Santa Barbara Engagement Photography | Rachael + Sadie

I am so excited to share my last engagement session of 2012 which was with the beautiful Rachael and Sadie! Rachael and I go wayyyyyy back. Like back to the days of being in musical theater camp in elementary school. So when Rachael told me via facebook she was engaged and wanted me to photograph her big day I was thrilled! How fun for life to come full circle like that... to know some one as a little kid, and then get to tell their love story as an adult! I love that! And of course, I couldn't wait to meet Sadie!Rachael + Sadie came up to Santa Barbara for the day to have a fun little getaway from all their whirlwind wedding planning and let me document their love! I adored spending time getting to know them both better! These two are so perfect for each other-- they make each other laugh, they randomly break out into song and dance, they smile radiantly! I had so much fun exploring Santa Barbara with them, and I think they had a ton of fun being photographed, even though prior to the shoot they had told me they were a tad nervous! But seriously, they fooled me because they were all smiles and laughs throughout the shoot! The session was such a blast and I can't wait for their wedding this Fall! YAY!Check out the images below:

You two are so beautiful!!!

The light was gorgeous as well!!

I just love the way their eyes beam when they look at each other!

SOOO pretty! Seriously ladies, you rocked my lens!!Love is the best. Swoon!!Workin' it for the sunset!!

To see more of this lovely Santa Barbara Engagement CLICK HERE or watch the slideshow below:

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2012 Year In Review: Behind The Scenes

 Happy New Year, y'all! 2013 is going to be SOOO good for me and for Ashleigh Taylor Photography, I can't help but break into the giddiest Gangnam Style dance when I think of it all! And of course 2013 would be my year... after all you are talking to a lady born on Friday the 13th! 13 is my lucky number!But before we move forward, I'd like to look back a bit! I always enjoy doing Year In Reviews, to appreciate where I've been before I move forward. Well, friends, one of the funniest and most popular posts I do every year is my "Behind The Scenes" photos. These are the images that show me creating images. You know, how the magic happens. And sometimes it ain't pretty (or should I say, I don't FEEL pretty)-- shooting weddings on 100+ degree days (which we had wayyyyy too many of this year) is NO JOKE. But I'll put vanity aside and keep it real. This is behind the scenes of Ashleigh Taylor Photography 2012... no photoshop or nothin'!I always check every bridal party member to make sure they look great and know just how to pose!!I very quietly capture the love!!! So sneaky!Grand Entrance? Yeah, I'm on it!Toasts? I got that covered too ;)From bridals to the ceremony!!Where's Ashleigh during the First Dance? Blending in with the crowd, but capturing every moment!Bouquet shot? Check!I'm pretty sure I was being hilarious and entertaining the crowd here... Clearly!WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE? I don't know, but I thought everyone could laugh at me and help me try to figure it out!Ceremony-ing! This is me capturing some crowd reactions!Beautiful portraits!More bridal party awesomeness!Sometimes perfect moments just happen before my lens (see the pic on the left) and then sometimes a gown needs to be fluffed to create a perfect moment (see the pic on the right)."I now pronounce you..." hahah j/k-- I don't do that part guys! I am just posing them for a portrait! heheWhoa, that's a lot of photographers! This is what happens when you try to grab a group shot after the ceremony and the guests can see what you're doing... YIKES! Lesson: do a first look or move the guests into a separate cocktail area... otherwise the attack of the guests with point and shoots happens! heheOkay so I'll leave you with this. Every wedding I am ALWAYS asked to dance by at least one groomsmen. Yes, I am a groomsmen magnet. It's bizarre. I always turn them down because there is nothing professional about gettin' down on the dance floor with a groomsman when you are the photographer (and MARRIED)! But usually me refusal makes the guys try to woo me harder. Their flattery may make me blush (see below) but they never get the dance! 

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Featured on Style Me Pretty!

It's always a happy day whenever we have a feature on Style Me Pretty! And I couldn't be more excited that this time it's Kendra + Kevin's Sunstone Winery wedding that is being featured! Woohoo! The day was oh so magical, I knew it had the potential to inspire so many other brides. And even if you are not planning a wedding, it's just a fun bit of eye candy to drool over! I could not be happier with how the feature turned out!Check Kendra +  Kevin's Sunstone Villa wedding on Style Me Pretty here:

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Featured on TheKnot.com!

Well... I guess things are coming full circle for me! In 2008, I was a bride-to-be, unhappy at my admin job in the entertainment industry, and sneaking all the time I could while at work perusing TheKnot.com and planning my wedding. It was then that I had the first thought that I might like to be a wedding photographer. By November I had my first digital camera and I even shot my first engagement and bridal sessions for a few brave fellow knotties that I had become real life friends with. Looking back on it, it's kind of NUTS and I'm not sure that in those first few months I approached things the right way at all. But still, I love where I am and if it hadn't been for TheKnot.com I may have never thought to pursue this path.And now, exactly four years later, TheKnot.com is featuring MY photos! What? Like, my photos will be inspiring a whole new generation of knotties?!?! Whoa! I literally longed to be good enough to have my work featured on their site four years ago, and here we are today with a real wedding feature! I'm so thankful and stoked!Check out the feature here, and don't forget that when you pursue your dreams with persistence and passion they can come true!

