Well, to be completely honest, I can only tell you what I think makes a beautiful bride, so this whole thing is going to be based on my own personal taste and style. But after photographing a hundred brides or so over the past six years, that personal taste is based on seeing a LOT of shapes, sizes, and personalities.

So what do I think is the best bridal style to photograph? Hands down it would be a timeless, sophisticated look with a trendy twist.

Take Susi for example. She’s one of our amazing brides that chose a bridal look that sums up my taste perfectly. Little, petite Susi picked a fitted Monique Lhuillier wedding gown with a classic trumpet skirt that made her legs seem ten miles long. This style of dress fit her slender frame perfectly and accented her body in all of the right places. Total hottie. But my favorite part of this dress is that the top is a beautiful lace corset, an unexpected twist that speaks to the trends of today, but will remain timeless for years to come. BAM – a stunning, timeless look with a stylish twist thanks to Miss Lhuillier and the keen eye of Susi.

So what are the small things you can do to achieve that sophisticated, timeless look, but add a little somethin’ somethin’ unique? Glad you asked…

1. A Simple Dress for Your Body Type

In my opinion, the true star of the wedding day is the love you share with your man, and how stinkin’ beautiful you are as a bride and groom. So just like Susi’s bomb-diggity Monique Lhuillier, the dress should only make you and your body more beautiful, not take it over. I love J.Crew wedding dresses just for this reason. They’re simple, flowey, and classic which makes any girl look amazing, such as Lizzy’s soft and sweet J.Crew gown that fits her chill personality so well.

Or take Kate’s beachy J.Crew number with a touch of character in the flowers for her destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  It’s simple and classic, but the flowers add just the right amount of trendy twist.

Claire Pettibone is also a favorite designer of mine. Her unique lace infused designs are always rich with detail, but they only enhance the natural shape and beauty of a girl. Take Erin’s Asian-inspired Claire Pettibone for example – it’s unique and interesting for their multi-cultural wedding at the Marvimon House, but makes this super tall and slender girl look dynamite!

A few more simple dresses with unique details I love, such as Amy’s lace number that fit her like a glove.

Meredith’s timeless dress that will never lose it’s sweetness.

Stephanie’s crazy simple look that accented her natural beauty.

And Julie’s classic cut with a bow in the back to add some flair.

One last note on dresses – shoving your body into a tight dress in order to look thinner causes spillover on top (girls, you know what I mean), and that looks much more unappealing than a slightly wider waist. You may look great as soon as you put the dress on, but the nasty truth is that your body will spill out more and more throughout the day as you move around in the dress, so by the time the reception rolls around you’ll have everything coming out of the top. Don’t force it.

2. Add a Stylish Hairpiece to Simple Hair

When it comes to hair, I love updos that lengthen the neck, or soft curls that accent the shape of the face. This will keep any look totally classic.  But I also love when hair stylists add a fun twist to the typical updo with an interesting braid or a new twist that make guests do a double take when they see your fabulous self walk down the aisle. Also, add a fun hairpiece that is simple enough to be timeless, but fun enough to make your inner fashionista do cartwheels of joy, such as Carly’s classic updo...

Erin’s intricately, braided design...

Amy's peacock feathers...

Kate’s lovely flower along with her bridesmaids to pair with her dress.

Jacqueline’s crazy elegant updo with a handmade fabric flower with just enough bling for their New Year’s Eve bash...

And Dara’s pinned look with flowers from her florist.

3. A Bouquet That Breaks the Mold

I love texture. And I love texture that’s unique and authentic. So I’m such a sucker for bouquets that break outside of the typical “round red rose bouquet” look. In fact, I love the ones that smash that look to smithereens…

Instead of a typical round bouquet with flowers, try a gathering of baby’s breath or wildflowers mixed with grasses inspired by your wedding location. Or a handful of branches from the local type of trees tied together with a lacey ribbon. Set your florist free and let them be the creative self they were made to be! They’ll love you for it.

4. Jewelry with Meaning

My take on jewelry? Make it simple and make it count. Don’t choose a chunky piece that you’ll regret in your photos later. Wear something classic and meaningful that will add to the look of the dress and to your personal style.

Kelsey wore a bracelet with names of past generations inscribed with their wedding dates.

And I loved Dara’s necklace that incorporated her soft wedding colors into her bridal look.

5. Lovely Eyes

Most brides know that a great makeup artist is a must for their wedding day, but how do you know a great makeup artist from a not-so-good one? From our experience, a great makeup artist will do your makeup in natural light, which means that they’ll have you sit facing a large source of outdoor light, usually a big window. Since the majority of your photos will be taken in natural light, you’ll want to have your makeup done in the same kind of light – not a bathroom with bulbs casting an orange, green, or purple glow or that peer straight down on your face making dark shadows under your eyes.

Beyond that, great makeup artists will create beautiful, smooth skin that resists shine, along with natural, powerful eyes with clean eyeliner and lashes. The best way to create those rich, sophisticated eyes is by investing in fake lashes, and I love the individual kind that go on one at a time instead of a strip of lashes. They usually turn out more natural looking without losing all of that glam power.

6. Hot Shoes

The reality? Nobody ever sees your shoes underneath your dress, so splurge on a pair that you’re gonna wear over and over and over again. Louboutins are a favorite of our brides.

So are Jimmy Choo.

So the verdict? A classic, timeless look with just a touch of style is what makes our brides look so stinkin' glam. Keep things simple - don't overdo your wedding day look. Just keep it to some basic pieces that accent your natural beauty. The point of the wedding day is to look like your best YOU, so ask your friends, family, and your groom what your most beautiful features are. Is it your legs? Your arms? Your curves? Your eyes, lips, smile? Focus on enhancing the best of your body, and don't worry about the rest. That's the easiest way to be a stunning, timeless bride on your wedding day.

Hugs,

Erin

While Rachel was planning her wedding, I very much became her wedding consultant – we dished about locations, chatted over the value of buying boutonnières or not, and picked a time of day that worked best for photos. We usually don’t have so much input on the main logistics of a wedding day, so it got me thinking - what’s my biggest piece of advice when it comes to photos and weddings?

There’s SO MUCH I could say on this topic, but I want to focus on a portion of the day that doesn’t get addressed very often – the groom. The bride, yes, needs to look absolutely breathtaking. But don’t forget that all of you fabulous brides out there are only half of the photograph – your grooms need to look gooooooood. After all, they’re 50% of the subject matter in a bride and groom photo. And I hate to say it, but in the flurry of designing a vintage estate destination wedding, the main man can end up in a rented black tux that doesn't fit whatsoever with the look of the wedding or the look of his bride.

