Nautical weddings. This wedding marks a first for me. It was the first wedding I’ve shot on a yacht. The ceremony and reception took place on the Majestic in Newport Harbor on Black Friday. While my wife was waking up early to hit all the sales at the mall, I was getting up early to drive down to the ocean and partake in a beautiful wedding. The weather was fantastic, especially for it being the end of November.

Rain. It is nice because it brings with it a cloud cover so photographers don’t have to worry about the glare from the sun penetrating the pictures. It isn’t so nice because it gets items and people wet. Luckily for Ashley and David’s wedding, we really didn’t have to encounter the rain until five minutes into the ceremony. I had already taken a lot of the formal shots prior to the start of the ceremony, so I wasn’t that concerned. I had a plastic bag over my camera and I was prepared for whatever the sky had to pelt down on me.

Speaking of the formal shots, I did a lot of the pictures at a multicultural center adjacent to the Embassy Suites in Brea. The multicultural center offered a unique background for the bridesmaids and groomsmen pictures, as well as an intimate setting for the first look. The couple was a lot of fun to work with, which makes my job that much easier.

Ashley and David had several guests from Hawaii. I found this ironic since I’m accustomed to hearing about people traveling in the opposite direction over the Pacific Ocean to go on vacation or attend a wedding. The wedding also had one stellar and delicious dessert table. Each delicacy was thoughtfully planned out and arranged. It had the current trend in special events, cake pops, while also giving guests a large variety of other sweet goodies to choose from.

When Garrett called me to ask if I could shoot his wedding, I was more than happy to oblige. Garrett and I have been friends for quite some time. We had been in the same band together and later, went backpacking together in Europe.

Garrett and Amanda’s wedding was low-key and intimate, with only close friends and family in Garrett’s family’s backyard. A fire pit was lit to add warmth to the chilly evening and the DJ played hits spanning several decades to keep people moving out on the dance floor. My wife was invited to the wedding, so after I was finished shooting the major details of the night, I was able to converse with friends and dance with my wife – a luxury I’ve never had at a wedding I have shot before.

Shooting weddings the weekend before Halloween, you never quite know what to expect. I always enjoy working weddings where the couple has added unique touches to their ceremony or reception that sets them apart from the norm and makes their day truly their own. This wedding was filled with said touches. First, as you may have noticed from the photographs, Melissa wore a black corset dress as her bridal gown. The groomsmen had Chuck Taylor’s with their tuxes, a move I highly applauded since my groomsmen and I wore Chuck Taylors at my wedding. The bridesmaids wore bat-patterned dresses in a color reminiscent of Adam West’s Batman costume. The guests were invited to come dressed in their Halloween costumes. Needless to say, it was a fun wedding to shoot!

This was the second weekend in a row that I shot a wedding at the Bridgeport Clubhouse in Valencia and the fourth time I have been there this year. Let’s just say that I know the place pretty well at this point. I try my hardest not to replicate what I have done there before and too my surprise I’m always discovering new ways to shoot the same background. It also helps when I have great subjects like Marine and Justin.

Justin had 11 groomsmen and Marine had 6 bridesmaids so it was a party all day long (12 hours to be precise). I’m glad I was able to remember all of their names so that I wasn’t just pointing my finger all day long. Who likes to be pointed at or to be called “Hey you?”

Jamie and James were married at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Newhall followed by a reception at the Bridgeport Clubhouse in Valencia.

The day started off at James and Jamie’s house where all the groomsmen were getting ready. Upon arrival I noticed a few photos up on their walls which looked strikingly familiar (Their engagement photos). It’s always nice to see the digital files I provide to clients going to work.

I had a great time shooting their wedding. At one point we were being driven around in a limo with the bride and groom and the whole bridal party looking for great spots to take photos along the lake.

Betsy and Ruben had a double rainbow at their wedding. “A double rainbow all the way.” If that’s not a good sign I don’t know what is.

Quiet Cannon Golf Course in Montebello was a wonderful golf course wedding venue. It offered great locations to photograph and the Hilton Garden Inn was right next door, making it very convenient.

Betsy and Ruben’s wedding was truly a party. There were so many people on the dance floor that several times during the night we could all feel the floor shaking. A bit dangerous maybe, but ultimately a good indication to any bride and groom that guests are having a good time at your wedding.

Orcutt Ranch in Canoga is one of those venues that I think more people should know about. If you don’t mind that it doesn’t have central air, it’s a great place to get married. There are rose gardens, nature trails, historic buildings and when you book the venue it’s yours for the day.

During the cocktail hour I took Chris and Vicky away to explore Orcutt Ranch. As we did so, you could tell that they were totally enamored with each other.

When Heidi and Rocky contacted me about photographing their wedding at Calamigos Equestrian Center, I told them how I got married there and that my wife and I loved our venue. My memory did not fail me. Almost 3 years later Calamigos was everything I remembered.

Before my arrival at Calamigos, I was with the groomsmen at a park. The thing about Burbank is it is quite eclectic. One hundred feet from the park was a freeway overpass which added great textural elements to the photos and 2 minutes away was a street full of buildings with vibrant colors and dynamic architecture.

Heidi, Rocky, and the whole bridal party were a blast to spend 10 hours with.