Outdoor Ceremony

June 25, 2014 Puerto Rico, Weddings

Lisa and Jordans Culebra Puerto Rico Wedding

Destination Weddings are always and will forever be, a huge honor. The fact the couples want us to be with them for their wedding is already honor enough but add the detail that they want you at their destination wedding location just blows our minds. Lisa Ann and Jordan invited us to photograph their wedding on the tiny island of Culebra, just off the coast of Puerto Rico. If you have never been, or never hear of it, google it now. You should add it to your short list of places to visit. Trust us. BEST. BEACHES. EVER.

They told us to wear flip flops and to come have a good time, which is exactly what we did. Dan hung out with Jordan and best man at the ceremony location (aka: voted one of the best beaches in the world by Trip Advisor… no kidding). I went over to the house Lisa Ann was getting ready in and got to meet her family and closest friends. Once she was ready, we headed across the island for their ceremony. While the guys shared a traditional whisky toast, the ladies clinked champagne… then it was time. Lisa Ann and Jordan’s vows were all kinds of precious as they went back and forth with promises and cute messages of love. It was a heart-felt and sincere ceremony, where the guests (and the photographers) could feel just how much they love one another. After the kiss, and the breaking of the glass, it was party time. Now if you know me, you know I’m a closet Disney-fan, so you can imagine that seeing a wedding reception with hidden Mickey’s all over the place spoke to me. Magic!

This Friday the 13th, full moon, destination wedding was nothing is not a blast.

PS: Don’t miss how much Jordan makes Lisa Ann laugh. It was a JOY to watch.

Venue: Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico

Catering: Homeless Dog Cafe Hair and Make-up: Lizzie Ibarra Hair & Make-up Artist

Gown: Maggie Sottero Flowers: M&M Flower Market

June 11, 2014 Acadia Maine, Weddings

Amber and Colin’s Bar Harbor Maine Elopement

Amber and Colin live in NC, our home state! It was fun hanging out with some fellow North Carolina people on a sweet Saturday in May. They chose to elope way up here in the great state of Maine, simply because they thought it looked like a beautiful place (never having been here before). Now THAT is my kind of couple! Amber’s sister Megan came to officiate in a little gazebo overlooking the harbor. After their vows were said and the kiss was given, it was official! We all commented on how fast it happens once you are actually having the ceremony itself. Dan and I were the witnesses, signing the license, which was one of the big things on my wedding photography bucket list. Talk about an honor right?! The light was crazy too this evening. Take a moment to look at the sky in these photos. So much drama which is exactly how I like our photos. We spent the next couple hours strolling around the little town, even finding a USPS mailbox that we could send the license out with! Who ever get to witness that part eh? It’s a pretty important part too! We love photographing weddings like this and are so happy for these two!

Officiant: Bride’s Sister Megan

June 3, 2014 Hawaii, Weddings

Adam and Sachi’s Honolulu Hawaii Wedding

Where do I begin?

I love these two people and the funny thing is that I fell in love with them within ten minutes of finally meeting them in person. They live in Japan and we had been meeting them via Skype for 6 months leading up to their Honolulu Wedding. Now of course we really liked them before meeting them but I can’t explain how wonderful they truly are with my word limitations. Are there words to describe how it feels when someone, on their wedding day, takes you out for dinner? Are there words to describe when a bride hugs you and tells you that she is so excited to see you and that she has been looking forward to it for a long time? Are there words to describe a family who is having a incredibly small and intimate ceremony who welcome you with open arms its as if you are a guest yourself? I mean almost every conversation that took place in Japanese was promptly translated for me by Sachi, even just regular conversation. They were so polite and inclusive. It meant so much to me, even that small detail. So that is a tiny peek into the two of them from just a few hours spent with them.

Adam and Sachi met while she was studying at Adam’s College in Oregon. They fell in love and Adam moved across the Pacific to Japan, where they were legally married. They have actually been married for over three years before they were able to have their dream wedding in Hawaii! There were 9 guests, all with camera’s in hand. I loved how important photographs were to everyone involved. I asked Adam if he wanted a break from photos for a little while to enjoy the post-ceremony time before the reception and he said, “Nah… taking photos is pretty much what a Japanese wedding prioritizes, after the actual importance of the ceremony of course.” Now THAT is something I can get behind. Yay photos!!

After their ridiculously romantic ceremony at The Bayer Estate, complete with Ukulele music and the calm sounds of the Pacific Ocean, we all shared some cake. Next they moved to the The Hau Tree Lanai at The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel for a post wedding meal with their guests. It was…. perfect.

O and by the way… this isn’t the last you’ll see of these two on our blog. They opted for a Day-After Session too! We have some more couple shots of the two of them to come very soon.

Coordinating and Event Planning: Sayaka of Ka-Nalu Wedding

Bridal Attendant and Floral Designer: Mie of Ka-Nalu Wedding

Hair and Makeup: Satomi Morimoto | Ceremony Venue: The Bayer Estate

Cake and Reception Venue: The Hau Tree Lanai at The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel

May 23, 2014 California, Weddings

Brooke and Sam’s Huntington Beach CA Wedding

Brooke and Sam metÂ playing coed sports before they became the founders of their own Orange County Adult Sports League, Beach City Sports! As a result, they had a big fun crew at their wedding, down to party and full of love for these two as they tied the knot. They even incorporated football into their wedding day.

Our own story with Brooke goes back a bit further, Dan having been to college with Brooke. She even came to our wedding and actually did my hair for it. Needless to say, when she reached out to us to photograph her wedding to Sam in Huntington Beach, we were 100% stoked.

On the day of, the weather was spot on, not that this is a surprise considering the location in Huntington Beach. Brooke’s dog Joey, even made the ceremony as an honorary groomsmen! After the ceremony and photos, the dance party began and it didn’t really stop until the last song. One of my favorite parts of the day was when Sam’s sister gave the DJ a CD of Jordanian music, and all the family cheered and proceeded to dance: Jordanian Style. What could be more fun to see? It was a wonderful day with a sweet ending of Chinese Lanterns with their last remaining partiers.

Venue: Sea Cliff Country ClubÂ Â | Â Cake: Creative CakesÂ Â | Â Â Florist : Love n BloomÂ Â | Â DJ:Â Eric Morales

Videographer: Ambient FeaturesÂ Â | Â Officiant: BridesÂ Uncle- Richard Olivas Â | Â Â Hair & Makeup Stylist : Noel from HeySaylor Cosmetics

January 29, 2014 Vermont, Weddings

Logan and Jay’s Intimate Vermont Wedding

A dozen people, a few short hours, and a wedding that we will never ever forget… this was Logan and Jay’s wedding.

It snowed all day, beautiful dreamland snow, the kind of snow that you picture when you think of romantic white fluffy Vermont snow. We met them in a lodge where there closest family were all together preparing to witness Logan and Jay exchange vows. They had flown in from places as far away as California and Florida. Their first look took place in the falling snow… I don’t know how to properly convey that scene other than to share the images. It was complete and total first look perfection. The had their ceremony in the snow on the back porch of the cabin. It was so casual but yet so serious… one of those ceremonies where you can feel the sacred vows. After the kiss, it was on to a sleigh ride in the snow followed by dinner, cooked by the chef right there in the cabin. What could really be better?

I hope that the images convey just how unforgettable this small wedding really was. Pinch me ok?