So ladies, this post is for you AND your man. Grooms listen up, 'cuz our grooms are the kind of guys with a whole lot of personality and impeccable style, so take a note from these awesome men with six tips that will make the biggest impact on your wedding day look. I make one promise to you - by the time you're done reading this, you'll look so handsome that your bride won’t be able to take her eyes – or her hands – off of you.

1. Fit the Wedding

When it comes to picking your groom look, don’t just go with a basic rented tux and colored vest that matches the bridesmaids – can you say blah? Pick an outfit that helps you feel your best. This is your wedding day, folks, not your prom, so find a suit or tux that will fit the look and feel of the wedding as well as your personality. Are you getting married in a meadow under an oak tree? What about a light gray suit with a fitted jacket and a pop of color in a patterned tie? Is it going to be a backyard casual reception? Think about linen slacks and colored shirts for a casual jacketless look instead of tuxes. Get creative!

I loved Ipp’s look for their backyard 1920's Pasadena Estate Wedding. Three-piece suit with a patterned bow-tie matched with a brown belt and shoes. The bow-tie matched the wedding colors, and the rest matched his personality. Perfect.

Ryan’s light-colored suit with a fresh tie was perfect for their morning beach wedding.

Kent’s smashing tailored tux fit marvelously with their black tie New Year’s Eve wedding at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barabara. Nothing short of this stunning outfit would have worked for such a glamorous occasion.

2. Buy. Don’t rent.

Before you make another move, please hold up your left hand, place your right hand over your heart, and repeat after me.

“I will not rent my wedding day suit. So help me God.”

Rentals are meant to fit every shape and size, so even though the wonderful folks over at the rental shop wrap you in measuring tape and give you a suit ‘perfect for your size’, I can’t tell you how many baggy tuxes with crazy long shirt sleeves we’ve had to photograph. There is nothing personalized about a rental no matter what they tell you. We see the finished product every weekend, so please trust me when I say that no guy looks good in a rented outfit. Plus, I’ve heard way too many horror stories of rental shops forgetting to include shoes, shirts, pants, or the right sizes altogether.

Think about it this way: the wedding is the perfect opportunity to buy a super nice tailored suit or tux that will last for a lifetime. Every guy needs a nice suit in his wardrobe for job interviews, black tie events, career opportunities, and upscale dinners, so why not invest in one for the wedding? You’ll thank me later when your bride gets invited to that swanky black tie fundraiser event at her favorite boutique hotel and you don't have to worry 'cuz you already have the perfect outfit…

3. Get Your Suit Tailored

Since you won't be renting, make sure to get your suit, tux, or whatever you wear tailored to fit you perfectly. Some guys like to lose weight before the wedding, so get it tailored a month or two before the wedding when you've reached your ideal size. Ill-fitting clothes automatically add ten to fifteen pounds in photos, so avoid the in camera weight gain and make sure your suit or tux fits your body perfectly.

Check out Jeff’s chic, custom tailored suit for his downtown Los Angeles wedding at The Marvimon House. Classy, elegant, and fits him like a glove.

4. Add Personal Details

Once you've chosen your suit, add some personal touches that are meaningful and reflective of you.

For example, we’ve had groom’s wear rainbows…

Vans…

Ostrich leather cowboy boots…

Striped socks…

Pocket watches…

Crazy nice watches…

Sytlin' hats...

And everything in between to add personality to their looks. Do what fits your personal taste, but add a little somethin’ somethin’ to round out your wedding day style.

5. To bout or not to bout?

Boutonniere that is.

While I’m a fan of boutonniere’s, I always suggest keeping them simple and a bit masculine using flowers that are hardy. I’ve seen one too many boutonnieres fall apart from hugs and heat long before the ceremony starts, so make sure that the flowers you choose for the guys will last through the hardship they’ll be put through. Or follow Calen and Kendall's lead and go with cute fabric designs from Etsy.

With that being said, if you're looking to cut back on part of the floral budget for use elsewhere, skip the groom and groomsmen boutonnieres altogether and just order some for moms and grandparents. Focus on the overall style of the guys' outfits instead of the small flowers since the suits will make a much bigger impact.

6. Speaking of the groomsmen...

I think it's only natural to put a lot of effort into the look of the bridesmaids - there's so many options, colors, fabrics, and styles with the girls that it's just plain FUN. But Jeff and I have had our fair share of rockin' bridesmaids matched with severely blah groomsmen, so don't forget the boys on your inspiration board. One tip: think retail. We’ve had entire bridal parties outfitted with suits & dresses from places like Express, Bloomingdale’s, H&M, Forever 21, and Nordstrom and sometimes it ends up being the same cost if not a little cheaper for your best man to purchase a pair of slacks, a colored shirt, a funky tie, and a classy vest from Express than to rent a suit. Plus, you can typically be a little more creative because retail just plain has more options to choose from. The look of the groomsmen has a big impact on the entire look of the wedding, so help the guys look and feel stylin’ by thinking retail instead of rental.

For example, Johnny’s groomsmen all wore complete outfits from Express and every guy looked handsome and stylish.

And I have to include Eric's guys - loved the socks!

Whatever you decide with your look and with the style of the groomsmen, just make sure that it's something that fits YOU. Don't rent black tuxes just because you feel like you should. It's YOUR wedding and you should be the best version of you on that day. So consider this official permission to make your wedding day look all about your personal style!

Hugs,

Erin

Not too shabby.

I hope you enjoyed these two posts featuring our 2011 couples' favorite images - they were some seriously emotional posts! But we're switching gears today from emotional to 'dear-lord-is-that-what-I-really-look-like?' with our recap of 2011 with this little golden nugget of a slideshow. It's all of the images that Jeff and I captured of each other throughout the year - our behind the scenes look at the past year of shooting. Some of these images were intentional photographs we took of each other to give our readers a glimpse into our shoots, some were taken for our own memories, but most (and folks, I mean a good 99% of them) were taken as test shots.

You'll see a bunch of us standing in for the first dance, the cake cutting, the grand entrance, the getting ready, etc. Basically anytime we had to dial in our cameras for a new lighting situation, we would stand in for each other. Or if one us of is posing the couple, the other person will take test shots to dial in their settings (you'll see a bunch of Jeff dialing in his camera for family portraits while I'm setting people up). I love that these are the real deal - we're sweaty, we're tired, we're laughing, we're keeping ourselves entertained, but most of all we're having fun. And through the thick and thin of it all, it's so encouraging to look at a slideshow of ourselves and know that we really do totally love our job!

Along with the two of us, you'll also see our wonderful friends and assistants making some cameos - Garrett is our handsome third shooter, Julie is our fabulous album designer/assistant/portrait shooter and helped me out at several baby shoots, Casey Figlewicz was our right hand man at the Exquisite Weddings gown shoot at Pelican Hill, and our videographer friends The Bui Brothers and Jared and Danielle of Side by Side Cinema make an appearance.

I hope that 2012 is just as amazing and fabulous as 2011! Enjoy!

