We did it… We started pinning! It’s amazing how much fun and how addicting pinterest is. If you haven’t used it yet, you have to start! I read somewhere the best way to describe it to those that haven’t used it before would be categorizing and organizing your internet.

We have posted at least 300 pins so far, most of them relating to wedding planning and ideas for dresses, flowers, decorations, etc. We hope you enjoy our pins! If you want an invitation to start pinning, please let us know and we’ll invite you!

Here is the link to our pinterest pin boards: http://pinterest.com/bjoshuanoah/

See you there, and happy pinning!

A couple weeks ago Maryam approached me about photographing her daughter Sophia’s first birthday. I of course agreed, since I absolutely love working with her, and I couldn’t wait to see what she would do for her own event. This was without a doubt the most well planned birthday party I’ve ever attended. From the fabulous details, the cake, the sweets, the catering, and the decor, to Willow, the fairy that visited and entertained the kids by not only putting on a magic show that had the kids on the edge of their seats, but also offering very talented face-painting. Maryam put a huge amount of thought into her daughter’s birthday party and I enjoyed photographing every minute of it. I hope you enjoy, and get some ideas for your own event. I hope to be working with Maryam even more in the future.

Want to learn more about where to find all these fabulous vendors? Here you go:

Meet Jessica: Personal trainer extraordinaire. I met Jessica a couple weeks ago at a prep-session for this week’s upcoming Everything Wedding Bridal Show at the Adamson House in Malibu, which is a venue I would LOVE to shoot at. I’m currently working with multiple wedding vendors to try to bring you all the best ideas and inspiration for your own wedding. That includes how best to stay in shape and get ready for your wedding.

Jessica offers a Bridal Bootcamp. The perfect opportunity to work out and get in shape before the wedding. She works for Elite Fitness Plus in Westlake Village. The best “gym” experience you’ll ever get. Every trainer  has at least their bachelors in fitness and nutrition, and they all either have, or are going for their masters. They are dedicated to a personal approach of training and every time you step through the doors there will be a trainer available. This is the perfect place for someone who is fed up with big-box gyms, and impersonal service. Either way, make sure to get ahold of Jessica when you contact Elite Fitness Plus at (805) 494-4279.

Steve and Jackie are close to Sarah and me. They are family friends that go back to my childhood. Being part of this wedding was a true honor. There’s nothing like taking a place of honor in a friend’s wedding. This actually isn’t really a new experience though I must say. We tend to get close with our clients, and they feel more like friends after it’s all said and done. We go out of our way to make you feel at home. Sarah was actually one of Jackie’s bridesmaids.

I really enjoyed this wedding. Not that I don’t enjoy every wedding. But I LOVE it when my brides have a lot of details. Details are the best. They make weddings super personal, and they just add to the ambiance. I really loved the Anthropologie feeling that we got from the centerpieces, the bouquets, the boutonnieres, the cake, the cake toppers, the thumbprint tree, the program fans, and everything else I’m forgetting to mention.

You might remember reading about Sarah and my trip to Anthropologie to learn how to make little animals with cork. Well, Jackie saw what we made, and just HAD to have her own copy. We then proceeded to make a wedding version of the Anthropologie cork birds and they turned out beautifully! Jackie took it a step further and added a base and a some flags.

Stephen and Jackie, we feel honored to be considered your friends. May you have a life full of love, laughter, and God’s blessing. Have fun in Michigan….. We miss you.

To view and order more pictures, please go to http://www.pictage.com/1062946

Hair and Make-up: THERESA HUANG  make-up & hair design
Venue: Porter Valley Country Club
Dress: Pebbles Bridal
Cork Birds: Brian and Sarah Noah inspired by Anthropologie

Alvina Valenta 9028 – http://www.jlmcouture.com/Alvina-Valenta/Bridesmaid/Additional/Style-9028
Petra Fringe Earrings – http://www.stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=E114S
Belle Fleur Ring ~ Hematite – http://stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=R105H
Chinese Laundry ~ Wasabi – http://www.chineselaundry.com/shopallbrands/evening/wasabi-3185?color=black

One of our clients saw them and really liked them, so they requested that we make their own cork bride and groom birds cake toppers. Of course Sarah and I were more than happy to sit down, get our craftiness on, and make a couple little birdies for our good friends.

