Visual Stories of Love and Life

Monday, February 20, 2012

Favorite Vendor Spotlight: Just Wenderful

As a wedding photographer, I have the opportunity to work with lots of great wedding vendors in the wedding industry. I love to refer my clients to professionals I know who can truly do an amazing job for them on their wedding day! Something new for 2012, I have a dedicated a section in my blog for my favorite vendors. I thought it’d be cool to feature some of them more in depth, so today we’re going to kick it off featuring Wendy of Just Wenderful! She can be described as “…an event planning and design company based out of Southern California specializing in weddings of all flavors with a soft spot for homespun!”

Here’s some Q&A to help us get to know Wendy a little better.

1) There are a million and 2 reasons to hire a wedding consultant. If you could only give one to a bride & groom, what would it be?
You should a hire a wedding consultant for peace of mind. From budgets to time lines and dented cakes to drunk bridesmaids, we’ll deal with it all.

2) How long have you been in business?
Officially, since 2009.

3) What got you interested in working in the wedding industry?
I had always done events as part of a UCLA group I was part of during my undergrad years and it wasn’t until 2007 that I took part of my first one and I loved it. By the time my own wedding came along in 2009 and I was full into weddings!

los angeles wedding planner

4) What type of clients do you find yourself most working with?
I find myself working with lots of multi-cutural, intelligent, fun crafters. From a wedding that’s $15,000 to a wedding that’s $75,000, our couples have allways had a soft spot for homespun and I love that. It makes the whole event much more personal and fun.

5) What is the #1 quality you possess that makes you uniquely suited for wedding consulting?
Flexibility. I tell my couples that there isn’t one thing that can’t be done. Of course if it’s out of budget, there are other similar alternatives. If it’s far fetched, it doesn’t matter unless it not far fetched to you.

los angeles wedding planner

6) What is your favorite part of the wedding planning process?
My favorite part of the planning process are the details. That’s the creative and most fun part. It’s definitely loads better than logistics!

los angeles wedding planner

7) What is your favorite part of the wedding day?

The exchange of the vows! I always love hearing the personal vows or just the “I do’s”. They’re so different but always so touching.

Any other Q&As you’d like to add for readers to know about you?

Remember that although it seems like you’re forking out a lot of money to host a party for your family, in the end it’s a celebration of your love and the beginning if a new chapter where the only that should matter are the vows, the kiss, the “I do”s and the happily ever after!

And for the last shot (above) an outtake from one of the poses we did in the grass. A couple of dogs were loving our idea and wanted to come over to play! How cute is that?! Thanks a bunch to Wendy for sharing some insights, and for Jess and Lola being awesome sidekicks. =) If you were wondering where this session took place: Silverlake Dog Park!

Posted in Favorite Vendors Tags: Engagement Photography, nautral light, wedding planning

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Wendy - February 20, 2012 - 7:00 pm

Sherri! Thanks for the vendor love and these cute shots! Still can’t believe J was down for it! xx

Holly Steen - February 21, 2012 - 9:22 am

Yay!!! What a fun shoot Sherri!
It is wonderful to see such cute photos of Wendy’s family!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Wedding at the French Estate

I had the great pleasure of photographing my first wedding of the season with one of my favorite photographers of all time, Stephanie of This Modern Romance. The wedding took place at The French Estate in Orange, CA. The estate is a private home with tons of vintage charm, big palm trees, and a beautiful draped back yard patio for an outdoor ceremony. The weather was amazing, and perfect for a spring wedding for Sean and Cheryl!

the French Estate wedding photography

My focus during the wedding was lots of pictures of the groom Sean, and detail shots.

the French Estate wedding photography

Before the ceremony, Stephanie arranged for them to have a first look… which allowed us plenty of time to head over to the Arboretum for some romantic pictures.

Arboretum wedding photography

Cheryl’s flowers was a soft white/purple combination of calla lilies, hydrangea, orchids, and roses.

the French Estate wedding photography

Arboretum wedding photography

the French Estate wedding photography

Favors for the guests included planted succulents.

the French Estate wedding photography

Posted in Wedding Tags: backyard wedding, natural light, wedding photography

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Surprise Proposal

I met Rynxes and Mylene on August 22, 2010 when I photographed a wedding they both attended as a guest. Mylene was a bridesmaid and sang a song during the reception, and Rynxes played the piano for her. Their relationship was just starting to bloom when I captured these pictures of them.

Since then, their love has been growing and Rynxes contacted me a couple weeks ago with his plans for a surprise proposal! It seems like fate that these two met at church, where Mylene was on her way to become a nun. Rynxes chose to propose at the historic Cathedral of Our Lady of Angles.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Angles

On the day of the proposal (Sunday), the church had a gathering of 1000+ choir singers. The acoustics was amazing and it made the day even more special! For the past 2 weeks leading up to the proposal, Ryxnes made daily prayers and wrote notes in a book to share with Mylene. If you personally know these two, ask for the story about the book and what happened to it. =)

surprise proposal engagement

Rynxes wanted to have the proposal documented at the exact moment it happened, which meant I had to be in stealth ninja mode until then. When they first arrived, I found them having a quite moment together in prayer. I was hiding behind the pillars. Thankfully the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angles is a popular tourist destination, so there were tons of other people everywhere with cameras. I hope I blended in well and didn’t look like a creeper!

surprise proposal engagement

Then, they walked to a bench in the courtyard and had a short chat. Soon after, he got down on one knee!

surprise proposal engagement

She was so surprised and emotional… and I was so excited for both of them! Her answer was “okay!!” I snapped some pictures as they were both glowing! This was so fun, and I’m totally honored to be able to document this moment in their lives.