As the responses started coming in, there are two stories that began to stand out to me with the favorites that were chosen. Number One: The First Look. Whether it's during the First Look or just after the First Look while we're taking portraits or when our couples see each other for the first time during the ceremony, there is just something surrounding those moments that hits all of us right in the gut. It's the realization that 'This is it. This person is the one and this is the day I get to say 'I Do!" And the best part about our job is that we are one of the only ones that get to experience that moment along with the couple. Yeah, it's pretty amazing.

And the second thing that stands out? Family and friends. The people that have brought these couples to where they are and will be with them to wherever they go, and those relationships and connections are what create some pretty significant moments on the wedding day.

So without further ado, here they are. Our 2011 couples' favorite images from their wedding. We'll start with the adorable Mike and Sarah.

Mike and Sarah's Villanova University Wedding in Philadelphia

Mike and Sarah have a deep connection with romance and story, so they got married in a traditional ceremony at the St. Thomas Church at Villanova University where they met and fell in love, and they held the reception down the street at the Philadelphia Country Club. This wedding was sooooo east coast in it's old charm, rich tradition, and classy elegance. Every detail spoke to their romantic hearts - including the stunning Rolls Royce that swept them away from the church. We shot some of our most favorite work of all time at this wedding - we were so inspired by Mike and Sarah, their loving families, and the rich Philadelphia scenery - and the image below is actually one of our most favorite images from the entire year (photographed by my talented hubby). So it means a lot that Sarah and Mike picked it as one of their favorites as well. I also love that Mike picked the moment he saw Sarah for the first time, and then a quiet moment between them. Here's Mike and Sarah:

"We love this photo because it was done right after our ceremony, one of the first moments of us captured as husband and wife. This picture shows us sharing genuine content and complete bliss with each other. We're in one of the most charming vehicles, ready to ride off on the journey of our new life together."

"I like this picture because it caught me right at the moment I first saw my very soon-to-be wife walking down the aisle. It was a whole culmination of emotions internally that apparently came out as a look of sheer surprise and happiness."

"This picture was taken right before we headed into the craziness of the cocktail hour, and it was starting to settle in that we were finally husband and wife. I love our smiles in this picture - it's pure joy and happiness. It's the four years of hard work, distance, support, and love that we see in this picture come together as we hold each other. The knotty tree in the background with the golden umbrella of fall leaves totally reminds us of the season we met and fell in love."

Jeff and Kelsey's Epic Hotel Del Coronado Wedding

Like I said before, so many favorite photos center around the first time a bride and groom get to see each other, and whether you wait until the ceremony like Mike and Sarah did, or if you choose to do a First Look like Jeff and Kelsey, these moments always take your breath - and heart - completely away. Or if you're Jeff and myself, they just make you cry like a baby. Jeff and Kelsey live in Seattle but held their 250 person destination wedding at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. This wedding was OFF THE HOOK - with the over-the-top details, the insane dance party, and the love between their friends and family, it was just awesome in every way. But nothing can ever replace a groom that is totally head over heels for his beautiful bride. Get a tissue, 'cuz here's Jeff's favorite photos:

"The ten seconds before this photo was taken were ten of the most emotional seconds of my life. When Jeff said I could turn around to see my bride, I couldn't believe the time had finally come. It had been months of planning, Kelsey teasing me about what her dress may or may not look like, and waiting in eager anticipation to see Kelsey on our wedding day. I finally composed myself to turn around to see her for the first time in her dress. The instant I saw her I knew I was the luckiest guy on earth. She looked so perfectly beautiful - hence the stunned, excited, and amazed emotions displayed in my face this shot captured." (BTW In their wedding video, you can hear (groom) Jeff say "wow" over and over again. It was the only words he could get out as he looked at Kelsey for the first time).

"To call this scene amazing would be an understatement. The weather was beyond agreeable and we were surrounded by everyone who supported us along the way to matrimony. The stage was set perfectly for Kels and I to take the next big leap in our lives and become husband and wife. It is easy to get lost in the details and intricacies of our big day, but this image will always remind us to take a step back and to think about this big picture of what really mattered on our wedding day: friends and family getting together to celebrate the love we share for each other. Plus it didn't hurt to have such a kick-ass backdrop."

"Mel [mother of the bride] has been waiting for this day since the day Kelsey was born. She put so much time and energy into planning our special day that I can't thank her enough. Simply put: these are two of the most amazing women I have ever met."

Ralph and Julie's Winery Wedding at Casa Real

As I said yesterday with their engagement photos, Ralph is one of the most emotional grooms we've ever worked with and he and Jeff hit it off instantly. So when Ralph sent us his favorite photos it was nothing but tears for everyone in The Youngrens office! Hearing about the First Look from grooms is sooooo touching - Ralph and Julie don't like being the center of attention, so when they were given the chance to experience each other away from the crowds of the ceremony and feel their emotions within the safety of each other, it became an incredibly authentic experience. So grab another tissue (you'll need it) and read through Ralph's favorite photo:

"I, Ralph, pick photo #397.  This photo is by far my favorite.  I know it's a little selfish but that moment that photo was taken was one I will never forget. My eyes were tearing, my nostrils were flared but what that photo captured, you can't physically see.  What it captured was my heart bursting with anxiousness, with happiness and with the most love I had ever felt before... At that moment, I knew I was going to turn around and see the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen in my life, the woman that I will hold my heart forever.  At that moment, it's almost as if time stood still.  When you gave me the signal to turn around, I just lost it... never had I been so happy EVER!  That is what this picture captured and that is why it is my favorite!"

Julie's answer is sooo real and honest - I love this girl! "Wedding planning takes so much out of a couple and their families. But it felt so worth it once we got to this moment. I had worried about everything that happened, could happen or did happen. But none of it mattered at this point. This is the first moment we could feel relieved and be excited about being married! It also helped that there weren't 160 people staring at us for this short period of time. I absolutely adore all our photos in the vines and the feeling it brings me back to when looking at them."

Jason and Elizabeth's Prohibition-Inspired Estate Wedding in Pasadena

We have become super close with Lizzy and Ipp (their nicknames) after meeting them at Lizzy's sister's wedding a few years ago, so their wedding held even more meaning for us. We knew all of the family stories, the intimate details, the people that were most special - but in the moment that these photos were taken, I could never have guessed that these photographs would become so special. Family is SO IMPORTANT to Lizzy and Ipp, so grab yet another tissue because these stories are going to seriously squeeze your heart! First, Lizzy's favorites, which is really a series of images, and she actually wrote an article about them on The Photo Life, a photography blog to which I contribute regularly:

I will always have this pocket watch as a token of my Papa’s life. But this image is a token of that moment, and because of this image I’ll be able to share this moment with future generations of my family.

