One of my favorite Temecula Winery spots to capture wedding photography is at Ponte Vineyards. What makes this winery especially nice is the easy access to the vineyards for taking photos. As a photographer, it’s especially nice as it cuts down on the amount of time required for photography after the ceremony. For brides and grooms, it’s nice since they don’t have to travel far or up and down hills to access the vineyards for the wedding day photos. (See image for example.)

In addition, Ponte Winery typically positions their ceremony toward the east. As a California Photographer, I have found the Temecula wineries that face their wedding ceremonies toward the east, the photographers fight less against the sunlight as it’s behind them. The only downside is when the wedding party walks down the aisle, the photographer is facing into the sun if the wedding is toward sunset time.

For more images, info and directions to Ponte Winery, visit my photography site.

Some final tips and advice for your winter wedding to wrap up this 4 part series.

While Southern California may not be subjected to blizzard like conditions or freezing temperatures, keep in mind that it may get cool for your guests. With many locations offering outdoor facilities for your wedding ceremony, here are a few suggestions for keeping warm and safe at your wedding:

1. Provide your guests with warm beverages prior to the ceremony such as hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate. It helps them stay warm.
2. If your facility offers portable heaters, make sure you know the cost to rent them and if they can be made available for your event should you require them.
3. If your wedding and reception are outdoors and you discover it’s suppose to rain (or snow) on your wedding day, make sure you check to see if your facility rents or offers tents. If not, have ready the number of a few event tent suppliers in case you have to make that call early in the day.
4. If it has rained the night before or in the morning prior to your wedding and you’ll be walking on grass or a slippery surface, make sure you check it out and walk it a few times to insure you won’t slip and fall.
5. For your veil, carry small weights to attach to the end of them in the event of winds, especially the Santa Ana winds. Small weights can be  fishing weights. Be sure to daub a little white paint or white nail polish on them so that they blend in with the veil.

In the end, make sure you have an emergency plan for sever winter weather. If you plan right, you will be sure to have a memorable winter wedding.

Capturing engagement photos in Los Angeles is almost like fishing in a well stocked lake, it’s almost effortless. There are so many spots to take engagement photos in the city center and surrounding areas. This weeks engagement photography location of the week takes us to downtown Los Angeles. The main photo in this post was taken atop an apartment complex off of Figeuroa Street in Downtown LA.. Fortunately, the couple lived in the complex and we didn’t ask permission to go on top. The only thing I wished I had was a flash light as I was looking around my photo gadget bag for my lenses. In other words, if you’re going to take photos atop of any building, you should take a long a flashlight. I found many opportunities to capture this couple in and around the building.

Engagement Photography in Los Angeles

In the black and white photo, I used the stairwell in the building to create an “after hours” mood where the couple rendezvoused in the stairwell for a private moment. I like to tell stories when it comes to engagement photography. I think the couples get more out of it, at least more than just a nice photo of them in a park somewhere.

I have a very short list of suggested spots to take your engagement photography. I have provided a link to the sites I could find online. Some of the pages have photos to give you an idea of what the place looks like so you can plan your shoot. In addition, you can get the addresses so you can get driving directions.

L.A. area Engagement Photography Locations:

• The Music Center (link is to the directions page)
• Anywhere in downtwon L.A. where there are building backgrounds
• In front of city hall on Spring Street
• The Central Library on 5th Street(very nice to grab a few images there)
• China Town (my personal favorite)
• Union station (link is to wikipedia and info about Unison Station with some photos)
• Olivera Street (when it’s crowded)
• In front of the Coliseum
• USC (My alma mater – many great spots on the campus – try Mudd Hall of Philosophy)

This weeks wedding photo and wedding site is Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula. Located off of Rancho California Rd in Temecula, I have had the several opportunities to photograph weddings at this particular winery both prior to the addition of the new building and after the new reception facility. It’s like night and day. The new facility offers so much more opportunity for capturing wedding photos than what they use to have: a trailer. Actually, Wilson Creek Winery is perhaps one of my most favorite locations to photograph in wine country, Temecula.

Wedding Photography at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula

The new facility also allows for ariel photos of the outdoor reception area (as a side note, they do have indoor reception facilities as well). I have found the staff to be friendly and accommodating as well. They do allow the bride and groom along with the wedding photographer to take photos in the vineyards. I mention this since I have had some issues with other vineyards in the area. In addition, if you are planning on an engagement photography session, they will also take you up in to the vineyards on a different date. (But you will want to check with them to make sure. I know I have done this, but you may want to let them know this is your intent should you want engagement photos at the winery).

