From the moment I heard the name of the event, I knew it was going to be something to go gaga for. And as I learned more about the details – luxurious spas providing their treatments, decadent desserts and hors d’oeuvres, samples of great products, all rolled up into a chic downtown loft – I began envisioning a pampering paradise, with bright colors, sweet smells, and massages and facials around every corner.

But my mind’s images paled in comparison to what Ada and her team at Fresh Events actually created! The ambiance was that much more soothing, the services that much more luxurious, the sweets melted in your mouth that much more. Every detail was meticulously planned to create a feast for the senses and a haven for the guests, right smack in downtown LA. I was so honored to be there to capture the event and I know if they put on another pampering extravaganza I would definitely love to attend again… maybe next time as a guest?? :)

The space! Inside…

And out…

Amazing fruit baskets provided by Couture Baskets, set under relaxing cabanas:

The treats!

Ciudad Grill…

Moonpillows – mochi filled with chocolate truffle centers!

The Sugar Spot – the green tea was my fave!

They rounded up some hottie male models to serve the guests…

Checking in:

Each guest received a gorgeous pink wristlet complete with a program for the day:

And once you enter – spas and salons galore!

And in between treatments there was relaxing under the cabanas…

… hanging out in the Photo Cabina…

… and a raffle! Ada and Amanda start it off –

One of the many cool prizes:

To mix it up they had the model from CWE come up to choose a few lucky winners:

I leave you with just a couple shots of the gorgeous ladies of Fresh Events!

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Thank you so much Ada for giving me the opportunity to photograph the amazing day and a big thank you to Dave for the referral!

“Opposites attract.” A maxim that may hold true for some couples, but that I never believed applied to Scott and I. From the very first day we met, we marveled at our similar tastes in music, food, movies, video games, you name it. Every time we were in a big group together, we ended up sitting next to each other and talking endlessly about our favorite things. Then came the deeper level of shared interests – values, hopes, dreams, what it means to love someone, how you should treat the people around you. Every time we chatted it was just a big feeling of, “really?? you too??”

On many levels, Scott and I seem to be completely aligned. But there is one thing that I’ve realized in the course of our relationship where we differ. Which would be – simply put -that he is some kind of dropped-straight-down-to-earth, must-be-hiding-his-halo-in-his-bureau-drawer certified angel… and that I’m well, not. Because while I am stressing about my lack of free time, he is discreetly doing the dishes so I don’t even have to think about them. And while I am lamenting about my long day, he is fixing me tea and massaging my tired feet. When I am rushing around like a madwoman before leaving for a wedding and panicking “where are my flash batteries??”, he replies that he’s already put them in my camera bag. Along with my memory cards. And a water.

And at the end of the day I often wonder how he does it – this guy who never complains, who always sees the bright side of things, who always does what’s “right” and goes out of his way to make life easier for others, and all so effortlessly, like it’s just what he does. Like it’s as simple as getting up in the morning and brushing his teeth. But more importantly I wonder, what is he doing spending so much time with me??

Happy birthday to my best friend, my dearest love, and my shooting partner-in-crime Scott. Without you I’d be a big dirty-dishes, sore-feet, cluttered-camera-bag mess :)

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This year for his bday I planned the first ever Scott’s Birthday Extravaganza 2008 (hopefully to become an annual event.) We visited Firefly Bistro (which I tried to cleverly link to his beloved Firefly), dropped by the Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain (since the boy is an ice cream and soda fiend), and then ended at Galco’s, for some more soda action. This place has every exotic soda under the sun… Scott picked up some ginger beer and I tried a jasmine soda, which was a little too sweet for my taste, and also which the clerk had me open up and taste RIGHT THERE in the store, because he was excited to see my reaction. It was nice to see someone so passionate about his work.. and only a little creepy. haha.

 

One of the most heartwarming things to me is a couple who laughs together. To me, synced-up senses of humor are sexier than candlelight dinners. An intimate joke is more romantic than a bouquet of roses. Silly faces are sweeter than any box of chocolates. A couple that laughs together, stays together, isn’t that what they say? Those words kept popping up in my head during Megan and Curtis’s beautiful Palos Verdes wedding, held at the gorgeous Point Vicente Interpretive Center. They were both so laidback, so real, and shared the sweetest laughs together. They were a beautiful reminder of how it feels when your soulmate is also your best friend.

Thank you to Dave Richards for having me along to second shoot. I love shooting with him – he is so knowledgeable and every wedding I’ve accompanied him to has been beautiful and just downright FUN!

Walking down the “aisle”, which was really a beautiful winding road right along the ocean:



So in love…







These trees with their delicate arrangements were my favorite! I could have filled up a memory card with just straight-up tree shots. They later brought them inside to decorate the reception as well – genius!





A glance at the cheering guests:



Their wedding had a beautiful ocean-inspired collection of details:







Even Megan’s hair was even adorned with starfish!



Some portraits…

As we moved from one spot to another I went to pick up Megan’s shoes (which she had abandoned for a couple shots… every girl knows how good it feels to free your feet!!). To my pleasant surprise, I found one of the shoes flipped over to reveal these sweet messages!



They had a steel drum band playing awesome music during the cocktail hour:



Joyful toasts during the reception (Megan’s father informed us that Curtis initially wanted a “pirate” themed wedding!)



One last view from the venue…