Donna + Ron had one of my favorite weddings of 2015! It was held at the beautiful Ravenscroft Estate in Montecito. There was so much to love about this fabulous affair planned and designed perfectly by Lindsey of Magnolia Event Design-- from the perfect setting, to Donna's stunning gown, to the beautiful flowers by Nico of NLC Productions... But truly the best part of the day was Donna + Ron! These two are so sweet and kind and genuine and just the best people you could ever hope to meet! They were so happy all day. They were just a joy to photograph! I also loved how relaxed and intimate their event was. It was all about celebrating the day with those most important to them. The focus was on love and it was stress and drama free-- which is exactly how weddings should be!Donna's beautiful hair and make up was done by Page of Absolutely Fabulous Glamour Studio.Special thanks to Kelsey for second shooting with me!
Anna + Mikey are another one of my awesome 2015 wedding couples! Their beautiful wedding was held at The Bacara a few weeks ago and perfectly planned by the amazing Donna of Donna Romani Events. I just adore working with Donna, she always makes sure the day runs smoothly! I loved photographing Anna + Mikey as you could just feel the love they had for each other in every smile, stolen glance and embrace. They make each other laugh and they make each other shine bright. They had the sweetest vows to each other and their siblings also honored them with some heartfelt and hilarious toasts! It was a perfect day, spent over looking the gorgeous Santa Barbara coast line and filled with love and laughs! Can't be that!Special thanks to Kelsey for 2nd Shooting!Check out the pretty pictures below!!
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I am so excited to share this wedding for so many reasons! This was my first wedding of 2015 and the first wedding I have shot since no longer being pregnant! Let me just tell you, even though it is a little challenging shooting while being a nursing mama, shooting while pregnant was way more physically taxing! I am also so excited because this wedding took place at Ranchos Dos Pueblos which is one of my top 3 favorite wedding venues in Santa Barbara (maybe in the world??)!!!Seriously, Dos Pueblos Ranch is a photographer's dream. I have shot there a couple times before and I don't think I could ever tire of it. From the private beach and ocean lawn to the dilapidated green houses to the rustic barn to the orchards to the lush natural landscape... there are SO MANY AWESOME PLACES TO SHOOT! My only wish is that I could have had even more time to just shoot and shoot and shoot! But even with the crazy tight timeline of a wedding day I think I was able to capture so much beauty! Seriously! Amazing!Then of course was my couple. Though I normally do engagement sessions with my couples, I did not have the opportunity to do one with Vanessa & Mark, so really their wedding was the first time we met! That's always a bit of a challenge for all parties too figure each other out on the spot, but luckily Vanessa & Mark are awesome and really rocked it in front of the camera! Vanessa + her bridesmaids are practically models! What a gorgeous and sweet group of gals! And Mark and his groomsmen were really stand up guys! I had a blast photographing them and just love the images that we got! I mean, just look at the length of this post!Special thanks to my ever amazing friend & talented second shooter Kelsey, who definitely helped extra when we got into a pinch with the timeline! This is why I work with strong second shooters, so we can tag team when the day throws curves balls! ;)So... now for a lengthy look at just a FRACTION of the gorgeous images captured at V + M's Ranchos Dos Pueblos wedding!! I hope you enjoy!
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Samantha + James were another one of my favorite 2014 couples!! These two came all the way from Canada to get married in beautiful Santa Barbara Wine Country at Firestone Vineyard, and boy was their day nothing short of amazing!! First of all, Sam + James hired a dream team of vendors which included Hint of Chic doing full service event design, florals and all the planning, Haute Catering on food & beverage, Town & Country on Rentals, La Tavola for linens and Bella Vista for lighting design! So of course this event was going to be a beauty, and it was!But also the day was perfect because Sam + James are perfect. These two are so sweet and so in love. They were so happy that this day they had dreamed of for so long was finally coming true! They were surrounded by their closest friends and family only, which made the wedding so intimate and personal. You could really feel the love that was there! At the reception, there were lots of laughter and happy tears during toasts, and crazy dance moves once the party got started! But the best part was seeing the way Sam & James looked at each other... you could tell they were over joyed!Thanks to Kelsey for 2nd shooting! Check out the awesome photos & swoon worthy details below!