You’ll be seeing these guys around soon. Most likely in one of the blogposts next month. So stay tuned!

Vera Wang – Fiona: http://www.onewed.com/wedding-dresses/designer/vera-wang/dress/strapless/mermaid/floor-length/spring-2011–fawn/
Jimmy Choo – Clue: http://www.jimmychoo.com/bridal/clue/invt/010cluelas/
Pearl Bouquet Earrings: http://www.stelladot.com/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&selectedLocale=en_US&sku=E131G
Audrey Cluster Bracelet: http://www.stelladot.com/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&selectedLocale=en_US&sku=B122
Chelsea Necklace – Gold: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=N131G
Peony Hairpin: http://www.bhldn.com/the%2Dshop%5Fhair%2Dadornments/peony%2Dhairpin

I’d STRONGLY suggest reading the following post before watching… You’ll see this wedding in a different light: Dionté + Tiffany.

Ok… go grab some popcorn, your fiancé, and some tissues. Enjoy! Oh, and make sure you hit full screen, and select 1080p.

Music provided by Songfreedom.com
“As Long as Hearts are Beating” Jenny & Tyler Faint Not 2010 Jenny & Tyler All rights reserved. Used by permission.

This is one of my craziest weddings ever. Every possible thing that could go wrong did, and I’m not being brash or using hyperbole. It was one tumultuous day. At least it started that day. I’m not going to go into detail about everything that went wrong, but I’ll sum it up. The original venue was no longer available, and every single vendor left or didn’t show up…. except for me and my crew. You see, I decided long ago that if something like this were to happen, I would stay all day, even if there is no wedding. This is the first time that I’ve had to use this company policy, and thank God that I did! About 2 hours into the time that we were at the original venue I got a call from Dionté telling me that the wedding was on. Tiffany’s amazing dad pulled together a wedding in 3 hours. THREE hours. He found a location, found a rental vendor for chairs, and set up a reception at the Chart House in Dana Point. It was incredible!

The camaraderie and love in the atmosphere was strong that day. You could tell that Dionté and Tiffany were truly grateful. They just wanted to get married. Their love was too strong to let little things get in the way. Ok, no venue, and no vendors isn’t just a little problem… That’s a HUGE problem! But at the end of the day, Their love for each-other won out. I truly loved shooting this wedding. The back-story gave me a new respect for the two love-birds.

I’ll share it tomorrow, but I created a fusion video of stills and cinema from the wedding day. There’s one specific line from the song that I chose for the video that I wanted to share. I think it summed up the feeling that went on that day between Tiffany and Dionté.

No more words from my lips, just the look in your eyes says it all, so much more than i could ever. I won’t try.

I know there were tears. I know there was pain. The beginning of the day was catastrophic. That’s not just something you can shake off. But they got through it, and their wedding was absolutely beautiful, and almost poignant, knowing that that the day could have just passed us all by. The warmth from all of the family was absolutely incredible. Dionté and Tiffany are surrounded by friends and family that love them. If they didn’t know it before, they know it now. The bonds that they have are the kind that anyone could envy. I know that the support they have will help shape their marriage into something incredible. They’re not going into this alone, they are blessed.

Dionté and Tiffany, I am truly privileged to have spent the day with you. Your resolve, love, and gratitude spoke volumes to us about your character. I pray that God blesses you in your marriage and life together.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to shoot more Santa Barbara weddings. The combination of the amazing weather, and gorgeous locations really make for a good time, and beautiful photographs. Matt and Jessica’s first look took place at the luxurious Bacara resort in Goleta, Ca. This resort would be perfect for a wedding, and I can’t wait till I’m commissioned to photograph my first wedding there. There’s this adorable little path heading down to the beach, and since the resort is pretty big, the beach is fairly empty.

