Well, you’ve waited long enough! Here it is … JJ + Adrian’s Trash the Dress Session on Coronado Island! The whole time we were doing the shoot, Adrian and JJ were saying to each other … can you believe we’re actually doing it!? Adrian told me that JJ had mentioned wanting to do a trash the dress session even before their wedding date, and it seemed almost as if it was the same conversation I hear couples go through on a wedding day “Can you believe we’re actually getting married today!?” It was as if this session was an opportunity to again celebrate their new marriage.  They were married back in September of 2011, but were waiting until the spring to go on their honeymoon, so just days before leaving for their honeymoon we met to do the Trash the Dress together.

Kristy and I met JJ + Adrian at Star Park, not far from the Hotel Del Coronado.  We started here, because of the special meaning the park has to them as a couple.  Even though they now live north of LA, JJ grew up on Coronado Island and met Adrian while she and her family still lived here.  They actually met at her grandmother’s old home not a block away from Star Park so we definitely wanted to include some of the backdrop of that area which was the place their relationship started.  There’s so much great scenery all around Coronado Island, we could have walked in any direction and had amazing backdrops, but it was so fun to just wander the couple streets making fun casual portraits together before actually ‘Trashing’ her dress.  After a while, we started to make our way down to Coronado beach in front of the Hotel Del Coronado.  Slowly working our way towards the water.  JJ + Adrian were brave as I just heard the surf report yesterday say that the water had warmed up to 62° which to me is still REALLY cold!

JJ + Adrian … thank you so much for getting in touch with me about your Trash the Dress photos! I’m so glad to have been a part of this with you guys, and am so happy for you both!  I hope you had a fantastic honeymoon and hope to hear all about it!

Here’s a quick peek at the Trash the Dress session I shot with JJ and Adrian on Coronado Island last week.  I promised them I would get something up before they went away on their honeymoon and was thrilled with these two images.  JJ grew up on Coronado Island, and her grandmother lived just down the street from the Hotel Del.  She told me “When I was a little girl, I never really imagined my wedding day, but always thought it would be at the Hotel Del”.  Kristy and I had a fantastic time with these two, and there’s a bunch more images coming from our shoot on Coronado.  So keep tuned in for the full post … coming soon!

P.S.

Have a great honeymoon JJ + Adrian!

Under the bright Southern California sun, Cindy and Gregg were wed before an intimate gathering of their closest friends and family members with the picturesque Temecula valley serving as the backdrop. I traveled an hour north from San Diego to Temecula for their wedding at South Coast Winery and Resort, while Cindy, Gregg and all their guests traveled much farther. Cindy & Gregg decided to have destination wedding in Temecula far from their home on the East Coast. They were looking for a destination on the west coast that would be convenient both to Los Angeles for their guests as well as for their honeymoon plans which would be taking them to the South Pacific.

When I arrived at Cindy’s room it was abuzz with activity. Between hair and makeup, her dress being steamed, her friend and officiant coming to ask last minute details about the ceremony, and other family members popping in and out there was a constant flurry of activity. After Cindy’s dress was on, I asked everyone to leave the room, ostensibly to take a few portraits of Cindy by herself, but also to give her what I could tell was some much needed quiet time.

Their ceremony was held just steps from the villa where Cindy got ready.  After their guests had gathered at the rose arbor at South Coast, Cindy was escorted down the aisle by her father while Gregg waited anxiously at the end of the aisle. After the ceremony while their guests went back to the main building at South Coast, Cindy, Gregg and I stayed behind to take advantage of the beautiful scenery of the winery and vineyards surrounding South Coast. Even though it was February and the vines were bare, the landscape of the Temecula Valley is always beautiful.

After portraits Cindy and Gregg joined the cocktail hour before being announced into their first dance. Cindy’s sister made an emotional toast as well as the very emotional dance that Cindy shared with her father. At some point in the evening the wedding wash crashed by a handful of Bavarians in Lederhosen. Uh huh! You read that right!  Then it was on to dancing and cake cutting before the fading light begged me to drag Cindy and Gregg away for a few minutes and some beautiful dusk portraits.

To see a handful of my favorite images from Cindy and Gregg’s south coast resort wedding, click on the large image above or any of the thumbnails below.

Friends and family members can register at Pictage to view all their images online as soon as they’re available. 

Location catering and linens: South Coast Winery Resort

Music: Brian Stodart and Mike Gross

Kristy and I love wine! That may not be a surprise if you follow me on twitter  facebook or pinterest and see all the trips we take to Temecula, and Paso Robles since moving to San Diego. Even better, I have a wedding this summer near Napa, so we’ll be spending a few days up there after the wedding for the first time. So, naturally, when I love something I want to know as much about it as possible, which brings me to to today’s quick tip.  If you love wine like I do and want to learn more about it without suffering through what often times comes out sounding pompous, arrogant, or unecessarily esoteric check out Snooth.com.