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Shannon is a very special bride to me! She has been following my work for at least 4 years, maybe longer, via Facebook & here on my blog (we had some mutual friends and became friends on "the book" ourselves)! So of course I was flattered and honored that as soon as she got engaged she chose to hire me! She even planned her date around my availability which was crazy sweet of her! Her big day was held in San Clemente-- and it was a destination wedding for both her & me! I made the trip down from Santa Barbara, and her and her fiance came all the way from Texas, as did many of the guests! San Clemente is just a beautiful area of California, and her historic, ocean-side wedding venue Casa Romantica was super lovely to photograph!Shannon & Kyle are just so cute and sweet together. It was easy to photograph them because you could tell how over the moon they are for each other and how happy they were to be getting married! There were a lot of special touches and cute details to this day-- which was perfectly executed by Sterling Engagements! The food by 24 Carrots was dee-lish as well! It was a perfect day with so many gorgeous elements you just have to check it out below!Also I have to give a huge thanks to my two assistant shooters Kelsey & Erin! This day was so grand & had so many details, it would have not been possible to get it all done without these superstar photogs on my team! So thanks gals!On to the gorgeous photos!
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There are some weddings that are just so bittersweet...because I just LOVE the couple so much. I spend a year or more counting down to their big day, and just adore working with them. Their day comes and it's pure magic. And that's where the bitter part of "bittersweet" comes in, because inevitably the wedding comes to an end and then I can't look forward to their wedding anymore. Sigh...Lauren + Gian's Palm Springs wedding was one of these bittersweet ones. I have adored them since our initial meeting, and have been anxiously awaiting there wedding for awhile now! These two are just the type of couple I LOVE to work with-- kind, sweet, madly in love with each other, trusting, stylish, easy going, and just plain fun to hang out with. Their wedding-- which was a Brazilian Carnival-themed Palm Desert fete-- did not disappoint! In fact, it was so great I am mostly sad it's over already!The day was beautifully planned by Natalie Sofer Events. It was held at the bride's parents' beautiful home in La Quinta. The bridal party was super fun. Lauren + Gian looked like a dream and were just beaming with joy all day. They were up for anything as far as photos went-- letting me take them out into the sandy desert for photos after their ceremony! They were just so happy and in love and over-joyed, it was a great energy to be around! The reception was like one giant cocktail party, with Carnival masks and Brazilian food and peacock feathered-decor! It was a perfect day and I was honored to be a part of it!Thanks to Erin for 2nd shooting yet again!
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I am so excited to share Danielle & Jevin's exquisite wedding which I recently photographed at The Biltmore. As you may remember from their engagement session, Danielle & Jevin are a super adorable couple! They are so happy and in love and just genuinely sweet to be around. Jevin just beams when he is around Danielle. And you can tell Danielle is just smitten with him as well!
These two married at the gorgeous Biltmore Four Seasons Resort in Santa Barbara. The day was impeccably planned by Donna Romani Events. I absolutely loved all the gorgeous blush and gold details of the reception and the creamy soft florals throughout the day. Also, major thanks to Erin Saldana for being an amazing second shooter!
And now? Pictures!
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As some of you know, in 2013 I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Maui multiple times and work for my good friend Anna Kim. Anna is like a soul-sister to me! We have so much in common-- from photography style to tv shows to foodie tastes to even the same bathing suits! I just adore any time I get to spend with her and hang out... of course it doesn't hurt she happens to live in one of my favorite places ever, Hawaii! ;)While I was working/playing with her this summer, it coincided with her birthday. Anna is not only much loved by me but everyone who meets her. I mean it's kinda impossible not to love her! So she had a beautiful birthday party at one of the most gorgeous wedding venues on Earth... the Haiku Mill in Maui. All her friends & family who adore her surrounded her with love that day. And a very fancy birthday fete-- complete with gorgeous florals by Dellables-- was held in her honor. It was an amazing day, and I was flattered to not only attend as a guest but to also photograph parts of it for Anna. The party was even featured on Pacific Wedding's Blog.It was actually a rainy day, though it is hard to tell in pictures. My favorite memory ever of that night was dancing and singing with Anna in the rain to the tune of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines." So fun!Thank you Anna for being a wonderful friend to me! I hope you will always cherish these photos :)
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Jasmine & Micah had a lovely wedding at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort on Maui, Hawaii! First of all, what an amazing place to get married! The beach in front of this resort is so beautiful and looks like a postcard in photos! Unreal! Jasmine & Micah were super fun to photograph because they are just funny, outgoing, sweet people. Micah and his groomsman were hilarious and total hams for my camera. Jasmine and her girls were as cute and sweet as can be! They had a beautiful and emotional beachside ceremony, and then we had a chance for some fun portraits on the sand! It was awesome. I loved every second of their Hawaii paradise wedding. :)I shot this wedding as an associate for Anna Kim Photography. Thanks Anna! 
