Fine Art Romantic Wedding Photography for Amazing People

Liz and Dave

I am such a sissy sometimes. I swear. Maybe its because I have kids… or maybe I am just “the sensitive type” (read with sarcastic tone)

There isn’t anything that gets me more than watching a daughter and her father at a wedding. Whether it be the first time he sees his little girl in her dress, walking down the isle, or the father daughter dance… I go to mush looking at the pictures. Especially when it is for a wedding like Liz and Dave. From the short time I spent with Liz’s dad, it was clear he was very invested in this wedding and I don’t mean the pocketbook form of investment. Heck, when I couldn’t find anyone to help me get her dress out of the bag to hang it up, Liz’s dad came to the rescue. You should have seen how carefully he handled it. You could tell it was something significant just by watching how he looked at it. I think somewhere inside he knew exactly what that dress meant… and that, that summer day was the day his little girl was going to put it to purpose…

I don’t have a daughter… and perhaps that is a good thing, cause I think I might just be a blubbering mess on her wedding day.

Liz and Dave, I loved every second of your wedding. Both of your families and your friends made me feel like I was a long lost relative there to record your day. I’d like to think I accomplished just that.

Leili and Brandon

Leili and Brandon were married just this last Saturday at the awesome Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills. I will definitely be sharing that in a couple weeks, but for now, I will use their engagement images to get you prepped.

I am normally pretty stoic during the wedding ceremonies. There is typically a lot for me to pay attention to, watching for emotional reactions and making sure that I am using the light the best way possible. I am kinda in “the zone”… Don’t get me wrong, I love them and I pretty much smile like an idiot through all of them watching my couple experience something profoundly meaningful and wonderful… but I don’t really tear up or anything… I am too busy trying to get pictures of YOU tearing up. 😉

…but this one really got to me. Which shouldn’t be surprising, Leili and Brandon are such generous and genuine people that it was impossible not to feel a sense of joy for them. But, there was something more to it than just that… Stay tuned for that story in a couple weeks.

Tess and Joe

To say it was a wild night would be an understatement…

This is how a backyard wedding is done right, and done for all the right reasons. I think Tess said it bes; “We didn’t care about traditions, we wanted everything to feel personal. No cake cutting, No lame-o chicken or salmon dish and most importantly no impersonal ceremony. Joey’s parent’s backyard was such a lovely place to get married. We wanted our ceremony to celebrate all of the people who’s relationships were inspirational to us, so we had friends and families wedding/commitment ceremony pictures hanging from the tree behind our homemade alter. Joey and I really just wanted it to feel comfortable, intimate, fun, and reflective of the things that we like.”

Tess and Joe, your wedding left a mark on me. As I am sure it will to anyone that looks at these pictures. That day embodied everything that weddings should be; A completely unrestrained celebration of love, friends, family, and a new bond. I know that was the goal from the start….

Mission accomplished.

[audio:https://paulvonrieter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/01-I-Knew-Prufrock-Before-He-Got-Famous.mp3|titles=01 – I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous]

Venue: Joey’s parents diggs

Ceremony Music; Joey’s sister and Kevin from Two Guns

Catering; Allegria Cocina Latina

Dinner, cocktail and driveway salsa; Cafe Fuego

Recipe for Boozy Snow Cones; basil syrup with blueberry vodka and lemon rosemary simple syrup with hendricks gin… and a snow cone machine.

DJ; Dennis Owens and Patrick Miller of Proper Sound

Ceremony Dress; Davids Bridal embellished with vintage broach from Lulu’s Vintage

Reception Dress; vintage silk evening gown with a vintage Spanish silk piano shawl bought on etsy

Make up artist; Dana Delaney

Andrea and Andrew

Chad at Maison Des Oliviers

OH HEY THERE!!! Wait just one second… Did I tell you I have a brand new facebook page?

No?? Well, click HERE and go “like” it.

It is a great way to keep up to date with my wedding work… and trust when I say that I have some major stuff to share over the next couple months. Beautiful DIY weddings and wonderfully styled receptions. You won’t want to miss it. I will also be periodically posting deals on albums and portrait sessions.