This wedding was a grand event planned out to the finest detail by Danone (MOB) and family and coordinated on the day by the fabulous wedding planner Mimi Flowers of Mimi’s Events. The getting ready pictures were taken at the chic Malibu Inn on PCH and the ceremony was held at the Staufer Chapel on Pepperdines campus. This was really sentimental for Andrea and I because this was where we exchanged vows just 7 looong years ago. I kid..I kid! Seems like yesterday! 

Breana was escorted by her dad in a vintage white Rolls Royce to the chapel and it was really sweet. After a short ceremony and family pictures, they held a butterfly release and then headed to cocktail hour back at the Adamson House. I was really inspired upon arriving there and saw many things I wanted to photograph with them before the Grand Entrance. We were tight on time and I just had about 10 minutes to create something cool by the pool house – I really love the few shots we got in that time.  It was a perfect California evening next to the surf and under the stars, shared with close friends and family. And Wow, the dancing! I haven’t seen break dance moves like that since the 80′s! I tried the caterpillar and luckily the camera broke my fall. 

A big thanks to Mark and Danone- Breanna’s parents, for making us feel so welcome. Below are a few favorites from the day. More on our facebook page.

Wedding details:

Hotel for getting ready: Malibu Beach Inn

Ceremony: Stauffer Chapel

Reception: Adamson House

Caterer: Truly Yours Catering

Live Entertainment: DeBois Entertainment

A big thanks to Tom Galassi for flying in from Vancouver to help me photograph their wedding!

Now if I can just get the cover to SI Swimsuit edition…. ; )

You can pick up a copy of this magazine at major bookstores and newsstands nationwide.

One of my favorite moments on wedding day is when the bride’s father see’s his daughter for the first time. You can usually tell right away the relationship and bond the two have according to the reaction of the dad. Well, Jill’s dad didn’t disappoint. Instant tears! And I flash-forwarded to imagining myself having the same reaction when my daughter gets married one day. ( I know I have plenty of time to prepare). But he literally had to leave the room to gain his composure. Jill did look stunning and Ryan isn’t too shabby himself.

For the getting ready pictures, we work differently from most all other photographers. I like to send my wife with the guys and I usually hang with the ladies because I find the opposite sex brings out much better candids this way. Well, while editing the pictures from this wedding, I noticed lots and lots of “extra” getting ready pics of the guys getting ready. I’m sure it wasn’t because Ryan was shirtless and buff. My wife just had a smile on her face and said she was trying to get the exposure right! ; )

Well we both really enjoyed this wedding and that’s what it’s all about. I tried to convince them to bring us with them on their honeymoon to Tahiti, but no luck.

We always love working with the DJ’s from Gold Dust Entertainment and they kept the crowd rockin’ !

Gorgeous Orchids (one of the most amazing bouquets I’ve ever seen) and other flowers provided by Flowers by Felicia

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I checked into to my nice suite at the newer smoke-free Signature tower at the MGM and then headed over to Amy’s amazing Skyloft Suite. So after some fun getting ready pictures, we headed downstairs to wait for the 30 passenger party-limo-bus that had been ordered. Only problem was it wasn’t there. So after about 45 minutes, it shows up and the driver was nervously trying to figure out how to operate the controls of the bus while driving and talking on her cell. Just as we approach the highway, the limo shuts down and we find ourselves stranded on the side of the highway. Amy rolled with the situation better than any bride could have. Sure there was disappointment, but her friends are way to fun to let it ruin her night. So party on the side of the road until Caffeinated Dan showed up with the relief party bus.

We arrived at Graceland Chapel and I was bummed that I wasn’t allowed to take any photos during the service. But it was really cool to just hang and be a guest and experience Elvis serenading Amy as he walked her down the aisle. It was over before we knew it and back on the bus headed to the MGM party suite. A good time had by all.

Check out the Video below:

Denise and Fred had their destination wedding at Turtle Beach in Sarasota Florida. A beautiful white sand beach and popular vacation spot. It was one of the hottest days I’ve ever experienced shooting. I think my black camera body seared my lip like a piece of Ahi Tuna at one point, but hey anything for these guys!

I first met Denise on the set of a David la Chappelle photoshoot in the Bahamas and he just so happened to be a guest at her wedding. And it was nice for me to see him again after all these years. I used to work with David and her brother Fred for several years and I attribute that time as my greatest learning experience. So I was honored to get the call to photograph Denise’s wedding.

Denise looked gorgeous and despite the sweltering heat, we made the best of it and got some really fun photos that day.  They held their reception at Ophelias on the bay and it was a beautiful backdrop for their reception. The next day we hit Siesta Key Beach  for their Trash the Dress photoshoot for their world famous white sand and aqua blue water..and dragonflies! It was crazy. Hundreds of dragonflies seemed to come out of nowhere as soon as we started taking pictures. Very surreal. We gave a show to the tourists who couldn’t believe Densie would run into the ocean in her dress. Some were shocked while others cheered us on. It was awesome and I always love TTD photoshoots.  It was a fast trip and I look forward to going back to explore the area and enjoy the beach a little more next time.

Click Play below for Album Slideshow

This is my third wedding in six weeks down in Playa del Carmen Mexico and all three weddings have been a blast. This wedding was special for me because it was my first time photographing and directing a bride who is hearing impaired. I think Diana was more nervous about it that I was, but for me after 5 minutes it was really no different than photographing any other bride. I like to use long lenses when I shoot so that I’m not so close and in your face … so I often use hand signals to direct my couples a little when needed. Well if anyone could understand my hand signals instantly, it was Diana! And what a gorgeous bride! So photogenic.

I was really touched by their relationship. Rocky fell in love with Diana, and didn’t let their communication be an issue. He has learned sign language and Diana reads lips. During the ceremony, he signed his vows to her and it was just really sweet.

I took a lot of pictures over the weekend. Again, I was inspired everywhere I looked. Rehearsal dinner at the very cool and jungly La Cueva del Chango. Note: Bring mosquito repellent! A Trash the Dress session that may just be one of my favorites of all time. We walked through the streets of Playa del Carmen, walked through another resort I had scoped out, made Diana get into the pool and sit in this modern chair and then finished at the beach rolling around in the surf. Totally fun!

And I really liked The Royal resort for the reception location. It was held on the vast lawn surrounded by the resort and it was really picturesque.

Here are just a few favorites from the wedding and TTD.