You can view images of a wedding I photographed at Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula by visiting my Southern California Wedding Photographer gallery on my photography site. In addition, I have added some of the facility information for the winery below. You can also visit their website for more information on weddings at Wilson Creek. If for some reason their site is not working, I have added their contact information below the facilities list as well as a link to a map of the area.

Facilities information for Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula:

• Use of our facilities from 10am-2pm (or end at 3pm in the lower garden) or 5:30pm -10:30pm
• Select from one of our unique wedding and ceremony locations
  • Champagne Ballroom and white wood wedding gazebo adorned with hanging fresh flower pots
  • Intimate Barrel Room and Vineyard View ceremony site
  • Merlot Mesa for your wedding and/or reception
• A Wilson Creek Event Coordinator and a Banquet Captain will assist you in making your dream wedding become a reality
• Beautifully landscaped gardens with fountains, creek and trees available for photo memories
• Outdoor torches, and ambient night lighting, including uplights and spotlights
• Air-conditioned bridal suite with private restroom- Grooms suite after May 2008
• 60” round or 72” round tables that seat 8 and 10 guests respectively, deluxe padded white resin chairs, banquet tables and gift tables
• Premium white damask floor length table linens with your choice of standard napkin colors
• Wedding cake table or use of our rustic wine barrel
• China, utensils, water glasses, wine glass, champagne flutes
• Outdoor patio heaters or Umbrellas with wine barrel base if required
• Silver or gold chargers, candle centerpieces, votive candles, sheppard hook with lantern isle décor (upon request)
• Gift Shop opened upon request- all your guests receive a 10% discount on purchases
• Our famous Wilson Creek Almond Champagne served at the wedding rehearsal to start your wedding weekend off festive and fun!

Temecula Creek Winery Contact Info:

Infrared photography:

Infrared Wedding Photography

If your wedding takes place in the snow, for example Big Bear, then you may not want to use infrared photography. However, chances are you won’t encounter much snow in many places in

Southern California, therefore, the use of infrared photography can dramatically change the look of your wedding from one that is ordinary to an extraordinary winter wedding look. This style and technique is something you want to discuss with your photographer and make sure they are equipped and knowledgeable on the use of black and white infrared photography. Quite a few photographers are using digital these days and infrared differs greatly between film and digital. So, again, yo want to discuss this with your wedding photographer and their comfort level with the process.

Winter decorations:
As I mentioned earlier in the last post on winter wedding favors, you want to make sure that you have decorated with wedding favors that convey your winter wedding theme. By decorating with your theme, your photographer will have plenty of opportunities to capture the feel of the season. Again, discuss this with your photographer as some may not place too much emphasis on the little details that you have spent so hard searching and preparing for.

Plants:

Winter Christmas Weddings

Another idea for decorating your winter wedding may include plants. This also gives your photographer more opportunities to capture the feel and mood of your winter wedding theme. Some suggestions include: poinsettias, pine cones,, pine trees (in small planters), or even a Christmas tree if that’s your thing and your winter wedding takes place in December. Notice the Christmas tree in the image to the right. It’s present, yet not the focal point of the picture. But you still get the feel of the season.

Angles or Angel Wings:
The presence of Angels is not just a religious icon, but it represents the Christmas season as well as winter. Your wedding dress may incorporate angel wings or you may want to consider the flower girls(s) wearing angel wings and sprinkling snow flakes down the aisle instead of rose pedals.

Fireplace:
Nothing says romance and winter like a fireplace. If your wedding site has one, then by all means you want to incorporate that into your photos. Fire places can enhance your winter wedding photos and videos. If you’re getting married on the beach, then a bonfire will work as well to communicate visually that it’s winter or cold at least. Take a look at this image of the fire place I used in the post for Valentines Day Wedding’s.

Snow:
This is without saying, but getting snow may be a bit of a challenge. If your budget allows it, you may wan to import snow for your wedding day ( I know, that may be a little too much). If you find that you are neither in the mountains for snow nor you can afford snow, one great way to “fake” a snow image is the use of infrared photography I mentioned above.

While I’m sure I only touched the surface when it comes to winter wedding photography ideas, but hopefully, it’s a start for you and gives you some ideas as well as helps you generate additional creative ideas for great winter themed wedding photography.

If you’re hosting a winter wedding, then you’ll want to seek out winter wedding favors, which by the way, if you’re looking for suppliers online, try  this wedding favor site: MyWeddingFavors.com or type the keywords “winter wedding favors” or “Christmas wedding favors.” in to a search engine. You’ll be surprised at the amount of online weddings stores that offer these items. Note: You can try the advertiser on my site to the right side of this page

Some suggested winter favors may include:

• snowflake photo coasters,
• snowflake place card holders,
• hanging picture frames,
• snow globes,
• silver bells,
• and holiday cookies.

