and family--in San Diego, and when they did, the room collectively held their breath as they said I Do. She's seen him through his long-hair phase, and he's seen her through I-just-got-my-licence phase (memories their friends didn't allow them to forget), but after drinking shakes at Carl's Jr late one night in high school, their paths were fated to coalesce through life's biggest moments.
While she worked at a Congresswomen's office, Will made himself known as a constant source of support...and while he attended law school, Rachele became a pillar of strength and encouragement. Their friends and family promised to stay by their sides through the thick and thin, but after 13 years of goodness, everyone in the room knew luck was on their side. And just like the best man, Jeff, said, it took less than 13 years to build the Hoover Dam, Mount Rushmore, and the Brooklyn Bridge...so their love was destined to be stronger than some of the nation's beautiful wonders.
Rachele and Will...words can't express how much I appreciate the honor of capturing your love and the long awaited kiss at the altar. Your friends and families are amazing and made us feel like an extension of your love. The day was perfect and we managed to get everything to fall into place, regardless of what was thrown our way...which is a true sign of your positive outlook on life and love. It was an honor documenting your wedding. Much Love and Appreciation... j*
The day started in beautiful San Diego with perfect wedding details...
The day started later than expected, but Rachele's bridesmaids went into overdrive and ensured the wedding day was perfect and the champagne flowed!
And this? This right here? This is why I adore First Looks...when the bride and groom see each other before the wedding ceremony, the moment is beautiful, special, and belongs just to them...I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Will is more than excited to see his bride...
With a few minutes in Downtown San Diego before heading to El Cortez for their wedding, we roamed the streets and captured their love...
We arrived to El Cortez for the wedding and the lighting was just perfect...
I was told Will was a pretty chill guy, but the sight of his bride walking down the aisle brought out his best emotions...
Rachele and Will incorporated personal details into their wedding ceremony, including a family chalice in which both the bride and groom can simultaneously drink...I'm not gonna lie, I wanted one, too...
Just moments after the ceremony, we snuck outside of El Cortez and JD captured this photo...
...and I'll end on this note...their First Dance was special and left the room thrilled for what the evening had in store...
To see more of Rachele and Will's San Diego wedding at El Cortez, feel free to CLICK HERE with music provided by Hannah Miller from The Music Bed.
Happy Friday!
Malibu Engagement : Laura + Adam
02.23.12
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ne might say he waited three years to finally get a drink with her, but that's the nutshell version. In actuality, Adam regularly visited his local Starbucks, ordered a drink, then left. That is, of course, until he caught the eye of a petite barista behind the counter. Whenever Adam walked in, she whispered how cute he was, but kept her distance. After a few small exchanges, Adam walked in and asked Laura out for a drink. She stammered for words and vaguely explained things were complicated (and keenly omitted she was only 19 years old).
Adam went his way, Laura moved to Chicago, Adam moved to a new part of town and found a new Starbucks. Three years later, Laura returned home and returned to the purr of the espresso machine and donned a green apron. One afternoon, Adam walked in. Laura saw him from a distance, still as handsome as she remembered, and quietly said hello. Three years after he asked her out for a drink, he asked her out one more time...and this time she said yes. They've been together ever since and are creating a perfect life. Together.
Laura and Adam are planning their wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico this May and I'm honored to be a part of their special day. We met in Malibu for their engagement session and I couldn't have had more fun. Here are a few of my favorites...
I knew Adam and Laura were great people to begin with, but I saw just how awesome they were the day of their engagement session. When we arrived to the location they chose for the shoot, things didn't work as they anticipated, so we quickly created a new plan. A new plan that meant we'd simply pull off to the side of the road in Malibu for engagement photos. I've never done that before, but it was a new adventure and I LOVED every minute of it!
Laura...really? Go on with all your gorgeousness...
One of the reasons I particularly enjoyed this session was because it dealt a new set of challenges I wasn't prepared for, and had to quickly adjust my thinking. As we walked through Malibu, we noticed this lot and simply entered through an open gate. The property manager said we weren't supposed to be there, but he'd let it slide this one time. HOLLLLLLA!
It was very bright and unseasonably warm last week, but Laura and Adam looked like pros...
After a quick change, we discovered a walking path (okay, it was more like a overgrown bush adjacent to a mountain), that yielded the most amaaaazing light. Ever. I was in love.
Rawr.
I'll end this post with this happy photo...it perfectly showcases everything Laura and Adam are: happy, in love, and perfectly matched for each other.
To see more of Laura and Adam's Malibu engagement photos with Holley Maher music provided by The Music Bed, feel free to CLICK HERE or simply watch it now:
heir wedding was set the weekend before Chinese New Year, a year to the date from when he got on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. They couldn't think of a better time to ring in new lives than by ringing in Chinese traditions of hosting an elaborate feast, giving money in red envelopes to children, and celebrating. The year of the dragon is believed to bring success and happiness, so Eric and Helen couldn't dream of a better way to start their marriage.
The wedding day began on a cold morning at the Biltmore Los Angeles, but Helen paid no mind to the rain because with it brought good luck. She continued pacing the suite and reveling in her moment as a bride. She hugged, laughed, and kissed those who walked in and out of her room, patiently waiting for her moment to do the same with Eric.
