Katie and Mike are officially Mr. and Mrs. after a beautiful (and really really fun) wedding yesterday at Heritage Park in Dana Point.  The incredibly sweet and talented Melody Walker was hired to coordinate the event.  As always, she pulled it off flawlessly and kept Katie stress-free so she could enjoy her wedding.  We were fortunate enough to be able to take pre ceremony photos at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, then after the ceremony we headed down to the beach for a mini photo sess of the bridal party.  Guests enjoyed a beautiful view of Dana Point Harbor and perfect weather at Cannons Restaurant, where the reception took place.  We were also entertained with several toasts by the couple’s loved ones.  Until yesterday I had never seen a wedding toast involving two Cabbage Patch dolls…I think the bride’s brother referred to them as “nunchucks of death” or something hillarious like that.  Congrats Katie and Mike!  You make a beautiful couple and I am so honored that I was able to document your wedding day!

She looks just a wee bit happy, huh? 

The modern day bridal party photo- Blackberries in hand!

After the nunchuck Cabbage Patch doll demonstration…Luckily, no one was hurt.

Good lighting is always the first thing I look for when choosing a spot for photos.  Look how beautiful their skin is in this sweet light inside a hallway at the Ritz Carlton!

Katie has always wanted Mike to sing for her (he used to sing back in the day).  That wish became a reality when Mike serenaded his new wife in a surprise performance.  Not a dry eye in the house (including mine)!

Kira and Colin’s Casa Romantica wedding was classy, chic, modern, and laid back- all at the same time.  Green Leaf Designs’ fresh arrangements of tropical blooms interlaced with succulents were a perfect compliment to the Pacific Ocean backdrop.  Kira’s impeccable style shone through in all the creative details of the wedding- from the coordinated paper products to the plush throw blankets and dancing flip flops.  Thanks to the fabulous Dalise Lindsay, everything was perfectly organized, on schedule, and stress-free (congrats on another flawlessly executed wedding, you rock!)  Now let’s go get this wedding published in The Knot!

Can you say GORGEOUS!  This is going on my wall.

Kira bought cardstock and created the escort cards and other paper products herself.

Bridal PARTY!  Aren’t those bridesmaids’ dresses cute?

There’s no way Colin could get through the night without showing off some of his stellar dance skills. 

The ceremony site at Casa Romantica.  Could a wedding venue be any more perfect than this?

Lori and Hugh made it official yesterday during a beachside ceremony at the picturesque Laguna Village in Laguna Beach.  Here’s a sneak peek of their wedding images!  There’s a lot more where these came from, so make sure to check back in about a week to see more!

Jenna and Mark’s wedding at Bella Collina Towne and Golf Club was SO MUCH FUN!  I’ve been really lucky this summer with fun, laid back brides and beautiful wedding venues.  Jenna is my kind of bride in every way…didn’t think twice when I asked her to lay down in the grass (on the petticoat, not the actual gown!) and had a ton of personality in front of the camera.  Mark treats Jenna like a queen, and it was such a pleasure to document all the emotional moments of their wedding day.  Thanks a million to my past bride turned friend Brooke Bakken for referring Jenna and Mark to me!!  Now for the pics…

Jenna, you are my hero for letting me capture this image!

My 2nd shooter Brian took this beautiful shot in the wine tasting room.

Since Jenna and Mark took photos together before the ceremony, we had time for a golf cart ride and some romantic pics.

Perfect weather…

Love the attitude ladies!  Work it!

This image was created using an off-camera light to combat the strong backlighting from the sun.

Bridal party, ready for the party.

C’mon Jenna, you know you love it…haha!

Jenna’s friends made the DELICIOUS cupcakes.  The red velvet was to die for, and the frosting was perfection!

The Turnip Rose is a photographer’s paradise with its sweeping staircases, majestic fountain, dramatic front gate, and of course the atrium.  I knew right away that I was a perfect match for Adam and Colleen’s playful and laid back attitude (shout out to Chad for referring me!)  They’re those people who are so much fun, you KNOW their wedding is going to be the party of a lifetime, and you PRAY that you’re lucky enough to get invited.  Do you know anyone who was escorted into their wedding reception by storm troopers and a fog machine?  Didn’t think so.

Every bride needs a good pair of dancing shoes, right?

Working with a 2nd photographer is essential for capturing moments like this – Colleen and her daddy waiting to walk down the aisle at Holy Family Cathedral.

Another example of why a 2nd shooter is awesome – Steve Hoffmann captured this beautiful close up image…

While I captured a wider shot to show the beautiful atrium.

