backyard wedding

Sakura & Nathan: Backyard Wedding

Sakura and Nathan’s wedding took place on Saturday afternoon at Nathan’s family’s home in Garden Grove.   The details of this wedding were planned to a T, with lots of bold style, handmade details, and cultural elements.IMG_2658x.jpg

The style of the wedding was BW stripes with red accents.  While some brides do a second dress for the reception, Sakura wore a white dress that showed her striped BW stockings and 3 different shoe changes (well, actually 4 if you count the ones she wore while getting ready).  Her first set was a fierce red high heel with deadly spikes!  Nathan wore a BW striped tie and red converse shoes.

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Sakura and Nathan chose not to see each other until the ceremony; however, beforehand they wanted to do some formal pictures with the bridal party.  Sakura had a mix of bridesmaids and bridesmen.

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Rambo and Halo the “kids” with handler Amber.  She brought them down the isle with her during the ceremony!

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Team Sakura’s Bridal Party Wars!  Guys: 0, Girls: 1

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Sakura waited with her father in a BW canopy tent as guests arrived.  I think everyone was pretty surprised when her sisters unzipped it and Sakura came walking out to a Muse song.  Guests were seated at their tables as they watched.

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More info about the wedding

  • Site: Nathan’s family home in Garden Grove
  • Desserts: A. Cake – Ebisu Roll
  • Make Up: Amy Tervis
  • DJ: Chirs Gagon
  • Photo Booth: Oh!Snap
  • Photography: SherriJ + Dawn Topete (thanks for the behind the scene shot below!)

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Sakura + Nathan: Movie Themed Engagement Session

Sakura and Nathan have been together for almost a decade…  They met while working at the same video game store way back when.  I actually met Sakura a couple of years ago at a wedding and was pretty stoked to hear she wanted to hire me for her own backyard wedding!  Sakura describes herself as “non-traditional” and creative, and their wedding will have a lot of fun alternative ideas with a great color scheme and details!  I can’t divulge too much right now, but maybe their engagement sessions has some hints for what’s to come?  Sakura and Nathan both share a passion for movies.  For their engagement session, they wanted to reenact some of their favorite movie scenes.  This first set is inspired by “Shaun of the Dead” zombie scene, riffling through some records.

movie themed engagement photoshoot

santa monica engagement photography

santa monica engagement photography

santa monica engagement photography

These two love their dogs Halo and Rambo!

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santa monica engagement photography

These two birds are from the movie Dumb and Dumber.

santa monica engagement photography

santa monica engagement photography

Can you guess what movie the last shot represents?

movie themed engagement photoshoot

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

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

Arboretum wedding photography

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

the French Estate wedding photography

the French Estate wedding photography

the French Estate wedding photography

the French Estate wedding photography

the French Estate wedding photography

Favors for the guests included planted succulents.

the French Estate wedding photography

the French Estate wedding photography

the French Estate wedding photography

Tara & Timmy: Backyard Wedding

This past weekend, I had the great pleasure of photographing Tara and Timmy as they tied the knot at the house Tara grew up in Newhall, CA.  Her style was “shabby chic with a vintage vibe.”  When we first met and she described her wedding to me, it seems she named all the pretty colors of the rainbow and said that would be mixed with burlap and lace.  After seeing them and their vision, I knew the wedding photos would be awesome!   They are both gorgeous and I really love backyard weddings.  Friends and family may see all the wedding images HERE.

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The flowers were amazing!!  A classy mix of white and yellow.  I love the detailing of burlap, lace, and pearls on the stems.

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Tara’s green eyes are stunning!

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The ceremony and reception both took place in the back yard.  Tara created an alter made of a door and windows to represent a home.

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The backyard was so amazing.  Can you believe it fit 200 guest very comfortably?!

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As guests were enjoying some refreshments before dinner, we had time for some formal pictures at the neighbor’s large Oak Tree.

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I love these centerpieces!  Simple, multicolored, and bright.

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Photography: SherriJ Photography
Location: Bride’s Childhood home
Day of Planner: Amanda Andrews
Makeup: Tiffany Baker (Bridesmaid)
Florist: Bonnie Roberts (Family Friend)
Catering: BBQ
Custom Painted Signs: Painted Joy

*UPDATE This wedding has been published on Blueberry Wedding HERE.  (May 30, 2011)