Jamie & Todd's Meanda Grove Wedding | Riverside Wedding Photography

I met Jamie and Todd through Todd's sister, Carrie. Carrie is one of my very good friends and also a wonderful photographer. So, when she recommended me to her brother and future sister in law, I was flattered and knew that I had a lot to live up to. Any nerves that I might have otherwise felt were diminished because I was excited to spend a day with their family. Jamie and Todd are extremely laid back and go-with-the-flow which is exactly how I am. That's not to say that a lot of thought and care didn't go into their wedding. Jamie had a vision for how she wanted her wedding and I think everyone agreed that it was executed perfectly, from the flea market chandeliers that were painstakingly refinished and hung to the gorgeously decorated long tables. As I walked around the interior of the Meanda Grove barn during the reception even the smell fit her style - it smelled of fall, spices, and baked goods. I don't think I've ever had a bride who laughed as much as Jamie. She is beautiful all the time, but when she laughs? She's stunning. In fact, her expressions were the theme of her maid of honors speech. The girls walked around the room showing funny/cute photos of Jamie making interesting faces and as expected, Jamie's expressions showed what she thought of the speech/photos :) I actually had a hard time using a few non-laughing photos of Jamie in this blog post because I loved each and every one of them.

One final thing that I must include in this blog post is our adventure with fire ants. After the ceremony, I was walking around the property with Jamie and Todd. At one point, I set down her bouquet...after we were done, I picked it up and handed it back to her. Within a couple of seconds I felt pain on my hands and looked down to see tiny red ants! My brain tried to register where they came from, and when I realized that they must have been on her bouquet I shouted to Jamie to put it down. Well, it was a bit late and she had ants on her hands and the front of her dress. Todd and I scrambled to brush the ants off of her. I honestly don't think I've ever felt worse in my life. Jamie was amazing (as usual) and laughed it off. Eeeek. Note to self: carefully check the ground before setting down a bouquet - you never know when you might put it in a fire ant nest!

Congratulations on your beautiful wedding. Jamie and Todd - you make one darn good looking couple!

THE ANTS!

Sayoko & Josh | Highland Springs Resort Wedding

I met Sayoko for the first time on a beautiful evening last year at The Promenade in Santa Monica. Up walked this beautiful petite blonde who was laid back, sweet, and fun. When she and Josh booked their wedding with me, I knew that if it was anything like Sayoko, it would be a true pleasure to photograph...and it was. Sayoko and Josh's wedding was held at the BEAUTIFUL Highland Springs Resort in Cherry Valley, a bit of paradise tucked along the mountains between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Dirt roads, giant oak trees, lavender fields, and olive tree groves surrounded Sayoko, Josh, and their friends and family as they committed their lives to eachother. Sayoko wore a wedding dress that would make any girl swoon and her bridesmaids were gorgeous in a dusty, blush pink. Josh and his guys were hilarious, making me laugh time and time again. The way that Josh looked at Sayoko as she walked down the aisle? I'm pretty sure that would make any girl feel weak in the knees.

Thank you Sayoko and Josh for choosing me as your wedding photographer and allowing me to be a part of such a classy, relaxed day. I left your wedding feeling so in love with what I do.

Sayoko wanted to do a "first look" with her dad. I admit that I photographed this through blurry, teary eyes. I lost my dad in December, so it really touched my heart to see a daughter so close with her daddy.

Sayoko and her dad did a nice traditional father/daughter...and then busted a move!