Justin & Jillian

Hi Internet,
Unfortunately we had to take the previous post of Justin and Jillian's wedding down since we will be submitting it to a few places. Don't be sad just yet, because you will see it displayed somewhere fabulous in the future.

What made this wedding so special was that I already got to know Jillian and Justin during our e:session and I was incredibly excited for their day to come around. Jillian was a tad nervous during the getting ready, but once she saw Justin for the first time, her face just lit up like a freshly scrubbed sunrise. I just love those moments! This was the perfect 'farm to table', rustic chic wedding, designed by the amazing Michelle Rago. Congratulations to Jillian and Justin!!! You guys make such a wonderfully perfect couple!

Since I can't give away any of the secrets from the wedding you will just have to contend yourselves with a little preview pic....



Link Love:
Location: Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Site Coordinator: Danielle Harrity
Planner/Designer: Michelle Rago (thanks to Nancy, Courtney, Shira, Meredith, Michael, Mark, and Garrett of team Rago) AWESOME!!!!!
Florist: Michelle Rago DOUBLE AWESOME!!
Cake: Ron Ben-Israel
Guest Shooter: Carlos Varela
Lighting: Levy Lighting
shoes: Christian Louboutin - Paris

home sweet home

The best treasure on Treasure Island is the view. It's a great way to wrap up a long day of shooting.

Lisa & Billy

I just loved Lisa and Billy's style! They truly made the wedding their own with a TON of DIY projects from signs, plant a wish, wooden escort cards planted with a cut-out bird, bird cake toppers and the list just goes on and on. After shooting Lisa and Billy's wedding, it inspired me to get all crafty with my own wedding. Oh and don't get me started on the yellow shoes! Be still my heart. Despite what must have been absolute craziness before the wedding to get this all done, Lisa and Billy had so much fun and just went with the flow.
Can you ask for anything more!!
Congratulations Lisa and Billy!









Yes - it's detail overload, but can you blame me!



Lisa holds the trump card for this marriage - all she has to do is remind him that she sang him the most beautiful serenade on their wedding day!



and a sweet ending ;)



Link Love:
location: Hakone Gardens, Saratoga CA
planner: Michelle of Bliss'd
guest shooter: Adi Nevo
caterer: Angela Marie Catering
hair and make-up: Christie Lee
cake: Icing on the cake
shoes: me too

Phuong & Chi

It was such fun photographing Phuong and Chi's wedding after their e:session I did with them. They rented out a wonderful home so they could enjoy some time with family and friends. By the time the wedding rolled around everyone was relaxed and having a great time. One aspect I just loved about their wedding was that instead of seeing each other for the first time during the ceremony or a private "first look", Chi had to earn the right to see Phuong. It was a riot - he presented gifts, answered the "tough" questions, and proved his own prowess as well as that of his groomsmen through various physical challenges. Not to mention he composed a pretty good love song in about 3 minutes and sung his heart out! That deserves brownie points in my book!
Congratulations Phuong and Chi!
On to the pics....




I just love this one..



In case you are wondering, in the last shot one of the challenges was to pass a gummi ring between all the groomsmen. I had to stop myself from laughing really hard, so I could focus!




I love this shot - it's so romantic!





Any guesses on how I got this ring shot?! I love the way it turned out.



Link Love:
location: Banta Residence, Nicasio CA (you can rent it off of vrbo!)
coordinator: Denise & Molli of Green Girl Events (great eco-friendly planners for NoCal)
guest shooter: Colin Michael
florist: Silke from Local Flora
catering: Kim of Indian Peach
pie: Cafe Gratitude
hair & make-up: Erica Carr
dress: Carolina Herrera
shoes: René Caovilla
fascinator: Erica Koesler

Honeymoon Bliss

It was perfect!! The whole weekend - from spending time with friends and family, swimming in the lake, to seeing Tucker's eyes fill with tears during the ceremony (hey - he never cries - this is HUGE), the sunshine and summer breeze to eating 3 times my body weight in yummy food. It was truly us and what we wanted to share with everyone. Well, I could have used a bit less running around with last minute stress but at this point I'm not going to get picky. It's a bit sad having the wedding behind us after all the planning, craftiness and anticipation, but Tucker and I are so excited to start married life together.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped put this wedding together big and small - it was a true communal effort and it meant the world to us!!!

I will be posting pics of our wedding but you will have to hold on to your hats for a bit since my rocking photog buddy Mel Barlow needs some time to edit (I know how it goes, so I'll be patient ;)

In the meantime - here are two Polaroids from our honeymoon trip down the Coast. We decided it would be more fun to take old-school Polaroids of our honeymoon trip and use up all our extinct film. I miss film - its so much fun! Plus Tucker looks muy handsome on Polaroid.




PS - My email swelled up with over 2000 emails, so please be patient on hearing back from me. If you do not get a response in the next week, please feel free to forward on your email to me again. It might have gotten lost in the shuffle.

We are taking the plunge!

After shooting and editing about a gabillion weddings, living and breathing weddings, I am finally getting married myself!!! WOOOHOOOOOO! We are having a super small wedding weekend with just family and a handful of friends in NoCal. We are so excited and just can't wait!
So as you might have figured out, I will not be diligently answering emails or calls until Sept 1st. Best way to reach me is via email (no cell reception where I am getting married!) and I will do my best to get back to you after I come down a bit from cloud nine!

I'm getting married! Holy....

Tana-Marie & Josh

Sigh - I know I sound like a broken record, but I just love my couples. Tana-Marie and Josh are just amazing and what troopers! They climbed over ropes and trudged through weeds to get to this field I was just dying to shoot them in. Good thing too, since those pics are some of my favorites. And yes, we made sure the dress was not harmed in the process! It was just one of those perfect days (Cali seems to have a lot of those). You really felt you had a slice of Italy in your pocket while drinking in the excitement and joy of everyone surrounding the Tana-Marie and Josh.
Did I mention I have the best job! Congratulations to Tana-Marie and Josh - you guys rock!!







Tana_Marie and Josh decided to see each other before the ceremony so they could enjoy the cocktail hour with their friends. I love the moment when they first saw each other and both of their mouths just dropped.












Link Love:
location: Viansa Winery, Sonoma CA
site coordinator: Laura Johnson
guest shooter: Frank Gaglione
florist: Bryce of Vanda Floral
catering: Sage Catering
cake: Laurie Lucov Cakes
shoes: Pelle
dress: St. Pucchi
jewelry: Elite Designs (Chicago)
something old & borrowed: wedding band from Grandmother
planner extraordinaire: Rose Ann Gordon, MoB