Confession: I sort of became smitten with MacKenzie and Phil just through our email exchanges, before even meeting them in person. Because a couple who is just so excited about their session, so overjoyed to brainstorm locations or props or outfits, whose happy personalities shine through just from their typed words are just my favorite kind of couple! :) Of course they were even sweeter in person and we had so much fun exploring Griffith Park and the observatory, with the three of us and one giant white balloon packed into their car :)

Also, how amazing is MacKenzie’s hair? Props to Theresa Huang for beautiful hair & make-up as always!

When I first accompanied Kristen on a visit to the house where the wedding would be held, it was still in the process of being built. There were mounds of dirt, and construction crews, loose frameworks of buildings – but I could tell even then, with the open lot & rich wooden beams & gorgeous views, that it would be one beautiful wedding location.

But seriously? I still wasn’t quite prepared for how amazingly it all came together in the end. The house belongs to their aunt and uncle, and as they put it, to have the wedding held there right upon it’s completion, and to have it filled corner to corner with the love that was present that day, was truly a special thing. The tangible beauty of the location and details was only surpassed by the emotions that ran deep throughout the day – Kristen & Tristan have a love that is so so inspiring, and it was mirrored in the smiles & words of every guest there that day.

I would also like to say, that this wedding and the photos you see below, are exactly why I recommend doing a first look. Logistics and timelines aside, these moments like the ones you see below alone are worth the decision. To be able to hold each other, and laugh through happy tears, and have a quiet moment just to savor the day together, is such an amazing thing.

{ Special thanks to Heather from LVL Events for introducing me to this wonderful couple, and planning & coordinating each and every bit of the day you see below! A second thank you to 24 Carrots for their coordination and delish eats! }

I always love when a couple chooses a meaningful spot for their engagement photos. Like perhaps, the pretty courtyard of a Thai restaurant where they had their very first date? These kinds of memory-filled locations just instantly seem to have a certain magic to them – you’re transported back to those moments where you had your first quiet conversations, shared your first laughs, where you felt that excited pitter-patter and that glow in your heart, and secretly hoped and wished with all your might that they felt it too. Because a pretty backdrop is pretty backdrop, but it becomes all that more beautiful when it’s a paramount piece in the story of your relationship :)

I had so much fun exploring Pasadena and visiting the gorgeous Saladang Song for this shoot! MaiKhanh and Jeff are so awesome – I remember at our first meeting it felt like we had a million things to talk about, and I loved getting to continue our conversations over delish Thai food at the end of the session. (And on that note, I realized the past couple sessions I’ve posted here have concluded with a delicious meal. I suppose it’s a cold hard fact – if you like food, we’re going to get along just swell :)