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Spanish Hills Camarillo Wedding | Stacy + Sebastian {Callaway Gable Associate Photographer}

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to photograph Stacy + Sebastian's gorgeous wedding at the Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo. This one of the weddings I shot as an associate photographer for Callaway Gable. Spanish Hills is a gorgeous venue, with so many awesome spots for pictures! And the venue coordinators and catering department are totally on top of their game which I love. Another bonus for me is that Spanish Hills is located in Camarillo, only a short drive from my home in Santa Barbara! Awesome!Stacy and Sebastian are pretty much the cutest and sweetest people ever and I could not have been more excited to be apart of their big day! I intially fell in love with them at our meeting and then at their engagement! So by the time the wedding rolled around, we felt like old friends! I loved getting to know their families on the wedding day-- it was so nice to see how close both their families are even though Seb's family came all the way from Norway! These two definitely have the stuff that good relationships are built on, and I wish them a lifetime of happiness together! So glad I got to work with these two this year!

How pretty is Stacy?!

So pretty!!

Their First Look was filled with smiles!

Before their Jewish ceremony, Stacy + Seb had a ketubah signing! And it was one of the more emotional ketubah ceremonies I've ever witnessed. The Rabbi asked that everyone say something to the couple which turned into a bug huge happy-tears-and-laughs fest. It was adorable. I think I was even getting all verklepmpt behind the lens! Here are two fave shots that speak to the mix of emotions!

Seriously, not only are Stacy + Seb adorable, but Stacy's mom is the cutest too! No wonder why Stacy is so awesome... she got it from her momma! :)

I always love a good bride coming down the aisle shot! It's a BIG moment and there is always so much anticipation to capture!

Stacy + Seb smiled the whole way through the ceremony!

WOOHOO! Newlyweds!

Sexy portraits time!

Dear lord are these two STUNNING or what?!!

GORGEOUS!

You two are seriously beyond lovely!

The reception was pretty in pink!

I love the fireplace at Spanish Hills!

The first dance!!!

Stacy looked so cute for the garter toss!!!

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Attitude of Gratitude

Since I started my business, every year has been a great year. Really! Being able to do something creative and fulfilling for a living that touches people's lives and allows me to be my own boss? It is truly a blessing, and one that I don't take lightly. I have been and continue to be ridiculously grateful for all I have on a daily basis. But around this time of the year it is nice to take stock of all the things I am extra thankful for. After all, an attitude of gratitude is the key to happiness!This year really takes the cake for me. There is seriously SO MUCH to be thankful for I don't even know where to start but I'll try. I am thankful for:

  • MY HUSBAND. What would I do without this amazing man who puts up with my unique brand of crazy? Seriously, he is the best thing that happened to me!
  • MY KITTIES. I am thankful for these furry balls of daily love. They warm my heart so much and make me laugh and smile even on the most challenging days. I can't imagine living without them.
  • MY FAMILY (parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, niece, nephew and cousins)... duh! They are a crazy bunch but we all understand each other. No one will ever love me like my family will or do for me what they will. And I super appreciate that!
  • MY IN-LAWS. Holy wow! I don't know if I ever fully understood just how darn LUCKY I got in the in-laws department until this year. Now that we live so close to my in-laws, I really have gotten to know them and they are seriously saints. They have done so much to help us get our house together, and just help us with life in general. They are never pushy or nosy or pry or any stereotypes you see on TV about in-laws. They are just loving, generous and all  around fantastic. I truly am blessed!
  • OUR CONDO Last December when we became homeowners it was a dream come true. I never thought we'd be able to afford to buy a nice place, especially in Santa Barbara. And when we realized we could get a starter condo, I was sure it'd be the tiniest 2 bedroom place that existed. Somehow we got a beautiful spot, with a view, THREE bedrooms, so much natural light and in an awesome complex with amenities like a pool and jacuzzi. It has been amazing to live here for a year now and I love it SO much. This is our dream, perfect, starter home and I'm so lucky it's ours. There are truly no words!
  • My CLIENTS. Seriously, I say this all the time but I have the best, raddest, cutest, most stylish clients EVER. I am so lucky to get to photograph y'all and capture your precious memories. I do not take the fact that you have entrusted me to document your major life milestones, and I pinch myself every day that this is what I get to do for a living. It goes without saying, I couldn't do it if it wasn't for all of you. Thank you all so much.
  • My COLLEAGUES. When you run your own at-home business, it can be very lonely. There are many days I never see any people besides my husband and our cats. I don't have the typical office environment with co-workers, so it has taken a lot of effort to meet other colleagues in the wedding industry. But I am so glad I put the effort in and created so many awesome relationships. I really appreciate every peer that has referred a client to me or has worked with me on a styled shoot or even just engaged in some small talk with me at a networking event. I'm lucky to be a part of a fantastic industry with so many great people in it!
  • My FRIENDS! I only have a small handful of close friends but when the going gets tough they are always here for me. And what is life without friends to laugh and have fun with?!
  • MY HUSBAND'S JOB. The reason we moved to Santa Barbara was because my hubby got his dream job in Santa Barbara. This is THE job he told me he wanted just weeks into our relationship. He put following his dream on hold initially so he could stay with me until I finished college in Boston. Then he put it on hold so I could pursue my original dreams of movie-making in Hollywood. My husband has had some serious struggles since the economy crashed in 2008 and education budgets got slashed. So for him to get ANY job in education was amazing. But for him to get his exact dream job??!! Well that was just a miracle. He's been so happy and fulfilled the past year and half at his new job and I am so thankful for that! I just want him to be happy!!
  • YOGA. This year I got way into Yoga and am so thankful. My body and mind are much more relaxed these days! Namaste, yo!
  • BEING PUBLISHED. I've seen my work get published in so many more awesome places! This year I had my first multi-page, real-wedding spread in a print magazine! I've gotten to be on Style Me Pretty again and oh so much more! I could never have believed all the places I turned for inspiration when I was planning my wedding would one day publish my own work! It's so amazing!
  • LIVING IN SANTA BARBARA. I am very lucky to live in one of the most beautiful and scenic spots in the country! Short of Hawaii, there's not much else like SB. It's so scenic, quiet and stress free here and yet they have great shopping and dining too. It's a great place to be! Can't beat it (welllll.... except for Hawaii)! heh