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Paulina & Bryan had a beautiful wedding on the lovely island of Maui, Hawaii. It was simple, full of love, and every detail was beautiful. Paulina dazzled in her Jimmy Choo's and beaded gown. Her bouquet by Dellables was as romantic as ever. Bryan looked dapper in his suit. The two married in an outdoor church ceremony (the fact that they have outdoor churches in Hawaii is AMAZING to me), and then had a lovely reception at Merriman's. Merriman's is such a beautiful spot for Maui weddings, I could just shoot there again and again! My favorite part of the day was getting to photograph these two on my favorite beach-- Kapalua Bay-- and photographing them on the lava rocks! So magical!I photographed this wedding as an associate for Anna Kim Photography. Thanks Anna for this amazing opportunity!
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This year was SO exciting for me in many ways. Not only did I get to shoot my own weddings in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, Napa, and Boston...BUT... I also got to do some work for my dear friend and extremely talented friend Anna Kim in Maui, Hawaii. Anna is an AMAZING Maui based wedding photographer and she hired me throughout the year to take on some associate photography jobs for her! It was so fun getting to travel on three separate occasions to my favorite state, Hawaii, and do what I love... photograph weddings.Danielle & Brett's was the first wedding I shot on Maui. It was a gorgeous, intimate, beachside wedding in Kihei. We had so much time for portraits which was so fun to shoot! They also had a beautiful Hawaiian ceremony that was so touching, joyful and heartfelt. I loved photographing this wedding so much and am so excited to share! Enjoy!
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As you may or may not know I am currently in Maui for a little work and a lot of play! I've been here for 11 days now and still have 5 more to go! While I was here, my very close friend Anna Kim (you may remember her from this shoot) had a fabulous birthday fete at the magical wedding venue Haiku Mill. Anna was very kind in asking me to photograph her party so she could remember it... and as you may imagine, it is always flattering when another talented peer who you really admire asks you to photograph something for them! So of course I was very happy and honored to oblige!Today Pacific Weddings Magazine featured the affair on their blog... which showcases my photos alongside some of the photos Anna took at the party too! Very cool!You can check out the feature HERE!
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Mandi and Dan had a gorgeous wedding at the historic Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel in Boston MA. Mandi had dreamed of getting married here since she was a little girl, and I can instantly see why! The hotel is gorgeous with beautiful turn of the century architecture and detail. It is also located in Boston's famed Copley Square so there are lots of fun photo opportunities near by like The Boston Public Library, and the Trinity Church. Mandi is from Boston originally but she also met Dan in the city, over 10 years ago, when they were both students at Boston University. So it's fitting that they chose this lovely spot to get married!And, oh, I should probably mention that Mandi is my best friend in the whole wide world! So this day had extra special meaning. I just adore her and Dan, and in the 6 years I have known them I have seen their relationship only grow stronger and better (and it was already fantastic when I met them)! Dan is just about the nicest guy in the whole world, and when he is near Mandi he can't help but radiate joy. You'd think these two had just met-- but they are just so lucky to be in a permanent state of puppy love! The day was pure celebratory. Two families, and tons friends who have gotten to know each other quite well over the last 10 years, finally got to chance to celebrate Mandi + Dan making it official! And it was a party like no other!Another thing I should mention is I actually also played the role of BRIDESMAID on this special day! Yes, I was a bridesmaid-slash-photographer! But I definitely could not have made that work without the very talented Lexi of Lexi Photography who worked as my associate that day, photographing lead on parts I could not photograph, and playing 2nd shooter when I was able to be in control. Thanks so much Lexi for helping to make my BFF's day and pics turn out fab!Okay so enough chatting, let's look at some pictures! My faves are below but you will find even more if you CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SLIDESHOW!
2012 was a great year for weddings! I shot so many gorgeous weddings in Santa Barbara and destinations beyond and had so much fun while doing so! Of course it always helps when your couples are some of the sweetest, most genuine and caring people in the world! I could not be more thankful for them! Take a peak at some of my favorite 2012 weddings! And then let's all be excited for what's in store for 2013!Brooks + Samantha kicked off the year by getting married at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum:
Then Rachel + Sean had a beautiful winery wedding:
Valerie + Paul had a luxury wedding at the Montage in Beverly Hills:
Stacy + Sebastian got married at Spanish Hills in Camarillo:
Jen + Eric had a gorgeous Jewish waterfront wedding at The Ritz:
Heather + Johannes got married at the gorgeous Calamigos Ranch in Malibu (full wedding forthcoming):
Renita + Alex had a down right gorgeous wedding:
Susie and Eric's wedding had a vintage flair which we loved:
Kendra + Kevin's wedding at The Sunstone Villa was to die for:
Monika + Morgan's Santa Barbara Courthouse Wedding was lovely:
Ali + Jason had a desert hippie fete I'll never forget!
