Amanda & Anthony held a beautiful beach wedding in Ventura last month. Working with them at their engagement session (which will be posted soon!), gave us a glimpse of just how sweet and amazing this couple is – they both have an infectious radiant energy and most of all, are so positively and honestly in love. Their wedding day was the ultimate reflection of them and therefore the perfect balance of romantic and fun – with sweet quiet moments scattered between lots of laughter, jokes, and dancing galore!

The day was overcast, which cast a beautiful soft light on the affair, one filled with the most beautiful whimsical details. I was head-over-heels for the feather theme that was incorporated into the bouquets and reception details, adding a unique and vintage touch.

Amanda & Anthony – thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your gorgeous joy-filled celebration!

The bouquets were stunning! Love the spotted feathers…

A quick capture of Amanda’s mother as she watched her daughter walk down the aisle…

A quiet moment right after their exit…

Are they not such a stunning couple?

Loved the feathers incorporated into the details…

I am uber excited to share this engagement session for a few reasons: (1) it was for Scott’s beautiful sister Lauren & her sweet fiance Josh, (2) it was personalized to fit them & their relationship to a tee, and (3) it involved amazing, delicious, get-in-mah-tummy FOOD!

From the first time they met, Lauren & Josh bonded over their love of good food and wine, and cooking together immediately became a pastime that they shared. When they suggested a “cooking” theme for their session, I was SO on board – by choosing something that was special to their relationship, the session was innately and wonderfully unique. Lauren & Josh put such thought into all the details, crafting up a colorful menu, busting out their cute aprons, and cracking open one of their favorite wines. The result – a wonderful themed engagement session that just shone with their personalities!

Lauren & Josh save the corks (in these perfect apothecary jars!) from all the wine bottles they have enjoyed together & with friends over the years:

I loved this “Lady & the Tramp” inspired shot, but Scott later suggested it would have been even better if Josh had rolled a tomato towards Lauren with his nose. Ha!

After the cooking was done, we headed to the park right across the street to finish up the session. I have lived by and visited this park since I was a wee little child, but I never imagined it’d be so awesome for an engagement session! Train tracks + pretty light? YES PLEASE!

Stay tuned for their beautiful vineyard wedding coming up next! They were married at the amazing Firestone Vineyards in Los Olivos, which is pretty much my new favorite town! (A large contributing factor to this is the fact that it houses the most amazing cupcakes known to man.)

Andrea & Taro are the type of couple that makes me want to pinch myself to see if I really get to work with such amazing people – they are all kinds of sweet, fun, kind, and totally-and-madly-in-love! I loved getting to know them throughout their whole wedding experience, from our initial meeting, to their personalized & memorable engagement session, to the beautiful and heartfelt wedding. Their wedding day at The Prado in San Diego was my most very favorite kind – the kind that told their story and showcased their personalities at every turn. During the ceremony, they shared the most beautiful vows, blending little inside jokes, loving memories, and honest promises into phrases that reminded everyone how precious it is to be marrying your very best friend.

At the reception, they incorporated a travel theme and filled the room with details of their journey as a couple and the places where they created their fondest memories. And since we were already in San Diego the night before their wedding, Andrea & Taro kindly invited us to join them in their rehearsal dinner, which gave us the opportunity to share in even more of their wonderful wedding experience.

Andrea & Taro – thank you for inviting us to document your wedding and for treating us with warmth and kindness every step of the way. Your wedding day was the most beautiful celebration of love & joy and we are honored to have been a part of it!

Andrea’s mother helping with the finishing touches…

Andrea & Taro had the sweetest first look:

I loved the light we had in the Alcazar Garden:

Their wedding was coordinated beautifully by Jenn & Kristie of Evenity, Inc who ensured all the details were taken care of. Like these AMAZING miniatures! I could have taken photos of these all day:

Each table had a different color arrangement and featured photos & a story from a location that they had visited together: