Posts in Wedding
Brittany + Brendan

I didn't want to shoot this wedding.

I wanted to self-invite and enjoy the wedding as a guest. I knew I was going to love this couple after months of numerous e-mails and a Skype call, and Brittany and Brendan made that true when we first met in person a couple of days before their wedding at The 1909 in Topanga. They have a huge love affair with food (just like me!), and both of them are earnest and warmhearted people who could not take their eyes off of each other the entire emotion-filled day and night.

It was Brendan's first time EVER to wear a suit, and their first time to get any "professional" photos taken. It was certainly the most relaxing wedding I've ever been to and worked at, and was a wedding of how I would imagine for my own in the future - filled with love, celebration, good music and yummy food.

Brittany and Brendan met each other through a mutual friend about 4 years ago. On their first date, they had tacos and discussed the future of Facebook. (She works for Facebook and he is in the tech industry), then they did that on the second date as well and they seem to do that all the time. Then, two summers ago, he surprised her with a ring in Hawaii.

"I didn't say 'yes' at first, and I apologized for that," Brittany said. "We started a philosophical discussion about marriage, proposal, and engagement. And 10 minutes into it, I'm saying 'yes,'"

"We make each other better and more ourselves. I know I'm more honest, silly, vulnerable and confident because of Brittany," Brendan said.

I still can't forget those many moments when they stared at each other's eyes so lovingly and exchanged adorable smiles. I'm very lucky to have met kindred and loving spirits like Brittany and Brendan and to learn how to draw joy, hope and inspiration out of what I'm surrounded in most humble way. Thank you, again, and congratulations!! Yay!

Beena + Peter
"Everyone always says you should marry your best friend... I'm so very happy that I get to do just that." - Beena

It was 15 years ago when Beena and Peter first met at UCSB.

"She was a girl clearly in love, and I was a little hesitant at the intensity of the vibes she was sending my way... As you all know, I'm a bit shy," Peter said, describing the first moment he met Beena.

Unfortunately, Beena has a different story.

"One weekend, a few of our friends planned a trip to Magic Mountain. Peter lived near me so picked me up and we drove together. If you guys know Peter you’ll know he, one way or another, gets more information out of you than you were ever planning on telling him. In the hour car ride back to campus he somehow manipulated me into becoming his best friend," Beena said.

"From that point on I have shared some of my happiest, saddest, and most rewarding moments with him."

As getting to know both of them, a small reminder has surfaced in my head; true friendship is the foundation of a great relationship and is an investment of time spent learning to communicate and assessing your compatibility. We don't typically choose to have friends we have nothing in common with, instead, our friends are chosen based on respect, the fun we have when we're together and whether their values are similar to our own. With these criteria, Beena and Peter absolutely have the essence of what makes any long-term romantic relationship successful. Such a great honor documenting their special day!

BIG BIG congratulations!! Woohooo!

Ryan + Chuck. Hollywood-red-carpet-themed wedding
No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. - Supreme Court

Ryan and Chuck tied the knot shortly after the Supreme Court's ruling to make the same-sex marriage a right nationwide. Their Hollywood-red-carpet-themed wedding was simply festive, filled with love, emotions and celebration. Go ahead; feel their love.

Love wins. Really. Always.