Weddingbee PRO
I love libraries and historic buildings. So, when Mary told me that there was a possibility her reception would be held at the gorgeous and historic Detroit Public Library, which I used to roam in wonder as a child… I was so excited that I squealed like a fat bellied pig!! I absolutely love photographing weddings and receptions in non-traditional, unconventional locations! It’s pure inspiration!!! I’ll get back to that later. First… some candid images while everyone was getting ready…
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These little monogram cards were commissioned by a friend for a Christmas gift, but I can’t help but think how sweet they would be as a bridesmaid’s gift or a surprise for a newly married couple. Monograms always seem so sweetly old-fashioned to me. Don’t you think? Such a tangible symbol of the joining of two names and lives….
Here are the pics from the wedding of Courtney and Erin in Cambria California, a beachy vintage garden wedding. The ceremony was in a small chapel with the reception in the small garden of a local restaurant near the ocean and surrounded by pine trees. They rented an old fashioned photo booth for the reception. All the centerpiece vases were from the bride’s own collection.
It was so gorgeous. I did all the paper products starting with the save the dates, to the invites, programs, welcome bag artwork, and signs with calligraphy done by Jill Valez. The escort cards were tea dyed tags hung from the tree with the guests names’ and table number; this was a spin on the little tag attached to the invite (also tea dyed to make it look vintage) with twine tying it all together and a wax seal. The couple’s monogram was used throughout the wedding on the wax seal, matchbooks, & cupcakes.
My husband and myself photographed the wedding, splitting up at times to get full coverage. While he took them to the beach after the ceremony to capture beautiful shots, I ran to the reception to capture the details and cocktail hour. I know how much the details meant to the bride, so I wanted to make sure all of it was photographed before the partying began. 
To view more of his wedding photos click here (There are a few on the website which are mine too. )
There are so many great photographs!! Here are a few of my favs.
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate love than reminisce about one of my fabulous weddings. This darling couple are such a special pair and I have been *dying* to share these photos with you! What do you get when a graphic designer marries an architect/landscape architect?? Pure creativity, and a wedding dripping with details. I could barely contain myself as i waited for guests to arrive for the ceremony. It was everything I could’ve ever dreamed of for them and their reaction was priceless.
I’ll walk you through the heartfelt ceremony. It took place on the back lawn at Rancho Sol Del Pacifico, a private estate in Malibu. The azure skies seemed to melt into the horizon and you could barely distinguish sky from sea. A grouping of olive trees created a focal point for the ceremony, where the couple was married by a couple whose marriage and love they admire.
The gorgeous photos below are courtesy of my pal Jay Reilly, a fantastic photographer out of Oceanside.
the bride makes her way down the stairs for the processional
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Laure and Tom married on Halloween at City Hall. Sadly I couldn’t be there because I was flying back from the land of giants. But I sure wish I was there when they threw a Prom Night themed Halloween Party in which they totally surprised all of their friends by making the announcement that they were wed! So, on a Saturday morning, though I was a touch weary from travel, I wrenched myself from my toasty bed and made my way up through the state, to their country home in Woodstock. Shocks of reds and yellows shot up from the ground like fireworks; sprinkled among them were blue evergreens, and their amazing 200 year old house that I just couldn’t stop drooling over.
I so very much LOVED this session. Their friends Damien and Alyssa shot some Super 8 for a while, which I was so excited to see!! I LOVE Super 8, and I love people who know how awesome it is, too! Laure is from Singapore, and her good friend Martine was along to take some (pretty amazing) polariods to document the whole experience. And then of course, back at home was Carey, visiting from Seattle, with her very young and expressive son, Wilder. Laure and Tom were kind enough to invite me over for dinner, to which I very happily obliged, longing for the warmth of meat and conversation over these chilly, darkened days. Damien cooked and unbelievable leg of lamb with roasted roots. Everyone there just gave me such a warm and fuzzy feeling. Thank you so much guys, for inviting me into your beautifully amazing home, giving me the opportunity to make pictures of your love in such a beautiful land, and for feeding me (figuratively and literally!).
Christmas is all about the cozy! Candlelight, comfy fabrics, winter dream tea in big, fat mugs- those are things that fill me with Christmas cheer.
I wanted to use items that I have around the house to create some charming arrangements for our condo that I could later give away to neighbors or use to decorate our church.
Thanks to my wonderful hubby for snapping some pics!
I chose festive, affordable flowers- snow white ranunculus and hydrangea, red carnations and freedom roses, real holly with berries, chartreuse spider mums, and fragrant Christmas greens, arranged loosely in vases.
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Christine, Reggie and I met up to shoot some engagement photos in June when I was in Sonoma for a wedding. Christine and Reggie are so fun, in love and awesome in front of the camera, and they had a great, great wedding. So on to the pics!
This past Friday we had our annual holiday party at the most amazing restaurant that Emily had discovered in old town Orange. The restaurant is called Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen and we were in a private dining room downstairs. It was had a very dark, gothic feel to it, sitting among the wine and tequila cellar, the lamps draped in red fabric, and a long dining table. There was so much that was visually inspiring to me that evening, that I ended up taking a ton of pictures.
When Polaroid announced that it would no longer sell its iconic instant film, you just knew they were coming up with something super cool to complement the new digital lifestyle. With so many guests having digital cameras and cell phone cameras now, why not just let them print a picture from their own camera? But it would be such a hassle to set up a printer and make sure it has enough ink. That’s why you’re going to flip over the new PoGo Printer- inkless, wireless, bluetooth and pictbridge enabled, this is one super tiny hand-held printer! The secret is in the ZINK photo paper and each photo is a 2″x3″ stick and peel so that you can slap those photos instantly into any album. Seriously, this little baby looks like a ton of fun. I feel like going to Target, Best Buy, or Urban Outfitters right now to see if I can play with one in stock! Check it out!!! (only downer is that it’s NOT compatible with iPhone - BOO!)
Psst.. You can get one from Amazon for $94.99
NOTE: Due to the size and type of printing, my guess is that the quality is not going to be stellar on these little prints. However, if you’re just looking for something fun and you like techno-photo novelties, this is right up your alley!
In the Bay Area, legion of weary commuters flock on the weekends to Sonoma and Napa to escape the congestion and demands of urban living. One of the most picturesque places off of St. Helena Road is the stately, manicured gardens of Beaulieu Vineyards, hidden from the main thoroughfaire. People unaware drive pass this lush garden on a daily basis, never experiencing its secretive yet magical quality. I feel as if I was transported to a lovely French park. Known for its foliage trellis, guests fortunate enough to attend an event at BV usually dine al fresco style below its organic vine. When I think of a quintessential Napa wedding, Beaulieu is my ideal location. If you are planning a wedding in Napa, you must consider this enchanting place. Paula Le Duc Fine Catering who are the premier caterers in the Bay Area are exclusive caterers for this venue and also manage the events. If you are interested in having your wedding at Beaulieu, I would highly recommend that you visit Beaulieu.
Photography by Tara Arrowood
Linens and Tables by Classic Party Rental Napa (formerly La Bella)
Wedding Coordination by Custom Event Group
Invitations by Good on Paper Design
Catering by Elaine Bell Catering
Venue location Beaulieu Gardens
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