When planning our wedding, we seriously considered eloping and/or having a destination wedding.  However, the look on my dad’s face when I told him there would be no big party was enough to guilt me into planning a huge wedding.   I ended up loving the wedding planning process and would totally do it again, but I’ve always dreamed of doing a cool destination wedding too.  Perhaps for our anniversary. 

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Trish and Geoff packed their bags and brought their cute doggy along for a road trip.  They drove from Canada (Calgary), stopping along the coast and eventually resting in Santa Monica.  They rented a cute apartment and lived by the beach for a month.  At the end of their month stay, they had a very intimate wedding in Malibu, and then drove back to Calgary, stopping by Yosemite on the way home.  Romantic, isn’t it??  So this is their day…

Isn’t Trish so gorgeous?  I love her blue shawl and her tropical/exotic orange bouquet.

We headed down to Leo Carillo State Beach in Malibu.  In case you’re wondering, yes, we did need a permit to shoot here.

It was a beautiful partly cloudy day.  We got there early (just in case of traffic).  Geoff immediately wanted to play on the rocks.  They kicked off their sandals and ran onto the beach while Chris, the officiant, prepped.

And then it was time for their ceremony!

When I said intimate wedding, I meant the 4 of us – Bride, Groom, The Officiant Guy, and the photographer.

No witnesses needed if you have a thumb print to notarize it!

And then you even get a handy guide to marriage after – Your Future Together.  I heard part of the book explains why domestic violence is bad, amongst other things.

I love that diptych.

Her beautiful bouquet was made with orange calla lilies and bird of paradise.

Looks like a beautiful calm beach, doesn’t it?  It actually was a really scary climb to get here.  And the waves were crashing really hard so we had to time the waves before running across the rocks.  On the way back, I did slip and in trying to protect my cameras I fell on my bum (I was wearing a dress) and slid a quarter of the way down.  My bum got scratched up!  Was that TMI?  But the scenery was all worth it!

And we found a poor shark washed up shore.    Made me sad.  A seagull was picking at it, so Geoff picked it up and threw it back into the water.

There was no intention of getting wet, but the waves were really violent that day.  I love this photo of them running back to shore.  Trish & I were freaked out but Geoff was loving it!

And I love this photo of Trish jumping in front of the sunset.

And then the sun came peaking out at the end of our evening.  So romantic!

I love watching the sky change as the sun sets.  There was this big rock that Geoff and Trish climbed and the rock was totally dry when they climbed it – suddenly, this HUGE wave totally came out of no where and crashed onto them!

Since they were soaked anyway, I had them stay on for one last photo.  I love the sky in this last photo.

Congrats you two an a beautiful marriage.  I loved sharing this adventure with you and yes, you do hold the title for most adventure shoot to date.  May your lives be filled with more adventures together!

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I invite you to share in Jennifer & Matthew’s beautiful wedding at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.  It was full of culture, beauty, and tons of DIY!

Her beautiful dress above is a traditional Korean dress called a hanbok, but with a modern twist.  It was designed by the talented Kim Mehee, who designed Sandra Oh’s dress for the SAG awards.  The colors just make me smile!

So crazy part… Jennifer DIY’ed all her flowers!  Check out these cute boutonnieres she made with peacock feathers.

AND she made her own bouquet!!  amazing, isn’t it??  Want to know a secret?  They are fake flowers.  O_O  Can you tell?  I saw them in person and couldn’t even tell!  They were even real to the touch!

I love it when couples give lots of time beforehand for portraits.  I know the garden is beautiful, but check out this gorgeous field I found!  I’m a sucker for open fields!

And then some portraits in the beautiful garden.  I just love her bouquet and his boutonniere.

Isn’t the garden just so dreamy?  I LOVE it!

She decorated with lots of cultural touches – her guestbook was a scroll, programs in a chest, and the Japanese garden lent itself to the Asian theme well.  And then the ceremony began!

Her beautiful cake was by Rossmoor.   Look at the detail on the cherry blossoms!  I love her cherry blossom cake!

Congrats you two on the perfect wedding for the perfect marriage!

Other people who made this day possible:

Dress: Custom made from Kim Mehee Korean Dress Boutique
Cake: Rossmoore Pastries
MC/DJ: Event Plus (James Baek)
Videographer: Alumiq (the talented Anthony Vu and Josh Tran)
Makeup & Hair: Jessica from Hairday

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This has been featured on:

Rock ‘n Roll Bride

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Connie and Auny met in 10th grade… in 6th period Chemistry.   She called him for help, only to realize that he was just as lost.  Neither of them knew at the time, but this was really just the beginning of their Chemistry.  They grew up only a block away from each other, but when she went to UCLA and he went to UCSD, they went from a block apart to 100 miles apart.  It’s true when they say distance makes the heart grow fonder because it wasn’t until they were seperated that they realized how perfect they truely are for each other.  And 9 years later, here we are!

They’ve spent the last few years working/in school in downtown LA, so it was only appropriate to shoot there.  We started at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and then ran off to DWP, where Auny currently works.

We even had some fun with lights after dark.

One last photo taken by Jonathan with a 24TS lens.

Congrats you two on this next journey together!  Can’t wait for your big day!!

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Hope you’re all enjoying this beautiful summer afternoon!

Go hang out with your loved ones and enjoy every moment of it!

Stay tuned for this engagement session!… amongst others!

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Liz and Eugene had a beautiful wedding at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown LA.  They are both some of the most selfless people I have met.  They are both in nonprofit and dedicated to social justice.  I was inspired by the commitment that they and their loved ones have for social justice.  And when two selfless people get together, you know they are both in very good hands.

One super cool fact is that Eugene had a huge role in the wedding planning.  Liz said he was the one who took care of all the details and scheduling.  I love that he incorporated one of his hobbies – Lego.  I LOVE all the Lego details that he incorporated!  And I LOVE Liz’s diamond jewelery and Christian Louboutin.

Eugene even got all the guys Lego cuff links!  So what does one do with lego cuff links?  Put Yoda & a stormtrooper on for the ride!

Their logo was a Lego heart.  And their slogan?  …Building our love … brick by brick.  so cute and clever!

hehehe… i love the signature red soles!

Their candy bar had Lego candy!  Love their custom baggies!

Eugene even built their cake topper!  I love an involved groom!

Their flowers were all DIY by a family friend.  gorgeous, isn’t it?

And I just love this next diptych!

Congrats Eugene & Liz!!!  It was so amazing to be amongst so much LOVE!  You two have the biggest heart ever.  Keep up all the amazing work you do!

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