Los Angeles Wedding Photographer | Joy Marie Photography | Nashville Wedding Photographer | Destination Weddings » Photography by Joy Marie

2009 was an amazing year!! Like everyone’s year (and life in general), I had my ups & downs, but the constant bright spot was all of the TRULY incredible people, from all over the world, I had the privilege to meet & work with. While there are literally hundreds of images I wish I could post, I just finally finished my most difficult task so far this year- narrowing down my list of favorite wedding images from 2009. I can’t begin to tell you how hard it was to choose! I am just so grateful for all of my amazing clients! Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of telling your beautiful stories.  Here’s a sneak peek (in no particular order) of some of my 2009 faves! May your 2010 be filled with life, love & lots of laughter!!

Julie & Aaron’s Santa Monica wedding at The Victorian was sooo beautiful! It was a day full of love, laughter and incredible family & friends. These two are such sweet, caring and super intelligent people…just check out their cake, which was an abstract mathematical formula design!  Every last detail was such a beautiful reflection who they are; from the recycled yarmulkes to Julie’s vintage dress to her grandmother’s GORGEOUS jewelry. Thanks, Julie & Aaron, for allowing me to be  part of such a special day! I hope you have an amazing time on your honeymoon!

[caption id="attachment_1784" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Julie had this beautiful radiant smile all day."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1785" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="I thought her grandfather was just showing me this, but he was actually cashing it in...aaaand I loved it!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1792" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="can anyone figure out this formula??"][/caption]

My first conversations with Karnis & Alex involved their concepts for an “un-engagement shoot” with ideas about re-creating scenes from movies and famous paintings.  I knew after this first meeting that I LOVED these two, and after our Los Angeles engagement shoot, I loved them even more!!  So it was really no surprise when I arrived the morning of their wedding and Alex had blow-up toys to incorporate as props.  Karnis & Alex are incredibly creative, super fun, so sweet and absolutely perfect for each other.  Their beautiful wedding at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks was an amazing day and so much fun to be a part of. It all made for a really fun Slideshow too!! Thanks, Karnis & Alex!

[caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="630" caption="cuttin' it up on their first dance routine!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1751" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="their "first-sight" at Kyoto Grand Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1760" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="the beautiful, Karnis!!"][/caption]

And a huge thanks to Deborah James of Bella Vita Events in Westlake Village who did an amazing job planning & coordinating this spectacular day!

I’m glancing through Kate & Gil’s images now, and I promise you the W Hotel in Westwood and the Skirball Cultural Center have never seen anything like this! This girl knows how to work it out in front of the camera! Gil can hold his own too! Seriously though, Kate & Gil are great people, and I had to share this quick peek from their recent Skirball wedding! Lots more later…

Karnis & Alex’s Los Angeles engagement shoot was the most unique & original session I’ve ever done! Love these two!! Their Sherwood Country Club wedding was no less spectacular! Here’s a little sneak! More to come…

Avery & Robert are two amazing people who live extraordinary lives, and they brought all of that passion & love for life to their wedding day! Nothing about these two, or their wedding day, was “traditional,” but rather it was a true reflection of who they are…fun, spontaneous, 100% unique & crazy about each other. Robert is a bonafide ROCK STAR!! He’s produced for rock greats like Ozzy Osbourne, and co-founded the glam metal band, ‘Hurricane.’ Avery’s the founder of the vintage fashion company, ‘Making A Comeback.’ They couldn’t be more perfect for each other. It was a gorgeous day for their Palos Verdes Wedding at the beautiful Wayfarer’s Chapel, followed by a rockin’ reception at the swanky The Sky Room in Long Beach. What a day! Avery & Robert, thanks for allowing me to be a part of such an awesome day. ROCK ON!!

[caption id="attachment_1648" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="this has to be my all-time favorite cake cutting shot!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1650" align="aligncenter" width="720" caption="loved Avery's 50 carat vintage ring"][/caption]

And a big thanks to Avery’s mom, Carole, for doing such a terrific job coordinating this fabulous day, and to Jonathan Rosenson, catering manager at The Sky Room, who did a phenomenal job creating the perfect reception atmosphere for this incredible wedding!

Here’s a little mini sneak peak of my recent celebrity wedding at the GORGEOUS Trump Resort overlooking the Pacific in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. A big thanks to People Magazine for sharing this beautiful love story; on newstands now!

Kelly & Lowell’s Spanish Hills Country Club Wedding was definitely one for the memory books! It was a beautiful fairy tale wedding, complete with Kelly’s grand entrance via horse & carriage, and her “Marine in Shining Armour” awaiting his GORGEOUS bride! INCREDIBLE!! I’d been eagerly looking forward to this day since I connected with Kelly & Lowell a couple of months back for their Downtown Los Angeles Engagement Session. From the first time we met, I could tell these two really had a spark for each other, as well as a spark for life; Lowell serving his country as a Marine & Officer, and Kelly doing volunteer work in third world countries. These two are just all around great people! Both come from kind & generous families, and that made the day all the more special! Congratulations, Kelly & Lowell, and thanks for having me be a part of such a wonderful occasion! I’m so excited for our “Day After Session!”

[caption id="attachment_1480" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="LOVE LOVE this sweet moment with Kelly and her dad. Daddy loves his baby girl!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1485" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Kelly is one GORGEOUS bride!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1487" align="aligncenter" width="520" caption="What a cutey!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1492" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="When I say Kelly & Lowell can get their GROOVE ON, I'm not exaggerating! The grand entrance was INCREDIBLE!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1493" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="The whole military aspect of the wedding just made it that much more AMAZING!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1497" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Another sweet moment with Kelly and her dad..."][/caption]

I also want to give a BIG shout out of thanks to Sonia Hopkins of XOXO Bride, who did a masterful job of planning & coordinating this amazing day! Your work is incredible.

Feel free to share some love & leave a comment

I know I’ve already blogged about the incredible times I’ve shared with Courtney & Andrew during their Los Angeles engagement session last Spring, followed by their amazing Adamson House Malibu Wedding, but putting together their wedding slideshow brought a BIG smile to my face, and hopefully it’ll bring one to yours too. I just love culturally-rich weddings!! Enjoy!

My sched has been jam-packed with some fabulous summer weddings, and I’ve got a lot of blogging to catch up on, but I had to take a moment to share this sneak peek from Avery & Robert’s recent Palos Verdes wedding. Words can’t even describe how unique & amazing their wedding was. This image pretty much sums up the day. Can’t wait to share more…