Alex and Emily's Santa Barbara Mardi Gras Re-Wedding Spectacular!
As I sit here and write these words I am trying to think of a more fun-loving, outgoing, offbeat and in-love couple than Alex and Emily and you know what?
I CAN'T.
These two cuties are so uniquely perfect for each other and absolutely brimming with enthusiasm for their life together. They mayyyyy have gotten married already. Ok, they totally did! They eloped on a boat (it was a whole romantic thing) but on this day they were ready to do the whole damn thing again. And on this day... they had all their amazing friends and family cheering them on.
Their wedding was sprinkled with touches of Mardi Gras, the ocean, The Mariners and golden yellow sunflower goodness. The historic and beautiful Santa Barbara Woman's Club was an absolutely lovely backdrop to this joyous day.
The cheeriest and brightest florals by Something's Blooming LA
A family friend of Emily's designed and made custom shoes for Emily and all her bridesmaids.
Alex's mother wrote a letter and gifted her daughter-in-law a beautiful family heirloom.
Hair and makeup by Liv Studios Inc
Emily's look was completed with the veil Alex made for her.
I love this photo so much, it so perfectly captures their playful spirits.
Emily wanted to re-create this childhood photo and I think we nailed it!
Ceremony time! Emily was all smiles and the flood of emotion that came over Alex's face when he saw her was spectacular.
The ceremony was officiated by each of their uncles, which brought such a personal and familial touch to this important commitment to one another.
Alex and Emily's handwritten vows showed just how deeply they know and appreciate each other.
Married and chilaxin' .
While the final touches were put on the reception hall, the guests enjoyed a gorgeous cocktail hour under the tree on the patio.
Emily is so happy she literally started levitating when she entered the room.
Emily's friend gifted the couple a beautiful performance on her Cyr wheel.
The featured ciders were provided by the brewery that Alex works at!
Did Alex dislocate his shoulder during this moment? Yes.
Did he get it popped back in place and then rejoin the dance floor? Also, yes.
Absolutely the most metal thing I've ever seen at a wedding.
Emily and Alex aren't cake people BUT THEY ARE CHURRO PEOPLE.
Look at these two! I couldn't adore them more. Congrats, Alex and Emily. I wish you many beautiful years ahead of you!
Lisa and Matt at Malibou Lake.
Last Saturday I kicked off a new season with my first wedding of the year and what a wedding it was! Lisa and Matt gathered their friends and family at one of my very favorite venues- The Lodge at Malibou Lake. In a week full of overcast days, this Saturday had the most perfect weather to usher this fantastic couple into their marriage.
Florals were all done by the talented Michelle from Something's Blooming and this entire of event was expertly planned and executed by one of LA's very best wedding planners, Events by Emily Kay
Lisa's "Something Borrowed" were a beautiful pair of pearl earrings from her Mother-In-Law, Mary Lou.
The open back on Lisa's dress was "Chef's Kiss".
Matt's suit had an amazing touch- his and Lisa's initials embroidered along with their wedding date!
Lisa's hair and makeup were done by the ever talented, Betsy DiFrancesca.
Lisa and Matt not only did a first look but they also recited their own personal and private vows to one another prior to the ceremony. I'm such a huge fan of the decision to keep your vows intimate.
Matt's sister, Maureen officiated a touching ceremony peppered with loving humor.
Welcome to your cocktail hour!
There's nothing quite like getting your arms around a long lost friend.
There are many things to love about The Lodge but the food that Chef Cordelia and her team serves up is at the top of the list!
The MARGA-REID-A and MATT-HATTAN were the signature cocktails of the evening.
The sister of the bride gave a heartfelt speech and the best man delivered the laughs!
The (very delicious) cake threatened to pull a Tower of Pisa but the newlyweds still pulled off a spectacular cutting.
At one point I heard a guest say "I knew Lisa was a sexy dancer but I had no idea Matt was such a sexy dancer too!" And its true. these two can cut a rug like no other!
The moment Lisa realized she never wanted the night to end.
They truly are the perfect match. Thank you forever to this amazing couple for trusting me with their wedding memories.
Leora and Mary Kate's Beautiful Beachside Wedding
Last weekend hundreds of people turned up to celebrate the revolutionary wedding of Leora and Mary Kate. It's kind of hard to believe that in Southern California in 2022 a same sex wedding could still be considered revolutionary, but considering that it was the very first same sex wedding hosted by The Jonathan Beach Club in their nearly 100 year old history, it is indeed very revolutionary and very, very badass.
Leora and Mary Kate are beautifully paired- their individual energies both matching and balancing each other all at once. Quick to laugh, easy going and very much in love... they go together like peanut butter and jelly, baby. They also did one of my very favorite things that a couple can do on their wedding day. They got ready together!
Mary Kate's earrings were both her something borrowed and something blue.
Mary Kate and Leora's mothers were both there for the entire getting ready process. They looked on with such adoration and awe of their daughters. The love and support that the bride's beautiful families showed them was absolutely palpable.
