One thing that has been really really amazing about this job is being able to reconnect with childhood friends. They somehow catch wind {through facebook? a catch-up email?} that this is now what I do, and it works out that I get to photograph one of the happiest days of their lives. These are often friends I’ve fallen a bit out of touch with over the years, but who I share some of my most fond childhood memories with. So there is something extra special & heartwarming about getting to be a part of their wedding day, of meeting & getting to know the loves of their lives, of seeing their parents (who cooked me dinners and watched over us during sleepovers) again there, and ultimately, rekindling a friendship that feels like it literally picked up right from collecting Lisa Frank stickers and making up dance routines, as if no time passed at all :)

Natalie is such a friend, and I keep counting my lucky stars we were able to reconnect this year! I really hoped I captured a piece of her personality in these photos – on her wedding day she was all smiles, beautiful, warm, and caring towards every single person around her, the exact same Natalie I knew when we were just little kids. And although I’ve only met Jeff this year, he seems like the greatest guy, and together they are just so perfect. They had an intimate ceremony at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden in Long Beach {yay for shooting weddings in my own neighborhood!} and I love the pretty peacock theme they tied into their day.

I hope you enjoy this peek into a wedding that is so dear to my heart :)

The streets were still empty at the time I was driving, the sky was a shade of dark grey. When we all congregated at the observatory around 6am, it was still quiet, the sidewalks vacant if not for the occasional runner. We walked to the lawn, and as the sun peeked over the Hollywood hills, surrounded by just their closest family & friends, Ashley & Erika exchanged vows.

I had someone ask me once about the future success of my wedding photography business – based upon the kind of fancy venues I could hope to shoot at, or the kind of high-end expensive weddings I could “grow” to shoot. And I was confused about their question at first, and then surprisingly overjoyed as I realized I consider myself immensely successful already, because I get to shoot weddings like this, this very one you see below. That somehow in the past few years I’ve been drawn to and gotten to be a part of these types of days – the ones that have their sights constantly set on the right thing, the ones that are all about the love. These days have been both big and small, short and long, filled with details ranging from just a bouquet to quite a bit of lovely decor – but they are all the same in that the couples are warm, and the emotions are open and real, and there is just so much love in every corner.

I teared up more than a few times while editing these photos, and I feel very very fortunate to have been able to document this day.

There is something about the getting ready photos that makes them some of my favorites from the day. The excitement, the anticipation of course – but I also love that it’s my first glimpse into the rest of the day, a happy hint at what the next 8 or 9 hours may bring. Upon stepping into Jenny’s room, I was greeted firstly by her ethereal dress hanging softly in the corner, her fantastic shoes glittering by the bed. By the prettiest light (can all hotel rooms be this suite at The Standard??) By bridesmaids laughing & practicing a dance number to come during the reception, or helping with some last minute plans. And of course by a sweet and radiant bride, who hugged me with the biggest brightest smile, who was head over heels to jump into the rest of the day.

And just as this initial peek suggested, the rest of this wedding unfolded into moments that were just as perfect – a tearful first look, THE cutest doggy ringbearer (seriously please take a look at that guy, it will make your entire week), some of the most eloquent and touching toasts I’ve heard, and dancing under golden lanterns and city lights. Cafe Pinot, as always, was the perfect backdrop for their day – I seriously never get tired of shooting there! – and this whole wedding was just a dream to photograph…