Our Wedding – The Full Post :)

To be honest, I was never the type of little girl to think about my wedding day. Some girls growing up would throw a pillow case on their head and pretend it was a bridal veil, not me. I never really thought about it. That’s not to say I never thought I’d get married- I knew I would. I just never thought about how it would look or the details I’d incorporate- it was difficult for me to imagine. Even after being in this industry for years, attending weddings every weekend for stretches of time, paying close attention to the wedding details as I photographed them for my clients… I still could never seem to think about what I would want. Sometimes I’d even think that maybe I’d just elope in some amazing destination with my groom… Then, I met Brian. And all that changed. We instantly connected and if you ask any of my friends who spoke to me the day after our first date, they’d tell you I had just met someone really special. Like I didn’t remember what life was like before I met him. Like we each instantly knew we were each others’ perfect partner in life.

I honestly think that after our second date I could already see flashes of what our wedding day would be like- relaxed, intimate, the lights twinkling outside as the sun goes down over the party. Our families, close friends. Him in a gray suit, me in an off-white dress, promising to love, honor, cherish and share our lives with each other forever. Simple, unique flowers. Lots of laughter and happy tears. Everyone celebrating together having a good time. I knew so quickly that that’s what I wanted and that that’s what was in store for us. Brian, luckily, shared my vision. 🙂

Honestly, date two – that magical date we had at the Griffith Observatory. “I’m going to experience so many things with you,” he said. I knew he was right- it was meant to be.

We entertained the idea of a woodsy wedding at a little cabin up in the mountains- somewhere where we could have a campfire going for the afterparty. But we soon realized that most cabins in the nearby mountains were designed in the 80s and it was really difficult to find one we loved. Then, I thought about Palm Springs and it was so perfect I couldn’t believe I hadn’t envisioned that all along. The sun, the mountains, the blue skies. The relaxed feeling of the desert destination. The mid-century modern architecture we both totally love. Palm Springs fit our personalities so perfectly that once we thought of it there was no other option. We knew we wanted small and intimate- just our families and closest friends- so we found a private home that was perfect for that kind of celebration. Once we had that, everything else just fell into place.

I found my dress in about 30 minutes at a boutique near my parents’ place on a quick trip with my mom and sister. It was the second dress I tried on and we all instantly thought it was perfect. Again, I never could really picture my wedding dress- but I knew that this would be the one. I loved the super simple silhouette with the elegant-yet-modern sunburst pleating on the front and pleated chiffon skirt. After a few minor tweaks (like removing the rhinestone belt, for example) it was ready and I loved it.

Now, onto the thing very near and dear to my heart… the photos. One thing I’ve most consistently been asked since getting into this business is “Who would you want to shoot your wedding?” I think every wedding photographer has been asked that a thousand times. Some people know for sure their answer. Honestly, my answer changed all the time depending on whose work I was particularly loving at that time. And, never being able to envision what my day would be like made answering that question even tougher. But, once we were engaged and started discussing what our wedding day would be like, the choice of photographer became obvious. Meg Perotti and I have been friends for nearly 10 years now (which, by the way, thinking about makes me feel old). We met in the dorms our freshman year of college and shared so many memories together that year. Our lives drifted for a bit and then reconnected in a way that we knew couldn’t be random- and then we somehow ended up getting into the same profession at the same time- separately. But, together. For years now we’ve been inseparable having this business in common, but also so much more. We can scarily finish each others’ sentences. We can communicate with each other without saying a word. It’s weird- we’re the first to admit it- but it’s fun and so special and I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it.

I knew that I wouldn’t want anyone else to be there to be part of our intimate day but her as I knew nobody else could see it the way she would having known me so well for so long. If we were having a big wedding with a wedding party and all the bells and whistles, Meg would have most definitely been a bridesmaid as I was in her wedding in 2010. But, since we didn’t want to have the full bridal party with our wedding was going to be so small, I knew that I had to have her photograph it. I asked her over Skype and after the surprise and slightly nervous laugh, she graciously said “Yes, of course!” My wedding plans were complete. 🙂

These are the images she captured that day, the best day of Brian’s and my life. It was truly our perfect wedding day complete with an appropriate amount of chaos. It was a day we’ll fondly remember forever. Make sure you check out Meg’s blog post about the day for more images and her perspective!

My mom, sister and I got ready at The Horizon Hotel. It had the perfect simple, mid-century modern feel. Love Meg’s reflection in the image on the right. 🙂

 

How pretty is my sister?

 

 

Michele of Fiore Beauty did my hair and makeup. Fiore is honestly the best hair and makeup studio ever- I’ve worked with them many times and they were the perfect choice for my wedding day.

 

 

My groom looking so handsome. 🙂

We did a First Look- it was the best moment.

 

 

 

 

The flowers were SO amazing and designed by the lovely Luna of Arrangements Floral & Party Design. I had worked with them a few times and have become good friends with Luna- I knew she was the perfect choice for flowers as I wanted simple and unique. Her work stunned everyone that night.

And a great shot of Meg and I on the right. Thanks to Brian for taking it.

 

 

 

Love.

 

More amazing, fun flowers by Luna.

The ceremony. I cried. A lot.

 

 

Married!!

 

Brian’s cousin Corey on the left was our officiant and his best man. My sister was my maid of honor. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was relaxed and intimate and the lights twinkled outside as the sun went down over the party. We had our families and close friends there. Brian in a gray suit, me in an off-white dress as we promised to love, honor, cherish and share our lives with each other forever. The simple, unique flowers adorned the tables. There were lots of laughter and happy tears. Everyone celebrated together and had a good time. Just like we had envisioned. 🙂

 

::sigh:: Meg, thank you thank you for these amazing images. We’ll look at them lovingly forever. xoxo