Not so.

It is a LOT of hard work. HARD YAKKA as is commonly said in my homeland for anything that is hard work.

But it’s work I am thoroughly whole heartily invested in.

I am  invested in my education of the industry because I am so passionate about weddings. love . marriage… all that gooey stuff.  Sometimes, as luck would have it, that investment in education means I get to spend some time chatting with some truly inspirational people, both in the photography world and the business world. Jasmine Star is one of the most highly sort after, inspirational speakers/photographers/business women I have ever had the good fortune to meet. Patricia and I went to an evening Jasmine hosted in San Francisco awhile ago. I loved meeting up with some people I had ‘met’ online before… I am such a face to face girl!!  It was a fascinating evening, thrilling and informative… I have never been much a groupie with anything, but I will count myself on the J-Star bandwagon for here on!

Here are a few snaps from the night.

Although I don’t see anything wrong with having both!!

I love flowers, fresh flowers picked from the garden are my very favourite…a close second is flowers crafted by great floral artists such as these made for my friend Rachael’s Wedding 2 weeks ago. I will be showcasing images from the wedding at a later date.

Mac and I had just arrived back from New Zealand to join Mike in our new home in the Santa Cruz mountains, California. We attended our local church meeting house in Ben Lomond where I met Lisa and her family. One of my earliest memories of her was standing on her doorstep handing her some pillows. She was collecting them to send to Mexico along with some handmade pillow cases she had made. Earlier in the year she and her family had visited Mexico to give service by building housing structures for families without shelter, Lisa recognized the great need for these families and set about giving her own service for them. She struck me as a very noble young woman then and continues to do so as an adult. Years had passed then an email appeared in my email inbox from her mom. Lisa was getting married and they were looking for a photographer. I emailed back quickly to say it must be some kind of joke, wasn’t she still in high school? My my how quickly the years fly by and before you know it a lovely young woman becomes a beautiful woman…. about to be married.  goodness.

I absolutely adored being able to capture her wedding day as she married her Jared.

Here is a note from Lisa about their meeting and proposal.

I was quite smitten by the way they looked at one another. It’s good for an old lady like me to be constantly reminded of the beauty of new love. As I’ve said many times before, it makes me all twitterpatted at such.  They were celebrated by their family and  friends at their marriage ceremony at the Oakland Temple, and their reception at Highlands Park, Ben Lomond.

I was joined by wonderful photographer friends to document their day. Thanks so very very much

Gorete Ferreira 

Chris Henning

Sarah Phillips

Andrea Berggren 

and Cyndi Zuniga

this post is combination of our work.

To see more from this fabulously delightful couple, please check out their slideshow from the day. HERE 

The stunning cake was created by Kili Crandall

and the delicious catering was provided by Janeen Thompson and CutesyCupcakes.

Mindy looked absolutely stunning in her beautiful lace gown, Benjamin equally as handsome in his tux and trademark accessory – cuff links. They were celebrated by family and friends from near and far.
Patricia and I were thankful we also got to photograph them a few days prior to the wedding in the kind of light we love. If you do one thing that will have a long lasting effect on the recorded memories of your wedding day – it is, schedule your photographer a good amount of time and co-ordinate with him or her to use the BEST light you can. Your wont regret it when you see the resulting images.

I asked Mindy and Benjamin a few questions.

How did you meet? We were introduced to by our aunt, Jeanne, who thought that we would great for each other. In that we would be able to keep up with each other’s nerdiness and personalities. So yes, we’re cousins of cousins. 
What do you love about one another?What I love about Benjamin is that he is always so kind and patient with me, that he comforts me, makes me laugh every day, and always says. “I love you Mindy.”
What I love about Mindy is how she is so energetic, smiley, and nerdy enough for a geek like me. She puts up with my snuggliness and helps me to be the best person I can. 
What was your favourite part of your special day? Our favorite part of the wedding was the wedding itself. Becoming husband and wife was the most amazing and beautiful experience. We both cried. Quite a lot. Sharing our first kiss was a sweet and tender thing full of love. 
What advice would you give to brides planning their wedding? Advice to the brides – take your time and try to do a little bit every day rather then cram. Don’t feel like you have to be the one that does everything all on your own. Asking for help is totally fine and will be needed. Your mind will be a jumbled mess the 2 weeks before. The day before the wedding itself, go to bed early (if you can). And yes something will go wrong on the wedding day but it doesn’t really matter. Don’t stress out the little details.

