When an American girl falls in love with a Costa Rican man, the best thing to do is throw an awesome beach wedding in Costa Rica! I was so grateful to accompany MacKenzie and Carlos to Tamarindo, Costa Rica for their beautiful wedding. Partly because it was such a gorgeous and exotic place, but mostly because MacKenzie and Carlos are two of the most generous, thoughtful people I've had the pleasure of working for. The love between them is so obvious and tangible. MacKenzie and Carlos met while MacKenzie was working in Costa Rica, where Carlos is from, and they currently live in America. Despite the distance, for the American family as well as the Costa Rican family, so many friends and family made it down for this wonderful celebration. Which was a good thing because family members and friends played huge roles in the wedding. MacKenzie's aunt and cousin decorated the cake with hand crafted sugar flowers and succulents. MacKenzie's friend did her hair, makeup and was the English speaking officiant, and Carlos' cousin was the Spanish speaking officiant. I think MacKenzie said it best in her vows. That a life split between two families in two different countries speaking two different languages is bound to be messy, but it's absolutely worth it.
Lyndsi & Ryan /
It was such a beautiful day to be at Lavender Ridge Reno. Every year this venue does big projects and adds little touches that make my job of capturing the beauty so easy. And the flowers provided by Sparks Florist matched the lavender decor perfectly. Lynsdi and Ryan made my job so easy too because they were just so chill, so happy, so willing to get close and kiss for intimate photos and so ready to party! Their first dance was to 'Don't Stop Believing' by Journey, and as the DJ put it, you know it's going to be a good party when that is the first song! Secret Sevice Catering provided the perfect party food (pizza!) and Lyndsi's grandmother actually made and decorated the cake herself (photo below!). My favorite party of this day was when the best man was giving his speech and he mentioned how acrobatic Ryan. Then, he said he thought he might be able to convince Ryan to do a standing back flip, and Ryan stood up where he was and he actually did it! Dress clothes and all!
Venue: Lavender Ridge Reno Flowers: Sparks Florist Dress: Alfred Angelo
Caterer: Secret Service Catering
Katherine & Thomas /
I hope I can find words to do Tom and Katie's wedding justice since it's was almost too good for words (luckily there are plenty of photos if I can't find the words)! Red Carpet Events did a spectacular job setting up a glamorous event with clear tents, billowing drapery, and chandeliers at Tom's parent's house which has an unbeatable view of the Reno skyline. Derby Supply Co. came to the house and gave the groom and all the groomsmen haircuts and straight razor shaves, a nice way for the guys to feel relaxed and looking good the same way the bride and bridesmaid do with with hair and makeup. Ladida Beauty did a great job hair and makeup, as always, and Katie looked so stunning, her father cried when he saw her. During the reception, the videographer Jessi Lemay and I noted how the father daughter dance between Katie and her father was one of the sweetest things we'd ever seen. The only thing that might have been sweeter was seeing Tom with his and Katie's daughter and the way she always reaches for him, snuggles up to him and smiles at him. One of my favorite parts of the whole night was when Tom's grandfather got our his accordion and played a few songs as Tom and Katie danced along. It's a family tradition for him to play at all the family weddings and it was so much fun to see and to photograph.
Event Planners/Coordinators: Red Carpet Event and Design Barbers: Derby Supply Co.
Hair & Makeup: Ladida Beauty Dress: Swoon Bridal Party Rentals: Camelot Party Rentals
Flowers: St Ives Florist Signage and DJs: Do Well Events Catering: Roundabout Catering
Cake: Isabel's Bakery Live Band: Kyle Rea Music Videography: Jessi Lemay
Stephanie & Aaron /
Stephanie and Aaron were the perfect couple to get married in one on my favorite spots in town, Galena Creek Park. One of their wedding colors was forest green which LOVE, especially in forest venue! Stephanie and Aaron love the outdoors and they love to fish (their ring box was a little wooden boat!) and they love teaching their adorable son to appreciate nature too. My favorite part was during when they did a sand ceremony (two sands of different colors are poured by the bride and groom into a vessel), but what was so special about this one was that their son had his own color of sand that he was able to add to the vessel too!
Venue: Galena Creek Fish Hatchery Hair: Amy Asteriadis Food: Roundabout Catering
Lauren & Kyle /
So many people and businesses came together to make Lauren and Kyle's wedding an absolutely beautiful event, but I don't anything was as beautiful as Lauren and Kyle themselves. They are two of the most genuinely sweet and kind people I've had the pleasure of working with. They are high school sweethearts and have been together for nine years. Everyone's speeches included praise for Lauren and Kyle as individuals and confidence in their strength as a couple. Though it's hard to choose a favorite part of this day, I it would be the sparker send off. At the end of the evening, Lauren changed into her mother's wedding dress and for the grand exit and it couldn't have been more magical!
