I’ve been meaning to get this post up for awhile, but I just wanted to share a couple recent online features!

A big thank you to Rock n Roll Bride for featuring Clair & Paul’s vintage-inspired downtown LA engagement session! Her blog is just overflowing with inspiring weddings and shoots and it’s a total honor and joy to have the session featured there!

Also, I recently discovered that Bride Sophisticate by Ashley Kohler Events featured an image from Christina & Rick’s UCI engagement session. The entry she wrote has an adorable balloon theme – I loved seeing all the different ways they can be incorporated into a session!

Lots of weddings and engagement sessions in the blogging queue! Stay tuned! :)

As the slideshow images flashed across the screen, you could hear the oohs, the aahs, the laughter spread across the room. Baby pictures, pictures with family, with friends, pictures of them together. At the end of the last section, there were photos of Peggy & Ben in Guatemala, working alongside one another and using their medical and optometry skills to do their part in making this world a better place. Those photos seemed to give such a deep glimpse into who Peggy & Ben are and what their relationship is like – warm, giving, and working as the most perfectly-paired team. As the day unfolded, it was strikingly evident that there could not be a more perfect counterpart to Peggy’s warm laughter than Ben. Or a sweeter complement to Ben’s caring persona than Peggy. It’s always such a pleasure to witness the union of two people who are just so perfect for each other!

Peggy & Ben – it was such an honor sharing in the joy of your day with your family and friends. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to get to know you these past few months and to document your beautiful wedding! Also, a big thanks to Ayumi Pantell for coming along and shooting with us that day!

Peggy’s dresses (she had two more she wore during the reception) were all lovingly handmade by her mother. They were all amazing!

Love these final moments Scott captured of Ben & his groomsmen before the ceremony:

Peggy & Ben had allotted plenty of time for portraits which really allowed us to make use of the gorgeous grounds of the Pacific Palms Hotel!

The guys got quite a bit of air…

But the girls were not to be beat!

As the bridal party headed back to the cocktail hour we spent some more time with Peggy & Ben as they soaked in some quiet moments together…

Quite possibly my favorite image from the day…

When I saw the jacarandas I just knew we had to make use of the perfect purple blooms!

Fresh and elegant details at the reception. Kim of Papeterie did an amazing job with all of the table numbers, placecards, and programs!

Love the expression on Ben’s father’s face as he looked on during the first dance…

The magical place. Scott and I first happened upon it while visiting a park in Malibu, which we were considering for an upcoming e-session. Unfortunately after much walking and hiking and exploring (all in flip flops on my part – fail!), we left, realizing the park didn’t quite have the “wow” factor that made me want to rave about it to a couple. I was feeling a bit dejected (and sunburnt), as I had high hopes for the park, so Scott suggested we drive through the hills on the way back and catch some glimpses of the little hippie cottages that line the windy road (a sure-fire way to cheer up even the gloomiest of dispositions).

And that’s when we found it.

Right off the side of the road – tall trees, a mountainous backdrop, and the most delicious juicy light. I could have just drank it with a straw! It was, as Mary Poppins would say, practically perfect in every way.

So this is how we ended up at “the magical place” (as it has since been named) last week, with the wonderful Peggy & Ben for their engagement session. I had met Ben during our consultation, but it was my first time meeting Peggy, and I could see how her bright personality and infectious laughter were the perfect complement to Ben’s warm demeanor. They are so silly and sweet and in love and it was a dream to spend the afternoon with them. They live in San Jose but will be getting married in LA this June – can’t wait for their wedding!

We then headed to the Santa Monica Pier to soak up the remainder of the day’s light:

Love all the splashes of color!