What’s it like being photographed by Patricia and I? The photography session was so nice. Before the wedding we were able to meet up and shoot the couple’s pictures rather then have to get them all done on the wedding day with all of our friends that family waiting on us. It was nice in that we were able to take our time with them and choose the time of day that we wanted to get the best lighting. We were quite comfortable with being around them and all the cameras. There were times that they had to tell us to stop being so cuddly and both look at the camera . They have a really good eye for beautiful photos. And the hardest part was picking our favorites to be printed for the reception.

Speaking of photos, here are a few favourites of mine  from their ‘day’.

All best  in your adventures ahead Mindy and Benjamin, you nerds belong together. xoxo

-g

Floral Arrangements: Michele Fanger of Peggy Mae Designs

Location: The Oakland Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Amanda and Cameron are both from California but met in college in Idaho – but as corny as it sounds I have to say, I think they are a match made in Heaven. They just feel right together. He proposed at the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, New York and they married on the 10th March in the Oakland, California Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Patricia and I were fortunate enough to do a couples shoot with them at the end of February and we both remarked how natural they were with us having our huge lenses in their faces and all. I suspect it had nothing to do with feeling comfortable in front of the camera, but being so totally into each other they didn’t really notice we were there.

And that’s the way it should be.

We were excited to photograph their wedding and to have our friend and colleague Marcy shooting with us too.  We  love her and were delighted to see her behind the camera again, a spot that suits her very well.

The day really was all about celebration, a treat of colour, fun, love and laughter.   If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times, I love photographing weddings because I love to be around that celebratory energy, it is quite intoxicating. It’s an honour to be a part of the start of history making for this new family.

Best wishes to you both, I’m sure you guys will be just fine! -aroha.

The bride got ready at her parents lovely home in San Jose a midst the brothers looking for ties, the girls looking for shoes and Dad reminders of the time ticking by… it was a flurry of excitement and activity. Whereas a  very relaxed hotel room was the scene for the groom preparations. 

The temple looked beautiful in it’s spring colours where they met to join together with family and friends to be sealed for time and all eternity.

 The reception was held later in the day at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Comanche Drive building. Nadine, Amanda’s mother did an amazing job of transforming the basketball court into a beautiful reception space for her daughter. One word of the day would be “colour” or “color” for my American friends. I know a lot of love went into the making of this beautiful day and it truly was a treat to be a part of it.

” A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”~ ~Mignon McLaughlin

This gorgeous couple will be wed for time and all eternity tomorrow at the Oakland Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There’s is a beautiful natural relationship, the kind that you watch and nod suspecting that when so many marriages crumple they will be okay, they will enjoy one another through thick and thin and laugh together often. Even the distance of several states and several months of not seeing one another dimmed the flame they share.

Patricia and I had the opportunity to photograph them together last month and I have to say I’ve never photographed such a relaxed couple. We love to spend some time with a couple before they get married because it gives us all a chance to hang together and get used to one another, and honestly, it’s just plain fun. You can’t help but be drawn in by that loving kind of energy.

Amanda and Cameron it was an absolute pleasure spending time with you at Seabright beach and Santa Cruz Harbour.  See you tomorrow!

To see more of Amanda and Cameron’s beach couple session, please see the slideshow.

Rebecca looked gorgeous on “her special day”, her gown simply beautiful, her hair and make-up coiffured lovingly by her dear friend Amy, her smile breathtakingly radiant. And she had done everything right to be here. Becca  is one very special gal to me. I’ve known her since she was in her early teen years when I first came to the US. She has lived her life in such a noble way that when she decided to marry, we all knew it would be to someone equally as honourable, intelligent, talented and fun. And so she did.

Wyatt looked so handsome in his tuxedo, it would have been impossible to wipe that smile off his face. His tenderness toward his new bride evident for all to see as we stood around freezing our tooshies off on a miserably cold, icy Salt Lake City day. Rebecca and Wyatt’s love story is unique  in that they were bought together by Wyatt’s grandma Bonnie, who had known Rebecca’s family years ago.   How many people can say they were set up by their grandma? Personally, I kind of think that rocks! (and may I say that Wyatt has an absolutely stunning Grandma!)