I miss my Papa every day. I think about the roots he established for our family, and the many ways that his hard work and sacrifices have given us the life that we have today. This image combined with images of his life, ensure that his legacy is never forgotten. For that, I'm forever thankful!" (Lizzy's sister, Steph, is in the background crying as she sees the pocket watch, along with their family pastor that married them. It's these kinds of connections that we live for.)

Ok, so if that didn't already make you cry, here's Ipp's response. He's the sweetest guy ever!

"I love photos and memories, and can be extremely nostalgic. However, I do not like portraits or posed pictures of myself, it just feels weird for me to look at me. It was important to me for our special day to be photographed as artistically as possible but showing the intimacy of our relationship. No pressure. I dreamed of hanging a giant print from our wedding of a beautiful vast landscape that could hang inside an art gallery by itself, but happens to contain us. This is exactly that. Looking through the photo galleries, I am so extremely happy with all the images. But I was equally as happy with the process of being photographed. I felt like I had the space to laugh, the freedom to move, the opportunity to be emotional - with all the direction and guidance to feel secure in the process."

And if you don't love Ipp yet, just wait until this next image. And by the way, this is one of my favorite images I've ever shot. When I made it, I was walking backwards really fast, eyes clouded with tears and trying not to run into a tree, so not the most 'ideal' of creative circumstances! So I didn't know what the image looked like until I saw it later during editing and I burst into tears. In fact, I cry every time I see this image because of how Ipp is holding Lizzy's hand to his chest - like he has just married a treasure and will never let go. But again, this is not about MY favorites, it's about theirs, and even though I know what this image means to me, it means something so different and so much MORE amazing to Ipp. So here's what was going through his head:

"My grandparents were not able to travel to California, so they tuned in to the ceremony through a webcast. After we were pronounced and exiting down the aisle, I saw one of the cameras and waved to my watching grandparents. This is the photo captured right after that moment, and I always remember my supportive grandparents when looking at the photo." (What an amazing memory!!)

Craig and Melissa's Summer Chicago Wedding

Melissa is a firecracker spirit of a girl with a side of spunky-sauce, and she married the most caring, loving man imaginable. Their summer wedding outside of Chicago was nothing short of sweet, sweet, sweet and Melissa's fun personality infused the day with the kind of joy that makes you feel like you're walking on air. I love the images they chose - these photos totally sum up their day perfectly! From Melissa:

"Craig loves everything about this image. He says, "if you could sum up who melissa is, this would be the image to do it." This picture completely captures the joy and excitement that I was feeling in the moment of our First Look! I couldn't wait to marry my best friend and that's what I am reminded of each time I see this picture."

The emotions just keep on coming! Melissa's younger brother walked her down the aisle and there wasn't a dry eye for miles! Especially when he choked up as they walked together...

"These pictures are so incredibly special to me. Having my brother get emotional while walking me down the aisle was a moment I will never forget. I know this moment is something that we both cherish. I will always remember the special words that we exchanged and calm I felt walking toward my beloved."

"We like to call this our "ahhhhh" picture! This image was taken right after we said 'I do' and I will never forget us turning and looking at each other with the expression of WE DID IT!!!! We were so happy and joyful, and each time I look at it, I smile and it takes me back to that special moment."

"I love how this image captures the feel I wanted for our wedding, romantic. I had no idea that when we picked this location it would make for the most beautiful background in the pictures. The time after the ceremony with Craig was one of my favorite parts of the day. I loved slowing down and being able to spend time together and just bask in the joy and love."

"This is the kind of photograph that makes me say "hot dang" this should be in a wedding magazine! I love the angle of the image and the way the tree branches are twisting around us. This image says beautiful and sexy all at the same time!"

Ryan and Ericka's Los Angeles Wedding at Cafe Pinot

There's nothing more romantic than a gorgeous downtown with a beautiful French-inspired park surrounded by towering skyscrapers. Cafe Pinot is a DYNAMITE place to get married with it's perfect location in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. When the sun sets, the lights of the city come up and they twinkle around your romantic little world like a starry night. Ryan and Ericka were the perfect people to get married in such a beautiful location. Here's Ryan's touching commentary on his favorite photo:

"I think this image is perfect for Ericka and I as a couple because it captures the unadulterated joy of being together. I love how Ericka is holding my hand confidently leading me forward, and how I’m following close behind her, always ready to support her. I love how beautiful she looks and how radiant and infectious her smile is. I love how happy she makes me and how happy we are together.  To be perfectly honest, I don’t recall much of walking back up the aisle, but I remember how excited I was that I was now married to My Love. I love that I’ll never forget this moment, as we’ll always have this picture."

Brian and Susi's Lake Tahoe Destination Wedding

This destination wedding was FUN, FUN, FUN. Yes, it was gorgeous and every single detail was DA BOMB and the colors were amazing and the backdrop was jaw-dropping. But seriously, it was FUN. Brian and Susi wanted to throw an amazing, approachable, cute, thrilling, and gorgeous party and they succeeded in every way possible. So I love their favorite images:

"We love this picture because it features the lake which was the perfect backdrop for our celebration - its natural beauty amazes all that have the chance to experience it. We took time after the ceremony to go down to the lake together and share some time to let the importance of the day and ceremony sink in.  It was great to catch up with each other and spend time together before heading back to the best party we have ever been to!"

"I love this picture because it captures what our day was all about, friends, family, joy and lots of love!"

Michael and Jamie's San Diego Wedding at the Rancho Bernardo Inn

Being an opera singer, Michael loves music, he loves tradition, and he loves Jamie! Their ceremony took place at St. Peter's of Del Mar, a traditional Episcopalian church with so much history that it made the ceremony feel meaningful, intimate, and reverent. Plus, Michael had a full choir of professional musician sing during the processional, which just about took the roof off the small church with it's gorgeous intensity! So the first image below of their rings with the sheet music of a song Michael sang to Jamie during the reception is totally appropriate to sum up their day! From Jamie:

"Though this picture is not of us, it is one of our absolute faves. I think there was a stroke of genius - it is so cool to have the lyrics of the song that Michael sang as part of a picture. This is stunning and represents (to me anyway) the unity of us as a couple and how well we fit together."

"This image is so stinking sweet. I absolutely love the moment you captured here. It truely looks like we are just hanging out and comfortable and relaxed. It was the first time all day that I felt like I could take a breath and relax a moment and just enjoy my husband, and this picture says it all."

"This image captures the culminating moment of the entire ceremony. I just remember that when Paige said "you may kiss the bride" that Mike just layed that smooch on me and you can even see through the kiss that we are both smiling and happy."

"I love this image because I was so excited to have shoes that matched the bridal party's dresses and they get to show! I love how the bench makes us truly look like we could just be sitting in a park somewhere and that someone just cracked a joke. It definately captures how much I love and adore each of these girls and how much fun we all are."