By displaying these favors, it provides many great opportunities for your wedding photographer and videographer to capture the elements of the this unique wedding day; so when family and friends look at your albums they will get a sense that you actually had a winter wedding.

Colors

With winter, comes the winter color pallet. While it’s suggested that the bride wear white, the groom may also want to wear a white tuxedo as well to keep within the “snow” feel of winter. Additional winter colors that can be incorporated in to your winter wedding theme are

• gold,
• white,
• soft gray,
• silver,
• light blue,
• red (pinks), or
• green.

These colors can be used through-out your decorations and even as colors for your bridesmaids’ dresses. For additional color ideas, think of nature’s offerings during the season: berries, holly leaves, pine cones, eucalyptus, snow and ice. Use colors from nature to accent your occasion.

In my next post, I’ll talk about winter wedding photography opportunities.

Just wanted to make a post and promote my new photography website. Being a California photographer, I have been usig the same site for ht epast 3 years. However, I’m rather excited to have created the new website over the past few weeks. It’s a lot cleaner in appearance and I’ve provided a world of information regarding photography products as well a host of new wedding, engagement, portrait, and commercial photography. I even added a blog to the site. However, the focus of the blog on my photography site will focus on general weding information as well as general photography info, while this blog will remain dedicated to Southern California Wedding and engagement sites/venues. So, this is the reason why I have not posted in the past few weeks: I was busy finishing up the other site. I’ll be back posting here begining Monday, January 5th.

I decided to write a four part series for winter weddings in Southern California. Actually, I have given the topic it’s own category and hope to add to the category on a regular basis. but for now, I’ll write the 4 parts to this series over the week – The general introduction (this post, favors and colors, photography opportunities, and finally a list of tips for your winter wedding. I’ll be adding various other articles and perhaps some key wedding venues that may be of interest to brides seeking a winter wedding location in Southern California.

Winter weddings in Southern California almost sounds like an oxymoron. After all, the mere name, Southern California, conjures up images of sunny warm weather. However, despite popular belief, we do have a winter in Southern California, regardless of the lack of snowfall in the local mountains or sub-freezing temperatures like the east coast. Brides seeking to fulfill their childhood fantasy of a winter wonderland wedding are not left out in the cold in Southern California, especially the past few weeks as we have seen snow fall at low elevations and a drop in temperatures one could associate with winter in Northern California.

Southern California has some of the nations best weather and with its mild winters (average temperature in the mid to upper 60’s in the months of December) it’s no wonder California is host to the majority of U.S. weddings as well as destination weddings with bookings well over 213,000 in 2006 according to The Wedding Report. So while Jack Frost spends most of his time chilling the north and north east, California brides can rest assured that they too can have a piece of the frost for their wedding. To ensure that you capture the most of your winter wedding, Southern California Wedding Photography has put together a suggestion list (over 4 parts) of what you may want to consider when planning your winter wedding.

Winter Wedding Locations – Southern California

While the beach tends to be a popular spot for weddings in California, if you’re seeking a more traditional look and feel for your winter wedding, we suggest a wedding venue that may lend itself to more of a winter theme. By doing so, it provides the backdrop for stunning photographs and video that will remind you of your well planned event. One suggestion may be to get married in a small chapel, especially one in the local San Bernardino mountains, with communities such as Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead (I’ll be doing a few blog posts on Big Bear in a few weeks. First I have to make it up there in all of the current snow). Another suggestion would be the woods. This can provide for a stunning photo or video backdrop because wooded areas and lakes tend to remind people of the north and hence, winter.

You’ll also find that many Bed and Breakfasts, such as the Christmas House in Rancho Cucamonga, offer a themed Christmas wedding environment. Completely decorated with a Christmas tree, ornaments, and the coziness you would find if you where at home. If you’re not opposed to having a “Christmas” wedding, then nothing screams winter louder than a Christmas theme.

But in the end, the location is only part of the overall feel for your winter wedding. You can certainly hold your wedding in a private residence and still capture the charm and warmth of winter. Your wedding favors and colors will determine a big part of your winter wonderland wedding momories. I’ll make note of both favors and colors in part 2 of this series tomorrow.

About the Photo in this post: The main photo in this post was taken at the Christmas House in Rancho Cucamonga. I used a remote Nikon SB800 flash mounted on a tripod off to the left side. The flash had a amber filter over it, this provided for an overall warm feeling to the photo. The camera was mounted on a tripod and set at 2.8 1/30th of a second. The iso was not recorded. The photo depicts a cold, winter environment with its dark clouds, but the warmth of the lighting gives it an overall cozy feel.

