Joe + Alicia Blissfully Wedded in Laguna Canyon, Ca. 7 Degrees

The thing I love about weddings is that each one is so different. All the time and effort and planning and details that have been 6 months to a year in the making, come to a culmination in one day. Each couple has some unique detail that is specific to them. Whether it be their shared hobby or their lifestyle or maybe something they geek out together about. I often ask my brides and grooms for a shot list not because I need to know what to shoot on a wedding day…but because I know there are those specific shots that the couple wants me to capture or a detail that they dont want me to miss or overlook or a moment that is important to them specifically and uniquely and as their wedding photographer it is my sole responsibility to make sure I curate and capture the day as they need me to. If they request a shot….I want to make sure that they get it on their wedding day. I will often show up early on the wedding day or on my own time outside of the wedding day hours for my clients just so that I can explore the venue to scout out all the great spots for photos and know the lay of the land long before they arrive so that they dont have to worry or be concerned about anything photography related ..they can just relax and enjoy their day and let me handle everything. Joe and Alicia had some unique details that I loved and I dont see often… from a really unique ring box to the guest signing “book” which was the hood of a vintage muscle car…the Lovers Lock on the family tree ……I love the fact that each wedding detail was carefully chosen and thought out, planned and placed for all to discover and appreciate.

Many waters cannot quench love

One the the wisest kings in ancient Israel was named Solomon. One of his poetic books called The “Song of Solomon” or the “Song of Songs” It is the love song above all love songs, because it is the love song inspired by God to give us His perspective on love and romance, on courtship and marriage. Near the end of the story, we read these words spoken by Shulamite, the bride of young King Solomon:

“…Mighty waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it..”

This describes love as

strong…

unquenchable…..

unstoppable….

unconquerable.

What I have come to discover now more than ever is that the bottom line is that love is what a person chooses to do, not what a person chooses to feel. Love is a verb (what you do) more than a noun (a feeling).Many people say that they don’t feel the love that they once did for their mate. They fell “out of love” but the truth is there is really no falling out of or falling into love. We can fall out of bed or fall in the bathtub but typically we grow to love someone over time…. and when love is genuine and sincere and real and lasting..it doesn’t matter what comes at it…it will stand the test of time and storms. Don’t settle for anything less than that.

Drew + Sarah Blissfully Wedded in Long Beach,CA. Queen Mary

Drew and Sarah had been dating 3 years and very casually...

naturally,

without pomp and circumstance,

or fanfare.

he popped the question and without a hesitation she said ," YES!". Before she met Drew... Sarah admitted that the very thought of marriage was kind of scary. At the same time, That is how she knew in her heart that he was the one because the thought of marriage to him didn't give her doubt, worry, cause for concern or scare her in any way.  In fact, she couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life waking up next to him. Drew also knew she was the one because at every level of the relationship she showed him and they both had mutual respect for each other. She never made him feel "less than" or "not good enough" she has accepted him for who he is without reservation or the thought of "hmmm..how can I change him?".  I could tell within the first 15 minutes of the wedding that they have their differences in personality but yet they blend together so well. Drew is a musician and also being a musician myself I learned something interesting a long time ago. Music and harmony is made not by playing the same notes at the same time... a musical chord and harmony is created by playing 3 different notes at the same time. Harmony in life, in music, and in relationships is not made by being the exact same in all areas....harmony is made by our differences and unique traits and gifts coming together as one.

Ryan + Stefanie Blissfully Wedded in downtown Long Beach,CA.

Ryan and Stefanie had been dating two years and decided they were ready to begin the next chapter in their lives together and after a proposal in Puerto Vallarta, they decided to tie the knot among friends and family in the place where their romance sparked into flame near downtown Long Beach. They were whimsical in every sense of the word and they and the wedding party were beyond fun! Any wedding that has a party bus and features The Sexy Sax Man crashing the wedding ceremony... you can be sure it’s going to be a blast and one wedding that will not be forgotten easily:)