"This image of the guys is fantastic and you can tell they all love to have fun and that somehting silly just happened. It makes me want to know what was going on, and it is so nice to see everyone so relaxed and ready to enjoy the party."

Matt and Holly's Japanese Garden Wedding

Like I mentioned yesterday, Matt and Holly fell in love while working at Tokyo Disney, so much of their relationship took place over three years of living in Japan. So they chose the beautiful Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens at CSU Long Beach for their wedding, and the way they incorporated so many beautiful Japanese and personal details into the pathways of the gardens was just amazing. But these two just  make me happy no matter what - they're SO FUNNY and yet so romantic and SOOO in love. These two are the real deal! From Holly:

"This picture is my favorite from our wedding because it captures a moment that belonged to only us. We had just seen each other for our First Look and so many emotions were running through both of our heads and butterflies filled our stomachs. In this moment Matt and I held each other and spoke no words, but just felt the love between us. After this, our wedding would become a whirlwind where we would try to capture every moment possible. But right now Matt would kiss me on the nose and we would close our eyes and just feel the love between us. It is a moment I will never forget, and now I never have to."

Brian and Maria's Romantic L'Auberge Del Mar Wedding

This San Francisco couple chose the beautiful seaside venue, L'Auberge Del Mar of San Diego, for their intimate wedding, and even though these guys are all about their friends and family, they get so tender and quiet with each other. And that's what I love the most about them. They have such a deep connection and it's amazing to watch! A little background on their wedding - the day before their wedding, all of San Diego and parts of Orange county lost power. It was one of the biggest power outages that Southern California has ever seen, which meant that they couldn't make it to their ceremony rehearsal because of traffic and the rehearsal dinner went from a big welcome dinner at The Prado to a candlelit picnic at L'Auberge with sandwiches and wine! But these two were rockstars with everything going on, and the rehearsal dinner actually became an amazing memory for them. So here's Maria's favorites that speak to that tenderness and roll-with-the-punches attitude between them :

"This image is from the First Look and after the power outage the day before, clearly nothing was going to ruin our big day. This is a very special First Look moment!"

"This is just a beautiful picture!" (I totally agree!)

Jared and Kathryn's Garden Wedding in Corona Del Mar

As we mentioned yesterday, Jared is a Texas boy through and through, and Kathryn is a die-hard romantic when it comes to love and tradition. Their rustic and detail filled wedding at Sherman Gardens captured their sweet and simple personalities perfectly. And I love that Jared picked out a pair of super nice ostrich leather boots for his wedding!

"I love this image because it perfectly captured the feel of our wedding. Simple, rustic, elegant. The bench goes perfectly with our cowboy boots and the succulent plants look like they were staged. I couldn't have been happier at this moment. We had gotten married only about 30 minutes before this picture was taken and It was so nice to spend some quiet one-on-one time with my new husband before heading into our whirlwind of a reception. This picture reminds me of that time that was so special."

Travis and Carly's Seaside Wedding at L'Auberge Del Mar

Carly is one of those girls that is pure fun wrapped up into a cute little package. Her smile, her laugh, her personality - everything about her exudes energy. And on the wedding day, this military guy matched her energy ounce for ounce - Travis was SO EXCITED to be married! His eyes, smile, and his whole body lit up as  soon as they saw each other at the First Look and after the ceremony he couldn't stop hootin' hollerin' about how excited he was to have just married this beautiful girl! From Carly:

"I love this photo because I can remember exactly how I was feeling as it was taken.  The ceremony had just ended and I was reveling in the fact that this man who I had loved for 7 years had finally become my husband.  My heart felt so big I thought it might burst! My face says simply and wonderfully, 'He's all mine.'  By the end of this photo shoot, my cheeks were hurting because I had smiled so much.  It was truly the happiest day of my life."

Eric and Rachel's Intimate La Jolla Ceremony

These two just couldn't WAIT to get married, so they decided to have a small ceremony with just them and their parents on the cliffs in La Jolla overlooking the sweeping seaside. Even though this was a small wedding, it was just as powerful and emotional as anything else - in fact, it was more meaningful and exciting in so many ways. It really was all about the marriage and about the two of them celebrating with their family. We loved it and I love the images that Rachel picked:

"This was near the end of our session, after I shared our little-known-but-crowd-pleasing-party-trick (ok, we've never really busted it out at a party), 'Hey, we both can raise one eyebrow!' This prompted Jeff to start shooting away and WA-la! I love that it captures our fun-loving and often goofy relationship in a unique way - it's definitely going to make me smile for years to come!"

"The rock wall pics were my faves! The rock wall provided an amazing backdrop.  A lot of the pictures in that setting were my favorite simply because of the composition - my white dress and Eric's black tux in front of those colorful stones was amazing.  This picture in particular really captured the mood of the whole day, which was relaxed and just plain fun.  Eric was whispering things to make me laugh during our entire session, and this was just one of those many moments where I was truly cracking up.  I know that our ability to laugh together will get us through any tough times over the years ahead!"

Jason and Michelle's San Diego Garden Wedding

These east-coast transplants to Southern California absolutely LOVE the life that they have found here in San Diego. Watching them drink in the city and explore their new life here has been amazing, and they were so excited to share their new home with all of their friends and family from the east coast. It was such celebration and you could feel the love and joy that their whole family shared for each other! And I love that Michelle was able to slow down and experience her day with all of the meaningful details involved. Here's their favorites:

"Having my grandmother's wedding dress and my mother's wedding dress beside my own; and having them photographed for eternity touched my sentimental side.  Both my grandmothers couldn't be there on my wedding day, but having their broaches in my bouquet and seeing three generations of dresses hanging side by side meant they were with me in heart and spirit.  That tradition surrounded me on our wedding day and made me appreciate and hold dear the vows we were to exchange."

"At this point in the day, I had to let go of control and accept whatever the day would bring.  It was such a relief to be surrounded with my best friends, including my mom and dog, and just enjoy the moments of being a bride and not a hostess.  I was excited to see Jason and so proud to become his wife.  As much as I wanted to see him, the fact that I was so relaxed and content to enjoy the moment spoke volumns about my relationship with these ladies."

"I love the romance and softness captured in this photograph.  I'm able to relive the raw emotion on Jason's face when he saw me for the first time.  I didn't think I'd cry but when I saw him look at me, I couldn't hold back and the tears flowed freely."

"This photograph taken after our ceremony is so gorgeous in frame and color.  The moment that is captured was the first time we could step back and just enjoy being married.  I also love how it shows off my train!"

"We fell in love with the natural elements of our venue and I couldn't wait to have photos taken throughout.  This photo really captured the beauty of the waterfall and the amazing colors that heightened the day."

