Imagine a windy drive up into the mountains. A cozy cottage-like venue with an accompanying chateau, tucked in the woods and surrounded by trees. There is a quiet fountain, a moss-covered ceremony arch, a set of wooden swings, even a lifesize chessboard! Sounds like something out of a storybook, a fairytale, does it not?

And so you can imagine how it would be the perfect location for this enchanted forest inspired wedding! During our first meeting, Leah explained her love of stories and how she wanted to incorporate whimsical story-like elements into her day. As if the venue itself wasn’t perfect enough, they tied in all sorts of woodsy, fantastical elements – colorful and organic bundles of flowers, stacks of books, birdcages, jars of honey, mushrooms, even gnomes! (With most of these details created by Matt’s aunt!)

I love how Leah and Matt were able to incorporate so much of what they love into their wedding day – the result was seriously magical :)

{ A special thank you to Wedding Chicks for featuring this wedding! You can head over to their blog to read more details from the couple… }

Liz and Kyle are seriously cool. For starters, they are constantly chill and happy and loving towards everyone around them. They also gave us a ton of time for portraits, which included a moment when Liz asked (THE BRIDE ASKED!) if she could lay down on the ground, in her dress, all for the sake of an awesome shot. They’re also both all sorts of talented, and put on a guitar performance for all their guests at the reception, followed by a surprise song Kyle performed for Liz :)

I was also especially excited to shoot their wedding because it took place at the Higashi Honganji Temple in Little Tokyo, a place I used to frequent twice a week for taiko practice. It was so wonderful witnessing a beautiful Buddhist ceremony inside the gold-laden temple, and seeing so many of the other cultural elements Liz & Kyle tied into their wedding!

Xinlei and Matt. I noticed it during our first Skype meeting, where we were all giggles. And during our windy engagement session, where you kept smiling despite the frigid wind and crazy cold. And during our emails, where you excitedly shared about the secret surprise dances {best gangnam style I’ve seen yet!} and late night cookie bar and other lovely plans for the wedding. That at the end of the night of your most amazing day, I asked if you’d like any other photos? And you said, yes, one more photo, with you :)

I know I rave about the couples I get to work with all the frickin’ time. But I really want everyone to know how ridiculously awesome people like Xinlei and Matt are. That with their smiles, and their warm silly personalities, and their trust, and their hugs – I never felt like this was my “job”. And for them to be that wonderful and gracious to someone they just met less than a year ago, I can’t imagine how much love they share with their family and friends. Or perhaps I can, thanks to having the honor of being there on their wedding day.

It was love, everywhere, all the time.