...Pheeew! What a list! The crazy thing is there is actually much more I am thankful for but my hands are starting to hurt from typing! LOL!Before I go I will leave you with this funny instagram of my Bobby kitty eating some butternut squash on Thanksgiving (his favorite)! I know what he is thankful for!

What about you? What are you most thankful for this year??

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Santa Barbara Engagement Photography | Anna + Jimmy

Anna + Jimmy are another one of my super adorable 2013 couples and I could not love them more! These two adore the Central Coast and are getting married in Big Sur next May! Squee! I could not be more excited for it! We finally got a chance to meet in person last Saturday and shoot their engagement session in Santa Barbara, and I had so much fun! Yes, it was cold and windy, and their sweet baby girl Olive was feeling sick, but all that could not stop us from having fun and taking some amazing, glamorous, gorgeous pictures!We started the session at the Santa Barbara Courthouse! The oh-so stylish Anna rocked a sexy Tadashi gown and Jimmy looked quite dapper in a suit! I always love shooting at the Courthouse-- it is such a gorgeous back drop-- but when you have a couple this stunning+ stylin', it's even more fun to do my job! We later went to the Douglas Family Preserve for some casual sunset shots, which turned out great too! It was really a fun session! The best part though was seeing what an awesome pair Anna + Jimmy make-- not only are they crazy in love, funny,  genuine and caring, but they also are amazing parents! These two are already such a connected couple, I just know their love will last forever! Warms my heart to see love like this!And now on to the photos!

Seriously, how gorgeous are these two?!

These two make each other laugh and it's so cute to watch!

Anna, you are STUNNING!

Seriously? Seriously? You two are so attractive it's ridiculous!

I love the Mural Room at the Santa Barbara Courthouse! Just stunning!

LOVE this shot from the Douglas Family Preserve!

Quite possibly my favorite shot of the day!

You guys are so cute!

And one last super fabulous sunset shot to end the day!

For more beautiful photos from this session CLICK HERE or watch the slideshow below:

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Hendry's Beach, Santa Barbara Engagement | Lauren + Igor

I am so excited to share a brand new, adorable, Santa Barbara engagement session with y'all on this rainy Thursday! Lauren and Igor are one of my super fabulous 2013 couples! I have loved them since their initial email inquiry which was so sweet, sincere and enthusiastic! But the engagement session was actually the first time we had met in person! This is why I LOVE engagement sessions... because it allows me to really get to know my couples and actually work with them before the big day!Lauren + Igor are just two of the loveliest people you could ever hope to meet! Smart, funny, gorgeous, and incredibly kind! I had a blast wandering the Douglas Family Nature Preserve with them and Hendry's Beach. During the session I got a sense of just how perfect these two are for each other, and it made me even more excited for their Santa Barbara/Hope Ranch wedding next summer! Woohoo! And now, onto their lovely pictures!

Santa Barbara has some pretty amazing scenery, eh?

But Lauren + Igor make it even more gorgeous! Just look at how stunning these two are!

You two are just soooo adorable, it's hard to put into words! But this pic says it all!

BREATHTAKING!

This next one is my favorite!!!

Fun on Hendry's Beach! And how cute is Lauren's turquoise dress?!

Seriously?? TOO CUTE!

We maximized the setting sun to create some variety in lighting and looks!

