Happy new year! Here’s a lovely wintery beach session to start off your 2013! How lucky are we here in so cal that we can visit the beach year round? And how lucky are Emily and Cody that they live just a few blocks from the shore? We shot their engagement session along the beach in Hermosa, the same spot where he proposed :)

I know it’s been quiet here on the blog over the holidays, but I’ve been lining up lots of sweet weddings and sessions to share, so stay tuned! :)

it’s that time of year
when the world falls in love
every song you hear seems to say
“merry christmas
may your new year’s dreams come true”

and this song of mine
in three-quarter time
wishes you and yours
the same thing, too

Thank you to Style Me Pretty for featuring this shoot! You can view more here…

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… }