Wedding

Reagan & Ken’s Wedding: Sherwood Country Club, Malibu

Reagan and Ken celebrated their marriage this past weekend with a double wedding.  On Friday, they had an intimate  family ceremony at Our Lady of Malibu.  Before their family dinner on the Malibu Pier, we had some time for a quick photoshoot at the beach.

Malibu wedding Photographer

It kinda reminds me of their engagement session from back in September.  Reagan wore her mother’s altered wedding dress; her favorite part of the new design was the deep V back.

Malibu wedding Photographer

On Saturday, they continued the celebration at Sherwood Country Club in Malibu for a more formal ceremony followed by reception.

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As the ladies were getting ready, I took some detail shots.  The girls giggled at the “Doll-sized” corset.

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Los Angles Wedding Photography

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Family formal shots were taken right at the ceremony site.  Some advice I give all my couples, is to write a list of family members they’d like in the family formal pictures, and then give that list to someone in the bridal party.  Reagan did and appointed her most organized bridesmaid.  I couldn’t believe it when we were done with ALL of the family formal pictures in about 10 minutes!!  Actually, I can believe it.  It really pays to be prepared.

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With family formals done quickly, we had extra time to photograph the bridal party in different locations, including the front of the site.

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Taking a romantic golf cart ride to our photo spot!

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The pathway leading to the picturesque waterfall is lined with thick rose trees on both sides.

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I love Reagan’s veil.  I think it was taller than me with my arm lifted high!

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A special part of dinner, was a coffee station with the most AMAZING drinks!  Pictured on the right is Jenna Armstrong, superstar assistant and 2nd shooter!  =)

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Location: Sherwood Country Club, Malibu
Photography: Sherri J Photography
Day-Of Coordinator: Peggy Shevlin Event Specialist
Ceremony and Reception Music: The Ho-Dads, Bob Schuster
Cake Baker and Decorator: LaStarr Cakes & Co., Starr
Florist: Britica Designs, Bianca Landworth
Calligraphy: First Impressions Designs (bride’s personal company!)
Hair and Make-Up: T.E.A.M. Hair and Make-Up, Mar

Update: This wedding has been published on Hind Sight Bride! Feb 20, 2012

Destination Wedding: Lower Yosemite Falls

This past weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Kelly and David’s destination wedding.  When Kelly described her wedding to me, I was super excited.  She planned on a very intimate ceremony with about 25 guests, lots of personal details, and the location…. Yosemite!  I’ve actually been wanting to go to Yosemite for a while now, so this was a dream.  Included below are mostly pictures of the guest experience and Kelly.  First, a picture of the “Tunnel View.”

yosemite wedding destination

yosemite wedding photography

A welcome gift bag awaiting at the hotel for us.  Included in the bag was snacks, water, mini flashlight, map, paper soap, band-aids, sun block, compass, hand sanitizer, carabiner, off repellent, matches, and tissue.  I love all the details Kelly thought about!

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I started with some pictures of David at 9am.  Location: The Lower Yosemite Falls Lodge.

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Kelly got ready in a cozy cabin at the historic Awahnee Hotel, right under the falls.

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Awahnee Hotel yosemite wedding photography

Awahnee Hotel

Kelly’s dress was customized with a beautiful red flower and sheer gold fabric on the backing.  She also made her necklace, earrings, and the hangars!

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Ever since I got my Canon 100mm macro lens, the “ring shot” is one of my favorite things to do.   I like to incorporate one object that represents the wedding.   It’s usually something simple like a pine cone (as shown below), a leaf, a bird’s nest from the table decorations, or flowers.

yosemite wedding photography

Awahnee Hotel yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

Intimate ceremony at the falls.

yosemite wedding photography

Guest added leafs with their finger prints on a tree Kelly made.

yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

yosemite wedding photography

Since the wedding took place in the morning, everyone had a great lunch at the historic Awahnee hotel.  I was done shooting by 3:30pm, which is the record earliest finish time for me!  After their busy morning, Kelly and David were able to start their relaxing weekend hanging out with friends and family, hiking, and rock climbing.

Awahnee Hotel yosemite

*Pleast note: for personal reasons, some of the images from the wedding will remain private.

