“Don’t threaten me with a good time!”
Well that’s all that there was at Dominique & Andrew’s wedding – good times. :) Their beautiful wedding was held at the Marston House near Balboa Park (which is a GORGEOUS house – I would love to do another shoot there sometime! I couldn’t get enough of the grounds and the brick), and the reception at the San Diego Woman’s Club. These two are so in love, and you could seriously feel the love around them. Every 5 minutes, I saw someone tearing up, just out of happiness for the whole day. It was beautiful – thank you Dominique and Andrew for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful day and I wish you two many blessings on your journey together. :)
the cutest ring bearers ever!
“Give me your sexy face”
The first time seeing Dominique
Photos of Dominique’s mother on the bouquet
Check the ride!
Where Andrew proposed
First dance
coordination & florist . barbara beaudin
dj . david cutler w/ hit it music
catering . armstrong catering
So I really enjoy cooking whenever I can, and I often check out cook books from the library to see what’s fun to make. I actually recently checked out a book called Gluten-Free, and Sugar-Free Cooking. Gluten free, because my boyfriend is gluten-intolerant (which is found in wheat, barley and such which is almost in EVERYTHING). Anyway, I made this salad from the book – I honestly don’t remember the EXACT recipe, but I was pretty darn good! I love fruit anyway, so anything would be good I’d imagine :)
You could probably really use any type of fruit you’d like, you don’t need to follow this exactly.
Fruity Chicken Salad
one organic kiwi
organic raspberries
organic blueberries
organic cantaloupe
organic baby romaine lettuce
sliced almonds
cooked chicken – cubed (I bought pre-cooked seasoned chicken breasts at the deli counter at Whole Foods)
feta cheese
The Dressing:
orange juice
brown rice syrup
salt and pepper to taste
(I think there might be an oil or vinegar in the dressing.. not sure though)
Honestly, I’m not sure if there’s anything I’m missing (especially in the dressing) but I’m sure you can experiment and try, yes? Either way, if you love fruits and veggies like me, then you’ll love it anyway, dressing or not!
And okayyy, so this totally doesn’t constitute as totally cooking, but it makes for a great and healthy summer meal :)
Surrounded by the best of friends, Verlee and Josh couldn’t have asked for a more festive wedding! Being the stylish couple that they are (you may remember their engagement shoot that we did a few months ago), every little detail has been thought of! It was full of color, fun, style and class. Not to mention the love that surrounded them, and them to each other. Verlee started crying before the doors to the church opened, with family and friends coming by saying “Don’t cry!!!” Which of course, can make a person cry even more! Hehe.
The ceremony was held at St Gregory the Great, which is an awesome church because of it’s unique circular design, with the reception at the Bristol Hotel, which is amazing because the roof opens up with a view of the downtown sky. And as a gift to Verlee and Josh, the hotel allowed me to go on the roof for their first dance which allowed me to get beautiful shots! The wedding was organized that month by the awesome Rachel Semanisin, florals by Linda Seeger of Floral Poetry, DJ’ed by Unique Technique (Joseph Bendito), and video’d by Alex Bosworth.
Congrats, Verlee and Josh! You guys rock, the wedding was BEAUTIFUL, I hope you have fun in Hawaii once you leave for you honeymoon and thank you SO MUCH for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful day! :)
I couldn’t get enough photos of her! Isn’t she beautiful? ;)
I loved the little jewels in the bouquets
A budding photographer!
Pink Vans for the flowergirl!
Before walking in the ceremony
The guys are stylin’
Getting bustled
Joshie was tired ;)
I had fun taking photos of their rings in several locations
In their toasting flutes :)
Showering her with money!
And the best for last ;)
Okay, so apparently I’ve been tagged by the awesome Ed Atrero! Here’s the deal, basically I give 8 random facts about myself, and then tag 8 other people to do the same. Okay? Go! :D
1. When I’m driving and I want to either stay awake or get my spirits up, I put in Fall Out Boy (especially the “From Under The Cork Tree” album) and I sing in the car. Loud.
2. I’ve loved penguins ever since I was 14 or so when I first saw this clip on PBS one day. I still love penguins, but now everyone loves them and it’s not so much fun anymore.
3. I was in a musical in high school, AND in elementary school. High school it was “The Pajama Game,” elementary it was “Oliver Twist.” I think I had one line in each one. Of course I sang and danced too.
4. I hate bananas with a passion.
5. I can’t keep a room/house clean without trying. really. hard. So yea, when you come over, and it’s clean, feel special. I probably did it for you. Either that or I did it for someone else and you’re enjoying the benefits.
6. I can’t swim.
7. I think everyone is a closet The Hills/Laguna Beach/Newport Harbor/My Super Sweet Sixteen fan. Everyone.
8. I secretly wish I was a master chef. Or a professional dancer. Or good enough to get on “So You Think You Can Dance.” And WIN!. Hee :D
And now to the tagging!