Venue: Edgewood Tahoe Event Planners: Blue Sky Events Flowers: Thran's Flowers DJ: Lake DJ
Hair: Carly Gurinskas, Courtney Elcano, Lokal Salon Make Up: Jennifer Ergut, Kiss & Make Up
Officiant: Jackie Phillips
Shelby & Travis /
Last year I went with Shelby and Travis to David Wally's Hot Springs Resort to take engagement photos. It was really neat for them to be able to display those engagement photos at their wedding and to take photos in the same places on their wedding day. Shelby and Travis were so fun to photograph. They are so fun and funny with each other, they were constantly making jokes and cuddling up to each other which made it very easy for me to capture genuine smiles from them. I don't know if I've ever photographed two people with such big smiles on their faces the entire time! These two have been together for a long time, and it was very evident how happy everyone was that they were finally able to tie the knot. Congrats Shelby and Travis!
Alison & Scott /
I am so grateful that I was able to photograph Alison and Scott's wedding. It was a beautiful day and the event took place at The Outdoor Art Club in Mill Valley, California. Formed in 1902, The Outdoor Art Club's mission is to preserve the natural scenery of Mill Valley and the surrounding country. You can imagine how beautiful the grounds of a clubhouse dedicated to preserving the beauty of nature were. We had no shortage of perfect photo spots. Alison's and Scott's dads officiated the wedding together. Alison and Scott had no idea what their dads were going to say during the ceremony, but they certainly did not disappoint. After a friendly competition where each dad talked about why his kid was the better of the two, they each talked about what marriage has meant to them in each of their lives. In honor of all their guests, Alison and Scott made donations UNICEF and The National Park Foundation. It was such a cool idea and a truly meaningful party favor.
Nicole & Kiel /
As the bridesmaids and groomsmen said in their speeches, Nicole and Kiel are two of the sweetest, most pure of heart people you could meet. My favorite part of their story is involves a bench on the UNR quad. This bench is where they met up to go on their first date, it's where they'd meet in between classes. It's where Kiel told Nicole to meet him right before her proposed to her at the Mackay statue. We took engagement photos at that bench and at the end of the wedding night, we went to the bench and took photos in their wedding attire. I hope they are able to go back to that bench for years to come and remember how it all started.
location: The Grove videography: Barrel 9 Media cake: Dee's Bakery dj: Sierra Pro Events
Marilee & Adam /
Marilee and Adam's wedding day was windy and cold, but it made the pictures all the better! Marilee wore a faux fur shawl over her dress and the bridesmaids wore pink tartan shawls which, along with their windblown hair, the green grass, cloudy skies and snow on the mountains, made it feel like were were somewhere in Scotland. The funniest part of the day happened in the middle of the ceremony when a car drove by and someone yelled out the window, "Don't do it!" No one was sure how to react, but when Marilee started laughing everyone else did too. It's always nice when a couple can take those things in stride and turn little wedding mishaps into fun memories.
Location: David Wally's Hot Springs Resort, Genoa, Nevada
Hair & Makeup: Rebecca Schembri
Music: Daryl Funn
Sarah & Jacob /
What a great wedding to kick off my 2017 Reno wedding season with! The Peppermill is always so exquisite so take photos in and we didn't have to worry about any sort of weather interfering with the photos! Jacob and Sarah put so much attention into the details of their wedding, from the gifts Sarah gave her bridesmaids to the centerpieces to the cute Mr. & Mrs. wine, champagne and shot glasses. And while the toasts were tearful, the dancing was all smiles!
Kayla & Chris /
I couldn't imagine a better wedding on which to end my 2016 season. For Kayla and Chris' engagement photos, we did something I've never done before; we went to the old train tunnels in Truckee. It was cold, it was snowing and there was water raining down from the tunnel ceiling, but Chris and Kayla were willing to go into and on top of the tunnels and it made for some of the coolest engagement photos I've ever taken. They are such a light-hearted, easy-going couple. They fit so well together. And as I listened to their vows and the speeches made during the reception, it became clear that everyone else recognized their connection as much as I did.
