Venue: Verandas, Manhattan Beach
Photography: SherriJ Photography
Florist – Flowers by Laurel
Makeup & Hair – Tara & Meyon at Bob Roy Salon Manhattan Beach
Wedding Coordinator – Sara Lehnberg, Verandas
Band & DJ – Dwight Kennedy
Dress – Somsi Couture
Suit – Jos A Bank
Desserts & Catering – NY Food Company
Invitations: Bride’s own design
*UPDATE This wedding has been published on Engaged and Inspired HERE. (August 23, 2011)
I met Kristin and Jordan last month as they started planning their February wedding at The Victorian in Santa Monica. One interesting fact about their celebration, it will take place at the end of football season after the Superbowl (important factor for the men in attendance!) The winter sun will set early, and they are planning a romantic nigh setting. For their engagement shoot, they wanted somewhere fun and meaningful, so they chose a location about 5 minutes away from their place in Manhattan Beach. It was my first time shooting there and I loved exploring with them!
I met Victoria and Tony last week, as they started planning their April wedding. It so happens, we’re both getting married at Calamigos Ranch! With similar tastes and styles, Victoria wasn’t hesitant booking. She pretty much inquired, consulted, and decided to book within 72 hours! I guess, when you know, you know… and I’m so glad to be a part of their wedding day plans! On Friday, we did their fun engagement shoot at Santa Monica Pier. Victoria brought a couple of props and we had a great time exploring. I think this first picture pretty much sums up their playful spirit! =)
The first outfit matched their school spirit. Blue and gold for UCLA!
Reagan and Ken celebrated their marriage this past weekend with a double wedding. On Friday, they had an intimate family ceremony at Our Lady of Malibu. Before their family dinner on the Malibu Pier, we had some time for a quick photoshoot at the beach.
It kinda reminds me of their engagement session from back in September. Reagan wore her mother’s altered wedding dress; her favorite part of the new design was the deep V back.
On Saturday, they continued the celebration at Sherwood Country Club in Malibu for a more formal ceremony followed by reception.
As the ladies were getting ready, I took some detail shots. The girls giggled at the “Doll-sized” corset.
Family formal shots were taken right at the ceremony site. Some advice I give all my couples, is to write a list of family members they’d like in the family formal pictures, and then give that list to someone in the bridal party. Reagan did and appointed her most organized bridesmaid. I couldn’t believe it when we were done with ALL of the family formal pictures in about 10 minutes!! Actually, I can believe it. It really pays to be prepared.
With family formals done quickly, we had extra time to photograph the bridal party in different locations, including the front of the site.
Taking a romantic golf cart ride to our photo spot!
The pathway leading to the picturesque waterfall is lined with thick rose trees on both sides.
I love Reagan’s veil. I think it was taller than me with my arm lifted high!
A special part of dinner, was a coffee station with the most AMAZING drinks! Pictured on the right is Jenna Armstrong, superstar assistant and 2nd shooter! =)
On Saturday, I had the great pleasure of documenting Nicholas and Manami’s wedding at the Long Beach Museum of Art. I met Nicholas and Manami in the fall of last year. They are both graphic designers from Alameda, who planned on creating lots of the details of their wedding themselves. They were in town for a weekend, and at our consultation, they spoke of succulents, a colorful color palate, and an intimate gathering of 60 of their favorite people. I knew instantly I liked them and have been looking forward to shooting their wedding ever since! This past Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day for their wedding, in addition to a great day for the Long Beach Grand Prix that took place a couple blocks down the street. Thinking traffic would be horrible, I left Santa Monica 3 hours early. Turns out, I arrived 2.5 hours early… which was just fine by me! I’d much rather be hours early, than even 5 minutes late. Below are some of my favorite shots from the wedding day. Friends and family can view all images HERE.
The first, is a set of images is Nicholas and Manami’s custom wedding stationary that they created themselves! I especially love the design with the banner, how perfect! It really set the expectation for their wedding… fun, flags, and f-ruffles! Ok, I know f-ruffles isn’t a word… but it kinda rhymed. =)
When we arrived, Manami was getting ready in her dressing room. Getting colored shoes to match a wedding dress can be tricky, but I think it’s super fun and modern. The ruffles on her shoes matched her dress perfectly!
Nicholas and Manami decided to do a “First Look” before the ceremony… which allowed us time to get these shots of them together.
Custom fabric balls decorated the isle. These are so fun and colorful, and a great alternative to flowers.
The first dance.
Photography: SherriJ Photography
Venue: Long Beach Museum of Art
Makeup: Chinatsu Watanabe
Flowers: J’Adore Florist
Invitations: Nicholas and Manami’s own designs. Contact me for their information!