I met with Emily a couple times leading up to the wedding and she would share with me little bits and pieces of how it was coming together – she would describe the romantic venue, the flowy bridesmaids’ dresses, the reception details. In my mind I conjured up the prettiest day, but I was still so in awe when I saw just how beautifully everything came together! I grew up just a few skips away from Palos Verdes and photograph there often, but since Cataliina View Gardens is relatively new, it was my first time photographing there. And to say it was stunning and now one of my most favorite places ever is an understatement! With expansive seaside views and pretty rustic details, it was such the perfect backdrop for Emily & Brian’s day.

You could feel the joy every moment of the day – from when they were getting ready, through the heartfelt ceremony, through dancing the evening away under the watercolor sky. These kinds of weddings make my hearts so full and I feel beyond blessed to have been there to document it!

I’m not sure how to even begin to describe this wedding to do it justice.

Eileen and Gray contacted me to photograph their intimate Thursday wedding. In attendance would be just their immediate families – Eileen’s side from so cal and Gray’s from Hawaii. Unfortunately leading up to the wedding, they found that due to health issues, Gray’s mother wouldn’t be able to fly over and attend. A few days before the wedding, they called to tell me that Eileen’s sister needed to be on bed rest due to her pregnancy and also wouldn’t be able to be there.

Now let me tell you the part that despite these developments, this was one of the happiest and most joy-filled weddings I have ever photographed. Gray’s father and brother flew in and thanks to technology, were able to Skype in her mother for not just the ceremony, but for the getting ready parts, after they got their make-up done, and put on their dresses. Eileen and Gray decided to get ready at her sister’s place, so she was able to be a part of that portion of the day as well, and send her sister off with a hug before also being able to watch the ceremony via Skype. Every photo you see below with a person holding up a phone or an iPad means that on the other side of it was a loved one who could be a part of the day. It was literally one of the most wonderful things I’ve witnessed.

As if all of that wasn’t special enough, during their portraits, Eileen and Gray asked me if they could climb a tree, and quietly sang to each other as they just enjoyed each other’s presence. Then they walked back to their where their families were and in a small quiet clearing, did their first dance, to a song that Gray’s brother had sang and recorded. Gray told me that it was the song her grandfather used to sing to her grandmother every year.

I could seriously go on and on about this day, but again I feel I can’t even begin to describe the love that was there filling up every moment, in every corner. Thankfully there are photos to help :)

I’m not quite sure what made Janet & Jeff’s day so amazing, but it might have had something to do with the perfect spring weather, the heartfelt ceremony, and pretty personalized (and glittery!) details. Or it could have been the flowy bridesmaid dresses, all their overjoyed family & friends, the donut midnight snack, and sparklers. But I think it’s mostly the fact that Janet and Jeff are a couple so sweet and fun you feel like you just want to hang out with them all the time!

Of course it helped that the amazing Uyen from Sassy Girl Weddings was on hand to make sure everything was running smoothly – always love working with her & her awesome team. Loved photographing this pretty day at the Nixon Library!