IDAHO!!

This seems to be my week of Idaho weddings. I'm leaving Friday morning to photograph a wedding in Boise, and yesterday was Christina and Kris' wedding. This adorable couple met each other while they were students at the University of Idaho. One of the things that I really loved about this wedding was how relaxed and low key everyone was. When I got to the bride's house yesterday, Christina was sitting in a chair havng her hair done and reading a magazine; her mom was unloading the dishwasher ;)...I knew it was going to be a fun day!

Their wedding to place at my new favorite church-Holy Trinity in Eldorado Hills. The coordinator, Kathy, is so wonderful to work with; Joan of Beautiful by Nature did the flowers, and as ALWAYS they were exquisite; the reception was at the stunning Serrano Country Club, and Mike from Creative Sound Entertainment was the DJ...IT WAS A PERFECT DAY!!
One of the things Christina really wanted for her wedding day was a full moon. She said that there was a full moon the day she was born, so she felt things would have come full circle; she got her wish!
Kris looked SO handsome in his tux and it was so easy to tell how much he is in love with his new bride. He couldn't take his eyes off her, and the tears came very easily when he saw her for the first time.
Christina is the apple of her dad's eye, and she adores him as well. Their father/dance dance was precious! I heard her dad make a comment to her mom yesterday that I know I'll probably be thinking someday when one of my girls gets married. He said "Do you think that we can ground her so that we can keep her home and not do this?" He loves Kris, but I know he was just talking as a dad who doesn't want to let go of his little girl.
I can't wait for you to see the photos, so without further ado, here's their slideshow! As always, feel free to leave them a message.

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If you'd like to take advantage of this incredible deal, just print out the coupon, give me a call and we'll set up a session! HURRY, BECAUSE IT EXPIRES ON 10/15/10!THANK YOU AGAIN! By the way; you DO NOT to be a Lincoln resident to take advantage of this offer!

You'll love these!

Today I photographed Nikki, Joe and Josie. If you've been reading my blog for a while you will remember dear, sweet Ally (if you have never seen the posts about her, please do yourself a favor and read the following posts about an adorable little girl, who left us all too soon (Ally and her family ; She touched my heart ;Ally's service)

Nikki and Joe wanted to have a recent family portrait done of the two of them and their precious daughter, Josie. Pink was the color of the day, in honor of Ally (it was her favorite color). Each time I see this family I think to myself "I love them more everytime I see them". Their sense of humor, their outlook on life, and the love they have for their girls is truly inspiring! We had so much fun doing the photos this morning, and although the ground was a little wet-good thing I didn't get any photos of any of our backsides ;), things couldn't have been more perfect.

Here are a few photos from our session today, and if you'd like to see more, please visit my facebook page. I have to comment on one of these photos before you begin enjoying the rest of them. I went back to Nikki and Joe's house after our session, and I couldn't pass up taking a photo of Josie when she was looking at Ally's photo. From what I understand she does this a lot and she will often kiss it. Oh, it just touched my heart!!!
Enjoy, and don't forget to see more on my facebook page!

Fun, Love and tears

Saturday was Jenny and Shayne's wedding at Lake Natoma Inn, and because of the heat, we were all thankful that it was a morning wedding! Jenny and Shayne were so adorable. I had not met Shayne until that morning, and I only met Jenny for the first time, a couple of months ago. Jenny's mom came to meet with me and did all the planning because the bride and groom live out of state. Jenny is so lucky to have a mom like Susie, because she did an awesome job planning, and putting together, the wedding! I know Susie also had a lot of help from her dear friend, Kathy. Ladies, you two did a remarkable job!
Shayne is in the Navy and Jenny is a kindergarten teacher, and they are two of the sweetest people! I told them that their wedding was one of my favorites! I always say that it's the wedding party and families that make a good wedding spectacular-and this definitely fit that description! This wedding party was over the top, and there wasn't a single thing that they weren't up for when it came to photos! That was the "fun" part of my blog title.

The "love" part of the title is really combined with the "tears" part. As you know, every wedding has love included in the recipe. But this wedding had a little somethin' special that brought everyone to tears and I don't think I will ever forget it. Shayne's dad passed away about the time Shayne was in high school. As Jenny's dad got up to make the toast on Saturday, he began speaking about this amazing gentleman whom he had never met. He went on to say that he had to have been an incredible man because he raised Shayne to be such an outstanding young man. At that time, a surprise bottle of champagne was unveiled. Shayne's dad purchased this bottle of champagne when his son was born, and it was to be opened the day Shayne became a husband. There was no doubt to me that this room was filled with all the love that Shayne and his dad have for one another...this room was also filled with tears, because I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. In fact as I write this now, I have tears in my eyes thinking about what a special moment that was and that no son could have felt more loved by his father, than Shayne did then.
One of the other very touching moments was something that Mitch of Showtime DJ does at a lot of the weddings we do together. He puts the bride and groom on the dancefloor with all the guests surrounding them. He takes the michrophone around and asks everyone to say something to the couple. I love it when I see this at receptions, because it really gives me an opportunity to find out even more about my wonderful couples. One of the things that was mentioned several times was that people thanked Shayne for the service he gives to our country. Jenny is very lucky to have married such a kind and loving man; and Shayne knows that he married an incredibly beautiful, gracious and fun woman. I hope that Jenny's personality comes through in the slideshow, because she made my "task" so easy and I smiled and laughed with her all day long.
To both families, and one of my new favorite couples, thank you so much for allowing me into this moment in your lives. The love that surrounded you all day on Saturday was palpable, and I know your future will be incredible. Godspeed to you in your lives as you continue to serve our country.

