More and more, I find that clients are booking me through email when they're either getting married locally and live somewhere else, or they live somewhere else AND their wedding is somewhere else. What this means is that sometimes I show up to a wedding and I've never met the couple in person before.  And sometimes what that means is that I show up and the bride is a Russian supermodel!
Actually, I have Laurie Davies, coordinator, to thank for this wedding.  And I also have her to thank for the absolutely perfect, beautiful day I spent photographing this lovely wedding down at Pelican hill.  Thanks Laurie!
I showed up to a crisp, clear day:


And to a lighter than air, incredible Monique Lhuillier gown:


And this:


What a beautiful bride!


I mean, seriously:





These shoes are the best!


Some people say that this champagne is the best:


If this were my gown, I would wear it every day:


Some last fixing by her mama:


What an absolutely perfect spot (and bride):


I'm sure you won't mind if I share lots of photos of her:

















Yes, there was a groom at the wedding too :)


He was rather the well-dressed groom himself:


First look!








I did take a few extra minutes for some portraits before we headed off:


There is just so much you can do with the ceremony site at Pelican--I love it! Some people use the gazebo and some don't--I love seeing what each couple decides to do with the space:





Keith Laverty, florist extraordinaire provided the blooms:


And all this:


One last moment before the ceremony:


Then it was time to go!





What a beautiful moment:





A sneak peek at his bride:


The ring exchange:





I love this shot of the sand ceremony:


A moment of reflection:


The vows:


One last prayer:





Sealed with a kiss!


Married at last!


We headed down to Crystal Cove for some beach photos:





This bride wasn't afraid to get her feet wet!











Meanwhile, back at Pelican Hill:


The ballroom looked SO spectacular!


The best:


The flowers were real, but the cake flowers were sugar:


There were flowers everywhere:


A nod to a golf habit:


Here comes the newlyweds!


A traditional ceremony:


I love this shot of the parents:


First dance:








Now we get to see if the champagne is as good as they say:


A great toasting moment:


Another one:


Yup--there wasn't a drop of champagne left after this:


The moment on the right shows such a special relationship between a bride and her father:


I just love them together!


Of course we had to step out close to sunset for a few more photos:


Those moments RIGHT after the sun goes down are magical too:





Love this!





Back to the dancing--mama & son:


What a pretty view from the ballroom:


Once the sun went down, it was party all the way!


And cake :)


Then this beautiful tradition I had never seen before:


The last shot before I left:


Thank you so much for allowing me to capture this day!!