Sandy + Jeremy Eloped at The Bacara:
And on 12-12-12 Jessica + Norm eloped in Santa Barbara (blog forthcoming):
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I am so thrilled to finally be able to share this amazing desert and hippie inspired love shoot with you, which was featured on Style Me Pretty last week!This whole thing came about when I met Jackie. I met her at a bridal show when she stopped at my booth and I instantly LOVED her. She had the cutest personality and sense of style. Apparently the feeling was mutual and soon we were meeting over coffee and talking weddings and photography. Jackie told me how she is getting married in her hometown of Chicago this fall and (bummer) had already hired a local photographer to shoot it. Though she is crazy excited for her Chicago wedding, she was an avid Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, and Once Wed reader and had just been dreaming and swooning over the idea of a California wedding. She even had some dream vendors lined up for it, like florals by Honey and Poppies. She knew two full blown weddings weren't in the budget...but perhaps a styled Mr. & Mrs love shoot could work!Jackie and her charming fiance Tony are uber hip and stylish. They look like modern hippies and ooze that relaxed cool vibe. I helped them translate that vibe into a lovely Hippie inspired shoot out in the desert...Joshua Tree to be exact! And since it was to be a mini, California dream wedding, we HAD to have Jackie's dream florist make the arrangements. As usual, Megan of Honey and Poppies knocked it out of the park and created some swoon worth florals!My love, Amber, of Pitbulls and Posies created some amazing stationery for the shoot! Hope Stanley chose the perfect look for Jackie to wear. And Jackie's headband was made by the always breath-taking Lo Boheme!! The talented Susie Chhuor Studio completed Jackie's look with amazing hair & make up (though the desert wind sure did seem determine to mess up Jackie's hair all day!). Lastly, I asked my friend Candice to come along and help me style the shoot! All in all it was a dream team, and Jackie's reaction to the final set up was one of pure joy! She told me it was all she wanted and more and that she was so happy to be getting her dream California wedding! Hooray!!!!I'm so excited to share these photos with y'all! They are some of my faves to date! Hugeeee thank you to all the amazing vendors who worked on this shoot!Floral Design: Honey and Poppies - http://honeyandpoppies.com/Stationery: Pitbulls & Posies - http://pitbullsandposies.com/Wardrobe Styling: Hope Stanley - http://hsbridalstylist.blogspot.com/Dress: Mary Me Bridal - http://marymebridal.com/Hair Adornments: Lo Boheme - www.loboheme.com Hair + Make-up: Susie Chhuor Studio - http://www.susiechhuor.com/Set Styling: Candice Benjamin - http://candicebenjamin.com/The sweetheart table was TO DIE FOR!!!!!
The stationery Amber made had the CUTEST motifs! Feathers & cactus! LOVE!
I loved the brass containers Megan used to show off the different blooms and succulents! So lovely! Brides hoping to create a similar look should ask their florist if they can provide such containers and/or start going to flea markets and thrift stores throughout wedding planning to collect the goodies!
These details?? SWOON!!!! I LOVE that Tony wore a light colored suit! And I loved Jackie's look of layered necklaces and bangle bracelets! While traditional diamonds and pearls make lovely wedding day accessories, I think it's really fun to see colored stones (turquoise!!) and a funkier approach to jewelry!
Jackie, you are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!
There are literally a MILLION reasons why I love Megan's floral arrangements. Reason #18976? She wrapped this bouquet with crepe paper streamers!!
Ahhhh! Jackie & Tony you are too cute for words!!!!!!! I'm literally SPEECHLESS!
ADORE!
These two are so flirty cute together! LOVES it!
We DIY'd ribbon wands for this shoot! (Which takes like two seconds and basically involves tying ribbon to a stick just fyi). They really made for some FUN photos!
Puttin' that desert wind to good use!
In addition to a sweetheart table, we created this little lounge area so the two could just relax and enjoy each other. This is Jackie + Tony being themselves! Laughing and just living in the moment!
Adorable right?!!!
Check out all the photos from this shoot on Style Me Pretty!