After the first look and some bridal party portraits, we all headed over to the church for the ceremony. The wedding was beautiful, and the church offered so many unique angles, and I really enjoyed capturing the processional from the balcony.

I have to admit that I love wedding receptions. Everyone is happy, people are eating, celebrating, and getting to catch up with old friends. Matt and Jessica’s reception was held at the beautiful Glen Annie Golf Club a stones throw away from Bacara. The greens are beautiful, and if I were half-way decent at playing golf, I would LOVE to yell “Fore” there, but I’m not even slightly good. Instead, I got to enjoy the reception area, and do what I do best: take advantage of the greens for the bride and groom’s romantic portraits.

True to Santa Barbara’s nature, fog was more than prevalent in and around the small town.  I love the fog, but often times it can cause a real damper for photos. It can sometimes look like smog compared to the blue sky, and can ruin sunsets and the golden hour in no time. But that’s where creative lighting comes into play. If you spend any time on this blog, you’ve probably noticed that I love well-lit portraits. If you’ve ever hired me to photograph portraits or your wedding, you know that I mount my flash on a stand with a big umbrella most of the time. I do this so I can control the light, and the look of the photos. I’m not going to go into the specifics of how I did it, but I was able to create some dramatic lighting in the dismal lighting condition. I love the romance in the images by the lake. The mist coming off the water, along with the blue atmosphere just make me love what I do, and push me forward to shoot more and more. I can’t wait until the next time I can shoot at the Glen Annie Golf Club. I hope it’s foggy again; I love being challenged to try something new, and improvise.

By the way, Matt and Jessica were such a charming couple. Matt owns a car dealership in Santa Barbara, and Jessica is a real life Elle Woods(Legally Blonde). She has a degree in fashion design and merchandising(Sarah does too, she got an AA at FIDM, San Francisco) and then went on to become a lawyer. They were so fun to work with, and wanted to take more and more photos. Kacie and I really enjoyed working with them.

Kacie: Thank you for the opportunity to shoot this wedding with you. I look forward to the next wedding together!

Matt and Jessica: Congrats on your wedding and new life together!

I love the romance that is evoked from just the look of this album, with it’s fine-art, hand-torn, white felt pages, to the pains-taking care that is put into the detail of fastening the book together. To ensure that yours is made to your specifications, the book is available in three different color options: light leather, dark leather, and woven leather. We can offer 5 different fine-art papers, from a thick and sturdy white linen, to recycled, eco-friendly option. I love the look of the hand-torn edges, but a clean cut is also available. These books are hand-crafted on old-world bindery equipment. The same kind that made the old books that are still intact to this day.

The sheath album cover is a separate option, and well worth it. The combination of the archival print quality, and the sheath box ensure that your album will stay safe and secure. This is an album that you will want to show to your children, grandchildren, and in turn, have them show their grandchildren. The Toscana wedding book is made that well. It will stand the test of time, and is well worth the investment. As shown here, the Toscana album with 100 pages, and sheath go for $4,400, or $3200 without the case. The same book & case with 200 pages goes for $4900, and the 300 page option for $5,325.

If this wedding looks familiar, that’s because it is. Check out the photos and the video from this wedding here: Steve & Lara’s Wedding.

Where can I buy these?

Modeca Marcia Gown: http://www.onewed.com/wedding-dresses/designer/modeca/dress/asymmetric/mermaid/floor-length/marcia/
Martinez Valero Crista Sandal: http://www.dsw.com/shoe/martinez+valero+crista+sandal?prodId=206087&productRef=SEARCH
Ava Cupchain Earrings: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?selectedLocale=en_US&page=productdetail&sku=E1012S
Glint Flower Necklace – Silver: http://stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=N1022S
Deco Stackable Rings: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productgroup&productGroupId=16
Vintage Twist Bracelet – Silver: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/Sarahnoah/productcatalog?productGroupId=106&selectedLocale=en_US&page=productgroup
Something Blue/TealPeacock: http://www.etsy.com/listing/57517391/something-blue-teal-peacock-wedding

Where can I buy these?