There was some bad weather earlier in the morning which we knew was going to force the ceremony indoors but the skies showed off for us during their bridal portraits.
They exchanged handwritten vows that had their guests laughing through tears- truly the best wedding emotion.
Well done, you wonderful women.
T I M E T O P A R T Y
One of their very first dates involved dancing and their wedding wasn't going to be any different. These two didn't just cut rugs. They shredded them.
One of my fave shots of the reception. Mary Kate plopped herself in Leora's lap and Leora just started glowing. That's some true love right there.
Time to hora! Leora has the face of a woman who knows she's about to get traumatized.
A little TLC is necessary after a near-death experience!
This day was so, so spectacular and I'm so damn glad I got to be a part of it.
Congratulations, Leora and Mary Kate.
Sarah and Paul's Iowa Winery Wedding
To say I was excited when Sarah asked me if I was available to shoot her wedding is an understatement. I've been shooting her beautiful face for years and she's allllll over my website. We know how to make magic together. She'd also been filling me in on her romance with Paul since it's inception and I was beyond excited to get him in front of my lens as well. On top of all that, their wedding was in another state which means I would get to travel (my favorite) and shoot somewhere new (my other favorite). They held their wedding at the gorgeous Harpors Vineyard, a venue that is both absolutely stunning and employs perhaps the nicest staff I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
I am so thrilled to share this special sneak peek of Sarah and Paul's magical day.
Wedding Rings are from Berlinger Jewelry and MCG Jewelry
Sarah's dress is from Martina Liana Bridal and Paul's suit is from The Grotto Menswear
Paul gifted his groomsmen engraved pocket watches that matched his own.
Best Man is the best at helping tie that tie.
While Paul got ready, Sarah spent an emotional few moments with some of the most important women in her life. They all held hands while speaking words of encouragement, lifting Sarah up as she prepared to enter into a lifetime partnership.
A true friend will catch your tears before they ruin the beautiful makeup done by Afterglow Pro Studio
I just love it when couple's finally get to be together on their wedding day. As soon as Sarah and Paul were reunited, everything made sense... everything fell into place. They are exquisitely matched and very, very much in love.
Videographer Anna Lam and I marveled at the light we had for these pictures. Looking back, I'm still so struck by it's perfect glow.
This cutie was absolutely besotted with the bouquets done by Budding Optimist and of course, wanted his picture taken with them!
The ceremony was officiated by Sarah's middle school principal, Wanda Holland-Greene.
After sealing their marriage with a kiss, Sarah and Paul blended Jewish and Black customs by jumping the broom and then simultaneously breaking glass together. SO. MUCH. JOY.
The reception space was so perfectly elegant.
A marriage blessed by a magic moon.
I can't get over how beautiful this venue is.
These two brought such AMAZING energy into their reception and their guests were so happy to respond in kind.
Their first dance was to Kissing You by Des'ree... one of the most beautiful love songs of all time.
Shout out to DJ Clife keeping both the evening and the music flowing!!!
The end of the evening brought one of my favorite sparkler exits to date! There is something so thrilling about being seeing a couple surrounded by their loved ones as little, handheld fireworks are raised in support of their love.
What a beautiful, magical day. I'm so incredibly grateful that I got to be a part of it. Thank you, Sarah and Paul. May you treasure these pictures for the rest of your lives!
Caroline and Patrick's Malibu Wedding
Last weekend I headed up to the beautiful Calamigos Ranch in Malibu to photograph Caroline and Patrick's wedding. It was about 10 million degrees out but Caroline was so chic and effortlessly cool and Patrick was so wonderfully good natured- they absolutely lived up to their hashtag... #TheMcChillens
These two roll with the punches and throughout the day they were focused on the only thing that mattered, each other.
All of the details were classically modern. Perfectly timeless.
I love finding sneaky ways to frame my brides as they get ready.
I've been dying to do a first look on a staircase. When I found this one in their hotel I just knew it would be perfect.
Caroline was calm and collected but seeing your future husband for the first time on your wedding day is like nothing else. My heart went pitter pat as some of her emotions bubbled over.
Chic AF.
Calamigos was giving us allllll the dappled light.
This shot of Patrick watching his bride get her photo taken is so swoon worthy. That's some serious love right there.
Caroline told her bridesmaids and officiant choose whatever dress they wanted to wear. They all looked absolutely incredible but that wasn't important to her, she just wanted them by her side.
Patrick's friends absolutely cheered for him when he walked down the aisle. It was an unexpectedly beautiful and joyous moment.
Happy tears were a bit of a theme.
They do!
I absolutely adored the vases and colors of this wedding. Again, the perfect blend of classic and modern.
Find your person and hold on tight.
I'm so glad you found each other, McChillens. May your marriage be blessed with many years of love, easy laughter and giving zero f's about the small stuff.
Planning by Events by Emily Kay
Venue Calamigos Ranch
Hair and Makeup by Emily Lynn and Company
Florals by Leta Verbena
Music by On the Beat