1. Leigh
2. Tracey
3. Carol
4. Emily
5. Melissa
6. Mel
7. Stephanie
8. Stan & Jeanette
“I’m a genius!!!!” (inside joke)
One of the sweetest couples in the world are Cathy and Rob! :) They were married a week ago at The Prado in Balboa Park, organized by the lovely Julie from The Best Wedding for You, DJ’ed by Bill Calhoun, and video’d by NR3 Video Productions (who, by the way had a BABY that day! Congratulations to Norma and John on their healthy baby boy, Christian!).
These two seriously are the most easygoing people, and are always smiling. During the vows, Rob told Cathy that loving her was like breathing, and before he met her, it was like he was waiting to breathe. *sniff!* Every female there was pretty much reduced to tears. You go Rob. ;)
Her dress was amazing! And everyone there was so sweet and kind. And I must thank them, for allowing me to enjoy the culinary delights of the Prado for the first time! And of course, for allowing me to be a part of their wonderful day. :) I hope you guys are having a great honeymoon!
Upon seeing her for the first time
And seeing her walk down the aisle, even though he’s already seen her, he still got choked up.
Cathy and her dad :)
The change into the new dress
Before I headed to bed and geared up for Cathy and Rob’s wedding tomorrow, I thought I’d post some photos that I took a few nights ago at a friend’s place out in Poway. I love, love, LOVE stargazing… I have ever since I was a little kid with my library book and flashlight in hand, standing in my backyard, trying to identify constellations, with my grandmother to keep me company from the boogey man. :) And because of it I’m so very excited for the annual Perseid meteor shower coming up this weekend! If you’ve never watched a meteor shower, I suggest you get out there Saturday night and go enjoy the universe’s beautiful light show. Be sure to go away from the bright lights of the city.. probably head out east. :) You know I want to! I’m going to try and get some photos too. ;) There’s also another meteor shower on September 1st, called the Aurigid shower, and after this year, won’t be seen again in our lifetime. Plus apparently it’s extremely bright! So grab your blankets, a loved one and enjoy the show!
P.S. Speaking of stars, I recently picked up the book Stardust, and plan on reading it and seeing the movie. I hear the book is good – with mixed reviews about the movie, perhaps?
A few days ago I headed up to Laguna Beach to do Cat & Dex’s engagement session at Crescent Beach. It’s such a nice little beach! Houses are all lined up along the beach with stairs coming down from their backyards. Not too far off from some places in Leucadia/Encinitas. :)
Seriously, can these two be anymore fun?! (End Chandler voice here) I had a blast with them, playing and exploring on the rocks, laughing and enjoying the beautiful weather. They’re such positive people that you just can’t help wanting to be around their smiling faces all day and smile with them! I can’t wait for the wedding in September, guys! :)
Dex seriously LOVED this pose… he even yelled it out!
The silence of the audience, waiting for you to go on. The dull and distant sounding hum of the children performers yelling and squealing backstage. Your hands are clammy and the curtain hangs red in front of you. Head down, with your heart beating out of your chest and a constant voice in your head saying “Don’t think about it… don’t think about it…” A great sweeping motion and lights are on your face. Cue music, and you take your first step.
For those in the know, know I am a huge lover of dance. The movement, the grace, the excitement and emotion. Your frustrations of the day, you joys and emotions, can all be wrapped up and thrown into your movement of dancing. You can feel like you’re flying, light as a feather, or with the earth, rooted and deep. I’ve always loved dancing, performing, and I did it often growing up. After college, I left no more room for dancing, and opened up wholly to photography. I don’t regret photography one bit, but I did miss dancing. Blame it on So You Think You Can Dance, blame it on watching others do it, and me, yearning to be one of them. I missed the stage. So I made a promise to myself last year – I would dance again. And really dance again.
I joined a dance studio nearby called North County Dance Arts and danced once or twice a week, preparing for what would be a revisit to my youth. I loved dance, and it loved me back – it kept me fit, and I had another creative outlet.
Last Saturday I got to try on my jazz shoes again, so to speak, and performed on stage at the studio’s yearly recital. And let me tell you, it was a BLAST. Cheered on by friends and loved ones, and letting go of everything on stage is a beautiful feeling. Crazy! But beautiful. :) During the evening performance, I was able to take photos backstage, and get another view of the talented performers. It’s a whole different world backstage, and I loved photographing it. I hope to do it again soon!
Up next
Louis, the head honcho, doing a singing number
Pre-dance – how adorable!
Tap duet
They did Janet Jackson :)
During the rehearsal, I was able to take a few photos too.
And the one you’ve all been waiting for…..!
I look like such a dork! No? :)
This whole thing was a wonderful experience and I want to do it again next year :) Photography will still be my one true love, but dance is a very close second. :) Plus, I throughly enjoyed taking photos backstage, maybe I’ll get more into dance photography. :)
Thank you SO much to Nikki, who took the photos of me, and to EVERYONE who came! I really appreciate it and I felt very loved. :) Norma from NR3 Video Productions came and videotaped it, so once I get my hands on that, I’ll post the video :)
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