It's a Nice WEEK for a White Wedding ...

... or 2, or 3...

It's wedding season, there's no doubt about it! (No Doubt? But that's a Billy Idol song I'm quoting!). And as an aside/digression... RIP John Hughes, who passed away today. An icon of the 80s himself as director of all things great, wonderful and teen-angsty in the movie world, it was so sad to hear he is no longer here. I think everyone I know owns at LEAST 4 or 5 of his movies at home, on VHS, on DVD... and will watch reruns of them all on TV anytime they are on even if they own them! (I know I do) To pay my respects, I am going to see my good friends and their 80s cover band play tonight in Costa Mesa, CA. I told them they better cover Simple Minds' "Don't You... Forget About Me" as a tribute! Plus, they are truly an AMAZING band, please do me a favor and check them out: Flash Back Heart Attack; or, see samples of them live on YouTube. And YES, they do cover Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself" and segueway into "Mony Mony" as well. They are the best time you will have revisiting your past while experiencing MUCH red leather, skinny ties and wigs and sunglasses!

So, speaking of White Wedding Season:
This weekend and following week will be a blast! I am assisting a good friend on a Mormon wedding up in LA (Santa Monica, CA) on Saturday, with reception in the evening in Fullerton, CA. Being that Fullerton is my old stomping grounds from my college days, it will be nice to hang out there again. (Well, not like I'm never there. I was actually just up there today too) Sunday I am ATTENDING a good friend's wedding at the historic Mission Inn, in Riverside, CA. This is a GORGEOUS venue, and was even lucky enough to shoot one of my first weddings there myself (as well as an engagement session). It will be fun to go as a guest, but I'm always looking around, looking for great places to shoot in the future. :-)

Next week I am shooting a small, intimate wedding on the beach in Laguna Beach, CA. This will be a simple and classic evening at sunset for a lovely couple I was referred to by another photographer friend in Arizona -- they are coming to CA and my friend asked if I would be able to shoot it for them. I met with them the last time I was in AZ a few weeks back and they are such a fun-loving, playful couple and seem incredibly down-to-earth. Next week will be a pleasure!

Then, at the beginning of September, I'm taking a day to drive up to Santa Barbara, CA to check out the venue and surrounding areas for a wedding I will be shooting there later in the month. So many great things to look forward to!

So, with that in mind and all the great things coming up... here is a closing thought, in honor of the late John Hughes:

"Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it."

--Ferris Bueller's Day Off (one of my ALL TIME favorites, EVER!)

Justin & Jessica's Wedding

I’m so happy to be able to post this. I’m getting ready to post proofs to Justin & Jessica’s wedding on my zenfolio site, but before I do, I have to post this slideshow (made with David Jay’s ShowItWeb) of the highlights of their wedding. I’m also VERY proud to feature music with it composed and performed by my friend Danny Hamilton, who is simply amazing and so entertaining to see perform live. Check him out, you won’t be sorry.

I was lucky enough to meet Justin & Jessica through a contact of my mom. Turns out I even went to the same high school as the groom (although I may have graduated just a **wee** bit ahead of him, but we’ll not get into that now). They are the most laid-back, easygoing couple, so easy to be around, and I knew we’d all be a good fit because we all laughed a lot, and they didn’t mind being silly. I was especially touched by the strength of not only their family ties, but the great group of friends at the wedding… very open, very friendly and lots of fun to be with!

The wedding was close to our old high school in Tustin, CA, at St Cecilia’s Catholic Church. I was especially lucky because the Reverend (Father? Pastor? I’m ashamed to admit I don’t know all of the proper terminology) approved my use of flash in the church during the ceremony. I was in the back room before the ceremony with the groom and his best man, and I happened to be talking to the “church lady” (aka church events coordinator), and I stated I knew that I couldn’t use flash, but how high would the lights be turned up? The Reverend (we’ll stick with that for now) overheard this conversation and said, “Of COURSE you can use flash!” I looked nervously at the church lady (let’s just say I’d been warned she was a little stern), and said “Really? You don’t mind?” And he replied with a hearty, “Not at all! I’m the boss! I make the rules.” I think I might have said that I loved him, then I quickly backtracked, realizing that MAY have come out just a BIT too effusive. I did thank him heartily (as the church lady put forth a few more stipulations about WHEN I couldn’t use the flash), but I was giddy that I would be able to capture some otherwise difficult-to-get shots.

I had pre-scouted the area around Laguna Hills for a good place to get formal portraits, and had been referred to the Community Center in Laguna Hills. Huge soccer fields, a beautiful little water fountain area, and a playground next to which I found… a charming covered (but open) gazebo-like area with glowing foliage and the cover overhead gave the most gorgeous illumination to everyone’s faces. Jessica just glowed! I know it could have been the stellar lighting conditions, but I’m betting that the events of the day contributed to her beauty that day as well.

The rest of the night was about the celebration. I was especially touched by the grace and humor of the “Man of Honor’s” speech. (Jessica had her brother in place of a Maid of Honor) He told about their “sci-fi Sundays” and was worried when Jess got married that they wouldn’t be able to continue the tradition. To which he continued that Jessica told Jeremy (the Man of Honor) that Justin watches football on Sundays, so not to worry! Sci-Fi Sundays would remain untouched and intact. (Sci-fi? My kinda people!)

So without further ado, watch as Justin & Jessica celebrate their big day. Beautiful people, inside and out, made this just a wonderful and fun day to shoot. Thanks Justin & Jess, for your trust and faith in me to help capture your special day!