Fondant Tea Dress – http://www.bhldn.com/the%2Dshop%5Fgowns/fondant%2Dtea%2Ddress
Bow-Topped Slingbacks – http://www.bhldn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/productID/7135633d-09c1-4cdf-8d1f-a2268523e202
Neo-Nautical Headband – http://www.bhldn.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/productID/430a24cc-69ac-401a-8b7c-a94a8e8561c3
Soiree Earrings – http://stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=E1001G
Ever After Necklace – http://stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=N205G

The reception is a fun part of the wedding. For the majority, the dancing and festivities are a lot of fun. But there are always those times during the reception that you’ve danced just a little too hard, or you need to sit back and relax. Your beautiful linen covered tables and chiavari chairs just don’t cut it as far as being a comfortable haven. The Lounge offers a refreshing take on being a brief respite from partying on the dance-floor. It also gives your two-left-footed groomsman a chance to sit and talk with your cute cousin; you can then take credit(or blame) for them ending up together.

The lounge can take multiple shapes and forms. It can take a gorgeous venue and make it even that much more elegant. It can take a beach wedding reception, and transform it into an exotic barefoot festival. You can go all-out and have LED lighted tables and uplighting, or you can have candlelight.

We do regular work with Del Rey Party Rentals. They offer a huge assortment of rental equipment and lounge furniture to the greater Los Angeles area. They’re literally knocking holes in the walls of their warehouse to fit more lounge furniture. If you ask me, they’ll have to move to a larger warehouse soon to accommodate everything they supply. A couple weeks ago they asked me to come down to the warehouse to create a promotional video for their lounge furniture. We spent the day setting up the showroom as a lounge, and I didn’t want to leave. All that was lacking was a bar-tender, and the music(and the wedding party and guests). Make sure you give Julio a call, and tell him that Brian sent you.

So is the lounge right for you? I can unequivocally say yes… Having a lounge at your wedding reception will make your beautiful wedding even more so.

Steve and Jackie are really special to both Sarah and I. The fact that I’ve known Steve for about 20 years, and Sarah is really close with Jackie as well. They have spent the last few years teaching Sunday School together, and have an almost weekly Bible study. Needless to say, when they move to Michigan after their wedding for Jackie to pursue her Masters degree, we’ll miss them.

Steve and Jackie, it’s been an honor to work with you on your wedding. I’ve enjoyed the privilege of knowing you and having you two as part of our family.

May God bless you in your upcoming marriage, and may we remain like family.

Re-live the classic elegance the morning after your big day at the family/wedding party brunch by pairing your jewels with a simple cardigan sweater over a tank or tee in your wedding colors. You’ll dazzle once again in the gorgeous yet casual look.

Where can I buy these?

2011 Vera Wang : Fiona - http://www.onewed.com/wedding-dresses/designer/vera-wang/dress/strapless/mermaid/floor-length/spring-2011–fiona/
Jimmy Choo : Macy – http://www.jimmychoo.com/bridal/macy/invt/010macysat/
Ivory Bandeau Birdcage Veil – http://www.etsy.com/listing/72982765/noa-ivory-bandeau-birdcage-veil-set-with
Charlotte Statement Necklace – http://stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=N132
Baby Flower Post Earings – http://stelladot.com/sites/sarahnoah/productcatalog?page=productdetail&sku=E109G

I love San Francisco: the diversity, the culture, and the architecture. But most specifically, I love its proximity to Napa Valley. I didn’t realize this for a few years. Sarah and I have been back and forth a few times over the past several years, and I just love it, but we never visited wine country. I knew it was close, but I didn’t realize how much I love Napa. So much so that I sort of want to move there. But alas, we don’t have $4 million to buy land. We spent a day with our friends Patrick and Analy driving around the vineyards, went wine tasting at the Hess Collection, picked up some amazing 2008 sauvignon blanc, and dined at some pretty good restaurants. We fell in love with the valley in a day, and can’t wait to go back. The sunset seemed to last forever, causing a sort of etherial effect to blanket the valley for a glorious amount of time. I’m addicted.