LOVE!! It's just so romantic!

To see more from this beautiful Santa Barbara Engagement CLICK HERE or watch the slide show below!

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Historic Cree Estate Palm Springs Wedding | Alicyn + Jason

You may remember Alicyn + Jason's AMAZING Beatles/Hippie-inspired engagement session from earlier this year! I had so much fun with them on that uber creative shoot, and ever since I was counting down the days to their Palm Springs wedding weekend! You see, Ali and Jason weren't just planning a wedding. No. They were planning a LOVE BALL. A fun festival type affair, celebrating love and their marriage. The inspiration was not just The Beatles but also Cirque Du Soleil. I was told the plans  included stilt walkers, food trucks, and a rotating stage for their ceremony! Oh my! Seriously how cool does all this sound?Well, the wedding was even more fabulous than I could have imagined. Ali + Jason, along with wedding planner extraordinaire Hallie of La Boheme Events, created the most unique, exciting and FUN wedding I have ever photographed. Every detail was carefully thought out and reflected the couple's love and unique personalities! The ceremony was exuberant, joyful and interactive-- it was almost like watching a play... except it was a real life love story! The rotating stage they stood upon not only added drama and whimsy, but it also allowed them to soak in the presence of each loved one who came to share in the love of the day! Guests loved mingling with stilt walkers, playing kazoos, and indulging and imbibing in signature cocktails and gourmet foodtruck goodness! And being the showgirl that she is, Ali managed to entertain the crowd! First, Ali + Jason danced their first dance to a love song they co-wrote and had recorded (Ali providing the yummy vocals). It moved us all to tears! And later Ali and her best gals performed a choreographed dance for the crowd, which involved her third, yes THIRD, costume change! It definitely had everyone cheering and laughing!All in all it was a thrilling day to be a part of and I am beyond honored to have been their photographer! Thank you Ali + Jason for trusting me to capture your very special and unique day!! :) Also thanks to La Boheme for perfect coordination, The Green Truck / Me So  Hungry Truck / Over The Rainbow for the good eats, Scarlette Bartending for providing a kick ass bar, Sam Friedman for rocking the videography, Stella Bloom for the adorable florals, Prim + Pixie for the awesome signage, The Cree Estate for being the perfect backdrop and of course my darling Angel for second shooting! Whew, hope I didn't forget anyone!Now onto the show...or errr pictures...!!

How beautiful are Ali's rainbow wedding bands?! Love! And how fun are these darling invitations... complete with a ticket to The Love Ball!!!

I adored Ali's bouquet!!

The First Look was so touching!!!

Jason's reaction to seeing Ali was PRICELESS! Tears of joy! Every gal dreams of having her man look at her like this :)

Before the ceremony we snagged a few gorgeous romantic portraits around the grounds of The Cree Estate.

You guys are ridiculously stunning!!!!

LOVE!!!

Ali, you are gorgeous!!! And that halo is divine!!

The ceremony set up was simple yet absolutely breathtaking!

Stilt walkers greeted guests upon arrival!!!

Guests were encouraged to pin a flower to their hair... and the gents made little bouts with the daisies too! :)

To prepare or the interactive ceremony, guests were given instruments like kazoos and tambourines!

The Love Ball's MC, a jaunty fellow by the name of FrogBeater, explained to guests that they'd be forming a parade to head over to the ceremony site!

A parade of love and music ensues...

... to reveal Jason and the officiant, Sister Mable, waiting on the stage!

Everyone encircles them with love and good vibrations!

How CUTE are Jason's nephews??

The reactions of Jason and Ali's sister, Kristen, to Ali walking down the aisle were priceless!

A perfect moment: Ali walking down the aisle with her dad to the tune of an acapella choir!

PURE JOY!

AW!!!

I love the cheery excitement in this photo!!!

The sun set during Ali + Jason's ceremony, but I snuck them out for a few super quick photos before all the light was gone!

You both are just adorable! It's not even fair!

Perhaps, my favorite image of the day!!!

Ali was a pretty ecstatic bride!!

WOOHOO KAZOOS!

Okay back to the party!

The reception involved yummy food trucks, lots of mingling, crazy dancing, but more importantly CUPCAKES! Not just any cupcakes mind you... cupcakes with bacon and potato chips!

I'll leave you with this shot because it cracks me up! Too cute for words!

There is SO MUCH MORE where this came from! To see even more fun pictures from this awesomely unique wedding CLICK HERE or watch the slideshow below! Also the slideshow is set to the beautiful song Ali + Jason co-wrote for their first dance... so you really should not miss it!!!

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Featured on The Wedding Chicks

Last fall, I had the pleasure of photographing Carolyn + Prescott's adorable, rustic, autumnal Strawberry Farms wedding! It was one of the highlights of 2011 for sure! So I could not be more thrilled to see the images from their wedding featured on the popular bridal site, The Wedding Chicks, today (nearly one year later)!! So fun!Check out the fabulous feature HERE! It will surely put you in a cozy Fall mood!