Spectacular is a complete understatement!

Tonight I attended the re-grand opening of Enchanted Bridal. You may be thinking "didn't they have a grand opening a few months ago?". The answer would be yes. However, The ladies of Enchanted Bridal had the opportunity to move into a larger location so they took the opportunity. Although they have moved, the Disney line of wedding dresses is still one of the things that makes them unique. I don't know many businesses,

especially in this economy, whose business is doing so well that they outgrew the original store in seven months. I am so proud of Enchanted Bridal Shoppe and how well they have done in such a short time. I hear time and time again, "Wow, Enchanted is better than any bridal shop I've been to"; "The customer service is so much better at Enchanted than it is at all those other stores I've visited".


The minute I walked into the new shoppe, I was impressed with everything about it! I think you'll agree that Enchanted Bridal Shoppe is inviting, spacious and elegant. They now have four dressing room for women who may be looking for bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses and mother's dresses. One of the awesome things about the new store is they also have a tux department. Enchanted Bridal Shoppe really is one stop shopping for all the attire you'll need for your wedding. They are even selling the cutest flip flops by J*Flops Jennifer created the most adorable flip flops for the ladies of Enchanted complete with a pin that has their logo on it. One of the other areas of the store that a lot of though was put into is an area for the kids. The ladies wanted everyone who comes to the store to feel comfortable, so there are some activities for the kids while the adults shop.


The celebration this evening was a lot of fun. I couldn't believe how many people were there! Enchanted Bridal is going to be (if it isn't already) the most talked about wedding store in the area! It was great seeing familiar faces, but also meeting a few new ones. Jennifer Johnson from Party of 2 was there this evening, as well as Sue and Buzz Gallardo who put on some of the best bridal shows in California (if you're a future bride, don't miss their bridal show on February 20, 2011 at Cal Expo).
You'll see that people of all ages had a great time this evening. I think there were a few 2025 brides doing their dress shopping a little early.


If you were at the former location you really need to go to the new place. It's in the same center just a few doors closer to Trader Joe's. I have no doubt that Enchanted Bridal Shoppe will be the fastest growing bridal shop in California in no time!

Two people fell in love

Last Saturday was Bob and Sandy's 50th anniversary. Because of this celebration, people came from all over to join them in this happy occassion. I have known Bob and Sandy longer than I can remember. You could say they are family (at least I like to call them that). Sandy is my Aunt Pam's sister, so although we're not related by blood, it seems like we're family. Bob and Sandy's oldest daughter, Renee, and I were flowergirls in Aunt Pam and Uncle Bob's wedding in 1964...see I told you I've known them "forever" ;) Ever since we moved to Lincoln, Louie and I pack up the girls several times a year for holidays and head to auntie's and uncle's house in Gilroy, and consequently, the five of us have gotten to know Bob and Sandy's family even better over the last decade or so.
I wouldn't have missed the celebration last week for anything--it was as fun as I knew it would be! The party took place at my aunt and uncle's house, which was the perfect setting. The day started out by doing portraits of the three generations of the family...all 17 people (including the silly one at the top of this post)! Bob and Sandy have the most wonderful family. Their four kids are incredible, and their grandkids are so much fun. After the portraits were finished, all the guests began arriving. Although I didn't know many people, I knew enough people that it felt like I knew everyone...does that make sense? At any party, the real bonding experience happens on the dancefloor. People dance in groups with people they don't know, and everyone just gets silly. I think one of my favorite things about my family is how we all love to dance at parties. I didn't dance beacause I was too busy taking photos, but I was in the middle of the dancefloor anyway. The DJ was great because he played all the crazy songs that were requested. This family loves to dance to anything where they can get crazy-YMCA, the Chickendance, Thriller...you name it, and the "nerdier" the better. When you see the slideshow you'll definitely be able to tell the photos that were taken when Thriller was being played.
Bob and Sandy are two of the most incredible people I know, and I am completely blessed that I know them personally. They are the sort of people who make you feel welcome whenever they see you, and they really value their friendships; this was proven by the amount of people who were at the party. Thank you so much for including the five of us (plus Nick and Chance) in the celebration. You both should be very proud of the legacy you have built, and the love you have for each other will carry on for years to come through your children and grandchildren. Here's to another 50 years!!!!