{ Erika + Stephen | Inn of the Seventh Ray Wedding }

The day after new years, I headed to my first wedding of 2010. It was the perfect way to start off the year (and coincidentally spend my big 2-7!) — despite rainy weather the week before, the sun smiled down all day and Erika and Stephen held a perfectly cozy and lively occasion. There was a warm & laidback joy that filled the day, the kind that makes for my absolute favorite kind of wedding and had us leaving at the end all smiles!

An exciting bonus: their reception was held at the Inn of the Seventh Ray, a whimsical and rustic venue I’ve been aching to shoot at ever since I first came across it on the interwebs. By day it is a restaurant, tucked away in the woodsy hills of Topanga Canyon {how awesome is Topanga Canyon by the way? you’re just driving along the mountain and then BAM! a surprise magical little community} It features refreshing outdoor dining under trees and along a babbling brook, and that day it served as the perfect backdrop for their casual cocktail reception. When I met with Erika she explained how she loved how the backdrop in itself provided so many details – fun chandeliers, flowering shrubs, dainty vases with a single rose.

The afternoon consisted of lots of dancing, happy conversations around lovely white tables, and laughter & toasts in the prettiest natural surroundings. Erika & Stephen – thank you so much for allowing us to share in your beautiful new years wedding!

Loved the bouquets, which were created by Sada’s Flowers, just a hop away from our home in Culver City! I adore bouquets that add in textural non-floral elements like berries, pods, twigs… makes for such an organic and beautiful arrangement:

These amazing cupcakes were all lovingly baked by Erika’s friend, April of Eat Pretty Cake!

The white-framed photo is of Erika’s grandparents on their wedding day {pictured to the right}. Her grandmother fondly explained to me that it rained that day and was drizzling as they got into the car – I love how you can see the excitement in their faces! And of course all the photos made me wonder if one day Erika & Stephen’s would be lined up at their own grandchildren’s wedding :)

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13 Responses to “{ Erika + Stephen | Inn of the Seventh Ray Wedding }”

  1. Joan Solitario Says:

    Beautiful!! Your photos make me feel like I was there! What lens did you use for the 28th picture down? The one right after the black and white photo of the bride and groom?

  2. Will Says:

    Love the venue! Love the photos of the bride and groom!

  3. sandra pan Says:

    Look at that light! So pretty, Adrienne!!

  4. Dandy Says:

    I’ve never heard of that venue! Love it!

  5. Anne Spaulding Says:

    Your pictures are beautiful, Adrienne! I’m so glad Erika and Stephen chose you to do their wedding photography! From the Mother of the Bride!

  6. Dave Richards Says:

    Nice Job Adrienne, keep up the great work! Hope all is well

  7. Adrienne Says:

    @Joan Solitario: Thanks for the comment! That photo was shot with my 50mm at 1.4 :)

  8. Patti Clewett Says:

    Beautiful Bride! What were the little apperativas? Looks like it was a lovely wedding and a happy couple. Matt kissing you made me almost cry. How hard to part with daughters!

  9. Christine Says:

    Gorgeous pictures as usual! Your father-daughter pictures get me every single time. :]

  10. Kenny Phan Says:

    i am craving cupcakes now =) keep on rocking!

  11. Ashleigh Says:

    beautiful!!! love all the details!! the inn of the seventh ray is a GREAT venue!! lucky you getting to shoot there ;)

    ps- you live in culver city?! me too!!! we should grab a coffee sometime!

  12. jeanette kayne Says:

    Amazing is so many ways! I know you totally captured what the bride was hoping for! beautiful photos!

  13. Stephen Grant Says:

    Oh my… agreed on the venue…. the light you caught was stunning! Especially love that bridal portraits… you OWN the nifty-fifty :)

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