When Brett and Jessica contacted me, they were getting ready to move away from their beloved city, Santa Monica. They wanted to capture their engagement photos in the place where they fell in love, to remember the amazing years they had there.

Brett works in two worlds, one of them as a manager for an up-and-coming band in LA. He’s a great musician and they both love spending time together around music, so we had to do some improv playing in the park. Jessica has a history in the acting and performing industry, and she was a total ham in front of the camera. Like I said, aren’t they TOO adorable to stand?

Oh yeah – they are madly competitive at Scrabble, too – I bet they could have kept playing for hours if I didn’t pull them away to our next shooting location… haha!

Some of the last images from the shoot were quite emotional ones. We were shooting the night before they were moving away. Literally. Boxes were packed. So, we headed up to the rooftop of their apartment complex where they emotionally said farewell to their favorite city.

This is where Brett originally proposed to Jessica: The Laemmie Santa MonicaOne of their favorite views of the piers and amazing cliffside beaches in Santa MonicaA tearful goodbye to a city they loved…. and where they fell in love.

May these photos be a wonderful encapsulation of the many years you started the foundation of love, a wonderful life together that will soon become marriage. I wish you all the best!

Chris and Paige met at Azusa Pacific University… They were married at the Martinelli Event Center in Livermore, and what an honor it was for me to photograph amidst a crowd full of photo-stars! (Many of their family and friends are extremely successful in the photography industry) Talk about pressure! But they were a blast, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. Especially Chris’ crazzzy groomsmen on the dancefloor – ahh! Mark at DJ’s and MC’s had that music goin’ all night…it was off the hook!

Congratulations you two! I hope you are having a wonderful time right this minute with your feet in the sand, margaritas in your hand…and lots of lovin’! :)

Head Photography: onelove photography

Second photographer: Darcy Rogers

Venue: Martinelli Event Center, Livermore

Florist: Becca Howden http://beccasflowerblog.blogspot.com/
Wedding Dress: Moonlight Bridal from Dana’s Bridal in Livermore, CA
Shoes: Naughty Monkey
Wedding Hair: Caris Noble- Salon Vivace
Wedding Makeup: Kristin Ambrose (friend)
Bridesmaid Dresses: JCrew
Menswear: Groomsmen-Alfani Suits from Macys. Groom- Zara
Caterer: Martinelli Center
Cake/Cupcakes: Emily Gillette
Invitations: Self designed, printed at Periwinkle
DJ/Entertainment: DJs and MCs-Mark
Bridal Veil: Borrowed from friend
Officiant: Scott Berglin- bride’s youth pastor and family friend
Lighting: Father of the bride
Videography: Martin Orozco-family friend

Left to right: Red Velvet, Ginger with Marscapone and Peaches, Carrot Cake (Photo by Liz @ Small Potatoes Catering)

So, you think it would be easy to find a nice Red Velvet wedding cake, right? WRONG. Mark and I seriously tried cakes all over the Bay Area that were loaded with saccharine-sweet lard-infused buttercream frosting. Is it just me, or isn’t Red Velvet cake defined by the cream cheese frosting? That’s what makes it so great!

We also knew we didn’t want fondant. As cool as it looks – as big of a fad it is – it tastes awful. Who wants to bite into what tastes like chewing gum when eating dessert?

As soon as we found Sweet (A branch of Small Potatoes Catering), our search was over. They make cakes so good that we were asking for seconds and thirds. I’ve never tasted yummier cream cheese frosting! Plus- they don’t like fondant either! True love.

I swear, I want to live in these cakes. And eat my way out.

We ordered a Red Velvet wedding cake, and five “10-cent” Carrot Cakes. They will be phenomenal. Writing about it right now makes me want to have them all for breakfast! YUM!

Jon and Virginia were married at Condor’s Nest Ranch in Pala, where the animals play while you get hitched. Just like the good ol’ days back on the farm. That’s what I’m talkin’ about! Jon and Virginia were so kind, calm and sweet. It was so fun to watch them enjoy all of their family with ease, no high-stress anywhere to be found. Family and friends flew in from all across the world to celebrate with these two (and the little lambs). Congrats you two!

Thanks to Amy Kaplan for her awesome photographs in this post (Jon getting ready and some details of the ranch!)

Florist: Sheri’s Flowers
Wedding Dress: Mori Lee
Shoes: Unlisted
Wedding Hair & Makeup: Kacee Geoffroy
Bridal Jewelry: Earrings made by Mother In Law (Beadsforbenefits on Etsy) Necklace is gift from Mother In Law
Menswear: Men’s Warehouse
Caterer: Vail Ranch
Cake/Cupcakes: Elaine’s Cakes in Vista California
Invitations: Target
DJ/Entertainment: Universal DJ Services
Officiant: Reverand Romain Swedenburg

They are probably two of the most talented and successful young people under 25. Danielle works as an executive for State Farm Insurance, and Justin works in Sales for Pebble Beach Golf Course. (This meant I got a special sneak peek of the course after the recent US Open! It was my first time on the course and I was giddy!)

It was so great hanging out with these cuties, I feel like we’ve been friends for a while – we both have very close mutual friends and I can see why. They’re awesome!

We headed up to the Sonoma Lavender Festival this weekend to scout out the beautiful lavender for floral ideas for my upcoming wedding in Napa…as well as feast on all of the local wineries and restaurants! I absolutely adore every moment with my little sweetheart niece.

Is it just me, or is she like putting the word “cute” to shame with her absolute ADORABLE-ness?!

Aeron and Christin came to me with a creative idea – a maternity engagement shoot! They are getting married next April, and wanted to celebrate this special season of their lives, with their little girl, Milayah. All three of them have GOT IT GOIN’ ON – I’m tellin’ you – I’ve never seen a more photogenic family…all the way down to their little “ham,” Milayah! She had the sunniest eyes and brightest smile that lights up anyone’s heart just watching her.

Megan and Zack love ‘em!! And they invited me to join them on Tomales Bay for such a yummy engagement shoot. We all sat around and enjoyed some tabasco-and-lime-covered delicacies with a little Prosecco. Mmmm…

Not to mention, I got to play with their little puppy Sierra… I am serious – this is how ALL photo shoots should be! We explored the adorable downtown Point Reyes and finished with a truly stunning landscape of the northern San Francisco Bay Area. It felt like Ireland. Or the Sound of Music. You get what I mean… The coolest part is that they are getting married in my hometown, Danville, this summer. I can’t wait to photograph them in my childhood stomping grounds!