They are called the bridal PARTY for a reason, right?!

I love a bride who bedazzles (look at the heels)! Adam begged to show off his studly calves, so we let him…jk, he didn’t really beg

The refreshingly unique floral design was created by a friend from Camfeldt’s Flowers and Gifts

A surprise appearance by the storm troopers caught Adam and Colleen completely off guard.

Shout out to my Alien Bee flash for producing this awesome lighting for the bouquet toss!

The guys encouraging Adam as he removes Colleen’s garter.

The Turnip Rose looks just as good at night as it does during the day.

Don’t mess with these newlyweds, grrrrr!

Hotel Accomodations – Fairmont Newport Beach

Ozzie and Lori became Mr. and Mrs. during a beautiful ceremony at Saint Catherine of Siena in Laguna Beach.  At the Rancho Capistrano reception, guests were entertained by the Susie Hansen Latin Band, and enjoyed an exciting night of eating, drinking, and dancing.  The newlyweds kicked off the evening’s festivities with a sexy salsa dance, proving that all you need for an awesome first dance is the internet and the ability to teach yourself.  Thank you Lori and Ozzie, for inviting me to document your big day!

Going to make this a quick entry, because I have LOTS of editing to do!  It’s sooo much fun to photograph a fellow sorority sister’s wedding, because I know she will look fabulous in front of the camera, and the reception will be one heck of an awesome party.  Bre & Brad’s wedding was no exception to this rule!  Their ceremony and reception took place at the picturesque Grand Tradition Estate in Fallbrook. Bre pretty much resembled a life size Barbie doll, and her groom wasn’t too shabby looking either.  DJ Paul Peterson kept the dance floor seriously energized all night long; he is one of the best DJ’s I’ve worked with.  Take a look at the sneak peek of their wedding images below…

There’s a lot to be said for a small, intimate wedding celebration.  The chaos level is usually a few notches lower than it would be at a large wedding.  If the newlyweds are really lucky, they’ll talk to each of their guests more than the usual “Hi, thanks for coming!” then off to the next table.  Monique and Garet definitely had a beautiful, meaningful, and intimate wedding ceremony, and it was a joy for me to be part of it.  At the reception, DJ Allan Cason kept the dance floor bumpin’ and the guests fully entertained with his witty comments, blow-up guitar, and dreadlock wig.  Plus, if you know me, you know I love a bride who takes a little risk with color!  Monique was right on target with her sexy turquoise shoes and a playful feather hairpiece for the reception.  If you’re wondering why Monique looks so darn good in photos, it’s because she used to model.  Please God, bless me with a body and face half that good after having a child, please!

DJ (sooo amazing & hillarious, call him!) – Allan Cason, APC Entertainment

Wedding Day Accomodations – The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach

Ceremony Location – Heisler Park in Laguna Beach

Reception Location – Blue Lake South located in the community of Woodbridge in the city of Irvine

I got to check off another “wedding photography first” for myself this weekend when I photographed Crystal and Cory’s wedding at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa.  I was really impressed with what Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa had to offer, especially since it was quite a deviation from the typical Orange County wedding venues I’m accustomed to.  The air is cleaner, there’s humongous trees everywhere you look, and the water and sky are beyond blue.  Once inside the resort, you can’t help but get that warm fuzzy feeling inside, like it’s time to curl up by the fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate.  To top it all off, Crystal and Cory were so cool to work with, and I found myself leaving the wedding with a big smile on my face.  It’s awesome to see a young couple so clearly devoted to not only each other, but to God as well.  I could write a lot more, but I’ll let the pics do the talking…

Here’s a sneak peek of Mary and Dave’s Disneyland wedding that took place this past weekend in the majestic Rose Court Garden at the Disneyland Hotel.  It couldn’t have been a more magical day- from the horse drawn carriage, to the surprise appearance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the Grand Californian Hotel reception.  Mary and Dave not only pulled off planning the wedding of a lifetime, they were also joined by about 100 of their family and dear friends, all of whom travelled from Canada!  Considering that Mary and Dave are one of the most kind-hearted couples I’ve ever met, it was no surprise to me that so many people made the long voyage to celebrate.  Hope you guys have a relaxing Hawaiian honeymoon!

A few shots in Downtown Disney…Loving the black & white background. Thanks Sephora!

Mary and her father waiting to walk down the aisle.

Happy Birthday Grandma!  I asked what her secret to longevity is, and she said “living on a farm my whole life.”