Kelly & Patrick's Edgewood Lake Tahoe Wedding

Kelly and Patrick got married on a beautiful July afternoon at the always stunning Edgewood Lake Tahoe. I have been anxiously awaiting this wedding for over a year. Why? After meeting Kelly and Pat at their engagement session, I knew that I would have a wonderful time not only photographing their event, but simply being around them. We share a couple of friends and everyone made me feel more like a guest than the photographer. The girls got ready at the Embassy Suites on South Lake Tahoe Blvd and the guys got ready right next door at one of the "H" hotels...Harvey's? Harrah's? Horizon? I always get them confused! I think it was Harrah's. haha. After the guys were transported to the venue, the girls climbed in the limo bus, toasted to Kelly & Pat's big day, and so the wedding began! As Kelly walked down the aisle, Patrick's expression said it all. Overlooking the blue water of Lake Tahoe, Kelly and Pat became Mr. & Mrs. Rhodes in front of their family and friends. The perfect wedding.

Thank you both for including me in your special day. It was one that I will never forget!

....little boys, I tell you! :)

"I'm king of the world!!!"

I thought this was a fantastic way to serve beer! The bartender always kept a handful of glasses ready for guests to walk up and grab. It's the small things that excite me ;)

Chug chug chug! Who do you think will win....?

My 2nd shooter, Anita, captured this exchange between Patrick and his parents. I simply love it!

Lisa & Neil's Los Altos History Museum Wedding

Summer in the Bay Area is gorgeous - hot days, warm summer evenings, and beautiful golden light. I love everything about it. Lisa and Neil got married at the Los Altos History Museum tucked back into the quaint residential neighborhood of Los Altos. As their guests walked into the venue, they were told to grab a rally towel. Lisa and Neil are huge San Jose Sharks fans (hockey, for you non sporty types). If the guests wanted them to kiss during the reception, instead of clinking classes, they were supposed to rally. What an awesome personal touch for their big day! I knew that Lisa was beautiful after we met for their engagement session, but she exuded classic, timeless beauty on her wedding day. They will make beautiful babies. Okay, yes, I really did just say that. haha.

Weddings like this make me wish that I was a videographer as well as a photographer. Why? As Lisa and Neil took the floor for their first dance, a song started playing that I assumed was a professionally recorded track from some famous artist. It was beautiful. As I was taking photos, the circle of people who gathered around them started saying, "This is Lisa!" Huh?? That was Lisa singing on the track? Yes! Holy moly, that girl is TALENTED. Again, an amazing personal touch!

I had an amazing, fun day with this group of people. Their parents, Lisa and Neil's beautiful sisters, their friends...they are so lucky to be surrounded by a great group of people.

Lisa's sister and matron of honor (hey Bree!) was so cute and animated! Everyone was talking about her funny, touching speech for the rest of the evening :)

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!