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Book Your Holiday Mini Sessions!

It's here! That special time of year where boots come out to play on our feet, pumpkin spice lattes warm our hands, and we get into the holiday spirit! Well, admittedly it has been a bit hard to do that here in SoCal because the weather has been CRAZY HOT! But, the fact of the matter is, it is October, people! And we need to start preparing for the holidays!Autumn is the one time of year I set aside to do family and group sessions-- in addition to couples. As y'all know I specialize in weddings and boudoir and the two areas keep me very busy most of the year! But I love to get a chance to work with my former clients and their (growing) families, as well as the families of my clients' friends! It's a nice little time to catch up with everyone and continue to document your lives! My mini sessions are a great value! And, better yet, mini sessions provide that perfect Holiday card portrait that everyone is in need of this time of year!So yep, it is that time! This year I will be holding Mini Sessions in SANTA BARBARA, CA on November 4th and 11th (both Sundays). One day the shoot will be downtown SB and one day it will be a beach setting! Want more info? Check out the flyer below and CALL US 323. 207.6754 or email info@ashleightaylorphotography.com

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Sunstone Villa + Winery Wedding Photography | Kendra + Kevin

I don't think there are even words to explain just how EXCITED I am to share Kendra + Kevin's beautiful wedding with you which took place at Sunstone Villa (part of Sunstone Winery) in Santa Ynez! I have been in love with Sunstone as a venue ever since I did THIS editorial bridal shoot there! I mean really! It is a jaw droppingly gorgeous location that truly makes you feel as though you are in Tuscany and not California! And just when I thought it couldn't get any better my stylish bride Kendra and her fabulous planner Natalie Sofer come along and make the whole venue even more fabulous! Through the exquisite floral stylings of Toast and beautiful linens and rentals provided by La Tavola, the look of relaxed European countryside elegance was definitely achieved!Of course I could gush for hours about the pretty details and venue, but truly that is all icing on the cake! What really makes a wedding special is the bride and groom and all their friends and family! Well this wedding was no different! I have loved Kendra since we met. She is a girl after my own heart who knows exactly what she wants, and yet is so down to Earth and sweet! She is practically my wedding soul sister as on the wedding day I realized she had a Pronovias dress (just like my wedding gown was by Pronovias) and she had the exact same earrings as me on my wedding! Awesome! As soon as Kendra and Kevin saw each other they were glowing all day! Kevin kept saying how surreal it all was and Kendra was just plain giddy! Their ceremony was officiated by Kendra's dad which was super sweet and unique! It was a heartfelt touch that I really loved. Later as the party got going, we heard some uproarious toasts! Each one truly funnier than the one before it! And then the crowd got cray-cray on the dancefloor! Seriously, Kendra + friends know how to party! The party moved from the Villa to the wine caves for late night shenanigans! Yeah it was a pretty eventful, rockin' night!Huge thanks to my friend Megan Sharp and to my hubs AJ for shooting with me and  keeping me hydrated! ;) Also major thanks to Natalie Sofer, Toast Santa Barbara, and the owners of Sunstone for making the day sooo spectacular! And now for pictures! YAY!

Kendra has a might fierce fashion sense!

This is what a STUNNING bride looks like!

Aw! Kendra! You're killing me with your beauty!

LOVE!

This ceremony?! UM YEAH! AMAZING!

How cute is Kendra with her Dad, Chuck?!?

Kevin was a happy groom!!

After the ceremony we did some romantic portraits in the vineyard and around the Villa grounds!

Rad!

Sun soaked vineyard love!

LOVE THIS!

You two are sexy!!

YES!

Gorgeous!

Obligatory veil shot!

Are you sure you two aren't models?!

LOVE!!!

My faves of the day!

Wait.. maybe this is my FAVE! They were greeting their guests in the courtyard below after I modeled them out for romantic portraits!

How fabulous is the reception set up?!

GORGEOUS!

So pretty! Loved these tables dressed with La Tavola linens and elegant arrangements by Toast!

Oh details, I love you!

Guests took their seats as the sun set over Santa Ynez!

LOVE!

A few shots of the wine cave set up... cocktail tables and a candy bar!

Partying in the caves!

To see even more images from this gorgeous Sunstone Winery Wedding please CLICK HERE or watch the slide show below:

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Downtown Los Angeles, Cafe Pinot Wedding Photography | Susannah + Eric

I am so excited to share this chic Downtown Los Angeles wedding-- and even better it's the wedding of Susie + Eric, one of my favorite couples! Susie and Eric came to me about a year ago and I instantly fell in love with these two! Susie is super sweet, stylish, caring and just an all around lovely gal! Eric is super outgoing, funny, and just an all around fun guy to be around. I knew then that their wedding was going to be special, and it definitely surpassed expectations! From the gorgeous Downtown LA setting-- they got ready at The Millennium Biltmore Hotel and had their reception at Cafe Pinot-- to their intimate Armenian wedding ceremony in honor of Eric's heritage, to the amazing "first performance" to the Biebs, to some of the funniest toasts I've ever heard... Yes it was a truly amazing day! The other thing that really stood out to me was how many wonderful friends these two have! With a bridal party of 22 people, you'd think it would be utter chaos, but all their friends were so cooperative and easy going during group pics. They just were all so happy to see their friends get married, and you could feel the love between them all! Loves it!Thank you to Angel for second shooting this wedding with me! And now for their pretty pictures!

