Yuki lives in Japan and met Justin while he was traveling there.  The chemistry was instant, though Justin had to come back to LA.  I’ve always admired couples who could make a long distance relationship work.  I think it takes two very independent people, who are at the same time strongly connected to each other.  Yuki planned their whole wedding from Japan!  They had a beautiful wedding day at the Trump National Golf Club, with help from her fab coordinator at Tolain Studio.

I saw this book in her hotel room and thought it was very appropriate for her destination wedding here:

Yuki’s sister SEWED all of the bridesmaid dresses & her own dress!  Aren’t they adorable???  I LOVE that bow on her back!  The entire wedding party & family flew in from Japan for this special occasion.

Yuki wanted *no one* to see her in her wedding dress before the ceremony, besides her immediate family.  Not even her maid of honor saw her until she walked down the aisle!  We hid her in the limo until it was her turn to walk!

I just adore her wedding party!  They’re all so cute!  Looks like they just walked out of a Japanese fashion magazine.

Since they didn’t do a first look, Yuki planned almost a 3 hour gap in between for photos.  I recommend considering a large gap if you plan to skip the first look!  We were able to get photos at their church, at the lighthouse, and then at their reception venue.

Guests were greeted into the reception with customized fortune cookies:

In house bakery did an amazing job with the wedding cake and macaroons!

yum…

Trump’s ballroom is so gorgeous.  So ornate – I wouldn’t expect anything less from Trump!

My first time seeing half a duck served at a wedding!

Congrats to the two love birds on such a heartfelt day.  Everything was so beautiful, just like their relationship.  I wish them all the best on their new adventure together in Japan!!

The Wayfarers Chapel is such a gorgeous backdrop.  You can’t beat a glass chapel on a cliff that overlooks the ocean.

This is one of my favorite portraits of the day.

I also love these portraits we got outside of the chapel.  Such gorgeous trees!

Then we headed to The Reef in Long Beach where they had a beautiful reception.  Escort cards were hung on a tree.  Marbleized swirls on their cake with cute bows.  And more calla lilies!

There was a great view of downtown Long Beach from the patio.  Nelson and Jamia framed one of the photos from our engagement session and had guest sign around the mat.

You know how DJ/MCs commonly have guest pass a dollar around the table to see who will win the centerpiece?  Well, it was hilarious when the DJ had the winner of the dollar bring the dollar up and give it to Jamia.  I love this photo Jonathan caught of Jamia with her dollar bills!

I love the drapings from the chandelier.  It made a great first dance photo!

Love their little cake topper!

And a bouquet toss with all the single ladies…

Nelson and Jamia, thank you so much for letting us be a part of your beautiful wedding day!  You both have such loving and wonderful family and friends.  Enjoy marriage life and I look forward to seeing many more milestones!  xoxo

I’ll start with part 1 of Nelson & Jamia’s beautiful wedding at Wayfarer Chapel in Palos Verdes.  We started at their apartment where Jamia’s bridesmaids helped her get ready.

I love their red couch!

We then did their first look at Wayfarer Chapel.  I love how Nelson beamed when he saw Jamia!

I love it when couples do a first look because we get lots of time for portraits.  It’s also a great way to share an intimate moment together alone and really soak up that first look.

I really love seeing them together.  They find comfort in each other – a good place to be.

Then it was time to line up for the ceremony!  Cute little flower girl was curious and anxious for the ceremony to begin.

And I’ll leave you with Jamia and her father about to enter…

Stay tuned for the ceremony & reception!!  And I have some personal photos to blog about too.    Fun times!

I love it when couples choose to have a first look before the ceremony. It’s such an emotional moment for them and gives them time to soak in the moment.

I love the way she looks at him.  I can see how much she adores him here.

And he adores her just as much.

We also had the opportunity to take these cool “Thank You” photos before the ceremony.

And then time for the ceremony! I love how Stacy’s mom & dad both walked her down the aisle.

It was evident how close Stacy & her dad are.

Wayfarers is such a gorgeous chapel! What a beautiful backdrop!

It was so great to work with Joe from Today’s the Day.  I actually had tried to hire him for our own wedding, but he was already booked.  Even though he was booked, he gave us great tips on how to make our own montage and we are very thankful for his diy tips.  It was great to finally meet him in person.

After the ceremony, we just had to take a photo to capture the beautiful trees.  I love the beauty that surrounds them.

And I totally LOVE the photos we were able to get before reception!  I love it when couples plan lots of time in between for photos.  It gives them time to unwind and relax before the party begins.

Wasn’t it such a perfect day?

When Stacy first contacted me, she was unsure of her location.  She sent me an email to say that she has decided on Wayfarers Chapel, but needed a reception location.  This happened to be right after I shot for Bistro 767, so I was going to email her the suggestion when she wrote another email telling me that she just visited my blog and saw that I had JUST blogged about Bistro 767!  It was totally meant to be!

They had a super cute, creamed color cake with sugar plumerias all over.  The delicious cake was made by none other than Kings Hawaiian Bakery.

Really touching maid of honor speech by her sister.

And Stacy’s father shedding tears of joy during the speeches.  I love weddings!

Congrats Stacy & Lee!

Even the smaller task of preparing a thank you photo for them got me stuck.  I narrowed my favorites down to two, but now can’t decide.  Can you all help Stacy & Lee decide which photo to send out please?

#1:

#2: