{ Erika + Stephen | Inn of the Seventh Ray Wedding }
The day after new years, I headed to my first wedding of 2010. It was the perfect way to start off the year (and coincidentally spend my big 2-7!) — despite rainy weather the week before, the sun smiled down all day and Erika and Stephen held a perfectly cozy and lively occasion. There was a warm & laidback joy that filled the day, the kind that makes for my absolute favorite kind of wedding and had us leaving at the end all smiles!
An exciting bonus: their reception was held at the Inn of the Seventh Ray, a whimsical and rustic venue I’ve been aching to shoot at ever since I first came across it on the interwebs. By day it is a restaurant, tucked away in the woodsy hills of Topanga Canyon {how awesome is Topanga Canyon by the way? you’re just driving along the mountain and then BAM! a surprise magical little community} It features refreshing outdoor dining under trees and along a babbling brook, and that day it served as the perfect backdrop for their casual cocktail reception. When I met with Erika she explained how she loved how the backdrop in itself provided so many details – fun chandeliers, flowering shrubs, dainty vases with a single rose.
The afternoon consisted of lots of dancing, happy conversations around lovely white tables, and laughter & toasts in the prettiest natural surroundings. Erika & Stephen – thank you so much for allowing us to share in your beautiful new years wedding!
Loved the bouquets, which were created by Sada’s Flowers, just a hop away from our home in Culver City! I adore bouquets that add in textural non-floral elements like berries, pods, twigs… makes for such an organic and beautiful arrangement:
These amazing cupcakes were all lovingly baked by Erika’s friend, April of Eat Pretty Cake!
The white-framed photo is of Erika’s grandparents on their wedding day {pictured to the right}. Her grandmother fondly explained to me that it rained that day and was drizzling as they got into the car – I love how you can see the excitement in their faces! And of course all the photos made me wonder if one day Erika & Stephen’s would be lined up at their own grandchildren’s wedding :)
Tags: inn of the seventh ray, inn of the seventh ray wedding, inn of the seventh ray wedding photography, topanga canyon wedding, vintage wedding photography, wedding cupcakes
January 29th, 2010 at
Beautiful!! Your photos make me feel like I was there! What lens did you use for the 28th picture down? The one right after the black and white photo of the bride and groom?
January 29th, 2010 at
Love the venue! Love the photos of the bride and groom!
January 29th, 2010 at
Look at that light! So pretty, Adrienne!!
January 29th, 2010 at
I’ve never heard of that venue! Love it!
January 29th, 2010 at
Your pictures are beautiful, Adrienne! I’m so glad Erika and Stephen chose you to do their wedding photography! From the Mother of the Bride!
January 29th, 2010 at
Nice Job Adrienne, keep up the great work! Hope all is well
January 30th, 2010 at
@Joan Solitario: Thanks for the comment! That photo was shot with my 50mm at 1.4 :)
January 31st, 2010 at
Beautiful Bride! What were the little apperativas? Looks like it was a lovely wedding and a happy couple. Matt kissing you made me almost cry. How hard to part with daughters!
February 1st, 2010 at
Gorgeous pictures as usual! Your father-daughter pictures get me every single time. :]
February 1st, 2010 at
i am craving cupcakes now =) keep on rocking!
February 1st, 2010 at
beautiful!!! love all the details!! the inn of the seventh ray is a GREAT venue!! lucky you getting to shoot there ;)
ps- you live in culver city?! me too!!! we should grab a coffee sometime!
February 2nd, 2010 at
Amazing is so many ways! I know you totally captured what the bride was hoping for! beautiful photos!
February 3rd, 2010 at
Oh my… agreed on the venue…. the light you caught was stunning! Especially love that bridal portraits… you OWN the nifty-fifty :)