Matthew + Nichole: The Casino San Clemente Wedding

A SAN CLEMENTE WEDDING

UGH THESE FRIENDS OF MINE!! I’ve known Nichole forever and a day, but I met Matthew at Lexi and Rendon’s wedding when Nichole was a bridesmaid. They danced the night away and a year and a half later were married at The Casino in San Clemente. It was the most beautiful wedding including incredible florals by Chesca Makes Things and the best DJ ever (other than his roomie) DJ BMO. Thanks to my girl Valerie for second shooting this wedding with me! She killed it. I LOVE getting to work with my friends, so hit me up for that friendor list if you book me for your wedding!! You’ll get the best people who will make your day so fun and run smoothly!

Tips To Have Your Wedding During COVID 19

A WAY TO HAVE YOUR WEDDING EVEN DURING CORONAVIRUS

The world is in panic mode. We are all more aware, but fear and worry are alive and well. I’m not going to get too deep into the effects of social media, BUT social media has the world stressed out. Couples are canceling or postponing their weddings, events, etc left and right because many of their guests and family are immunocompromised. I had a couple have to postpone their wedding due to their family flying in from Korea, as well as had a maternity session canceled because the wedding they were supposed to attend in CA was canceled. I was even supposed to second shoot a wedding yesterday and the couple decided it was best to cancel their reception and have an intimate ceremony with their immediate families on Friday night. This post doesn’t come lightly because I know things can change at the drop of a hat and this is unchartered territory for a lot of us.

In light of the current situation, I want all of my couples (past, current and future), I’m here for them to make sure their day or photo shoot is exactly what they envision it to be, which is why I want to provide a few tips that will allow couples to still move forward with their wedding day!

You and your family/friends’ safety is top priority, so I completely understand if you need to postpone due to COVID 19. You won’t be required to pay a new retainer and instead your original retainer will transfer to a new date. Before you completely cancel, consider a few of these options/tips below!

Consider Live streaming Your Wedding: This morning, I watched my church service from the comfort of my own home. I’m not immunocompromised, but people in my church are, so they gave an option for everyone. For those family members who can’t make the trip, give them the option to see it all live from the comfort of their own home.

Consider Hiring a Videographer: Photos really are worth a million words, but there are so many times I hear vows or toasts at weddings and I think, man I wish they had video of this. Now is your chance - again for those family or friends who can’t fly or be around that many people. When things calm down, throw a viewing party with those people!

Consider Getting Outside: People are already cooped up inside, so any chance to get outside and have some breathing room is key! I know rentals can get expensive, but bring in more tables if possible, so people can be spaced out.

Consider Serviced Dinner: Again, I know you probably are saving money with a buffet (just like less rentals), but the less people touching or even just breathing over the food, the better. Your caterers will take the precautions necessary to ensure you and your guests are safe.

Consider an intimate crowd: Invite your closest family and friends to celebrate you two! It’s a safe bet and you’re more likely to be able to interact with each and every person.

Ask those sick guests to stay home: If you’re still set on inviting every single person on your guest list, make sure to ask anyone who feels sick (even if it’s just a slight cough) to stay home. This is where live streaming and/or a videographer come in handy as well!

Consider a day of coordinator: If you don’t already have a planner, definitely consider a day of coordinator to help alleviate any stress so you can focus on enjoying your wedding day. A day of coordinator will make sure any questions go directly to their team instead of you as a couple, which will allow you to have the most fun on your wedding day!

Consider a big reception later: Hit the courthouse or even stick with your original venue, but with a smaller crew. It can be as small as you two, an officiant, and a photographer or as big as 30-50 people then invite everyone for a big reception later on! Make sure to let your vendors know and see what options they have for you in this case.

Consider your vendors: We’re all willing to work with you and understand why you may need to postpone, but please consider for a lot of us this is our full time job. Many of us don’t have another source of income and it’s also tax season, which means we are sending big checks to government while the average person is waiting on a tax refund. We’re here for YOU!! We can’t serve you unless you talk to us, so please ask questions and talk through the options with us.

Blake + Hollyann: San Moritz Lodge Wedding

A LAKE GREGORY WEDDING

Blake and Hollyann are nature people!! They did their engagement session at Carbon Canyon and of course they were married in the middle of nature at San Moritz Lodge. If you’ve never been there, like me - this was my first time (well second because I did a venue walk through) - it is freaking amazing! It’s this cute little lodge that sits on the lake. There are a ton of paths to walk, which made for some great romantics, but there are also so many trees right around the venue, which made for easy access to beautiful locations for family + wedding party photos.

Blake and Hollyann definitely wanted something epic, which is why they asked if I could scout the venue ahead of time. As I mentioned above - so many good spots within walking distance, but after I did the walk through, I drove around the lake to see if I could find anything cool. Well check that first shot out!! It’s on the other side of the lake, which meant we had about 15 minutes to sneak away for these shots! Worth it!!

Miriam + Maxwell: Tucson, AZ Wedding

A TUCSON WEDDING

I traveled to Tucson, AZ with my friend Georgie to second shoot this wedding for her! I love getting out of my own state to work with rad couples in beautiful venues like this! Georgie and I had a free day, so we sat by the pool and ordered food + drinks - SO FUN! We met up with the couple in the middle of this and again later that night at their rehearsal dinner. The next day was wedding day and we had so much fun hanging with their crew!

Best of 2019!

A LOOK BACK AT 2019

2019 was a solid year and such a great way to end the decade!! It was my third year shooting weddings & I also I lead shot the most weddings thus far. So wild! I went into 2019 with only a couple of weddings booked, but wound up at 18. My goal is usually 10-12 so I can handle also shooting commercial and portrait work, but it is safe to say I can definitely shoot 20-22 and still handle the other work. I still second shot this year, too and even got to travel a bit for weddings. I made it to Wisconsin for a wedding at the Green Bay Botanical Gardens, was able to second shoot a few weddings on Long Island and shot another proposal in Central Park. I met Troy Williams at the beginning of this year and had the pleasure of working 3 events with him!! Thank you, Troy!

I’m heading into 2020 with 13 weddings booked - FREAKING WILD!!! I have two booked in NY and my goal is 3 in NY. I still have the whole year ahead, so I think I may need to increase that goal. I’ll also be spending more time in New York - as in longer periods of time rather than going so frequently for short periods. I haven’t thought too too much about my goals for 2020, but I do want to start shooting more film during weddings - maybe a roll at each wedding. What are your goals for 2020?