“You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free”
-Tom Petty

When Stephanie said she’d like to do a wildflower engagement session with Joshua, I knew the perfect place.  Stephanie and Joshua met in grade school.  I love their story….Joshua was somewhat of a bad boy and Stephanie was a good girl.  Opposites attract, right?  Well, in this case, opposites are perfect.  I’m looking forward to shooting their wedding this June.  It will be beautiful.  Just like they are…here is a sneak peek from the day…

…”There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.” – Sarah Dressen….

And sometimes, it can happen at a punk rock show.  Jessica and Joe met at a punk show.  Somehow, after I found this out, I totally understood it.  Jessica and Joe are perfect for each other.   Jessica and Joe balance each other perfectly – Jessica is an extrovert and Joe is subtle…and together, they are perfect.  Jessica likes a bit of a bad boy and I think Joe fit the ticket too…(he’s in a band! Jessica couldn’t resist!)

I couldn’t have had more fun with one group of people ever!…The day was fantastic planned with bagpipes accompanying the bride and her father down the aisle, to the fun trip to the old-school Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Boulevard, to the Go-Go dancers Joe and Jessica hired to escort them into their grande entrance to the tune of “Girls, Girls, Girls” playing in the background.  (The girls stuck around for the entire reception so that made a few people very very happy)….there was a tall guy in a little coat, there was a Dance-off (that the Bride and Groom judged)….and even more than a few games of Twister.  And it I swear, it was perfect….I had so much fun that even I was too tired to do anything else that night.  Jessica and Joe – living proof that sometimes what happens in Vegas, doesn’t always stay in Vegas…..Here is a sneak peek and a few from the day….Thank you, Jessica and Joe, I had so much fun!!  XOXOXO

“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way.” — Pablo Neruda

It was a beautiful fall day  and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect in Pismo Beach, California as family and friends came together to witness the very intimate and beautiful wedding of Michelle and Vincent at Guiseppe’s garden.   I have never had a bride who was so calm and collected all day….like she knew this was her destiny and she was going forward with all the confidence in the world.  And I have to say Vincent was the same way.  It was a beautiful peaceful synergy and it was incredible to see.  And an absolute dream to shoot.  Their happiness shows…

Michelle’s best girlfriends (who were an absolute riot) from grade-school did not miss the event and we even took a few fun photos of these childhood friends.  Michelle and Vince’s family and friends were gracious.  The night flowed perfectly.  I can’t really  explain the peace, love, happiness and absolute joy that enveloped these two all day long except in these 5 words:  there was no other way.

And at the end of this night when I was putting away my gear and I began to feel tired, I took a deep breath and thought to myself, ” Wow. I really am a lucky girl.”  It never ceases to amaze me at that I get to be a part of the beginning of a couple’s life together.  This day was not an exception….Thank you, Michelle and Vincent.  It truly was an honor.   Here are a few from the day….

There isn’t much I can’t say about Megan and Jared….wonderful, beautiful, sweet, in love, and most importantly – MARRIED!  Finally…Megan and Jared met at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California and I had the pleasure of being a part of memorializing the most important day in this couple’s life.  If you remember, I shot Megan and Jared’s engagement last year in San Diego at Point Loma and Coronado.   After their wedding, they will call Florida home as Jared is a professional baseball player playing for the Marlins.

Nothing but love all day long flowed…from the moment I showed up at the hotel room that morning and Megan sweetly did her mother’s make-up; to the tears in her father’s eyes as he danced his dance with his daughter; to the way all the children just flocked to both Megan and Jared; the way Jared’s brothers looked at their girlfriends; the way Jared’s dad held Jared’s Mom; the way a small, cute guest pointed out that he and I were wearing the same shoes….I was just overwhelmed by all the love – which is exactly what every wedding should feel like.

Megan looked absolutely stunning, and Jared looked gorgeous.  I know this is going to sound cliche but these two really did glow all day. Maybe “glow” isn’t the right word.  They radiated.  And never left each other’s side.  Like two little dancing fireflies.  These two had the most perfect day….and then flew off into the evening, just the two of them, still glowing,  with the light of each other to help them guide their way….

Another instant where I’m reminded how lucky I am to be a part of all it.  Thanks to Kenny Hyatt and Marsha Zepeda Walker for their help that beautiful day…Here are a few from the day…

“It is in love that religion exists and not in ceremony-in the pure and sincere love in the heart.” – Vivekananda

It was a beautiful fall day.  It couldn’t have been a more breathtaking setting.  And it couldn’t have been a more beautiful ceremony… Seema and Raghav, surrounded by hundreds of family and friends, married each other and received blessings from all who attended this incredible Hindu ceremony.  Many, many blessings.   Even I was blessed – blessed to have been a part of their day and honored as well.  Their families and friends were so gracious that it really was hard to remember that I actually was working that day….The ceremony was incredible and finished with songs of the Beatles, starting with ‘Here Comes the Sun’, playing in the background as Seema and Raghav were greeted and blessed by every single person who attended.

The day started with the gorgeous ceremony, and ended with a western reception at Bakersfield Country Club.  The crowd was unsurpassed when it came to celebrating their marriage.  And all that set aside, watching ( as I usually do from the dark corners of the reception venue) Seema and Raghav look at each other and hold each other, I was reminded that pure and sincere love does exist.  And I was reminded about how blessed I was to be there to witness it.

Here are a few from that unforgettable day…