I first met Wyatt back in August when he came out to Santa Cruz to meet Becca’s family.(yeah, I kind of consider myself family too!) Patricia and I had the chance to photograph their engagement session at Santa Cruz Harbour while he was here visiting and I was impressed with how natural he was with us. It was a fun night getting to know the man who captured Becca’s heart.

Rebecca and Wyatt were married for time and all eternity at the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. On December 19th, 2011.

It was an early start to the celebration with some pre-wedding yoga, a nice relaxing bath and chit chat from us old marrieds. I think being surrounded by family and friends in a beautiful mountain cabin is the perfect send off  for a bride-to-be into her new life. I know I would have loved that.  And can I say nice bicep sistah!

Rebecca’s stunning bouquet was created by Provo Florist 

as we were leaving the restaurant we bumped into Santa…. a good reason to get married in December!!!

Santa Cruz put on a stunning day for the reception a week later.  The Darling House was the most beautiful location for friends and family to re-gather in the celebration of Rebecca and Wyatt. But first guests were invited to a DELICIOUS lunch at Stagnaro Brothers Restaurant on the wharf . (I highly recommend the pesto pasta TDF!) As we were all gathering for a group photo a flock of  gulls flew over and although people are still moving into positions I love the drama the birds add.

Rebecca’s hair and make-up was done by Cam Halford of Santa Cruz. Cam also reworked the beautiful bouquet into a stunning piece of artistry more suited to the Bride. (I have to say Cam’s work is amazing, Rebecca and her mama both looked stunning)

The Gorgeous (and SCRUMPTIOUS I might add) cake was created by The Buttery . They said their cakes were heaven, and oh my word they weren’t kidding! I have dreams about that carrot cake layer. YUM doesn’t even begin to describe it. The wonderfully clever cake topper was created by Stephanie Halford, of Santa Cruz.

Since the happy couple were returning to Utah to start their new lives together, we HAD to capture images at the beach before they left.  And what better memories of the day than family, friends, good food AND sunset on a Santa Cruz beach!

On Marriage -  Kahlil Gibran

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

wishing you both well in your journey together. ~ arohanui xoxo

my kinda way to spend a day.

I’ve known Darlene for many years. We were friends in New Zealand and she may or may not have been indirectly responsible for me meeting my hunky husband.  Do I owe her one some how? whatcha think? Anyways she’s been living in the US for several years now and even though I don’t get to see her as often as our kiwi hearts would like…being there on her most important day was a must! Darlene  married Wes on a gorgeous Phoenix day back in November and it was an honour to be there with her. Wes is adorable. And I enjoyed getting to know him a little. I was also so pleased to meet Cru, what a neat kid. I’m so happy for Darlene to have found a man who loves her, and a family to cherish forever. And lucky them that Darlene loves to cook – they lucked out BIG TIME!!

Here is a few million images for those who were not able to make it all the way from New Zealand. missed you guys. arohanui -g

She’s probably going to scream at me for this, but this is MY favourite image of her, it’s such a ‘D’ look lol

 Some time ago two strangers were in a bar both enjoying the company of their friends. Does this sound like the start of a bad joke? It’s not, they did not know it at the time but something spectacular was coming into alignment  in the universe… and on November 19th, 2011…a wedding took place between Jen and Brian that had it’s very beginnings with a first glance at Maloney’s.

She said he made her laugh… and he was captivated from the get go.

Patricia and I thank our lucky stars we were there to capture their marriage and to partake of the fun and laughter with their friends. And there was a LOT of laughter. You can see some of that HERE . Jen and Brian have a natural sense of play about them, that just seems so infectious. They is good people. Who have clearly surrounded themselves with peeps of the same ilk. It was an ENORMOUS pleasure to spend the day with them, their friends and families.

arohanui to you both. xoxo

Wedding Venue: The First Presbyterian Church of Alameda 

Reception Venue & catering : The Oakland Yacht Club

Flowers: Delford West Flowers

Entertainment: Rick Mustafa from Amos Productions