Engagement Photography on Oceanside Pier

coast and provides a great photo opportunity for couples interested in having their engagement photos taken on a pier. In addition to photographing on the pier, there are opportunities to capture images under the pier as well, next to the rocks which are located just underneath the structure.

On this particular engagement photo shoot, the couple where hoping to capture a shot of them silhouetted against a setting sun. Unfortunately, trying to capture the shot proved to be futile as there was heavy cloud coverage, something you may expect if you are planning a photo shoot in the Oceanside or San Diego beach areas. The photo I selected to showcase in this post is perhaps one of my favorites due to the intermittent lighting of the sun dodging the clouds. It provided for some great shadows in the foreground and using a mauve filter on the camera, I was able to add a little color to an otherwise gray sky.

It does appear as though the couple are the only two people on the pier, however, the opposite is true. We just waited where there where no pedestrians in the shot. Otherwise, the pier and beach where crowded, even though it was overcast and cold. When working in busy environments, one bit of advice I have for both the photographer and couple is to be patient. The end reslt can yeild an image you free of people, unless of course you are wanting to add the foot traffic as ambiance to your photo.

I’ve included a few additional images, sans the couple, of the day and one of the evening from the same photo shoot.

The pier is located off of 3rd street in Oceanside. Take plenty of change for the parking meters. If you plan on taking a change of clothes – as I recommend to my couples so we get a variety of photos – they do have restrooms on the pier. And if you get hungry, Ruby’s Restaurant is at the end of the pier.

For additional information, you may want to check this site out.

I’ve added a few additional images, not of the engaged couple, but just some fun images of the ocean. The image of the boat in the water was taken to the north of the pier about the same time the image of the couple above was (the clouds where rolling in fast). And the image of the coastline was taken on the pier looking south in the evening.

Image photographed off of the Oceanside Pier looking north

Image of Oceanside coastline at night. Photo taken off of the Oceanside Pier looking south.

So, just for fun and entertainment purposes, I have added my first list of wedding liners to my blog. These are actual statements made by guests, couples, and family members at weddings I have photographed. Of course, I’ve omitted names and locations.

• “My step-mom is such a bitch. Just ignore her.” I could remember a bride telling me (the photographer) this. I wasn’t sure what compelled her to tell me, but nevertheless, she felt she needed to get it off her mind.
• “Shit the cake! Don’t tell (brides name). Hurry, dust it off!” Yep, the cake actually fell on to a dirt, gravel sidewalk. needless to say, three bridesmaids stood in front of the cake while the maid of honor picked up the top piece of the cake and tried to set it in its place. I didn’t have a slice of cake that night.
• “Why don’t you shut the F…k up!” While setting up to take the photos of the bridal party, a brides maid turned to the father of the bride and blurted these words out. And let me tell you, she was not joking!
• “Here, help me with the twins.” Often times and while taking the getting ready photos, the bridesmaids and bride will tend to forget I’m in the room with them. So they tend to say what comes to mind. Here, the bride was referring to her breasts as the twins and wanted a bridesmaid to help her with them.
• “My mom is such a bitch, she expects me to go get her a sweater in this dress on my wedding night. What a bitch!” The Bride blurted this statement out to me as she stomped off to her parents car in the parking lot. Needless to say, she was not happy about leaving her wedding reception and getting her mother a sweater.
• “How do I cut the cake, I’ve never done this before.” A bride was asking me the photographer this question. I included the line since I tend to hear this a lot. My comment, I hope you haven’t done this before. But I just thought it and didn’t say anything.
• “Hey, you’re taking too many photos of the step-mom with my daughter. I’m the mom! She shouldn’t be in all the photos.” Lets just say that the bio-mom was having a hard time that day with the fact that the her daughter was calling the step-mom, mom and wanted a lot of photos with her. The bio mom didn’t like that.
• “Why don’t you just shut up and enjoy the damn thing.” I guess this groom was setting the tone for his marriage to his bride when he blurted these words out during their reception. I wonder if they are still married?
• “What do you mean he’s an hour away. The ceremony starts in 10 minutes.” The bride was talking to a groomsman regarding the whereabouts of her future husband. I guess the groom forgot to set his alarm clock…at least that’s what the groomsman claimed.
• “My dad’s an idiot. Look, he’s off drinking again.” Apparently the bride was not too happy when she discovered her dad off drinking again. She was muttering this to a bridesmaid.
• “Where the F…K is my husband?” Apparently the bride could not find her new husband for the first dance. She was pacing all over the reception hall looking for him. He was outside smoking a cigar with his buddies.
• “Look at the racks on those girls.” I was actually standing on the edge of the dance floor when the groom was next to me and made the comment in reference to a bridesmaids breasts. I was actually in shock. After all, didn’t he just get married?