Since I’m finally catching up on blogging, I wanted to share this super sweet wedding from last year. Tara + Jay are such a wonderful couple and I adore spending time with them. Their wedding was beautiful, relaxed and filled with love from family and friends. They even made me cry a bunch of times!

Venue: Abbott Manor in Temecula
Hair and Makeup by Melody
Tara’s dress was designed by her and made by her mother
Jays suit: Custom order from Proper Suit
Cake: Ontario Bakery

Some of the Abbot Manor details. It was a gorgeous day! 

Tara, along with her bridesmaids got the flowers with the LA market and put them together before the wedding.


Wood centerpieces and flowers Tara made around the head table. 

Already emotional while getting ready. 

Those are my hands. A lot of times I’m the one who pins the boutonniere.


Jay was so so happy! 
I absolutely love shooting the guys.


They chose to do a first look, which I highly recommend. Love their anticipation in this. 


One of my favorite first look shots EVER! 
Cheer up Jay! 


Even though they did a first look, they still both cried (again) at this moment of her walking down the aisle. The first look doesn’t take away from this special moment, it adds to it. 



I don’t remember what they said, but I do remember crying a lot. 



My favorite kind of light with my favorite kind of couple. 









Candy bar and succulent favors. (We got to keep one. Thanks Tara + Jay!) They hand made and packaged the favors- succulent pots and salted caramel bars.

Penny + Jonathan were married last August at Eden Gardens in Moore Park. It was filled with so much emotion, beautiful details and lots of fun. They are a wonderful couple and it’s been so great getting to know them. I laughed so hard when Penny said (on the wedding day) that one of her favorite things about the day was me! What a fun compliment! I just wish these two lived closer so we could see (and photograph) them more often.

Venue: Eden Gardens
Invitation: One Handspun Day
Hair + Makeup: Grace Lin
Florist: Yamaguchi Flowers
Dress: Reem Acra
DJ: Bruce Barrios
Cupcakes: Skiff’s Cupcakes

Beautifully designed invitation by my previous bride and talented gal, Christy at One Handspun Day.

Getting ready. So much support on their sides!


Penny looking gorgeous as per usual.

First looks are too much fun!



Eden Garden details and the seating chart, handmade by Penny.




Penny’s niece and darling flower girl.


Table themed after all the many places they’ve traveled and lived. Loved the lavender touches.

Pretty lavender flowers.

This little sneak peek of Penny and her father walking by was a different point of view than usual.




Just because you do a first look (or have more than one wedding) doesn’t mean that it takes away from any of the emotion of going through the ceremony. It usually adds to it!

Bubbles!





Fun was had by all!

Cupcakes!

There’s so many things I’m working on, so many changes, so much editing, so much life that I’ve gotten behind on blogging. So here’s a sneak peak at some of the lovely weddings I haven’t got to share just yet.

Tara + Jay’s wedding at Abbot Manor in Temecula.

Penny + Jonathan’s wedding at Eden Gardens in Moorpark.

Sarah + Wade at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica.

Ariela + Ari at The Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.

Lauren + Nathan at The Biltmore.

This is one of the styled shoots used to promote the newly opened spaces Koehler Winery has on its property. You can read about our shoots in the Santa Barbara Independent. This location is amazing for weddings, as you can see!

Thanks so much to everyone involved with this shoot! Special thanks to Julia for setting everything up and to Nicole for being up for anything.

Location: Koehler Winery Los Olivos
Model: Nicole Sands
Hair and Makeup: Courtney Eads, Courtney K. Designs
Gown:La Soie Bridal, Santa Barbara
Production: Julia D. Whitley, Serendipitous Events by Julia
Florals: Jackie Combs, Lotus and Lily
Photographer: Dana Grant Photography

I wanted to use this amazing dock in the pond and lucky for me Nicole has a lot of experience rowing.

We got up at sunrise so the light was just magical.



I am obsessed with these willow trees.

Congrats to Demi + Steven! Their wedding is featured on Rock ‘n Roll Bride today! I’m a huge fan of this blog and Demi + Steven. I’m so excited their creative day is featured for lots of brides to see.

Click here for the feature.