I love this rustic ranch wedding, and love even more that Gina and Jordan were featured on Rustic Wedding Chic!
Gina and Jordan’s wedding at Triple S Ranch Napa in Napa, Ca (otherwise known as SSS Ranch Napa) was the definition of rustic, with vintage elements. Triple S Ranch is from 1860, and the tree they were married under was 175 years old! My favorite part of the wedding though had to be that Gina wore a necklace that had been passed down through generations in her family, being worn by every woman to get married. There is a picture of it below that documents all of the women family members! Gina and Jordan met when they were 8 years old through their families, and played together on the very same ranch that Jordan proposed on 20 years later! Gina says that, “We were maybe 8 when we first started having crushes on each other.”
Elizabeth and Aaron toured a ton of local wineries for their wedding this spring, but they knew that Sanford Winery in Lompoc, California was it when they just kept going back.
The wedding day of Elizabeth and Aaron was a whirlwind of friends from around the world, complete with jokes, perfect weather and of course delicious wine. It was exactly how the two wanted it to be and even unknowingly described it “Definitely a natural, seamless, and joyous mood filled with happiness and love.”
I wish I had the officiant’s speech to pull from, because not only did it have everyone in giggles, but it also had everyone in tears. But what warmed my hoarder heart, was the fact that he still had the cork from a bottle of wine the couple drank years before, and unknowingly to Aaron and Elizabeth, pulled it out during his speech. Sometimes things truly do come full circle, including that cork being brought to their vineyard wedding years later.
La Casa del Camino in Laguna Beach, California is the perfect setting for two beach lovers like these, and it definitely did not disappoint with it’s sprawling ocean views. But what no one could have predicted was a sweet couple walking our way on the beach.
”Okay guys, now let's look as cute as these two do!", I shouted, above the crashing waves. The couple stopped, and looked at Trisha and Matthias on their wedding day, and said, "Do you know why we look this cute? Because it is our 45th year anniversary. It must be a lucky day."
Sometimes you just get that perfect moment, of two people walking hand in hand 45 years later, and two people walking hand in hand; on the first day of the start of the rest of their lives.
Stephanie and Eddie had an absolutely incredible Southern California wedding day. Starting at the Westlake Village Inn in Westlake Village, Ca for their first look, they moved to the Oak Room at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, Ca for their ceremony and reception. The extra special part of the day though was driving down to El Matador Beach in Malibu, Ca for their portraits. El Matador Beach is not only where Eddie proposed, but where they took their engagement portraits before the wedding day. We were blessed with blue Southern California skies on their wedding day, so it was quite the beautiful experience to get to photograph them in their wedding attire with the ocean behind.
Read MoreWhether your destination wedding is big or small, 2400 On The River in Ranger, Georgia provides the perfect backdrop for a couple in love! For this blush and gold summer wedding next to the Coosawattee River, these two prioritized elaborate floral design for their gazebo ceremony and outdoor reception. Utilizing the unique architecture throughout the venue, the hints of gold in their decor balanced the epic natural backdrop of northwest Georgia!
Read MoreBrenna and Justice traveled from Oklahoma all the way to Los Angeles, California to elope. They knew they wanted a location that would show the beauty that is Southern California, so they chose Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, Ca. Griffith Observatory is an incredible location to take some elopement pictures, especially when you arrive at sunrise!
Read MoreApril showers bring May flowers, and luckily for Jeremy and Allison, it also brings beautiful light in Chicago, IL. It really does not matter where you are when it starts to rain, but the rain in Chicago truly lights up everything it touches! Including Buckingham Fountain, the Lakefront trail, and all the way over to Olive Park. It was just a matter of Chicago spring luck that the day Allison & Jeremy's 4 year anniversary shoot was planned that it called for torrential downpour. This in no way hindered our plans, and encouraged the tourists to stay inside; allowing us free reign of several popular destinations that would otherwise be quite crowded.