Not only is the Snooth app on the iPhone a great resource when you’re at the wine store, allowing you to check out a wine you’re considering, or searching for wines by vintage, variety, country, flavor profile or value, but the website offers all that plus informative articles to help improve your wine IQ.  I’ve been reading a series for the past several weeks that they’ve been producing regarding Syrah wines and just have to share it.

Cheers!

Above: Courtney Tibbets from After the Engagement was selected by Bridal Insider to be this year’s wedding designer, and she started with the concept of a fun colorful brunch themed wedding.  Incorporating bright colors at with an outdoor ceremony, mimosa and bloody mary bar along with brunch themed appetizers, build your own omelets, french toast, eggs benedict and much more!  The Mt. Woodson Amy Strong Castle served as the single location for this year’s wedding and reception.

Courtney’s vision for the reception came together with the bright colorful kings tables dressed by Party Production Rentals, beautiful flowers by Exquisite Blooms, and fantastic favors by SoBelle.  The dark wood room in the Amy Strong Castle was bathed in light throughout the day  with the cheerful colors of the table cloths and flowers as well as the bright white and silver chiavari chairs.

Cinnamon roll skewers, deviled eggs and fruit kabobs were among the hors d’oeuvres that were served during ‘cocktail hour’ after the ceremony.

OK … seriously!!! How awesome is this cake by Hey There, Cupcake!? The whole time I’ve been working on this post all I can think about is running downstairs and cooking up some pancakes.  I don’t know if I’ll finish this up without shoving some pancake and syrup in my face!

The sweets room continued the brunch theme that Courtney envisioned by including among other things, Mini Mimosa Trifles, and Pancakes and bacon pops! Sprechen Sie YUMMY!!!??  Cake Ball Love, Sumi’s Oven, The Cookie Chew, A Candy Store, and Tailored Sweets all provided treats in the sweet shoppe as well as edible chocolate mustaches and lips for the photobooth!

Cameras, cameras and more cameras.  Yes, I was actually a fifth wheel at this particular wedding (not including guest cameras and vendors iphones of course!) Being the documenting photographer, part of the job was actually showing the behind the scenes of the other photographers at work.  Jeff and Betsy as well as Jared and Danielle were the photographers and cinematographers respectively.  It was fun taking the backseat at the wedding and watching these four work, as well as trying to incorporate a feel for what goes on behind the scenes at a wedding.  To get a better perspective, check out Jeff and Betsy’s Ultimate Wedding Post, as well as Danielle and Jared’s video on their blog.

Above, Jeff and Betsy setting up Janell and Matt along with their bridal party in front of the Amy Strong Castle.  Note the harsh lighting falling on Betsy, while she has the bridal party in soft even light in front of the wooden doors and beautiful stone castle.  Meanwhile, Jared documents the action as well as the portraits.  Inside, Betsy continues to direct while Janell looks on.

Before the ceremony, guitarist Nick Weiss picks his location to set up with Courtney that allows him to provide the processional and ceremony music as well as music throughout the cocktail hour.

Attending to every detail and making sure the day went off without a hitch, Courtney Tibbets helps send the bridesmaids and Janell down the aisle for the ceremony.  Ensures Matt’s boutinere is on and watches like a mother hen throughout the day.

OK, I’ve been friends with Bethel Nathan for a long time now, and believe it or not, we had yet to do a wedding together before San Diego’s Ultimate Wedding.  It was really great to see her officiate for Janell and Matthew, to recount their story of what makes them as a couple unique, and truly create a special personalized ceremony for these two.  After the ceremony, Bethel hugs Courtney, and poses for a photo with newlyweds, Matt and Janell.

Bill Calhoun is a fantastic DJ and part of every great DJ’s job is ensuring all the moments of the reception go as planned.  One of the times I love photographing the bride and groom as well as the bridal party is while the DJ gets them lined up for the introductions.  While everyone is distracted by Bill making sure everyone is prepared for their introductions, and making sure that he has everyone’s name correct on his notes, the people lined up are distracted and having fun.  Adding to this at the Ultimate wedding was fantastic light!

Like I said, cameras, cameras, cameras! This gives you an idea of how photographers and cinematographers should work together to document all the special moments without interfering with each other’s vision.  While Betsy, Jared and Danielle document from different angles of the dance floor during the first dance, Jeff hops up into the balcony to get a unique view of the couple.  The last image shows just one image of what’s possible to get even with four other photographers working to get their images.