Mike and Dara's Tuscali Mountain Inn Wedding

A comedian and an artist in an intimate wedding at a boutique inn in the scenic Santa Monica mountains - perfection! Mike and Dara had one of those weddings where the entire look made us swoon left and right. From the gorgeous rolling hills of the state park nearby that we took pictures in to the teeny boutique inn where they held the ceremony and reception to Dara's soft and slinky dress with her tousled side swept hair and gorgeous skin. And even though we took some GORGEOUS images at their wedding and felt like kids in a candy store the whole day (it was Dara's whimsical and soft style that inspired me to start shooting portraits at f/1.2), everything culminated into this one favorite image that I am so excited they chose!

"The way you captured the light through the tree was so beautiful, and it was a nice quiet moment for us after the ceremony. That, and we found your excitement about the light and the images you were capturing infectious. You two made us smile even bigger!"

Paul and Siri's American / Indian Wedding at L'Auberge Del Mar

This wedding between these two sweet souls has become an all-time favorite for Jeff and me. Paul and Siri are two quiet, lovable, thoughtful, and SWEET people that everybody loves - evidenced by their 250-person guest list full of adoring friends and family. Siri honored her family culture by incorporating tons of Hindu traditions into the wedding, so the day became an eclectic and exciting mix of western ceremony plus Indian customs plus Paul and Siri's chill personalities. This was most apparent during the ceremony where Paul and Siri's friend, Norma, officiated the unusual mix of Indian and American wedding traditions which I'm pretty sure became everybody's favorite part of the day. When Siri talks about everybody crying during the ceremony, she isn't lying. We were all super emotional including Jeff and me! From Siri:

"Our loved ones were not just spectators at our wedding, they were integral to its planning and execution. We had so much help making the day a special celebration, from the invitations and programs (designed by Paul's aunt), to the 70 blue vintage masons jars at the reception (rounded up by his mother and another aunt), not to mention our DJs, and our officiant, Norma, who is like a sister to me. I adore the picture of Norma trying to hold it together during the ceremony shortly before the exchange of rings. It captures the emotion of the ceremony and of our personal vows. Many people have told me that once Norma became emotional, their own tears flowed."

"I can't articulate why I love other picture so much. I suppose I love the intimacy of the shot. It has become my Facebook profile pic!" (This is actually one of my favorites too!)

Greg and Rachel's Yacht Club Wedding in Marina Del Rey

Rachel LOVES her quiet, intellectual man. Greg is one of those guys that seems super serious at first but has such a soft heart for his family, friends, and his beautiful girl. Their sailboat themed wedding at the California Yacht Club was so sweet and emotional - Rachel's pure excitement at marrying this guy was INFECTIOUS. All of our brides are sweethearts that radiate joy, but I don't think I've ever seen a bride smile as big and as much as Rachel on her wedding day! I love hearing this same girlish excitement in her responses for her favorites:

"The spot Jeff and Erin chose for our first look was absolutely perfect with the beautiful arches.  I'll never forget how happy and excited I felt walking toward Greg before he turned around.  I love this photo because it captures such a spontaneous sweet kiss."

"Right before the ceremony I suddenly had enormous excited butterflies.  These photos really capture that extra special last moment of me laughing with my parents before they walked me down the aisle."

"This is such a gorgeous shot of our first moment as husband and wife! It is perfectly framed and the black and white makes it look really elegant."

"I loved our stroll on the docks after the wedding and this one looks really natural.  You can also see my cute blue shoe poking out.  "

"How handsome is my groom?  I love his sweet smile in this photo, totally un-posed and having a great time at the reception in his bow tie and suspenders."

Justin and Taryn's Art Deco Style Wedding on the Queen Mary

Taryn loves everything art deco - the era, the fashion, the architecture, the hair, the makeup. The golden age of Hollywood has totally captured her heart so she fell head over heels in love with the Queen Mary, the luxurious cruise liner that carried society's most elite (princes, princesses, kings and queens, actors, singers, politicians) around the world during the height of the art deco age. I loved the simple, classic style she put together for her wedding, including her sweet birdcage veil, fun feather hair accessories, and glamourous red lips that are a hallmark of golden Hollywood. But their heart for each other are truly what shine! From Taryn on her favorite photo:

"At this moment we both realized that we truly took the leap of faith to each other that we are seriously doing this. I felt like a princess who was waiting for her prince. If you can't tell, he knows how to make me smile and take me out of that moment of worry and fuss and helps me to relax. It was about us and who we are and what we had done to get to each other and the journey that we had taken this year to make it to the wedding and to relax and have fun the rest of the day."

These two blog posts recapping 2011 have been such an incredible thing for me to put together. THANK YOU to all of our awesome couples for responding to my request during such a busy time of year and for putting your hearts and souls into they project! Jeff and I feel so blessed and fulfilled by your answers. We love each and every one of you and were so honored to be a part of your journeys! Here's to more amazing people and beautiful memories in 2012!

Hugs,
Erin

One of my favorites of Paul. Love this guy!

So sweet! Love, love, love this one!

Written into Siri's henna was their teeny initials, S & P, and it's a tradition for the groom to find them. It was so cute watching Paul search around!

My favorite from the entire day! What a contrast between Paul's tails and Siri's sari. This captures the whole thing perfectly.

Siri headed into L'Auberge to change outfits (yep, she get ANOTHER amazing look for the reception) so we headed up to the reception where they were just putting on the final touches. Siri and Alison, the coordinator at L'Auberge, did an amazing job with all of the details! I love these escort cards tucked into sea foam drawers filled with sand.

The teeny pops of orange flowers by Annette Gomez tied the bright Indian colors to the soft beachy color palette that Siri loved.

The blue jars were such a perfect touch to add some more soft color to the tables.

Paul and Siri chose to have bistro lights hung to add dimension and warmth when the sun sank down. Lighting is so stinkin' important for receptions - especially at outdoor venues - so I'm overjoyed they chose to invest in it.

Meanwhile, Siri was changing into her gorgeous reception outfit. When I asked Siri if there's significance in changing outfits, she said, "No. It's just fun!" Ha!

Love this one!

The perfect Del Mar evening for a party!

There was a ton of toasts which made dinner so fun! We were laughing and crying the whole night.

And then it happened... So the entire day it was forecast for rain later in the evening, so we were all watching the clouds and holding our breath as dinner started. It stayed PERFECT until the very end of dinner during one of the final toasts when drops started coming down and everybody bolted for the ballroom downstairs! Ha! I've never seen a 250 person reception clear so fast! So we finished the toasts in the ballroom below where they were holding the dance party for the night.

The sweet first dance.

And then the party began - and boy do these folks know how to partaaay! It was one epic dance party with a packed floor the entire night.

The highlight of the night - when friends pulled Siri's parents and her big brother onto the dance floor. Siri was so delighted - I've never seen a bride so happy!

Well known fact about Paul - he may be introverted in everyday life, but he's a DANCE MACHINE when the music comes on.