Karina and Kevin: Wedding at Malibou Lake

Karina and Kevin tied the knot this past Sunday at Malibou Lake Mountain Club.  For their wedding they pulled inspiration from the Anthropologie store catalog and chose bright yellow and blue to brighten up their day.  I had a chance to get to know them during their Malibu engagement in December right down the street from their wedding location.  You can peep some of the engagement pictures HERE.  Friends and family may see all the wedding images HERE.

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This beautiful bay window at the reception spot overlooked the ceremony site, and it also made the perfect spot for the dress shot!

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There were so many flowers all over the property.  It smelled so good!  And at sunset, the reception site was so pretty.  I love the twinkling lights.

Malibu wedding Photographer

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When I arrived at the site earlier in the day, I noticed the entrance sign to Malibou Lake.  It had twinkling lights on it, and I just knew it would make a great night shot!  I was pretty much looking forward to picture one all day long.

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A couple of shots behind the scenes.

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Tara & Timmy: Backyard Wedding

This past weekend, I had the great pleasure of photographing Tara and Timmy as they tied the knot at the house Tara grew up in Newhall, CA.  Her style was “shabby chic with a vintage vibe.”  When we first met and she described her wedding to me, it seems she named all the pretty colors of the rainbow and said that would be mixed with burlap and lace.  After seeing them and their vision, I knew the wedding photos would be awesome!   They are both gorgeous and I really love backyard weddings.  Friends and family may see all the wedding images HERE.

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The flowers were amazing!!  A classy mix of white and yellow.  I love the detailing of burlap, lace, and pearls on the stems.

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Tara’s green eyes are stunning!

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The ceremony and reception both took place in the back yard.  Tara created an alter made of a door and windows to represent a home.

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The backyard was so amazing.  Can you believe it fit 200 guest very comfortably?!

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As guests were enjoying some refreshments before dinner, we had time for some formal pictures at the neighbor’s large Oak Tree.

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I love these centerpieces!  Simple, multicolored, and bright.

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Photography: SherriJ Photography
Location: Bride’s Childhood home
Day of Planner: Amanda Andrews
Makeup: Tiffany Baker (Bridesmaid)
Florist: Bonnie Roberts (Family Friend)
Catering: BBQ
Custom Painted Signs: Painted Joy

*UPDATE This wedding has been published on Blueberry Wedding HERE.  (May 30, 2011)

Lauren & Chris: Wedding at the Santa Barbara Zoo!

I met Lauren last year as she started planning her wedding.  As soon as she told me it was at the Santa Barbara Zoo, I was a little confused and thought “wait, you can have a wedding at the Zoo??  That’s genius!”  Lauren is an animal lover, and super sweet.  I’ve been dreaming about her wedding ever since then and I’m very pleased to share my favorites from her wedding day.  Enjoy!

Los Angles Wedding Photographer

santa barbara zoo wedding photography

santa barbara zoo wedding photography

These earrings are special to Chris, it was his mother’s before she passed away.  I think they’re beautiful and it matched Lauren’s dress perfectly!

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The First Look…

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Los Angles Wedding Photographer

I think the following series is my favorite set from the wedding.  Such a sweet moment, and Lauren’s eyes just sparkle!

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A unique German marriage tradition, is for the Bride and Groom to drink wine out of the same glass.  And they did, without spilling a drop!

Los Angles Wedding Photographer

Los Angles Wedding Photographer

After the ceremony, guests were allowed to visit with a friendly Penguin and feed the Giraffes.

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santa barbara zoo wedding photography

santa barbara zoo wedding photography

santa barbara zoo wedding photography

santa barbara zoo wedding photography

First Dance.

Sherri Johnson Wedding Photography

Sherri Johnson Wedding Photography

Lauren and Chris did a lot of nontraditional things, at their wedding.  Like, instead of a traditional wedding cake, Lauren and Chris opted for Sundaes and Root Beer Floats.

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The SJP Photo Booth.

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Lastly, a shot behind the scenes.

liz wang photography

Venue: Santa Barbara Zoo
Florals by: Passion Flowers Design
Photography: SherriJ Photography
Music: DJ Shark
*Update, this wedding has been published on Wedding Channel.