Beautiful, fun, bright flowers were provided by Exquisite Blooms throughout the reception and ceremony.

Courtney poses above with just a few of the fantastic people that made the day possible.  Links to all the wedding professionals involved in this year’s Ultimate Wedding can be found below.

Photographers: La Vida Creations Photography • Ceremony Venue: Mt. Woodson Amy Strong Castle • Reception Venue: Mt. Woodson Amy Strong Castle • Event Design and Planning: Courtney with After the Engagement • Catering: Personal Touch Dining • Cinematography: Side by Side Cinema • Rentals and Linens: Party Production Rentals • Officiant- Bethel Nathan, Ceremonies by Bethel • Rehearsal Dinner- Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club • Florist – Exquisite Blooms • DJ- Bill Calhoun Mobile Music DJ • Live musician- Nick Weiss • Stationery and Paperie- Nic.Roc.Designs • Limo service – Elite Image Limo • Tux rentals- Friar Tux Shop • Bridesmaids‘ Necklaces- KChicDesigns • Bride’s and Mother’s Hair and Makeup – Marisa Von Sheere • Bridesmaid’s Makeup- Gerine Coronado • Bridesmaid’s Hair- Rebecca Hainline • Bridesmaid’s Dresses- Nordstrom • Documenting Photographer – Evan Bishop • Honeymoon – PS Riviera • Favors- SoBelle • Photobooth : Jasper with After the Engagement • Boudoir – Modern Boudoir by Allie Lindsey Photography • Cake – Hey There, Cupcake • Donuts- Sensational Treats • Cake Balls- Cake Ball Love • Mini trifles- Sumi’s Oven • Cookies- The Cookie Chew • Candy buffet- A Candy Store • Chocolate photobooth props- Tailored Sweets • Paper photobooth props – Fresh Invitation Studio • Sponsored by Bridal Insider and Star 94.1

It’s an important thing to let yourself fail at anything and to move on, to right the ship if you will. I’m reminded about how heavily I can burden myself with what I should have done and what I didn’t do. I absolutely love that line by Buddy and need to hear it on occasion. Forgiveness is free … whatever you might be beating yourself up about I suggest you see if it’s possible to as Buddy says ‘release all hope for a better past’. I assure you, if you can, it feels pretty good, no matter how minor it may seem.

Last year in February I was planning on proposing to Kristy.  A few days before I did, I went in to see Katelyn, my stylist for my haircut.  While I was visiting, I told Katelyn how I was going to propose to Kristy before she and I left for Mexico.  When I returned from Mexico, at my next haircut, I went in to see Katelyn who excitedly asked me about the proposal, how it went and how the Mexico trip was.  She listened patiently and excitedly for me.  After I told her all about my trip and Kristy and my proposal, I asked how she was doing … I was surprised that I hadn’t noticed the ring on her finger when she told me her boyfriend Dennis had proposed to her virtually at the same time I proposed to Kristy.  Later as Katelyn and Dennis were planning their wedding, they came over to my house and we talked about their plans and about the possibility of me photographing their wedding.  I was so excited when they decided they would like me to be there with them at their New Years Eve wedding at the Bristol Hotel in downtown San Diego.  After that, every time I went in to get my hair cut, she and I both had a lot to catch up on with each of our wedding plans, so by the time the big day came, I knew more than I knew about most weddings I photograph as far as how the day was going to go.

The Bristol Hotel in downtown San Diego just outside of the gaslamp hosted Katelyn and Dennis’ New Years Eve wedding celebration.  Katelyn and her girls got ready in the City Scene room at the Bristol while the top level was set up for their ceremony and dinner.  The ceremony was a beautiful candlelit wedding and the open air of the retractable ceiling made the ceremony feel as if it was being held outside under the beautiful San Diego night sky.  After the ceremony, while Katelyn and Dennis’ guests mingled during cocktail hour Kristy and I took Katelyn, Dennis and their families downstairs for family portraits in the lobby.  We continued with some bridal party shots in the lobby as well as the bar, then ultimately took Katelyn and Dennis outside into downtown San Diego to photograph around the Spreckles theater, as well as in front of the beautiful and historic US Grant Hotel.

After portraits, we returned for their reception which was an absolute blast.  One of my favorite moments of the night was when I asked Dennis what he thought of Katelyn’s dress.  He said he was surprised that he kind of thought she wouldn’t have gone as traditional … he actually thought she might have a short dress for her wedding gown.  Little did he know that Katelyn’s dress actually was designed to tear away and become a short dress.  So after the Dennis removed her garter, her bridesmaids circled her and removed the bottom part of her dress.  It was really a surprising and fun moment during the night.  I honestly could go on for a long time about how much fun this wedding was, and how great it was for Kristy and I to spend our New Years documenting Katelyn and Dennis’ wedding … I mean … just the simple fact of having the wedding celebration on New Years, which is also Katelyn’s mother’s birthday, and just a great time to have everyone that you care about with you.  It truly was a great way to both end 2011 and begin 2012.