I adored Susie's sparkle shoes!!

How pretty does Susie look getting into her dress?!

GORGEOUS!

Eric had some time with his bros before the ceremony!

LOVE this shot of Susie coming down the aisle!

I love this tender candid moment of Susie's parents watching their daughter get married!

After the ceremony it was DIVA time!

Isn't she LOVELY?!

The shot on the right is my favorite of the day!!

Gorgeous you two!!

Sexy!!

Elegant reception details!!

And we ended the night with LOLZ!

To see more of this chic Downtown Los Angeles Wedding CLICK HERE or watch the slide show below:

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Sunstone Winery Wedding and Bridal Photography {an editorial shoot part 2}
A few weeks ago I blogged Part One of this amazing Sunstone Winery Wedding + Bridal editorial shoot! I am fully in LOVE with Sunstone Villa + Winery and overjoyed that I am shooting a real wedding there in a few weeks! But for now enjoy this lovely Santa Ynez Winery Wedding inspiration in all it's rustic and elegant glory!
Thanks again to everyone who made this editorial shoot a reality! It was quiet a team effort! Credits are listed below:
Event Decor, Design and Coordination - Serendipitous Events by Julia - Julia Whitley
Event Venue- Sunstone Winery
Anna Rice805-688-9463
Bride/Bridesmaid GownsThe White Dress
Brides-Watters "Palm Spring"Reem Acra- "Candlight"
Bridesmaids
JLMCouture
Gary's Island, Fashion Island
Suits by Hugo Boss, Armani
Bridal Accessories and wardrobe styling
Renee Pawele -Renee Pawele Bride
Lighting
Pacific Event Lighting

Designer Specialty Linens - Dahlia Wexler

ASquared Makeup Artistry - Amber Artiaga
Make Up by Theresa Marie - Theresa Marie Aguilar
Hair Stylist - Sharone Patterson
Cakes, Catering and food displays - CCK, Cakes and Catering by Karie
Invitation Suite - Special Letters - Diana Jo Giebler
Bouquets- Santa Ynez Valley Florist - Kathy Sechlerhttp://www.syvflorist.com
Accomodations - Meadowlark Inn - Bed and Breakfast -

Hair Stylist: Sharone Pattersonhttp://healthyhairandme.com/

Cakes and Catering by Kariewww.cakesandcateringbykarie.com

And now for my pictures, part two!

STUNNING, right?

Fierce fabulous love!!!!!

This bride?! Just BREATH TAKING!

FASHION!

Sexy vineyard love? Yes please!!!

The architecture at The Sunstone Villa is ahhhhmazing!

This photo is sun soaked joy and I adore it!

Undeniably GORGEOUS!

Mr- + Mrs-, THE DAY AFTER, Things I LOVE, WEDDINGSashleightaylorphotographylos olivos wedding photographer, los olivos wedding photography, santa barbara wedding photographer, santa barbara wedding photography, santa barbara winery wedding photographer, santa barbara winery wedding photography, santa ynez valley wedding photgraphy, santa ynez valley wedding photographer, sunstone villa wedding, sunstone villa wedding photographer, sunstone villa wedding photography, sunstone winery wedding, sunstone winery wedding photographer, sunstone winery wedding photography, winery wedding photographer, winery wedding photography Comment
West Los Angeles Wedding Photography | Renita + Alex

