MICHELLE + ALEX // a four seasons santa barbara wedding

“To witness something is a privilege and a responsibility. A witness must share what they have experienced. They must tell the story of those with whom they have shared a moment. Something in which they’ve had a special privilege to take part in. … The story of what you have seen must be shared so that it may live on.”

Those were the words from the groom’s sister. She was speaking to all the guests at the reception but I couldn’t help but feel that she was talking to me. It is, after all, my responsibility to document all the moments in moving pictures and sound so that the story lives on. What a responsibility. What an honor.

Here is the story of one very special day in the life of Michelle and Alex.

 

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

 

Cast of characters:

Venue: Four Seasons Santa Barbara

Planning and Design: Natalie Good, A Good Affair

Photographer: Tauran Woo

DJ: Elevated Pulse

Hair & Makeup: Kelly Zhang

 

 

LISA + SETH // trailer

When a couple first comes to me asking about my services, the first thing I do is ask a ton of questions. Probably not what a lot of couples want to hear especially when they just want to know “how much?” Now, here’s the reason I ask the questions I do. Not only is it important to know the logistics of the day so I know how to build the right package, but it’s also important to know what the couple’s style is like, what’s important to them and what their favorite cookies are. Ok, ok … the cookie part is more for me – as a cookie lover with a gluten allergy, I live vicariously through the cookie-eating habits of others.  :)

So after I asked Lisa and Seth the questions above, here’s a small excerpt of what Seth wrote … “Lisa has been adamant that she “doesn’t care” if it was BYO-food:)and we provide red Solo cups and kegs,  yet we are having a black tie wedding  … a mature, fun, energized event, with the heart of college party.”

Red Solo cups and black tie? That gave me a nice glimpse as to who they are a couple. Combine that with their fun-loving, silly energy on the day and I had a pretty clear vision as to what I was to do for their wedding teaser. Here’s their trailer. Let me know what you think.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

 

Cast of characters:

Photography: Ellice Boone, ES Photography

Venue: Sephardic Temple

MARGARITA + SUJAY // highlights

The world got a little bit smaller earlier this year. Did you feel it? It happened when Margarita, a beautiful Armenian woman, married Sujay, a handsome Indian man in, not one, but two ceremonies … to honor both bride and groom’s rich and colorful cultures. What a beautiful, busy, colorful, love-filled day it was.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

 

Cast of characters …

Venue: La Venta

Photographer: Hazelwood Photo

Floral & Décor: Bobbe Vagell Floral Design Studio

DJ: DJs At Your Service

Hair & Makeup: Swell Beauty

Bridal Fashions: Panache Bridal Salon

Special thanks to guest event filmmaker Martin Montgomery.

 

KIM + JEFF // highlights

I can’t tell you how much I love the toast given by one of the groomsmen at Kim & Jeff’s wedding. Truth be told, all the toasts given that evening at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu were genuine and heartfelt but it was this one particular toast that can be used to describe the magic of a real love story. It’s almost like winning the lottery. You’ll see what I mean once you watch the video.

So, without further ado, here is the wedding story of a girl from Massachusetts and a boy from Illinois.

For smoother video, allow the video to load completely before playing. Click play, immediately hit pause until the bar is completely grayed out then hit play again. Enjoy!

P.S. Did I forget to mention that the second song in this highlights film was created by the beautiful bride herself? Very fun stuff. Check out the rest of her music at kimdivine.com. Other music for the highlights licensed through The Music Bed themusicbed.com.

 

CAST OF CHARACTERS …

Venue: Calamigos Ranch, Malibu

Photography: Tyler Branch Photo

Coordination: Jenifour Jones, Go Get It Events & Weddings

Florals & Decor: The Little Branch

Band: Ground Control

Music: Jason Sulkin

Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop

Flip Book Station: A Little Scene Flip Book

Transportation: Wilshire Limousine

Hotel: Huntley Hotel, Santa Monica

Hair: Jessica Krueger, jesskrueger@gmail.com

Makeup: Nicole Walmsley

… and me! Isabel!:)

 

OC/LA Blissful Wishes Ball 2012

I recently had the opportunity to shoot a wonderful charity event – Wish Upon A Wedding‘s (WUW) Blissful Wishes Ball at the ever-lovely Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. If you’ve never heard of Wish Upon A Wedding, here’s the scoop … it’s the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. The ball was a success with over 200 people in attendance and over $25,000 raised. Methinks we should go for $50,000 next year. What d’ya think?

In attendance was Veronica, one of this year’s WUW recipients. Listen to her story and you’ll see how this organization touches lives and makes a difference.

Here’s a highlights of the event and how it all came together that day. Enjoy.

Here’s a list of the generous 2012 Gala Sponsors …

Vibiana
Good Gracious Catering
TGIS Catering
Vanilla Bake Shop
One Hope Wine
Cocktail Concierge
Samuel Lippke Studios
Classic Party Rentals
Wildflower Linens
Ice Bulb
Shirvan Designs
My Flower Guy
Commerce Flowers
Calligraphy Katrina
DJ Nahchey
Event Company OC
Undercover Live Entertainment
Rev. Clint Hufft
Fusion Designs
SoCal Shutterbooth
The Electric Violinist
Fusion Linens
Chiavari Chair Rentals
Wine Straws
ZinGBer Publishing – Barbara Wallace Weddings
Here Comes the Guide

and me!  :)