Mike & Michelle's Wedding at the Montage Laguna Beach
Every since I moved to California, the Montage has been a second home to me in my wedding photography career. It's not everyday that you come across a hotel that is so exceptional in every way, yet feels so cozy and unpretentious. I take my family there every year to look at the Christmas tree, and I can be found having a cocktail or strolling on the grounds on my days off!
Well, a big part of the reason the Montage is so amazing is the founder & CEO, Alan Fuerstman, and his commitment to excellence. So when I found out that I would be shooting the wedding of his son Mike and Mike's absolutely incredible bride Michelle, well, I could have died with excitement! Of course, I was not disappointed--Mike and Michelle were like the Montage itself--wonderful and gracious in every way, and the absolute perfect hosts all night long.
But let's start at the beginning :)
Michelle is as sweet as they come, and so was her dress:
Lovely little details:
Sigh. Red soles make my heart pitter patter!
Michelle was calm and collected as could be while getting ready:
Typically, the guys ate a good meal and relaxed all morning:
It's no surprise that Michelle had lots of great friends to help her get ready:
Such a beautiful and fun group of sisters & friends!
The perfect bride:
Something that not a lot of people know is that the Montage has a jewelry rental program so that you can be absolutely dripping with diamonds on your wedding day! I'll post other photos of her jewelry later:
There's just nothing like a groom in a bowtie. I think it should be required!
Such a dapper group of gentlemen:
Mike--such a GQ groom! He also has perfect hair. I think there were a few mentions of that in the toasts :) But seriously, it's perfect:
About to see one another for the first time on their wedding day:
Yay!
What I loved most about this day is that Mike and Michelle, even though they had a large wedding, were most at home during the moments they had alone together. Tehy really treasured that time, and it made my job quite easy!
A little help:
This couple should be on the cover of a magazine. Actually, they might be on the cover of a magazine. Stay tuned for that!
Although there were a few clouds, you really can't beat this view!
Square Root really outdid themselves with these lush arrangements:
A little side view of the ceremony:
I loved the wild roses in the arch!
An overhead view of the ceremony:
One last moment with her dad before walking down the aisle (this photo is from my second shooter that day, Lauren)
Mike waiting for his bride:
Cutie ring bearers! I hope my boys get to be in a wedding someday (hint hint Jonathan, hurry up and get married already!!):
Here we go!
Michelle's expression on the right is the best!!
The ceremony begins:
I love the way Mike concentrates just on Michelle. I think that if Mike could have planned the wedding, there would have been three people there--the officiant, himself, and Michelle. But Michelle had dreamed of a wedding on the lawn at the Montage her whole life, and you could see how much Mike just wanted her day to be perfect:
Love:
Everything about this day, even the clouds, were so soft and romantic looking:
A cool angle of the ceremony:
Oops, I was supposed to bring the rings?? :)
Don't worry, he had them:
Mazel Tov!
Walking back down the aisle are always some of my favorite moments:
Look at this great moment the kids were having! Thanks Lauren :)
I hope this gets pinned on Pinterest a million times. It would make Michelle's day :)
But seriously, who wouldn't want to be this girl?!
Stunner:
One advantage to a less than sunny day is beach with nobody on it--perfect for photos!
I hardly ever get to shoot on an empty beach in So. Cal. Now I'm spoiled for life!
This couple just always looks like they're in a Vanity Fair spread:
Love it:
With a big wedding, you have to find a few moments to connect as a couple on your wedding day. I'm just glad I was able to capture those moments:
Michelle, three ways:
Mike, hair still perfect even on the beach:
The reception space was transformed--pink glowy lighting, incredible arrangements, and a white dance floor!
What's that? You want me to post lots of photos of the INSANE decor, especially these tree arrangements? Oh, ok:
Hanging candles are awesome!
What a perfect cake with all those sugar flowers! I swear, even up close, I thought they were real:
More lights:
First dance:
A classic Hora shot! Red soles!
Horas are amazing. I think they should be mandatory at all weddings:
Such a sweet moment during toasts:
This is so perfectly Michelle, with her mom. She is so thoughtful and sweet to everyone around her. I just adore her!
Of course, toasts should always be a little roast-ish:
Parent dances, and such a cute moment with Mike & his mom:
Couples on the dance floor together are so fun!
Party! Love stuff like this:
Cake cutting (it was delicious!)
Mike and Michelle, it was such an honor to get to be a part of your perfect day. You two deserve nothing but the best of everything, and I hope your marriage is as sweet as both of you!
