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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]

This Alabama wedding was quite a treat! It helps when the bride is one of the cutest & sweetest Southern Belles this side of the Mississippi! I’ve got a whole lot more I want to share from Brooke & Nathan’s amazing wedding, but for now, here’s a little sneak…And check out their Slideshow!

Kim & Andy are two of those special people that you sometimes cross paths with in life who leave an indelible mark on your heart. They are both warm, kindhearted and madly in love with each other! Their wedding was an AMAZING day at the gorgeous TPC Valencia Golf Club. I knew after I connected with these two for their Seattle Engagement Session that their wedding day was going to be something special! And I wasn’t disappointed. Congratulations, Kim & Andy!

[caption id="attachment_1611" align="aligncenter" width="630" caption="Kim's mom is the best!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1612" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="love this sweet moment!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1616" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="I love this kid, I think I could have done a whole blog on him in his blue Harry Potter glasses!"][/caption]

And a big thanks to Ashley Tearston of Floracopia for her AMAZING floral arrangements, and Mimi Flowers of Mimi Events for doing such a wonderful job planning & coordinating this beautiful day!

Every wedding, I have the honor of shooting is another amazing opportunity to capture a new love story. Shariyah & Cameron have a very sweet, deeply spiritual love story, and their Santa Barbara wedding was a magnificent reflection of that. They traveled all the way from New Zealand to say their vows at the historic Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. It was a rich & beautiful day, and an incredible reminder to all present of what marriage is really all about. Thank you Shariyah & Cameron, and your loving families, for allowing me to be a part of such an AMAZING day! Be sure to check out their amazing wedding Slideshow!

[caption id="attachment_1264" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="one of my all-time favorites!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1272" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Shariyah and her sisters, who by the way were raised by an INCREDIBLE mother in an Amish community. Hard to believe, right!?!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1292" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="there were a lot tears flowing, but something about this moment after Cameron seated his mother at the ceremony completely melted my heart!"][/caption]

I’m sure Shariyah & Cameron would love to hear what you think (and I would too!). Feel free to leave comments….

Courtney & Andrew are incredible, creative, free spirits with a very sweet, uninhibited kind of love!  I knew after our Venice engagement session that I was in for quite a treat on their wedding day!!  This day was so rich with culture, tradition and joyful celebration.  Andrew is an AMAZING African drummer, and HE played for his bride as she walked down the aisle. Love that!!  The ceremony was a beautiful fusion of African and Jewish customs that included phenomenal African drumming & dancing, the INCREDIBLE, Yehuda Solomon, his band Moshav, and so many beautiful friends & family from, literally, all over the world. Congratulations, Courtney & Andrew! I loved being part of such a wonderfully eclectic day!

[caption id="attachment_1221" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="grandma and the rabbi"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1224" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Yehuda Solomon, leader of Moshav, in the middle of a heart-felt song during the ceremony. AMAZING!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1225" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="the beautiful Courtney!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1228" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="I just love how Andrew looks at Courtney!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1239" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Courtney's gorgeous vintage dress!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1240" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Some of the Jewish traditions..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1242" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="...and some of the African traditions"][/caption]

This Malibu wedding was held at the gorgeous Adamson House Estate overlooking the Pacific; one of my favorite wedding venues! And a big thanks to Adee Pelleg who did an amazing job coordinating the day!

Shawn & Steve are such great people, and they also happen to be our neighbors and now friends. After a some stormy weather the week prior, it turned out to be just a gorgeous day for their Nashville wedding at Brentwood United Methodist Church. We started the day off in Downtown Nashville at the beautiful Hermitage Hotel, and then it was off to the church in Brentwood for an intimate ceremony, followed by an elegant reception at Mere Bulles. These two share such a special connection together that I’m positive a lifetime of happiness awaits them. Congratulations, Shawn & Steve…thanks for allowing me to be a part of such a sweet day!

[caption id="attachment_1022" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="the super cool bridal party!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1030" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="I love this "private" moment...Steve checking out his bride! "][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1031" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="the beautiful Shawn!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1033" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="one of my favorite shots of the day."][/caption]

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jennie & Brad for their Los Angeles engagement shoot. It’s difficult to put into words how sweet & gracious these two are; just full of life, and really fun to be around. Although we did their engagement session in LA, Jennie & Brad are actually having a Nashville wedding (Jennie’s hometown) at The Temple. I met these two through Jennie’s mom, Goldie, a great lady & wonderful Nashville caterer. I think kindness just runs in the family! Jennie & Brad, it was great to spend the day together in LA. I’m so excited about your summer wedding. See you soon back in the ‘ville!

I had to do a quick sneak peek from Suzi & D’Marco’s recent los angeles wedding. I love these guys!! Can’t wait to share more…

I was so excited for Fatima + Jaime’s wedding after their beautiful engagement shoot. These two just have a rare kind of sweet, sincere & honest love.  They wanted the urban industrial look, so we hit some of my favorite spots in downtown L.A. Then it was off to Our Lady of Angels Cathedral for their gorgeous ceremony and reception. Congratulations, Fatima & Jaime!!

[caption id="attachment_691" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Fatima's mother-in-law made her beutiful dress."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_697" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Pimp DADDY!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_699" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Love this moment they were having with each other during the reception."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_700" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="The Beautiful Fatima!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_706" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Fatima's mom walked her down the aisle."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_707" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="They decided to see each other before their ceremony and this was one of their 'first sight' shots....just LOVE!"][/caption]