Um, yes please?… I almost responded to her e-mail with just that. It immediately populated my thoughts with images of the rat pack hanging out by Frank’s pool, listening to music from the hi-fi and generally just being cooler than any of us. Who wouldn’t want to shoot a wedding at a place where that exact scenario likely played out on a weekly basis in the summer evenings of ’55.

In short, shooting this wedding was like time traveling… it was surreal and nothing short of amazing.

Driving up to Venice to meet Ted and Erica I couldn’t for the life of me remember if I asked her why… I mean I just figured we were gonna grab a snack or something.

Well, I had done exactly as instructed and not eaten lunch and if you know anything about me, a hungry PVR is a grumpy PVR. Luckily I managed my way through the late afternoon obstical course that is the 405 on a Sunday and made it to Venice Beach with out having to gesture out my window one time. (just kidding about that… well sort of).
Standing at the corner of Speedway and Westminster I barely notice the small cafe behind me. It was just about the time I notice Ted and Erica walking toward me that I also noticed the faint smell of fried pastries on the air. Disregarding the temptation to immediately discontinue the slow gate I had initiated in the direction of Ted and Erica was a difficult one. The smell of donuts can have a powerful effect on a person.

We met with smiles and hugs and then Erica spoke the magic words “you hungry?”

I smiled, laughed a bit and answered with a rather enthusiastic “YES”!!!
(who am I kidding I thought, I am HANGRY).

“I remember u said something about liking prosciutto, so we are taking you to Zelda’s”
“That sounds amazing” I said, immediately forgetting about the sweet smell of donuts in the air.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, that little cafe behind me was in fact Zelda’s. After we ordered our “Mr. Electric” sandwiches we headed out to the boardwalk and found a seat. I asked questions about the wedding and we chatted about the schedule. The entire time trying not to talk with my mouth full of the probably the most amazing prosciutto sandwich I will ever have.

SO, with out further adieu I give you Ted and Erica… Powered by prosciutto, awesome, and love.

P.S. The sandwiches came with a side of mini donuts. Per Erica’s direction I saved a few to take home and let Xander have… which was the beginning of habit of sending me home with sweets for my lil guy. (more on that in their wedding post).

(They were just married on top of a sky scraper in downtown Los Angeles on New Years Eve, and I am still picking confetti out of my camera gear. Stay tuned for those shenanigans.)

“Huh??” I said, and gestured with my hand to my ear.

“WE WANT YOU TO BE OUR PHOTOGRAPHER!!!, FOR OUR WEDDING??!!” she yelled over the rhythmic retro mix of the flashdance DJ.

It took me a second to realize what the devil Erin was talking about. I took a look at Stefan who had had his arm around wrapped around Erin. He gave me a side gin and said “you are our guy”.

That was almost 2 years ago… at this thing called WPPI (wedding photographer convention in las vegas). It was the first time I have even gotten hired in the middle of a dance club (probably the only time).

Cut to 11 months later.

Walking off the airplane I could feel the cold Denver air slicing through the gaps between the fuselage and that flimsy accordion thing that they try to seal against the side of the plane. It was invigorating. I know this might sound strange to a lot of people, but there is nothing like that in Orange County. Even on our coldest nights. It was the perfect way to start what ended up being an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. It is always intimidating when another Wedding Photographer asks you to photograph their wedding… but when they tell you they are going to put you on a plane and put you up with their friends and family for 4 days in an absolutely beautiful location, your heart skips a beat. I was greeted with hugs and smiles, some from people I didn’t even know. “Welcomed” feels like an understatement. Even though I was there to do a job, I truly felt like family. I am proud (and slightly embarrassed) to say that it is the first wedding that when asked to dance… with just a little encouragement from the bride, I put my camera down and did. =)

Erin and Stefan where married high in the Rockies on the side of a mountain, over looking Breckenridge Colorado on the deck at The Lodge and Spa at Breckenridge.

To my favorite ColoRADians, I love u guys. Thank you.