I am soooo excited to share Saturday's gorgeous wedding, which took place in the Westwood neighboorhood of Los Angeles, with y'all! You may remember Renita + Alex as I blogged their stunning engagement about a month ago! They are two of the most lovely, caring, funny, gorgeous and just completely cool couples I have ever met, though I like to think it's because all my clients are super awesome!! ;) Alex and Renita had planned their wedding around the theme of "dreams do come true" which was perfect because that's exactly what this wedding was!Renita and Alex came into each other's lives last October. They actually met at a Halloween Party/Halloween Horror Nights outing! Another sign they are my kind of people as, Halloween is my favorite holiday! But I digress. So these two met not even a year ago and quickly became smitten! But there were a few bumps, as there are in all relationships. A bit into dating, Renita actually decided it was over and wrote Alex a long email, saying she wanted to break up and she just put it all out there. She wrote out everything she was feeling and figured that was it. But Alex wasn't ready to give up. He apologized and told her all he wanted for her to be happy and to find her dream man. And if she would give him a second chance he'd do everything he could do be that dream man for her. ...Ladies, can we pause here for a second for a collective "AWWW!!!"...  Renita said that all she had been waiting for her whole life was a man she could be that honest and bold with, and who wouldn't bolt because of it. Alex's reply showed he was that man! And it's been crazy-happy-giddy love ever since!These two got engaged not even that long ago and have planned their wedding in just a couple short months! Lucky for them, they have an amazing community of friends and family who helped make their dream wedding come true! For example, a friend was the officiant for the wedding and gave them a heartfelt ceremony! Renita's BFF helped put together the flowers for the tables at the reception. A family member made the ring bearer box. Another friend lent them her gorgeous Holmby Hills home for the wedding. And ALL the guests provided the sumptuous meal! It was potluck style and everyone was asked to bring a signature dish (could be an appetizer, side dish or dessert). People brought so many amazing treats, it was truly a sight to see! And everyone loved checking out what other guests brought and sampling each other's food. Not only did their community gather around them, but I think the atmosphere of the day helped strengthen a bond between all the guests. By the end of the evening it was no longer Alex's friends and family and Renita's friends and family... it was one big union! It was perfect, and exactly, I think, what Renita + Alex wanted!I am so excited to share the pics! Thank you Ami for assisting me, and to planner Katrina for coordinating this perfect day!... And now let's begin with Renita getting ready at the W Hotel in Westwood.

I think this ring shot perfectly describes how Alex + Renita feel together!

Renita is SO GORGEOUS it's mind boggling!

She had her BFFs help her into her dress! So lovely!

And once in that Reem Acra perfection, she diva'd it up for my camera really good!!

BREATHTAKING!!!

Gorgeous!!!!!!!!

There were so many cute details to this wedding! I especially loved the bouquets and the cute ring box a family member custom made for the wedding!

They had a heart-warming ceremony literally surrounded by their family friends. Everyone was asked to gather in a circle around the couple, and it gave the whole ceremony that much more intimacy.

I think this pic shows just how giddy Renita was to be marrying her dream man!!

Just announced newlyweds! Again they look positively, radiantly, happy!

My FAVORITE shot of the day!! Squee!

How striking is Renita?!! I mean really!!!

Alex's Dart made an appearance as their getaway car! SOOOO cute!!

Their reception was full of handmade, DIY details! Look at these cute signs which hug from their chars!

Loved all the little signs through out! Even on the centerpieces!

Alex and Renita had a potluck wedding! They chose their cake, but the dessert table (and dinner) was made up of goodies brought by guests! There were so many homemade goodies like baklava and pie pops! I loved that the dessert table was truly a labor of love!

I think this picture perfectly sums up the evening!!!

For more images from this charming dream-come-true wedding CLICK HERE or watch the slideshow below:

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Malibu Lumberyard + El Matador Beach Engagement Photography | Kendra + Kevin

Sometimes fate has a way of working out in magical and unexpected ways. I'd say that is how Kendra came into my life! I can't tell you how many inquiries I had for her wedding date this year. Probably 3 or 4 and two I actually met with. I didn't book that date, and each time I was so disappointed. But the business goes on and of course other weddings and shoots continue. So, I shot a fabulous editorial shoot at Sunstone Winery. I fell hard in love with the venue and figured any bride who would get married there would be my kind of girl. Little did I know, weeks after completing the shoot I would get a fabulous email from talented planner Natalie asking if I was free on Sept 15th of a wedding at Sunstone! WHAT? Why yes, I am! And why, yes,  I have shot there and can even show you just how extra awesome my pics would be at the venue! Seriously, stars aligned.But really the good fortune in all this was meeting Kendra. Because in addition to getting married at an amazing place, she is a truly lovely person. In the few weeks I have known her, she has been positively  sweet, upbeat, generous, funny and just an all around awesome person to get to know! Oh and she has the best fashion sense ever. At our engagement session in Malibu, I got to finally meet her man, Kevin! He is also super funny, sweet and you can tell more than anything that he really loves Kendra. These two had a blast both at The Lumberyard playing dress up and looking utterly fierce, and then running on the shores of El Matador beach! I love a couple who knows how to dress it up, but is still so down to earth they'll splash water at each other at the beach! Awesome! I am so excited for their wedding in just a few short weeks! I know it will be amazing!!! But for now here are their engagement pics!!Kevin is handsome, eh? He kinda reminds of Clark Gable, something about his classic style... ;)

You two are GORGEOUS!

CUTE!

The light was oh so romantical!

Kendra you are GORGEOUS!

LOVE!

This may just be my fave shot of the day!!

So stinkin' adorable I can't believe it!

I told you these two have fun together!

Yippee!

We lost light quick at the end, so we did a few sunset snaps with the off camera light!

To see more from this uber stylish Malibu engagement CLICK HERE or watch the the slide show below:Magic! So so so excited for the big day!