Here is part two of Vanessa and Pat's Hawaii Trash The Dress session! I think this is the part everyone has been waiting for...when Vanessa jumps in the ocean in her wedding dress! LOVE! You might think it's kinda scary or sad to trash your dress but I gotta say, Vanessa and Pat had a ton of fun with it! Vanessa was smiling and laughing and loving being in the warm waters of Lani Kai Beach! She was having so much fun, in fact, that I was totally jealous. If I'd had my wedding dress, I definitely would have jumped in right beside her!!! Really, I would have!! It looked THAT fun and liberating! Just see for yourself!We trashed the dress little by little. First, they walked on the shoreline as the water lapped up on their feet.
A little bit of fun dancing...
And then BAM! Water! In wedding clothes!! Fabulous!!! See what I mean about fun and liberating?!
Vanessa worked it in the water like nobody's business! Fierce, I tell you! FIERCE!
Trashing the dress doesn't have to only mean being in the water you know! Not at all! For example, you can get sexy in the sand!
REAL sexy!!!
Oh. Em. Gee. I am in total love with the fabulousness here. The sky! The light! The water! The most gorgeous and ferosh couple ever! Love. Love. LOVE!
And back in the water! 'Cause, really, being in the water is SO FUN!
Work it out you two! Work it oooooouuutttttt!
I love this!!
This shot was the PERFECT way to end the session! I just LOVE it!
When I found out I was going to be in Hawaii this summer, I just KNEW I had to set up a photo shoot there. Specifically on Lani Kai Beach in Kailua, because seriously? It is one of my most favoritest beaches ever. In the whole entire world. Lani Kai is just one of those magic places to me. The kind of place that defines paradise!My fab photog friend Pinky agreed to shoot with me, and being a Oahu local, made all the arrangements! She got her good friends Vanessa and Pat to model for us! Vanessa and Pat have been married for eight years! So this kind of worked out to be an anniversary session for them!! :)What struck me the most about Vanessa and Pat was that they acted like newlyweds all day. They were in young, puppy-love!! I love that they were having so much fun together, and how Pat can make Vanessa laugh so easily! And I loved that these two were in their own little world and pranced on the beach like it was just the two of them! I really couldn't have asked for a more perfect couple to photograph on the most perfect beach. It was truly an incredible experience and I am just in love with how the photos turned out!So in love that I will be posting more from their session later this week! So stay tuned for that! But for now, please check out round one of Vanessa and Pat's Mr. and Mrs. session on Lani Kai!We started the session off on the sand. We wanted to work our way up to getting them in the water! So first they rocked it out on the dry parts of the beach! hehe
Vanessa has the best laugh!! Her face totally lights up and it's totally contagious! When she starts laughing, everything gets brighter! Love it!
Aughhhh! Vanessa! You are GORGEOUS!
I love how these two can just let loose and be themselves in front of the camera!
Vibrant. Fabulous and Fierce. Totally my style. Totally in LOVE!
Pat you are pretty handsome yourself!!
Vanessa! Work it out mama!!! You are so stunning!!! Pat is a lucky man!!
There's that laugh again! This photo is so fun and joyful! I just love it!!
Ahhh! That light!!! Swoon!!!!
There is so much I want to say about Kristin & Jeremy's wedding-- that it was beautiful, that it was truly joyous, that it was jammin', that it was hot! But even the desert sun couldn't lessen the energy and enthusiasm of the day. Kristin was the most radiant, gleeful bride I have ever seen (well honestly I haven't seen that many brides but she was even more gleeful than the brides in any of the wedding movies I've seen-- and I've seen a lot of those ;)). Seriously, not a minute went by that she wasn't beaming! And Jeremy simply could not take his eyes of Kristin. The love he showed for her would make any girl swoon! Their vows were so sincere and touching, but really their expressions spoke so much louder than their words. These two are meant for each other. I'm certain they have a love that will stand the test of time.But besides the fact that these two oozed true love, the other completely incredible thing about Kristin & Jeremy's wedding was that these two really know how to have fun! Once the party started there was no stopping it! Jeremy is a musician, so of course he gathered a bunch of talented friends to perform. The band was incredible and played classic Motown tunes, but brought a whole new life to them. And then Jeremy himself got up and rocked on the drums for a good twenty minutes. Seriously, it was some of the best live music I have ever heard. And while the band and Jeremy played, Kristin danced and danced and danced! That gal can really kick up her feet! And of course Kristin & Jeremy made plenty of time to dance together!I second shot this wedding with the talented and very cool Adam Sawyers. I can't wait to see the wedding through his eyes. But for now here is my take on Kristin & Jeremy's big day! Below are some of my faves or for more photos check out this awesome slideshow!
If you haven't had your fill of eye candy from Kristin & Jeremy's awesome wedding, be sure to check out the slideshow!