Eric quickly breezed through the hotel lobby, explaining he was caught in traffic. The rain, an accident, you know. After quickly dressing (taking special care of the new watch Helen surprised him with), the rain subsided, so he walked downstairs and into the street...and waited. As Helen slowly made her way toward her new husband, Eric's eyes filled with tears. They hugged, laughed, and kissed on the wet streets of Los Angeles in the year of the dragon. Together.
Helen and Eric, thank you for being so amazing. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with such an amazing couple...to see (and feel) the impact in the lives you've touched blows me away. I appreciate you inviting me into your lives and documenting how fiercely you love. I hope you're winning big in Vegas and using the profits to get an extra long massage in Australia! Much Love and Appreciation... j*
The wedding day started in the Music Suite at the Biltmore Los Angeles Hotel...and it was breathtaking. The beauty of older hotels is the abundance of window light, so I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Helen had three wedding dresses, the first was a Maggie Sottero...
Helen's second wedding dress was simple and free-flowing...freedom to dance was a priority, so she decided to do it up with a new dress...
I absolutely loved the bridal party...they were incredibly fun and made the day perfect.
**A special thanks to Kristy Geithman (the bridesmaid on the right) for referring Helen+Eric my way...love her!
JD's angle of the First Look...
Like always, I adore when couples opt to see each other before the wedding ceremony. The moment is so beautifully their own. It's private and a way for them to connect as husband and wife...and creates a lovely ebb and flow on the wedding day for photos. Here, Eric is overwhelmed at the sight of his bride.
Lucky for us, the rain subsided and we were able to roam Downtown Los Angeles for a bit...
This? This is how Eric looked at Helen all.day.long...he was smitten. And in love. And it was perfect.
Special thanks to Joyce Luck for doing Helen's hair and makeup...
The wedding ceremony was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Downtown Los Angeles and the mass was particularly beautiful...
We headed back to the Biltmore Los Angeles for the reception and I need to take a moment to thank Kelley Lee Gin of Picture Perfect Events for orchestrating a flawless day. There were SO many factors playing into the reception (one of them organizing 400 people into 33 table shots in 25 minutes...go ahead, say we're crazy), but she and her team pulled it off. I love when a creative team collaborates for the best interest of the bride and groom!
All florals and decor were provided by the uber talented Mille Fiori...
Helen and Eric had a perfect reception filled with laughter...
...tears...
...quiet moments...
...feeding lions red envelopes...
...and lots of happiness surrounded by their friends and family.
To see more of Helen and Eric's Biltmore Los Angeles Wedding, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow or simply watch it here:
he story started when he stopped sending the photo albums, online libraries of his recent adventures to keep his out-of-state family up to date with his life. Tony was a precocious kid (the type of junior high kid who took apart his father's new computer just to see how it worked), who quickly formed an alliance with his parents when they thrusted the weight of their belief in his ability to succeed in anything he put his mind to. Many years later, after landing an engineering job at Intel in a different state than his family, he sent them pictures to keep them up abreast with ongoings.
Until the emails stopped.
Tony's father casually inquired about the sudden silence, but wasn't surprised when a new photo album arrived a few weeks later filled with pictures of Tony...and a beautiful girl at his side. Soon the photos became the story of a new adventure (hiking the Grand Canyon, biking, skiing) with Heather becoming his best friend along the way. Slightly shy, Tony cautiously approached a relationship with Heather, but if his parents taught him anything, it's knowing his ability to succeed in anything he puts his mind to. Last Saturday in Arizona, Tony and Heather started a new photo album...this time as husband and wife.
Heather and Tony, thank you for your kindness and overwhelming welcome into your lives. Your wedding was truly delightful and I couldn't have pictured a better way to start the year. Hope you enjoy the Maldives...and please be sure to take lots of pictures of your new adventures together! Much Love and Appreciation... j*
The day started exceptionally well when I discovered Carina of Flawless Faces was on hand for makeup...after loving Carina's work for her Orange County engagement session, Heather decided to fly the both of us to Arizona for the wedding day. Loved it...
Tony and Heather married at Villa Siena in Arizona...the light was just perfect and the backdrop lovely for a wedding. JD captured this photo of Tony just before the First Look...
I absolutely lovelovelove when a bride and groom see each other before the ceremony. Not only does it provide plenty of time for wedding photos, but it's a private moment just for the two of them. When Tony and Heather saw each other for the first time, the moment was pure magic. I know that sounds terribly dramatic, but there's no other way to explain it. Tears, laughter, joy...love. I felt incredibly honored to document it all.
Heather is a stunnah and I loved the moment JD captured on the right...that's right...a husband checking out his wife. Holler.
I say this often, but I love shooting with JD. He just sees the world differently...and makes us a better team. While he was capturing this photo...
...I was capturing this photo...
Le Love.
This is Heather. Working it for JD's camera. It made me jealy.
I become emo when a father gives his daughter away...it's gut-wrenchingly beautiful to watch...
I'll end this post with a photo of the First Dance...and the start of many memories...together.