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Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey Wedding Photography | Jen + Eric

I am so excited to share this elegant Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey wedding with y'all on this happy Friday! :) Jen + Eric are one of my favorite couples! I have loved Jen since I met her a year ago, where she booked me on the spot! Jen is the perfect combo of witty, genuine, sweet and stylish! And Eric is so warm and caring too. These two are the perfect pair. They have embraced each others values, dreams and even sporting teams! And you can tell how deeply they love one another when they look into each others' eyes... they just radiate! All day Jen was full of big smiles! Clearly, she was beyond giddy to finally be marrying the man of her dreams!Jen's elegant style was totally in every detail of the day, from her stunning Priscilla of Boston gown, to the chic purple and yellow color palette, to the adorable candy bar! The day was also infused with many Jewish traditions, from a touching Ketubah signing, to the breaking of the glass, to a crowd pumping Hora (which, Jen, I SWEAR I didn't ask the DJ to play...hehe)! But more than anything it was the love between Jen + Eric and the way all their friends and family rallied around them to celebrate that made this day so special! I am so honored I got to document it!Thanks to Angel and Belinda for assisting me on this! Girl Power! Now, for photos...

Jen's accessories were just as lovely as her gown!!

I love the sweet moment on the right... Jen's mom helping her into her dress!!!

Stunning bride!!!!!

I mean, really, does it get any cuter than this?! I loveee happy brides!

I also love a little bit of fierceness... Jen worked out the diva poses fabulously too!!!

This is the excitement and joy that comes with doing a First Look! Why would anyone want to pass this up?!?

Because their Jewish Ceremony coincided with sundown, we did all their romantic portraits beforehand! It was great! How gorgeous are these two?!?

My personal fave shot of the day...

So tender!

CUUUTE!

Their massive bridal party joined in on the modeling fun... check out this "vanity fair" style shot!

Girls like to play Diva, what can I say!

Jen glowed as she walked down the aisle! I mean really! The look on her face says it all!

I was truly touched to see how emotional the bridesmaids became during the ceremony! You could see how much they loved Jen and how happy they were to witness her marriage!

The reception was very elegant!

I always love a candy bar!

I also always LOVE a Hora! Jen didn't want to do one... but some relatives requested it and well... when 100 Jews hear the Hava Nagila began to play it's pretty impossible to stop them from getting their Mazel Tov on!! I know, because I am Jewish too! ;)

Mazel tov, indeed! These two were so smitten! So glad their day turned out just as perfect as they hoped!! :)

To see more from this beautiful wedding please CLICK HERE to watch the slide show or view below:

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Sunstone Winery Wedding and Bridal Photography {an editorial shoot}
About a month ago I got to participate in a very special editorial/stylized bridal shoot at the AMAZING Sunstone Winery here in Santa Barbara (Santa Ynez to be exact)! I am absolutely obsessed with this wedding venue. If you were blindfolded and taken there, you just might think you were somewhere in the middle of Tuscany! The Villa is made out of beautiful rustic stones imported from France. And the grounds are overflowing with trailing bushes of rosemary and lavender. And it is set in the rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, with vineyards all around. It is truly a spectacular place and would be the most gorgeous setting for a real wedding!
I had such a blast on the shoot. Below is a list of everyone who organized the event and made it happen! Thank you all for such a special day and opportunity!
Event Decor, Design and Coordination - Serendipitous Events by Julia - Julia Whitley
Event Venue- Sunstone Winery
Anna Rice805-688-9463
Bride/Bridesmaid GownsThe White Dress
Brides-Watters "Palm Spring"Reem Acra- "Candlight"
Bridesmaids
JLMCouture
Gary's Island, Fashion Island
Suits by Hugo Boss, Armani
Bridal Accessories and wardrobe styling
Renee Pawele -Renee Pawele Bride
Lighting
Pacific Event Lighting

Designer Specialty Linens - Dahlia Wexler

ASquared Makeup Artistry - Amber Artiaga
Make Up by Theresa Marie - Theresa Marie Aguilar
Hair Stylist - Sharone Patterson
Cakes, Catering and food displays - CCK, Cakes and Catering by Karie
Invitation Suite - Special Letters - Diana Jo Giebler
Bouquets- Santa Ynez Valley Florist - Kathy Sechlerhttp://www.syvflorist.com
Accomodations - Meadowlark Inn - Bed and Breakfast -

Hair Stylist: Sharone Pattersonhttp://healthyhairandme.com/

Cakes and Catering by Kariewww.cakesandcateringbykarie.com

And now for part one of my beautiful photos!

I loved working with the Sunstone Villa's architecture!

But of course the vineyards were fabulous too!

Love. Sunlight. Vino. Does it get better?

STUNNING! The hills!!

Can I get a wedding redo please?

Sexy love!

Oh my gosh! I LOVEEEE the architecture so much!

ANYTIME, Inspired Ideas, Mr- + Mrs-, THE DAY AFTER, Things I LOVE, WEDDINGSashleightaylorphotographysanta barbara wedding photographer, santa barbara wedding photography, santa ynez valley wedding photgraphy, santa ynez valley wedding photographer, sunstone winery wedding photographer, sunstone winery wedding photographyComment