I’ve known for a long time that I want to shoot a wedding at a vineyard. I know they happen all the time, but I’ve just never had the chance. Now that I’ve been to wine country, the desire has grown even stronger. I’m looking forward to the day that someone calls up Sarah and me, and asks us to photograph their Napa Valley vineyard wedding.

We had such a relaxed weekend. Saturday was spent in Napa, and then Sunday we went to Palo Alto to visit Sarah’s good friend Amanda from her time at FIDM(Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising). We had a great time barbecuing, and just catching up with old and new friends. Sarah and Amanda were roommates at 4 different apartments during the year that Sarah lived in SF, and it seemed like time hadn’t changed how well they related to each-other although this was the first time they had seen each-other in about 6 or 7 years.

One of the most memorable parts of the trip was of course the tire blowing out in the first 45 minutes of our trip… THAT was fun. We were supposed to go up to San Luis Obispo to visit my sister and nephew for an hour or so and have a picnic. Unfortunately, the tire set us back quite a bit, and we only had 20 minutes to spend with my sister Amanda and Jackson. But it was still fun and worth it.

Now we’re back home, and I just can’t wait to go again. See you soon San Francisco!

If you’ve spent any time on this site, you’ll see that I frequent Union Station with my couples. I list it as an option based on what feel they’re going for, and they just fall in love with the old hollywood feel, the history, and the art-deco architecture. The Disney Concert Hall is a new one for me. I’ve seen a lot of engagement and “day after” photo shoots there, but haven’t had the chance to incorporate the amazing building into any of my work yet. I really enjoyed playing around with the light, and I fell in love with the ambiance of the place. Whoever designed the building had photographers in mind, cause this place seriously is amazing. I’m looking forward to our next shoot there.

So, without further ado, here are the images that we captured that day.

Thanks so much Dionté and Tiffany! Sarah and I can’t wait for your wedding at St. Regis!

When I drove down in December for the engagement session I felt like I already knew Lara, and had a pretty good knowledge of Steve. Steve is a commanding officer in the Navy, and is currently getting his masters. They’re both some of the coolest, most real people you’ll ever meet. We had a fun afternoon running around Downtown San Diego in the light rain. I love San Diego as it is, but I love rain even more, and it just lit up the city with romance.

One of my favorite moments during the wedding was when Lara’s daughter Willow walked her down the aisle. It brought a few tears to my eyes, and made my job that much better. Not only did they have a beautiful ceremony, but the location was absolutely gorgeous. The Sub base on Point Loma, facing Downtown San Diego is perfect for a wedding. Overlooking the bluffs, and the skyscrapers, it’s really quite breath-taking.

Lara and Steve, may God bless you and your marriage!

The wedding was supposed to be in the beautiful gardens of the Kyoto Grand Hotel, but because of the crazy rain, everything was moved inside. They both took it so well, and nobody would even know that something had gone wrong. Plus, the inside of the Kyoto is absolutely beautiful. The architecture is superb, and we loved the outcome of the portraits.

One of the most memorable parts from the wedding was the DJ show-down. Hideaki is an LA area DJ and so a lot of his DJ friends attended the wedding. At the end of the reception, Hideaki had some fun mixing some beats, and Jenny joined in while a friend free-styled. Man, do they have some talented friends.

Thank you Jenny and Hideaki for the chance to photograph your wedding!

Check out the fusion video/slideshow from the wedding.

Florist: Exotic Green Garden

Coordinator: Porras Wedding Consulting

Venue: Kyoto Grand Hotel