Jennifer & Benjamin // Orebro, Sweden Wedding

Three international flights+one 2 hour bus ride later, and my built-in second shooter (husband) and I have arrived in Orebro, the seventh largest city in Sweden and home to a medieval castle, better known as Orebro Castle. This city is where Jennifer and Benjamin will be getting married the following day, and that castle that I keep humble-bragging about is where their wedding reception will be taking place. I did as much Google image-stalking as possible prior to this trip, but nothing could have prepared me for the beauty of this day, this town, and most of all, Jennifer & Benjamin's love story that unfolded in front of my very eyes. Not even going to lie: I fell in love with Sweden about .2 seconds after I arrived, and more specifically, Orebro. Jennifer and Benjamin's wedding was a cultural experience in and of itself, and a beautiful homage to Benjamin's Swedish ethnicity. I watched in amazement as customary, Swedish traditions played out (ex: when the groom leaves the room, male wedding guests quickly form a line and swiftly kiss the bride until the groom returns, and vice versa), and I had the incredible opportunity to take a short cab ride with the bride and groom to capture the essence of the local village, featuring the "Falu Red"-dyed paint, a hue that is specific to Sweden. Much of this day felt (and looked) like a medieval fairytale, and I am so thankful for Jennifer and Benjamin for giving me an opportunity to both see and capture such a marvelous (other) side of the world. I'm already nostalgic for this day, for this couple, and the sheer beauty that draped ever square inch of this day. Forever thankful to these two for letting me tag along and showing me the adventure of a lifetime.

Avisha & Ron // Puerto Vallarta Wedding

"80% chance of thunderstorms" is usually somewhere near the top 10 list of wedding photographers worst fears, the night before said outdoor wedding, especially one that is set in a location that boasts exotic, jungle terrain and meant to be enjoyed near picturesque, white-sand beaches. It is the day before Avisha and Ron's Puerto Vallarta destination wedding, and I am on my way to their rehearsal dinner where I would be meeting them in person for the first time, prepared to bring all the good vibes and weather luck for the following day, but being open to idea that the impending forecast might literally put a damper on their wedding day, and thus their spirits. Upon arrival (sweat dripping down my actual face, about 10 levels past "dewy"), I was greeted by the bride's sister, Amira, who graciously showed me around the small, yet expansive property of Villa Verano, a 17,000 square foot estate on an acre & a half of a beachfront private paradise. A few moments later, Avisha arrived, greeting me with a giant hug, and it was clear in an instant that her and Ron had a "zero cares" attitude regarding the ominous forecast for the following day, and from that moment on, I only witnessed the happiest, calmest energy from the couple and every single one of their guests as they all proceeded to have an amazing time in a magical place, celebrating each other along with their community of supporters. I left their rehearsal dinner feeling so inspired for whatever the next day would hold, umbrellas and all, knowing my subjects were already just so happy to marry each other, and that type of energy is so much more important to capture over less-than-ideal weather conditions. So remember that whole, "80% chance of thunderstorms" on every.single.weather.app? It never happened. Not even a drop. I greeted Avisha in her room that next morning, and brought as many of her details outside as possible, thinking that I could at least get some images of the Puerto Vallarta landscape in the background prior to the weather turning. But then the whole day turned into taking shots outside, and never once did we need to scramble for shelter or overhangs, and instead, we all just had the best day ever. My "work" day honestly just felt like I was hanging with a bunch of awesome friends who occasionally like to jump in a pool with all of their wedding clothes on, and I mean it when I say Avisha and Ron were the most laid-back couple, who completely trusted me to do my thing with absolutely no questions asked. This wedding was only a few months ago, yet I'm already nostalgic for this day, and I desperately need this couple to renew their vows every single year, and with all of these same people, in this exact spot. Cheers to this lovely, outrageously sweet couple who made my Puerto Vallarta dreams come true, and THANK YOU for sharing all those churros with me. I may or may not have eaten more than my fair share??Venue: Villa VeranoPlanning: Mar WeddingsDress: Laudae Bride

Whitney & Alex // Nestldown Wedding

Once upon a time (aka last year), I was chatting with a photographer friend Jessica, and I was telling her about the time I thought it was a good idea to have a bunch of booked weddings close to/around my due date of May 2017. This is also when I learned that Jessica was currently pregnant and in the same predicament with booked weddings that I was in last year, and I did my best to support her and advise against the stress I put myself through leading up to my due date. Long story short, this is how I inherited this lovely couple, and how I wound up at this unicorn of a wedding venue, and I kind of feel like I owe Jessica my second born child for giving me this wedding day and this stunning couple (although she just had her baby...probably not the best thing to gift her at this moment).Whitney and Alex's wedding day was something out of an actual, real-life fairytale (FernGully, to be exact). The morning of their wedding day started with unexpected scattered showers, and instead of it working against us or hindering my work environment, the fresh rain added the right amount of dew to the surrounding landscape, and I loved the pockets of subdued light we were able to find. Beyond the stunning property, both Whitney and Alex had the calmest energy, and I'll never forget seeing them together for the very first time during their First Look, and how their chemistry was almost electric. Although they hardly knew me, they didn't let that stop them from being wholeheartedly themselves in front of the camera, and their bliss was the easiest thing in the world to capture.Cheers to this incredible couple, and thank you for letting me be a part of your genuinely magical day. P.S. Do fairies live on this property? NEED TO KNOW.Special thanks to all the incredible vendors who helped to make this day even more magical:Catering: Poetry in Motion CateringFloral: Apis Floral Videographer: Steelhead CinemaDJ/Band: Los Gatos DJHair: Cynthia JacobMakeup: Doreen RosasCake/Desserts: Icing on the Cake

Courtney & Erick//Rancho Victoria Vineyard Wedding

After a rough past month of enduring a total website crash and losing every.single.blog.post. I've ever written, I'm finally done weeping about it, and ready to get back to gushing about the weddings I've been shooting this season, and the incredible people I've been meeting along the way. Courtney and Erick, beyond being two of the kindest human beings I think I've ever known, had an absolute breathtaking, flawless wedding day with so many fun, vivid colors and a zillion other details that I am still daydreaming about. The sweeping views of the local vineyards and sprawling hillside made for an unreal backdrop, and they couldn't have been more at ease, even after I pressured them to climb up a fence while wearing the opposite of climbing-attire. I love how they incorporated their Mexican culture with details like a live mariachi band, authentic Mexican food, and a churro station that guests literally RAN over to (just kiddding, it was me), and the succulent cupcakes were something out of Willy Wonka's factory. I may or may not have to ice my feet after a long wedding day, but boy is it always worth it when you get to work with total sweethearts like Courtney and Erick, who make you miss their wedding even just one day after it's over.Special thanks to all the (extremely) talented vendors who turned this day into a visual masterpiece:Venue: Rancho Victoria VineyardPlanner: Jenn Robirds EventsRentals/decor: Tin Roof FarmhouseLinens: La TovolaFlorals: Thistle & HoneyCake: Go West BakingBride's Hair: Tina RomoBride's Makeup: Shana Beals