March 8, 2011
Kenzi and Jeff are getting married in 2011. Coincidentally, Kenzi shares the exact same name as a bride from my 2010 season…matching first and last names. What are the odds? I would’ve been really freaked out if they both were marrying guys with the same names, but that didn’t happen. We braved the windy day at Avila for this engagement shoot and then they were off to a company work party. After hearing about the party, I was almost tempted to invite myself along. Luckily, I think I’ll just tag along to their wedding instead. *smiles*
March 7, 2011
Megan knows me from her sister who was a bridesmaid at a wedding I shot several years ago. Whew. How’s that for six degrees of separation? But, as it turns out we have a whole lot more connections than separations. We both live(d) in San Diego. We both love vacations…ok, who doesn’t? Best of all, we both have amazing husbands…or in her case soon-to-be husband. Enter Josh…her fiance. He scored major points in my book by loving my favorite donut place in San Diego (VG’s in Cardiff/Encinitas), my favorite Mexican place in Paso Robles (La Reyna Market on 24th), and even tried my favorite Mexican place in San Diego (El Porvenir in the Barrio).
We originally tried for an engagement session in Paso, but it was FREEZING cold that day and started to rain just as our session was about to start. We opted out and instead had a great dinner at La Reyna Market. Not a bad Plan B, if you ask me. So when I was in San Diego recently, we rescheduled and headed out to Coronado Island for the session. A great suggestion on Megan and Josh’s part…the day was perfect and the sunset was stunning!! Made me remember just why I loved living in San Diego.
March 6, 2011
Mary and I have known each other for about 15 years. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her have a “bad” day. She is usually smiling, loves a great joke, and is quick to say nice things about you. I like hanging out with those kind of people. No wonder she has a bizillion other friends too. So when David asked her to marry him, the really hard part part of having all those friends? Finding a venue that would fit both the NUMBER of friends and the FUN of the friends. Mary and David love to go. Go. GO. They go everywhere and do things like this (stolen from her facebook page)…
So there was talk about having the wedding out on the Colorado River at a favorite sand bar…but could everyone camp for the wedding? Or how about a jeep caravan? Eventually, Mary and David decided the Cayucos Vets Hall would be the perfect place. On the beach, very scenic, super casual fun, and plenty of nearby hotels to make it a comfortable destination wedding for the out-of-towners. Mary found out that her favorite taco place catered, her good family friend hand-made her wedding dress, and other good friends made all the cupcakes and arranged the flowers. Ahhh…good friends again. See the theme? She is one well-loved (for good reason) person.
March 5, 2011
Have you been to Tilden Park? Have you been to Orinda? If you haven’t, you need to take a visit. Jessica and Kyle got married at the Brazilian Room in Tilden Park. It was my first time in the area and I was impressed. It felt like I was driving to a camping site (except I wasn’t worried about bears or whether there would be hot water). Big trees, blue skies, and the smell of forest all around. I even got a big bug bite to prove my adventure was authentically outdoors. Truth be told though, I think I was the only one to get bit and I am traditionally a bug magnet. ☺
Jessica and Kyle don’t enjoy being the center of attention. I think that’s why I nearly chuckled out loud when during their ceremony (at a point where their officiant had just spoken about the fact they don’t like to be too showy), a little girl from the park ran up to them and stared. She smiled and yelled back at her mom “Look, they are getting married!” Giggles and she ran away.
At their wedding, they clearly made the day about hanging out with friends and enjoying the experience. Lots of dancing. Great conversation. And hopefully they didn’t mind being a little bit of the center of attention for just a day…because we all sure enjoyed it.
March 4, 2011
Julie and Anthony are getting married at the coolest vineyard up in Morgan Hill. Can’t wait!! They are friends with one of my 2009 clients and so it will be like a mini-reunion for me. I’m also really hoping that their adorable little Yorkie makes an appearance. My daughter has been begging for a Yorkie, and I can see why. I just adored watched Anthony carry around such a pocket sized pooch.
March 4, 2011
Dina and Mark are clearly fun-loving people. Don’t let their traditional wedding ceremony at the Mission San Luis Obispo fool you into thinking this was gonna be a traditional reception. Their “thank-you” cards for their wedding is a photo of them tandem wakeboarding. Which also played into the names of their table settings. Each table was named for a wakeboarding trick or jump. Their guests were encouraged to take off the high heels and put on comfy dancing shoes. The photo booth had great wigs and fun props, making the smiles easy. They even made lighting the unity candle a laughter-causing event. By the way, the reception was held at The Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach.
Dina and Mark brought a group of seasoned wedding professionals with them. And by that, I’m not just referring to their hired wedding vendors. Rather, I’m talking about their wedding attendants. I happen to be facebook friends with several of their guests, so I know for a fact that many of them have been to just about as many weddings this season as I have. Except they’ve gone as guests and bridesmaids. Watching them work through the wedding preparations was amazing precision. They orchestrated the activities so well…I think they could all have jobs as wedding coordinators. Except, I’ve never seen wedding coordinators dance so well as these people.
Have a fantastic honeymoon Dina and Sponge! I know there will be lots of ocean, sun, and fun. Just what you deserve!
