I am so happy to share with you the wonderful Country Music Hall of Fame Nashville wedding of Sam & Sam! I feel so incredibly blessed to work with some of the most amazing families at such a milestone in their children’s lives. When I arrived to photograph Samantha getting ready, her sweet mother, Ilene, gave me such a heartfelt thank you card and a donation made in my name to an incredible charity. It brought me to tears that they would even think of thanking me for being a part of this day after all that they have been through. Without going into too much detail, their family has overcome more trials over this last year than most of us have in a lifetime.  Love certainly overcame for this family, and it made this day such a beautiful celebration. Sam & Sam, you’re amazing, and to you and your incredible families, what an honor it was to be a part of this special day, capture your love and to now call you friends!

I also want to thank Karen Kaforey of Signature Events for doing such a great job planning and coordinating this amazing day!

Dress: Romona Keveza from b. Hughes Bridal

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Hair: Candice Conrey of Salon P’Nash

Make-up: Danielle Cole

Floral: J. Michael Smith Floral Design

Band: Blue Tone Music

Cake: The French Confection

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I am just in love with JD & Sandy! I’m so full after spending this last weekend shooting their destination wedding at the Haiku Mill on Maui. So much more to share but here’s just a sneak

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When I first showed up to the Korakia Pensione the morning of Kristen & Adam’s wedding, Adam was swimming in the pool with his family (in his tuxedo speedo!) and his first words to me sum up just how awesome this couple is. He said something to the effect of…”I just want this to be the slowest day of my life. I want to take in every detail and enjoy every single moment!”  I’ve been looking forward to this wedding every since we connected for their Malibu Engagement Session early this Spring! Kristen  & Adam got married at one of my most favorite venues in Palm Springs, the Korakia Pensione. There is so much depth and beauty to this sexy Mediterranean boutique hotel which fit these two perfectly.  This was such a fun wedding to photograph for many reasons…an adorable couple completely in love, gorgeous details, and being surrounded by such kind and gracious family & friends! Congratulations, Kristen & Adam! Thank you for allowing me to capture your beautiful love story…what an honor!! xox

I also want to thank Amy Kaneko of Amy Kaneko Events for doing such a fabulous job planning & coordinating this lovely wedding, as well as all of these wonderful vendors below:

Dress: Vera Wang, 2011 Eliza

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Hair: Metin Serdan

Make-up: Noseph Trinh

Florist: The Velvet Garden

Catering: Heirloom LA

Vintage Furniture: Found Vintage Rentals

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Ceremony Musician: Roger Espinoza

Music: DJ Ian of Red Shoe LA

Lighting: Images by Lighting

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My very first meeting with Hope was over a nice glass of red wine together via Skype, Hope in Australia and me here in the States. From the first time we chatted thousands of miles apart, I knew this wedding was going to be special. Hope & Nick had a beautiful ceremony at Saint Martin Catholic Church in Brentwood, California followed by an elegant, super fun reception at Casa del Mar in Santa Monica.  They were surrounded by such incredible family and friends many who had traveled from Australia to support this beautiful couple. I loved how close they were with their families…Hope’s sister walked her down the aisle. And she carried her father’s rosary to keep him close. Hope & Nick, thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing day!  I can’t wait to come to Australia…and maybe photograph a little Aussie baby:)

A big thank you to Terri Castillo of Bellisimo Events for doing such a wonderful job planning & coordinating this very special day!

Hair & Make-up: Yana Beauty Studio

Florist: Ricardo Luna & Paul Reynolds of Luna Gardens

Band: Entourage

Cake: Leslie Maynor of Fantasy Frostings

Wedding Cinema: Doug Brannigan of Envision Production

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It’s going to be difficult to narrow down my favorites from this day…the gorgeous Madiha, hummingbird nest ranch, and some of the most amazing details ever…stayed tuned for so much pretty!

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I love the chicks over at Wedding Chicks! They have such a fun blog to find great inspiration for all things wedding. I’m so happy to be featured on Wedding Chicks today alongside 3 amazing artists (and really great people)….filmmaker, Joel Serrato, planner, Jill La Fleur, and florist, Holly Flora! Check out Joel’s beautiful super 8mm film of Michelle and Jon’s Saddlerock Ranch Malibu wedding. It was such a fun day…planned and designed beautifully by the amazing Jill La Fleur! xox

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Jacky & Eli are two smart, sophisticated and beautiful people who I absolutely adore. When I first met Jacky at her family’s Beverly Hills restaurant, Crustacean, to discuss her and Eli’s big day, I knew their destination wedding at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico was not only going to be fantastic, but rich with culture and tradition as well.  It was all that and so much more!!  Their wedding consisted of two ceremonies,  a Vietnamese ceremony in the morning, and an American beach ceremony in the afternoon, followed by an incredible reception back at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba. So this is the first of two posts I had to do in order to contain all of the amazingness of this day.  These two were such troopers! Although the day was spotted with some torrential downpours, there were no signs of stress or frustration with Jacky or Eli. It’s amazing how that kind of thing can work in your favor.  We just happened to hit the beach right after a storm, which made for some AMAZING skies. Their ceremony took place just steps from the ocean, followed by a incredible celebration that included local dancers, a cigar roller, fire dancers, and of course, an AMAZING fireworks show. Congratulations Jacky & Eli! Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day!  xox

Planning: Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Wedding Cinema: Shade Tree Films

Hair: Anthony Pazos

Make-up: Amy Huynh

Dress: Rheem Acra

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I love LOVE multicultural weddings!! When Jacky & Eli told me that their destination wedding at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba was also going to include a traditional Vietnamese Wedding Ceremony…I was super excited. Although the weather in Riviera Maya , Mexico was a little temperamental on the wedding day, the ceremony was held in the morning under clear blue skies (and hot sun). The Banyan Tree Mayakoba was the really the perfect backdrop for their intimate Vietnamese ceremony surrounded by lagoons and the beautiful lush Caribbean landscape. Jacky arrived at the ceremony on a boat with her family. It was a beautiful, sacred and sentimental ceremony.

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I have been looking forward to Collyn and Corey’s Napa destination wedding all year!!  Their ceremony was held inside the Dunfillan Ruins of an old winery on the Kunde Family Estate, followed by a reception on the hilltop with 360 degree views of this incredible vineyard. Breathtaking! It was the perfect combination of all the things that make a great wedding…a super sweet couple that love to have fun, incredible style, a gorgeous location, amazing family & friends, topped off with probably one of the funnest receptions EVER!! Collyn & Corey are just TERRIFIC people, and they were surrounded by so much genuine love and laughter amongst their family and friends all day. Collyn and her mom made most of the details themselves, including the beautiful chandeliers at the reception that were brought in from Arizona. Collyn and Corey, thanks for your patience with this post, and thank you for having me be a part of such an AMAZING day…it was such an honor!! xo

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If you didn’t know better, you would think Melissa & Ben had just fallen in love. They have that fresh, new courtship kind of love…only they’ve been together over half a decade! You would NEVER know it. Their wedding was on a private estate/barn property overlooking the gorgeous rolling hills of Nashville.  It had the all of the ingredients for the perfect Nashville country Jewish wedding….gorgeous weather, bluegrass music and fried pickles!  To top it all off, the sun was setting during their ceremony into a brilliant pink just as they kissed under the Chuppah. It was INCREDIBLE!! Thank you Melissa & Ben, and your WONDERFUL families for allowing me to capture this special day!

A big thank you to Mike Whitler and Mark Weber of Branches Event Florist for their amazing floral creations that added so much color and vibrancy to this special day!

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