Paul and Siri: You guys are so stinkin' wonderful and amazing. Our hearts feel so full when we're around you guys because you're both so genuine and true. It's rare to find people that love the way you do, and it's an incredible sight to witness. We're so excited to hang out as official married friends! Yay!

Hugs,
Erin

Wedding Photography : The Youngrens | Ceremony Location : Seagrove Park | Reception Location : L'Auberge Del Mar | Floral Design : Annette Gomez | Cake : Sweet Cheeks Baking Company | Shoes : Jimmy Choo | Make-Up : Kim Cruz of Bobbi Brown | Hair : The Lab | Reception Lighting : Mike Fuller | Catering : L'Auberge Del Mar | Lounge Furniture : Concepts | Photo Booth : Shutterbooth

But that's the thing about Paul. He's just a crazy sincere guy. Whatever he feels or believes, he feels or believes with total conviction. Or maybe that's the thing about Siri. I think her dainty laugh and bright eyes have just captured his heart so fully and completely that he believes in her - in their love together - with total conviction. So much so, that this quiet guy would stand in front of the world if it meant that he would get to spend his life with her.

This wedding was so absolutely amazing for Jeff and me. Not only are Paul and Siri the kind of couple that captures our imaginations, but their wedding beautifully combined the sacred Hindu traditions of Siri's family and the American traditions of Paul's family, so it was chock full of inspiration for us. I mean seriously - everywhere we turned their was gorgeous colors, intimate moments, and stunning scenery. Get your 'Love This' fingers ready folks, cuz this wedding was pretty stinkin' EPIC.

First, let's begin with Siri's rockin' jewelry. It was so exciting to be able to photograph such COLOR. Love, love, love!

No matter where a girl comes from, Jimmy Choo is a must.

During the ceremony, the married women bless Paul and Siri with this lighted oil lamp, and her parents will give away their daughter with a Kalasha (pot of water) topped with a coconut below. Also, Annette Gomez did an amazing job with all of the florals!

The beautiful girl herself with her henna. I never realized how much precision went into pinning a sari, but it was fascinating to watch!

Siri was so patient and adorable while they figured out which style would work best for the sari.

Once the sari was in it's perfect place, it was time for accessories! And there was a lot of them... from toe rings...

To shoes...

To bracelets... (which took a little convincing to get on - good thing Siri has tiny hands!)

To multiple necklaces, each with a personal family heritage for Siri...

To rings...

To a bangled wrap. I loved ALL of it.

Absolutely perfect!! Siri was stunning.

Making sure it's centered...

And then it was time for photos! I loved Siri's peacock henna.

Siri just doesn't get any cuter. She's so stinkin' humble and has NO IDEA how incredibly beautiful she is.

Some of my favorites.

Once we hung out with Siri, she snuck away and we met up with the dapper Paul in his coat and tails. He was so excited about his tux!

My favorites of Paul.

The ceremony was down at Seagrove Park overlooking the ocean and I instantly fell in love with the organic arbor.

There is nothing more peaceful than an afternoon at Seagrove Park. It's such a perfect place to hold the cocktail hour so out of town guests can enjoy the best scenery in all of San Diego.

How can you not love the flowergirl's basket and ring bearer's pillow? I loved seeing everybody in their beautiful sari's!

Paul arrived in a processional with his close friends and family and was met by Siri's mother who welcomed him with aarathi - a lighted oil lamp on a platter.

Then it was time for Siri's processional, where she was accompanied by her family.

Her mother lit an oil lamp to begin the ceremony, and just like any ceremony, the ocean breeze made things a bit difficult! Ha!

Paul and Siri symbolized their acceptance of each other by exchanging garlands.

This was my favorite part. The bride's parents announced their wish to give their daughter's hand in married and poured water three times over a coconut placed in Paul and Siri's palms. The water was then received by the groom's parents in a platter. I loved that both families took place in this ritual. And then Paul and Siri exchanged rings and Paul gave Siri the mangalasutra - a wedding necklace symbolizing their everlasting bond.

And then it was time for their vows - the part that made everybody cry because Paul was so stinkin' sweet and romantic.

One of their best friends was the officiant for the ceremony (she did an amazing job with all of the unfamiliar Hindu traditions - I would have been so confused), and she gave a few words about their friendship. If we weren't crying from Paul's vows, we were now!

They were officially married! Yay!

But first, a group of married women blessed Paul & Siri with oil lamps.

And then it was time to go! Guests showered Paul and Siri with rose petals as a blessing and they spontaneously started dancing down the aisle - that's why I love these two!

Wow - what an incredible experience! And we have so much more to share... I'm so excited for Part Two tomorrow with Paul and Siri's portraits, an outfit change, all of the swoon-worthy details, and an off-the-hook dance party! See you then!

Hugs,

Erin

Wedding Photography : The Youngrens | Ceremony Location : Seagrove Park | Reception Location : L'Auberge Del Mar | Floral Design : Annette Gomez | Cake : Sweet Cheeks Baking Company | Shoes : Jimmy Choo | Make-Up : Kim Cruz of Bobbi Brown | Hair : The Lab | Reception Lighting : Mike Fuller | Catering : L'Auberge Del Mar | Lounge Furniture : Concepts | Photo Booth : Shutterbooth

We loved incorporating The Queen Mary's signature red smokestacks into the photos.

I loved the girls' chunky jewelry and feather hairpieces that matched Taryn's design.

The ceremony was surrounded by meaningful moments.

Even through the ceremony, Justin knew exactly how to make Taryn laugh!

even when Taryn got emotional, Justin was right there with her.

Taryn incorporated feathers into the entire wedding design.

Some of my favorites!

The toasts were so stinkin' sweet. Hearts? Yeah, they were melted.

An amazing moment between father and daughter. These dances are always so touching when a parent has been lost. We could barely hold it together!

I loved that Justin's mom was so teeny next to him! It made me totally smile!

A huge thanks goes out to Flo of KIK Entertainment - it was an awesome party!

There was whole host of swing dancers in attendance - now that's a dance party!

Justin and Taryn: You guys have such a special, unique bond. It's an incredible blessing to be a part of this amazing time in your life. Thank you for opening your hearts, your friends, and your family to us. We immediately felt like part of the crew, welcomed in with open arms and plenty of laughter!

Hugs,
Erin

Wedding Photography : The Youngrens | Ceremony Location : The Queen Mary | Reception Location : The Queen Mary | Floral Design : Commerce Flowers | Cake : Martha Acosta | Shoes : Vaneli | Make-Up : Molly Shriver at Cheek Couture | DJ : Flo at KIK Entertainment

But all of the romance that they love about the art deco golden age of 1930's Hollywood they have found in the love they share with each other. She's the Ginger to his Fred, the rhythm to his dance, the elegant music to his silent world. All of that classic glamour, he sees in her eyes, and all of that stately romance she finds in his arms. So no matter what era they may live in, they have found the most perfect timing in each other.

