Last October, I had the opportunity to shoot Robyn and Cary's charming Santa Monica wedding, as an associate photographer for Callaway Gable. I loved every second of shooting at the Casa Del Mar hotel! It is a fabulous venue. Besides it's beach front location, which allowed for some sunset on Santa Monica Beach portraits, the venue also has the most gorgeous ballroom and also great hotel rooms. I loved shooting Robyn's getting ready a little extra because the light in her suite was fantastic... as was the decor! Oh and she of course had some fabulous accessories too! Loved her Badgely Mischka shoes!My other favorite part of the day was just seeing how happy Robyn was to finally marry her man! These two laughed and had a blast all day long. You could tell they were already so cozy with each other and the wedding was just about a making it official and having one fun and cute soiree! And that's exactly how it went down. From lovely succulent details to romance on the beach to hilarious toasts to a rockin' cupcake cutting! It was a great day and I was so happy to be a part of it! And I'm even more excited to be able to share the pics and relive the beauty of it all again! Enjoy!
It's a very common thing for me-- for clients to become old friends. But it's much less common when old friends become clients. However, that is exactly what happened with Lauren + Drew. I had the pleasure of shooting Lauren + Drew's amazing handmade, vintage inspired wedding at The Marion Davies Guest House in Santa Monica last Sunday. Lauren + Drew went to high school with me. I was friends with Lauren, we had musical theater class together and also a science class (but don't ask me which science class as I have blocked it from memory). Lauren was always someone who brightened my day. Funny and sarcastic. Witty and ridiculously smart. And did I mention, the girl has the most BEAUTIFUL, powerful singing voice. On Earth. She is an amazing musician and performer.It's no wonder Lauren + Drew were drawn to each other in high school. Drew is also crazy smart, very funny, and not only a talented performer, but a talented writer as well. These two were a perfect match then, and they've grown together over the years. They have moved cross-country to Chicago, went to university, entered the work force and bought a condo together. And over these years, they just have just grown better together, more perfect for each other. And it's so amazing to have reconnected after all these years and to see how their love has grown. I am so happy for my friends Lauren + Drew, and I'm so touched that they wanted "Li'l Ashleigh" from high school to document this milestone moment in their love story for them. :)Lauren + Drew's wedding was truly a celebration. A celebration of family, of friends, of their history, of how it all began. I was not the only vendor there who went to high school with them. The cake baker, also went to our high school (though a few years ahead of us) and actually went to musical theater camp (yes I said musical theater camp) with me! Small world! The hair + make up artist was a good friend of Lauren's from high school. And the ceremony? Well that was performed by Lauren+ Drew's favorite teacher from high school, and she made the ceremony so very touching, lively, and personal. Another adorable touch was that Lauren + Drew made crossword puzzles for guests to fill out for fun during the night, and the clues to the words were all based on their journey as a couple.All in all it was a BEAUTIFUL day and it meant so much to me to be there... Thanks so much to Ami for assisting and shooting with me that day! Please check out the photos below!
Lauren hand made the boutonnieres for the VIPs in her + Drew's lives (they did not have a bridal party). She made them out of paper from old books, lace, ribbon and netting. She also made her bouquet in the same fashion.
I loved that Lauren's birdcage veil and fascinator were "something blue." Such a unique and stunning detail! Even more amazing? She made both the veil and fascinator herself.
How ADORABLE are these two?!?!
Lauren + Drew got ready together, so there wasn't an official First Look. But we did take time for some fun, fabulous bride & groom portraits before the ceremony!
Ahhh! Lauren, you are STUNNING!
Seriously, Lauren? You're killing me here with your fabulousness!!! LOVE IT!
Leave it to two actors to deliver me some FIERCENESS! LOVE it!
The inside of the house was decorated with many special touches. Like vignettes of old books and pages. And Lauren + Drew's crossword puzzles!
Lauren hand made these adorable circle banners and they decorated different areas of the house with them! It was the perfect pop of color and decorative touch!
SO in LOVEEEEE with these programs! Again, hand made by Lauren! Love the whole library feel-- totally goes with the vintage look, but also is a great reference to high school and how they met.
Lauren + Drew went non-traditional and walked down the aisle together. I love the symbolism of it. Such a special moment.
After the ceremony, as the sun was setting, we ran out to the beach to grab a few more lovely photos. Drew remarked that they looked like they were doing some Boardwalk Empire Cosplay. And I was all HECK YEAH and I LOVE IT!
SWOON!!!!
I give you, MY FAVORITE SHOT OF THE DAY! Fierce, fierce, fierce!
Oh you two and your adorableness! You kill me. Really!
Back at the house, there were toasts that were so funny I nearly peed my pants... but luckily didn't.
There was no dancing, but there was ROCK BAND and a photo booth!