Read MoreJayna and Daniel planned their destination wedding in California from Washington, DC, flying out to Los Angeles on the regular to meet with vendors and make sure all of the details were perfect. After viewing Santa Margarita Ranch, they knew they had found the right place. “The greenery and florals in the garden coupled with the stone walls in the barn created such a romantic and unique ambiance - we knew we found a gem.” What they definitely didn’t know was how beautifully green their venue would be, after what some are calling the wettest winter in Southern California in decades. This fact didn’t fail to disappoint, when it started to sprinkle on their wedding day.
”When we saw each other for the first time it was truly "love at first sight". He introduced himself and handed me a bottle of wine he brought as a dinner party gift. We ended up opening the bottle of wine and sitting by the fireplace talking all night - and the rest is history.” - Jayna
I absolutely loved photographing the wedding of Julie and Jon, partly for their beautiful locations, but mostly for their beautiful personalities! Their first date was on 12/13/14, and that’s a pretty incredible start to any relationship if you ask me. I had the pleasure of meeting these two before their wedding for their Lincoln Park, Chicago, Il engagement session, and I’m so glad I did. Nothing is better than arriving to a wedding and already knowing the couple, before getting to see them tie the knot.
We started their wedding at the St. Katherine Drexel Catholic Church in Sugar Grove, Il, and their ceremony was tear-worthy- at least that’s what the guests and Jon thought. With their love story, I wouldn’t have expected anything less, “Jon says it was truly love at first sight,” the bride Julie says.
Intimate weddings come in all shapes and sizes, and for Takesha and Vincent’s they chose one with a small group of their friends and family in Chicago, IL. Held at the First Baptist Congregational Church (otherwise known as the Union Park Congregational Church) in Chicago, IL, these two had a short religious ceremony before a quick first dance and dinner. Before parting ways with their small group, they went and around the room and each attendee gave the couple their well wishes!
Read MoreAndres and Rafael ended their wedding at Casa de la Guerra in Santa Barbara, Ca, but started their beautiful day at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Not only do I absolutely love the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Barbara, Ca for all of my weddings, but I love it even more when my couple designs their entire reception from scratch at a nearby historic home built in 1828. Andres and Rafael started their wedding day at the courthouse, getting married in the historic mural room. It has in the past been called “the unquestionable masterpiece of the courthouse interior,” and that could not be more accurate with the artwork. Designed for use in 1929, the room now serves as a ceremony venue for locals and tourists alike to get married. We wandered the courthouse doing some photos, and I can never get over how stunning the architecture is.
Read MoreIt was such a blast getting to photograph Jeff and Terra’s wedding at Cass Winery in Pasa Robles, Ca. This awesome venue has a separate off-site getting ready house for the girls, allowing them to get ready nearby but also free from hassle of any early arriving guests. It also allows for the most gorgeous first look location, up a flight of stairs and under a tree for a private moment for bride and groom. Cass Winery also not only hosts 145 acres of vines, but you can get married under a 200 year old heritage oak tree- which Jeff and Terra did.
These two added in so many special elements to their day, wanting to represent themselves in all of the planning. Besides all of the rustic elements to compliment the venue, they also decided to include a doughnut bar instead of a cake! I have had so many couples tell me that they don’t even like cake, but were doing it because they felt they had to; so when I see one of my amazing couples go an alternative route, I am so so happy for them! The evening was complete with some off the wall dancing, teary eyed speeches, and a evening tunnel leading to their getaway car. Cass Winery actually provides a 1947 Chrysler limo throughout the day to use for pictures, entrance to the ceremony, and a quick get away!
Read MoreErika and Peter had the most unique Do It Yourself (DIY) wedding at a families residence in Santa Cruz, Ca. Between ordering the flowers online from Hawaii to create their arch and bouquets, or staying up all night creating hand waxed place setting- everything about this wedding was straight out of Erika and Peter’s dreams. It was such an amazing experience to get to photograph their wedding day and see everything we had talked about to come to fruition.
