I gathered up the images from this wedding that I would like to blog and unfortunately there were 118 on my first pass through.  Hmmm, that's a bit much for a blog post.  The next pass yielded 79 photos.  Obviously, I had a really hard time narrowing down what to show for this blog post.

When Kealoha, Brian and I met to talk about their wedding plans...one of the first things they said was that it was going to be a BIG party.  Take the photos fast because the theme was "laissez le bon temps rouler".  And they weren't kidding. 

The wedding was on a Friday at the beautiful Spanish Oaks Ranch in Santa Margarita.  During the bridal party's preparations before the ceremony, I told Ke how impressed I was with her guests' promptness.  It was 2 hours before the wedding and already some guests were showing up!  She told me that "no...we opened the bar 2 hours before the ceremony...they're just here to warm up the party."  Love it!

Kealoha and Brian's ceremony was fantastic.  Touching, with a dash of humor and jokes.  We sailed through the photos and got them on their way to the reception without a minute wasted.  The entertainment for the evening was the fantastic live band Still Time.  These guys rocked the party well into the night.  If you ever have a chance to see them in person...don't miss the chance. 

thank you for laughing at my joke, guys!

Kealoha and Brian's dads warmed up the crowd for the evening's music with a couple songs. Love the look in Brian's mom's face while she watched her husband sing.

When I walked into the reception room at Vina Robles for Melisa and Justin's wedding, I was blown away by how gorgeous things looked.  The flowers, the place settings, the colors, and everything was just stunning.  Then, I saw Melisa in her wedding dress for the first time and I thought that the reception decorations were just a teaser.  She looked amazing.

One of Melisa's special photographic requests for the day was to focus on Justin's face as he first saw her walk up the aisle.  She really wanted to see the emotions that he was going through.  But, I had even more fun watching Justin get ready before the ceremony.  He was a nervous wreck.  Hands shaking so bad that it was hard to button his tuxedo vest.  Pacing the floor in the hotel room, nervously calling on all the last minute details he wanted to make sure were perfect.

But, as soon as the ceremony started and he saw her face, he relaxed to his normal self.  Which happens to be a wide-smiled, fun-loving guy who loves to make everyone laugh and have a great time.  As you'll see in the photos, the bride and groom are a great match...smiles all the way around.  Melisa and Justin...thanks so much for sharing your day with me.  I loved your wedding!!

Big day arrived for Gina and Chad...and so did a little bit of heat.  It was just a smidgen over 114 degrees for their ceremony which I believe set the record high for my season this year.  Not to worry though, they all handled it in style.  The setting was the ever lovely Ranch del Llano in Paso Robles which had plenty of arbors and lush trees to shade guests.  And when the sun went down the weather was PERFECT for dinner, drinks, and dancing.  Congrats!

Greta and Juan Carlos were very nice to me, even during the flustering last few minutes before the ceremony began and everything comes at you sooo very fast.  They were so nice that I started to make promises to myself....

I will be a nicer person.
I will practice random acts of kindness more often.
I will remember my friends' birthdays.

Which then caused me to think...that last one might be ridiculously hard for me.  I don't think I've remembered a friend's birthday in years.  I thought "maybe greta and juan carlos don't remember their friends' birthdays either?  that would make it ok if I forgot as well, right?  they have busy lives, i have a busy life...so if they forget birthdays it will make me feel better in some strange way."  So...I got to chatting with one of their friends.  I heard about the amazing things that Greta is doing in her legal career.  And I learned about Juan Carlos' medical prospects that will inevitably save many people from suffering who otherwise might not have gotten help.  I finally asked the friend "They seem so genuinely nice.  But, do they also remember your birthday?"  The friend answered "why yes...Juan Carlos called me last week to wish me a happy birthday in fact."

Yup.  Greta and Juan Carlos are those kind of people.  The kind you are super proud to call your friends.  I'm happy to call them that too.  And to my friends Lisa and Julie who had their birthdays in June...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  I'll try to remember next year.