This wedding was made possible by the following amazing people:
Coordinator Extraordinaire: Alicia Townsend of Details DetailsVenue & Catering Manager: Patty Burns, Montage Laguna BeachHair & Makeup: Matt Motherhead (hair), Kristin Merkling (makeup)Floral Designer & Linens: Square RootVideographer: Shannon of Hoo FilmsBand: West Coast MusicDJ: Peter Papadopoulos
Well, a big part of the reason the Montage is so amazing is the founder & CEO, Alan Fuerstman, and his commitment to excellence. So when I found out that I would be shooting the wedding of his son Mike and Mike's absolutely incredible bride Michelle, well, I could have died with excitement! Of course, I was not disappointed--Mike and Michelle were like the Montage itself--wonderful and gracious in every way, and the absolute perfect hosts all night long.
But let's start at the beginning :)
Michelle is as sweet as they come, and so was her dress:
Lovely little details:
Sigh. Red soles make my heart pitter patter!
Michelle was calm and collected as could be while getting ready:
Typically, the guys ate a good meal and relaxed all morning:
It's no surprise that Michelle had lots of great friends to help her get ready:
Such a beautiful and fun group of sisters & friends!
The perfect bride:
Something that not a lot of people know is that the Montage has a jewelry rental program so that you can be absolutely dripping with diamonds on your wedding day! I'll post other photos of her jewelry later:
There's just nothing like a groom in a bowtie. I think it should be required!
Such a dapper group of gentlemen:
Mike--such a GQ groom! He also has perfect hair. I think there were a few mentions of that in the toasts :) But seriously, it's perfect:
About to see one another for the first time on their wedding day:
Yay!
What I loved most about this day is that Mike and Michelle, even though they had a large wedding, were most at home during the moments they had alone together. Tehy really treasured that time, and it made my job quite easy!
A little help:
This couple should be on the cover of a magazine. Actually, they might be on the cover of a magazine. Stay tuned for that!
Although there were a few clouds, you really can't beat this view!
Square Root really outdid themselves with these lush arrangements:
A little side view of the ceremony:
I loved the wild roses in the arch!
An overhead view of the ceremony:
One last moment with her dad before walking down the aisle (this photo is from my second shooter that day, Lauren)
Mike waiting for his bride:
Cutie ring bearers! I hope my boys get to be in a wedding someday (hint hint Jonathan, hurry up and get married already!!):
Here we go!
Michelle's expression on the right is the best!!
The ceremony begins:
I love the way Mike concentrates just on Michelle. I think that if Mike could have planned the wedding, there would have been three people there--the officiant, himself, and Michelle. But Michelle had dreamed of a wedding on the lawn at the Montage her whole life, and you could see how much Mike just wanted her day to be perfect:
Love:
Everything about this day, even the clouds, were so soft and romantic looking:
A cool angle of the ceremony:
Oops, I was supposed to bring the rings?? :)
Don't worry, he had them:
Mazel Tov!
Walking back down the aisle are always some of my favorite moments:
Look at this great moment the kids were having! Thanks Lauren :)
I hope this gets pinned on Pinterest a million times. It would make Michelle's day :)
But seriously, who wouldn't want to be this girl?!
Stunner:
One advantage to a less than sunny day is beach with nobody on it--perfect for photos!
I hardly ever get to shoot on an empty beach in So. Cal. Now I'm spoiled for life!
This couple just always looks like they're in a Vanity Fair spread:
Love it:
With a big wedding, you have to find a few moments to connect as a couple on your wedding day. I'm just glad I was able to capture those moments:
Michelle, three ways:
Mike, hair still perfect even on the beach:
The reception space was transformed--pink glowy lighting, incredible arrangements, and a white dance floor!
What's that? You want me to post lots of photos of the INSANE decor, especially these tree arrangements? Oh, ok:
Hanging candles are awesome!
What a perfect cake with all those sugar flowers! I swear, even up close, I thought they were real:
More lights:
First dance:
A classic Hora shot! Red soles!
Horas are amazing. I think they should be mandatory at all weddings:
Such a sweet moment during toasts:
This is so perfectly Michelle, with her mom. She is so thoughtful and sweet to everyone around her. I just adore her!
Of course, toasts should always be a little roast-ish:
Parent dances, and such a cute moment with Mike & his mom:
Couples on the dance floor together are so fun!
Party! Love stuff like this:
Cake cutting (it was delicious!)
Mike and Michelle, it was such an honor to get to be a part of your perfect day. You two deserve nothing but the best of everything, and I hope your marriage is as sweet as both of you!
This wedding was made possible by the following amazing people:
Coordinator Extraordinaire: Alicia Townsend of Details DetailsVenue & Catering Manager: Patty Burns, Montage Laguna BeachHair & Makeup: Matt Motherhead (hair), Kristin Merkling (makeup)Floral Designer & Linens: Square RootVideographer: Shannon of Hoo FilmsBand: West Coast MusicDJ: Peter Papadopoulos