Read MoreI absolutely love Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula, Ca, and it was made all the better by the beautiful presence of getting to photograph Lupita and Omar at their wedding. These two high school sweethearts wanted the day to be about family, and that was exactly how the day turned out. Surrounded by their 300 family members and friends, the day was filled with music and celebration. It was amazing to see Omar and Lupita again after their engagement session at Limoneira Ranch earlier this year. Omar used to work at Limoneira Ranch, so we were able to explore the orchard in all of its sunset glory.
Limoneira Ranch is 7,300-acres of the county’s largest producer of avocados, lemons, and oranges. When someone has a wedding here, the guests get to take home oranges as a wedding favor, which is such a cool feature at the end of the evening. Not to mention Lupita and Omar having a popcorn cart, taco bar, and other delicious reception snacks. These two are absolutely such a blast to get to spend the day with, and I can’t wait to see the adventures they go on next.
Read MoreWhen I came upon Sly Park Falls after a hot, 5 mile hike, I knew that this place was straight out of a fairy tale and the perfect location for wedding portraits. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains off of Jenkinson Lake in Northern California near Pollock Pines, it is hard to believe this beauty is man-made. At roughly 33 feet high, you would think it would be a popular swimming hole, but the locals have kept it mostly a secret, and the place usually only has a few visitors.
Read MoreI love Alex and Asa’s boat wedding so much. It was everything that represents these two, and that is unique! They decided to get married at sunset on the Grand Belle of Geneva, on Lake Geneva. While rushing to fight some potential rain on the horizon, we did some fun portraits on the pier than jumped aboard. After getting situated, the Grand Belle took off onto the lake, and then we started their ceremony. Alex and Asa wanted to have a string quartet play during the whole affair, and their goal was to also insert parts of themselves throughout the ceremony. They both said their own vows, basically filled with jokes that had the entire room giggling. I am such a sucker for boats, and the lake; and it was such an adventure to capture this beautiful day for these two! In their words, they wanted “a nautical theme with a classy ambiance (string quartet), but not too serious or stuffy. We'll probably inject some humor into the ceremony,” and I’d say that was the exact definition of the evening.
Read MoreI absolutely love intimate weddings, and Elizabeth and Tim had exactly that. Not only was it a family style dinner hosted by Manuela, serving the best locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients in downtown Los Angeles, Ca, but they also had a very short and emotional mini-mony in the Hauser & Wirth courtyard. Hauser & Wirth is a stunning art gallery installation and communal space in the heart of the Los Angeles Downtown Arts District. Complete with chickens, an underwear installation, and beautifully decorated walls; Hauser & Wirth rotate between local contributions. T
Read MoreAngie and Nick’s wedding at SkyPark at Santa's Village in Lake Arrowhead, Ca was everything they envisioned and so much more. When I talked to Angie about her vision for the big day, she said she wanted it to feel like a “romantic dark forest theme, with a little bit of vintage style as well”. Well I think they absolutely nailed it! SkyPark at Santa's Village is the most beautiful forest venue, paired with an amusement park? Which sounds crazy, but surprisingly works incredibly well. The backdrop for not only the ceremony, but the entire reception is surrounded by a portion of 230 acres of natural forest. The bride and groom even get to adventure into the middle of that forest for their first look, as well as portraits.
Read MoreLalig and Jamil had such a fun wedding in Montebello, Ca with a beautiful wine, navy and gold color palette. But what made this day extra special, was all of the fun Armenian traditions throughout the day. While they did not make the day hundred percent traditional, Lalig and Jamil did add in some traditions to represent their beautiful culture. Before the ceremony, Lalig’s brother placed money in her shoe for good luck and with the help of mom, then placed her shoes on her feet. All of her family is also in attendance, and watches on during all of the events. After her shoes are on, Lalig’s veil was circled over her head three times by a happily married woman to bring her marriage luck.
Read MoreChicago skyline, snow, and a puppy equal basically all of my favorite things. Chi thee Wed agreed and featured all this beauty on their site.
When it snowed in Chicago, IL during one of my brief trips, I knew that I had to photograph someone in all this beautiful winter wonderland. Diana and Darek and their gorgeous dog Dustin was the perfect family to get to explore with. They were married a few months prior, and were unable to bring the third member of their family to the big day.