Lauren + Drew hammed it up for the cake cutting. Love it!
I have been dying to shoot a wedding or an engagement at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. DYING. So when the opportunity arose for me to shoot Susannah & Justin's Mr. & Mrs. session at the Viceroy I was thrilled! I had worked with Susannah before and I knew she was just so fun to photograph! She is STUNNING, has impeccable style, and the sweetest most genuine heart ever, what more could you ask for in a client?! Susannah & Justin were married in April & I'm so happy for them! They are a great pair. They kinda remind me of me & AJ...Justin is caring, tender but a little shy & quiet. He is happy to just chill but also is always keeping an eye on Susannah and helping her and making sure she's okay! I love it!I have to thank these two for still rocking the shoot despite all the madness with the Lakers finals! But when you get an opportunity to shoot at the Viceroy, well sports has got to wait! LOL!! I also want to give major thanks to Megan Gray of Honey & Poppies for ROCKING Susannah's bouquet & Justin's boutonniere. I've said before but Megan is INSANELY talented and designs some of the most stylish and unique florals ever. It's always fresh & exciting with Megan, and if I got to work with her at every wedding that would be a dream come true! Seriously brides, RUN don't walk! I also gotta thank Kristin Brancaleone of The Treasured Petal (who by the way also designs amazing florals) for providing Susannah's *FABULOUS* birdcage veil/cocktail hat! Seriously stunning! And also Miss Annie May for providing the beautiful jewelry that Susannah wore! Simply gorgeous!!! Lastly, gotta holla to my friend Elena Galaviz & her friend Liz for rocking the hair & make up!!!!
I love laughter. I think people are prettiest when they are genuinely laughing!
Susannah you are FIERCE. And Justin ain't bad on the eyes either! ;)
And be sure to check out the SLIDESHOW below! It's set to the tune of one of my fav songs ever! "Love Today" by Mika.
Remember how on this week's Tuesday Top 5 I mentioned that last Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing a REALLY awesome Italian couple's engagement photos at The Santa Monica Pier? Well here they are! Meet Andrea & Barbara, two of the sweetest, funnest, most stylish people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting! Andrea has got to be the best fiance ever! Barbara had flown in from Italy to watch him graduate from USC and get his MBA, and while she was here he planned an amazing time for her-- shopping, a trip to Vegas, and then...photos with moi! I am totally flattered that of all the photographers Andrea could have chosen to document the love that he and Barbara share, he chose me! :) But I digress, so Andrea is a total prince charming! Case in point, as our session started Barbara spotted a cute little hat being sold at one of the stands on the pier. By the way, Barbara is 100% a woman after my own heart! She loves to shop and has such a fun, chic sense of style! I love that she can find a treasure of an accessory even at the Pier!! And like a true catch, there Andrea was, as if on cue, holding the mirror up for Barbara so she could see how the hat looked, and when she decided it was perfect (it really was perfect), he whipped out his wallet and bought it for her! My kinda man!! LOL. But it's not about the material things of course. It's about the love. It's about showing love by being a helpful shopping buddy. And by doing all you can to make the person you love extra happy!And that's what I love about Andrea & Barbara. In the short time I spent with these two I could really see that they make each other SO happy. And that they are always looking out for each other. And that they are always giggling and laughing. And that they can get lost in their own little fun world together, even when my camera is 10 inches from their face! That's love!I left this session feeling totally giddy. This is my job. I get to meet awesome, happy, adorable couples. And I get to create art with them and document their love story. And in the process I make amazing friends. Pinch me because this has to be a dream! It's too good!!!! I'm so glad I met Andrea & Barbara and that this last minute sesh worked out! And now I've blabbed enough, so why don't I be quiet and let you look at the pics!!!We started out by checking out all the fun games and rides at the pier! Look at how fierce these two are! Ah, to be Italian!
And when the sun started melting us, we retreated to underneath the boardwalk...just like the song!
I am totally in LOVE with this next pic! Barbara, you are GORGEOUS!!!
See what I mean about how happy these two are? They have so much fun with each other, it's contagious!!!
I'm in love with this photo. AJ took it though, not me! He's got a good eye that husby of mine!!
Aw, this photo is my FAV!!! I didn't pose this at all. Barbara just looked at her ring and genuinely got so excited! It was such a sweet moment. When I look at this picture I can totally feel that "Ahhh!!! We're getting married!!!" excitement! And that's what engagement photos are all about!
For more lovely images from this fun session check out the SLIDESHOW below!!
Andrea and Barbara -- thank you sooo much for trusting me to document your love!! I had a blast with you two, and am glad to now be able to call you friends!! Congratulations again!!! I am so happy for you!!! Best of luck with everything and please keep in touch! :)
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