Katelyn and Dennis, congratulations and thank you so much for allowing Kristy and I to be a part of this incredible day!  To check out a few photos from their day, click on the large image above, or any of the thumbnails below.

Family and friends can register at Pictage by clicking here to view all their wedding photos as soon as they’re online!

STOP!!!

Don’t go any further unless you’ve already checked out Part I of Robert and Joana’s San Diego wedding in Mission Bay! 

OK … now that we’ve got that out of the way … on to part II of Robert + Joana’s fantastic wedding!

After the ceremony, Joana and Robert’s families met them back in the chapel of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Bonita, California.  We then took them and their entire bridal party behind the church, where there’s a small garden area, but it photographs beautifully.  I had the opportunity to photograph a wedding here before, and although it doesn’t look like much, there’s really a lot of beautiful little nooks around the church that make great images.  Once we wrapped up with the bridal party, we still had nearly an hour before the cocktail hour was starting.  We took that opportunity to head back to the Mission Bay Hyatt to make some images with just Robert and Joana.  We met them in the lobby, and started on one of the cool couches.

Joana had told me at the beginning of the day that she hadn’t been able to sleep at all the night before their wedding, so when I asked her to lay down on the couch, I don’t think she could have been happier.  I was almost afraid she might take a nap right there!  Eder and I left Robert and Joana after making a few more images around the grounds of the Hyatt, and went over to Marina Village where they were holding their reception.  As the guests started to arrive, a mariachi band played and took requests until Robert and Joana got there.

The rest of the night was filled with emotion with toasts given by Joana’s sister and father and Robert’s brother, as well as Robert and of course … dancing.

Click on the large  image above, or any of the smaller thumbnails below to see photos from the second half of Joana and Roberts wedding in San Diego!

Friends and family members can register at Pictage to view all the images from their day by clicking here. 

Vendors:

Photographers: Evan Bishop Photography

Wedding Coordinator: Weddings by Lindsy

Church: Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Reception: Marina Village

Preparations and Accomodations: Hyatt Mission Bay

Florist: Flowers by Erin

DJ: Mike Farmer

Cake: Flour Power

Makeup and Hair: Making Faces

 I have been so looking forward to Robert and Joana’s wedding since we met up for drinks before their engagement shoot in Balboa Park.  We met initially through their wedding planner Lindsy Hines who did an amazing job helping them to organize their entire day.  When I arrived at the Mission Bay Hyatt, Joana was getting the final touches to her make-up done, while club music played on her iPad, and her ring bearer and flower girl watched cartoons.  Just like the Saturday mornings I remember as a kid!  While I was photographing with the girls, Eder who was second shooting with me, was with Robert and his guys getting ready. After everyone was dressed, we spent some time at the Hyatt taking pictures around the grounds.  There’s some great tropical landscaping at the Hyatt and we took advantage of that backdrop both before their ceremony as well as before their reception which happened right next door at the Marina Village.

After getting ready, and portraits at the Hyatt, we all drove over to Bonita to Corpus Christi Catholic Church for Robert and Joana’s wedding.  Arriving early before guests, Joana and her girls as well as Robert’s mother were able to spend some time in the bridal suite at the church for last minute touch ups, and for Joana, mostly just to sit quietly and relax while everyone whirred around her.  After the mothers had been walked down the aisle, and the bridesmaids and flower girls, Joana and her father stood in the hall just off of the sanctuary awaiting their cue.  It was a quiet moment where Joana and as they walked down the aisle together, and Robert stood smiling Joanna found it difficult not to shed a tear as her father gave her away.

This was such an amazing wedding to be a part of, and one that I had a very difficult time selecting images to share on the blog since there were so many to choose from.  To see a sample of some images from the first part of the day, click on the large image above, or any of the smaller thumbnails below.  I will be posting part 2 of Robert and Joana’s wedding tomorrow, so check back to see their portraits and photos from their reception.

Friends and family members can register at Pictage to view all the images from their day by clicking here. 

Vendors:

Photographers: Evan Bishop Photography

Wedding Coordinator: Weddings by Lindsy

Church: Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Reception: Marina Village

Preparations and Accomodations: Hyatt Mission Bay

Florist: Flowers by Erin

DJ: Mike Farmer

Cake: Flour Power

Makeup and Hair: Making Faces