Morgan & Corey /
Morgan and Corey's wedding day was a beautiful, warm, colorful fall day at Toiyabe Golf Club. The purple, orange and yellow flowers by A Floral Affair perfectly matched all the changing leaves as did the decorations of pumpkins, leaves twigs and floating candles. Morgan and Corey are so sweet and playful with each other. They were so fun to work with because they were obviously so blissfully happy to be getting married. My favorite part of this day was the picture we took of Morgan and Corey's unique and special matching tattoos that say "Until The Very End"
Jen & Jason /
I was so glad Jen and Jason were willing to brave the rain to take some photos amongst the beautiful fall colors. Friends and family also braved the weather for an intimate ceremony where everyone was able to gather together under their umbrellas and watch Jen and Jason exchange vows that made people tear up. So many friends and family came together to help put on the wedding and the weekend events, and I was happy to be one of those friends. Congratulations Jen and Jason, you guys put on a heck of a party!
Barbara & Daniel /
Barbara and Daniel's wedding was so fun for me to photograph for so many different reasons. First and foremost was that Barbara and Daniel were so nice to work for; very happy, positive and easy-going. Second, the location (Tahoe-Donner Golf Club) was beautiful and they also made time the day after their wedding to get dressed up again and go to Tahoe for some more photos. After-wedding photo shoots are great if you want photos in a different location or if there isn't enough time on your wedding day for the quality of photos you want. But my favorite thing about Daniel and Barbara's wedding was the toasts. To me, the toasts are the things that mean the most at weddings. It's the time for friends and family to share memories, stories and to share their love and support for the couple as they begin a new life together. The speeches at Barbara and Daniel's wedding were funny, moving and really made the wedding so special and meaningful.
Reanna & Adam /
I've known Reanna for years, and she has been dating Adam ever since I met her. So it was wonderful to see them finally tie the knot! It was a beautiful fall day (the second official day of fall in fact!) and the flowers by A Floral Affair perfectly matched the autumn theme. Reno Mobile DJs created a rocking reception and guests were dancing till the very end. They had and ice cream bar for dessert which was so fun and different. And even though Adam is not the biggest fan of taking photos, it was easy to capture great shots of him whenever he looked at Reanna.
TJ & Brian /
The word that comes to mind when I think about TJ and Brian's wedding is unbelievable. Everything about TJ's wedding day look was perfect; her hair, her makeup, her dress and vail. She truly looked unbelievably beautiful. And I think Brian still finds it pretty unbelievable that he got to marry such a beautiful and kind woman. Brian's sister acted as the best man, maid of honor, florist and cake maker which sounds unbelievable, but she actually pulled it all off impressively. It's obvious that Brian and TJ are best friends, which made capturing moments of them beaming at each other unbelievably easy for me.
Emily & Adam /
Everything about Emily and Adam's wedding made it so easy for me to photograph. It was finally a nice temperature outside, with big beautiful clouds that gave us intermittent shade. The Twenty Mile House has so many great photo spots, we had no shortage of places to stop and take photos. Everything was decorated so cleanly and carefully. I knew Emily in high school, so it was really nice to see some familiar faces. And Adam and Emily themselves were so happy all throughout the day, it was easy to capture them smiling.
Kelley & Charlie /
Kelley and Charlie's wedding was such a wonderful example of how small weddings can be really special. There were just 20 people at this wedding, including the bide and groom, so I was able to get a picture of the wedding guests together and nice pictures of everyone individually. I always try to take photos of all the guests at weddings, but it was so nice to have the time to take everyone to a good spot for a nice portrait. Kelley hand made all the centerpieces and her and her daughter's bouquets with beautiful little felt flowers. My favorite part of the wedding was during the ceremony was when Kelley and Charlie brought Kelley's sweet little daughter Noa up to the alter with them and Charlie gave a little speech and presented her with a necklace. Noa was moved to tears which made every else cry too!
Jessica & Caleb /
Jessica and Caleb's wedding was an incredibly fun day! It was a backyard wedding, which always makes for a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The theme was Whiskey and Herbs... and Pirates! It was all so elegant; a whiskey tasting bar, herbs in planters, garden lights and billowing fabric above the reception area and pirate ship facade over the pool. We were treated with a beautiful sunset and a rocking reception which culminated in some guests jumping into the pool!
Chelsey & Kyle /
I've known Chelsey and Kyle for several year, so it was wonderful to see them get married and to be able to capture it all. It is so fun to watch these two interact. They are always smiling and joking; it's very obvious that they are best friends. It was very easy to find perfect spots for photos at this Tahoe Donner cabin and it was even easier to take good photos of Chelsey and Kyle since they couldn't stop smiling at each other. As the caterer pointed out, Chelsey was captivated by the splendor of reception and seeing all the guests, but Kyle couldn't take his eyes off his beautiful bride.
