Fleming and Samantha met back in 2005, on an elevator. Their relationship grew after some dates, and now 6.5 years later they are planning a wedding in their favorite neighborhood! These two love hanging out in the Venice/Santa Monica area, their pup Ruby, and exploring the world, and food. For their engagement session, they wanted to stay close to home and visit some of their favorite spots! First stop, the popular Binocular building, on Main Street.
The Rose Cafe on Main Street is the location of their rehearsal dinner.
Venice Beach, CA
*UPDATE* Fleming and Samantha chose their favorite 8×10″ to be displayed at the entrance of their wedding. Here’s what it looked like!
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!
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.
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!
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.
8) 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!
A few times a year, I have the pleasure of second shooting a wedding for my fellow photo buddies… which can be really cool because I have freedom to take fun pictures and get a different perspective than I normally experience on a wedding day. Here’s some pictures of a wedding I shot back in September with the talented Dana Grant at the Smog Shoppe in Culver City. The location is pretty unique in a few ways… like keeping the original charm and architecture of the building including rolling garage doors and parking markings on the cement, to adding unique touches like the full wall of succulents both inside and out! The Smog Shoppe is definitely a venue for someone looking for a place that is both memorable and unique.
Adrian and Michael met during college and have been together for the past 9 years. Tonight, we met up at the Griffith Observatory to capture their love during a fun engagement session with a beautiful sunset. And of course we did just that…. definitely in style!
Every once in a while, I get a couple who decide to book me as their wedding photographer, without ever meeting in person. They’re usually referrals from a friend’s wedding I’ve photographed. I’m actually super flattered in these cases, but also a really nervous! Last night, I met one of my 2012 clients in person for the first time, Melissa and Jeff. They were giggly and loving right from the start, which always makes my job super easy. They chose to have their engagement session during sunset at one of their favorite spots in Malibu, Paradise Cove!