After some pictures, we said adieu… but little did Mylene know that Rynxes had another huge surprise waiting for her. He invited 60 of their closest friends and family to a surprise dinner at Miceli’s Italian Resturant in Studio City.

This was the look on her face when she first entered and saw everyone!

Near the end of the night, we took a family pictures with their parents, and some of the guests.

How romantic is this story~!? I want to say a big congratulations to Rynxes and Mylene!! Here’s to many more moments to come. =)

Posted in Engagement, Event Tags: Engagement Photography, los angeles, wedding planning

23 comments

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Lorena Orellana - February 14, 2012 - 11:16 am

Love the pictures u took of Mylenes soooo special moment. Rynxes did a great job surprising her.

Leslie De Leoanrdis - February 14, 2012 - 2:33 pm

Beautiful pictures for a beautiful moment. Wishing My and Rynxes nothing but the best, because they deserve it !!

marlon - February 14, 2012 - 10:52 pm

Feel like luv is in the air this Valentine’s, and in those pics. They look so happy/photogenic together. Coincidentally, I’m happy/photogenic myself 0<]=O) congrats again to u two

Gilda Glorioso-Alarcon - February 14, 2012 - 11:56 pm

Beautiful pictures!!! It truly captured the beauty and all the special moments of that day! You looked absolutely beautiful Mylene….and very happy! Congrats again Mylene & Rynxes! Looking forward to the big day!

Sheila - February 15, 2012 - 12:12 am

Mylene and Rynxes look so happy together. The family seem to be so lovely themselves! You look awesome!

Celia - February 15, 2012 - 12:20 am

It’s nice to capture this memorable moments. All the wonderful smiles and laughs of Mylene & Rynxes brings joy to everyone!

A. Geny Mendoza - February 15, 2012 - 9:44 am

Good food, good music, beautiful pictures. “Love is in the air”
I’m glad that the two of you made this decision to be with each other. It will save me a lot of time since I don’t have to help my brother Larry to shop for a shotgun, and honestly,I’d rather have Rynxes as a nephew than a hostage. Let your future decisions not be a leap of faith but rather resulting from a well-discussed plan aimed on a common good. Remember, it’s not going to be I and Me anymore, but rather we and us. Good luck and God bless. Tito Geny

Liezl Abcede - February 15, 2012 - 10:15 am

Your happy faces are priceless! I am so happy for the both of you! Your smiley faces are so adorable! Love you both! I wish you both the very best =)

Marco - February 15, 2012 - 10:24 am

Look at all the happies! Good photo!

Nick Jordan - February 15, 2012 - 10:59 am

A wonderful and glorious night…! Thank you for including me on this special occasion…may Mylene and Rynxes be abundantly blest…! +

Jo - February 15, 2012 - 11:06 am

Congrats again to both of you! These pictures are great! Can’t wait to see the rest.

Anastacia Rodriguez - February 15, 2012 - 11:27 am

I LOVE the pictures! They are ALL beautiful! AND they captured you both so well!! I am SO glad that I was able there for you guys! I am so happy for you both–I cannot wait for the wedding! Rynxes, you are like my little brother and I love you so much–so happy that you have found Mylene.

Jessica Goundar - February 15, 2012 - 11:40 am

I am honored to have been a part of this beautiful day! The reaction shot at Miceli’s was priceless. I will always remember that moment and am thrilled it was captured on camera for posterity.
Nothing but love for the two a ya’

- Jessica

angela momney - February 15, 2012 - 12:12 pm

lovely photos, lovely couple! so proud to witness this beautiful union and to be friends with you both. much love! xo ang

Purita Slacik - February 15, 2012 - 5:06 pm

Dear Mylene & Rynxes,
Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures with beautiful narration of your love story. I see that you glow with happiness together. Love & God bless, auntie Puring

JUN and MAKHY MELGAR - February 15, 2012 - 8:25 pm

RJ and Mylene, as both of you look forward to the day that you are wed,
may your love (and these captured moments) be a reminder of the joy that lies ahead.

Awesome news! Can’t wait for the big day.

Happy Engagement!

- Tito Jun and Tita Makhy -

Oscar & Nidia Galang - February 15, 2012 - 8:27 pm

You are a beautiful couple! Amazing how the pictures captured your deep pure love for each other, the smiles exuded your inner beauty as well!
We wish you a lifetime of love & happiness.
Hugs & kisses from all of us here in New York!

Kathy Crawford - February 15, 2012 - 10:19 pm

Ah! This is adorable!!! Congratulations Mylene!!

Allison Foertsch - February 15, 2012 - 10:29 pm

Congrats you two!!! Much love from Marco’s Roommates!!

C. MENDOZA - February 16, 2012 - 7:08 am

Plan the next step well. I will be here to help. I am very
happy for both of you. God bless. Love Tita Charry

Jentry Dryden - February 19, 2012 - 12:23 am

This is so sweet! What an awesome guy for getting all of that together – that’s a lot of pressure! You documented it beautifully, Sherri!

Yoshiko Navarro - February 19, 2012 - 3:50 pm

WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY CAPTURED!! congrats!

Holly Steen - February 21, 2012 - 9:24 am

What a lovely engagement!

Micel’s is the best! What a sweet guy for putting it all together.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Cream Event: Los Angeles

Hey brides! Are you looking to attend one of the hottest wedding planning events of the year? The Cream is coming to LA March 1st! (formally known as Hitched!) It’s a party, it’s a showcase of some of the best vendors in the industry, and it’s something superfun to do with your fiance! Trust me, you do not want to miss this, buy your tickets HERE.