In keeping with their love for art deco, Justin and Taryn found the perfect preservation of that long ago era in The Queen Mary, the luxurious and historic cruiseliner that once ferried kings, queens, Hollywood stars, politicians, and the society's most elite across the Atlantic. It's chock full of art deco luxury, and Taryn fell in love with the beautiful ship and it's historic glamour for their wedding. The girls even got to get ready in one of the enormous suites that was reserved for royalty and stars when the ship was in service. So glam!

A huge thanks to Molly Shriver at Cheek Couture for creating Taryn's classic, glamorous look complete with a feather hairpiece and birdcage veil. It's tough to style a birdcage veil to be glamorous and yet not take over someone's beautiful facial features, and Molly did an amazing job!

The girls were so on top of things with getting ready, that the morning was extremely relaxed. It gave them time to enjoy hanging out!

Taryn gave each girl a bracelet as their bridesmaid gift and the girls loved them!

Taryn wore the same necklace her mother wore on her wedding day. Her mother just recently passed away in the spring, so it was such an emotional momento for Taryn to wear.

Justin has been working in London for the past couple of months, so he brought Taryn a very special perfume, approved with royal seals and everything! Talk about a gentleman...

Taryn's dress was so classic - I loved it's glamorous simplicity.

Taryn's sister helped put on their mother's necklace and their wasn't a dry eye in the room - including mine!

Simply breathtaking.

The day couldn't have been more beautiful - I love their First Look!

What a beautiful ship with it's old wood floors, mahogany banisters, and fresh white walls.

Some of my favorites! There were so many decks and layers to the ship that I had to run around and grab some different perspectives.

Then we headed up to the top of the ship to capture the ships signature red smokestacks - more of those to come tomorrow!

We're just getting started with Justin and Taryn's wedding on the historic Queen Mary, so we'll see you right back here tomorrow for Part Two!

Hugs,
Erin

Wedding Photography : The Youngrens | Ceremony Location : The Queen Mary | Reception Location : The Queen Mary | Floral Design : Commerce Flowers | Cake : Martha Acosta | Shoes : Vaneli | Make-Up : Molly Shriver at Cheek Couture | DJ : Flo at KIK Entertainment

After their Catholic ceremony at St. Thomas of Villanova, we took a few moments to stroll around the walkways at the university, the same place we photographed their engagement session in May. A quick note about the bouquet: Sarah gushed over her flowers from the talented Pam at Passion for Petals, and so did I. I've never seen succulents and fall colors paired so stinkin' well together, and apparently Pam grew the succulents in her front yard just for Sarah. That's some serious heart and soul!!

Sqeeeeeze!

Guess what Jeff and I bought?? The 85 f/1.2! And I couldn't resist snapping some gorgeous portraits at f/1.2! *love*

I may have been sitting on top of Jeff's shoulders for the archway photos below... And I believe the videographer, Dave, caught some pretty awesome footage of it...

A HUGE thanks goes out to the staff at the Philadelphia Country Club for letting us down to this tree on the golf course between golfers. It was soooooo worth it!

A rosary from the Vatican tied to Sarah's bouquet.

The centerpieces were a mix of tall, rustic stands with hanging candles and fall inspired twigs wrapped with twine. So creative for a fall wedding!

Jeff was so excited about this image - he says that this photograph is inspired by the image that got him into shooting weddings just before we got married. As he was creating this, his heart reminded him of that moment he fell in love with wedding photography and why he loves this job so much - the couple sharing their first dance together, the parents looking on, and the friends and family surrounding them. So amazing!

Sarah's sisters were so cute and funny! Love these girls!

The band CTO rocked the dance floor all night!

The perfect final image!

Mike and Sarah: Thank you guys so much for being such an amazing and connected couple. You guys have the heart, soul, and friendship to live life with everything that it has to offer. Thank you for the honor of sharing this day with you and your families - you have touched us and blessed us more than you'll ever know! We *heart* you guys deeply!

Hugs,

Erin

Wedding Photography : The Youngrens | Ceremony Location : St. Thomas of Villanova | Reception Location : Philadelphia Country Club | Floral Design : Passion for Petals | Cake : Desserts International | Dress : Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard Collection | Shoes : Grazia | Make-Up : Cheekadee Makeup | Band : CTO | Reception Lighting : Eventions | Wedding Videography : Cinema Cake

It's as if they are coming home in each other.

That's exactly how I felt about Mike and Sarah's wedding at Villanova University in Philadelphia. Like we were right at home. As if everything fit together into one cozy, complete package for our souls. From their incredibly loving families to their close-knit friendships to Sarah's die-hard romantic soul to Mike's quietly sweet nature - this wedding was everything that Jeff and I love to photograph.

As if our hearts were coming home to where we are meant to live as storytellers.

Ok, so Jeff and I are west coasters at our core, but whenever we head to the east coast, it's like we finally fit in with our people. The old charm, the traditional romance, the stone buildings, the golden fall trees, the Sperry's... It's like stepping into a J.Crew ad and feeling right at home. I swear - every moment, every detail, every backdrop during Mike and Sarah's wedding was a creative dream come true for us San Diegans! Mike and Sarah got married at Villanova University, the place where they met and fell in love, and they held the reception just down the road at the Philadelphia Country Club. Sarah got ready with her girls at her family's gorgeous home in the outskirts of Philly, and it was the perfect place to spend the morning. Sarah's dress came from the Vineyard Collection of Priscilla of Boston and her shoes were those lovely bedazzled Grazia heels that we all adore!

Sarah had her floral designer, Pam from Passion for Petals, tie a special rosary from the Vatican around her bouquet as a personal touch.

Meanwhile, there was a flurry of preparations going on downstairs.

I loved the Team Sarah hoodies that all of the bridesmaid wore!

Sarah loved her hair so much that she did a happy dance - so cute!

Love, love, love these portraits Jeff shot just before heading out with the bridesmaids.

Major props go out to all of Sarah's girlfriends for tromping out to the middle of a field with us - heels, dresses, hair, and all! You ladies are DA BOMB.

One of my favorites!

We met up with Mike and the boys at the country club before quickly heading over to Villanova.

Loved the Rolls Royce Mike and Sarah chose for the getaway car.

Last minute prep and emotions before the ceremony starts.

Love this shot! How special to be lead by your grandmother and mother to your ceremony. The following ten or so photographs are some of my favorite storytelling photos we've ever taken.

A quick fist bump just before the church doors opened...

Seeing his bride for the first time...

An emotional hug...

And fixing the gorgeous veil. Love it!

The Catholic ceremony was so reverent and beautiful - it took everyone's breath away.

They're married! But just a few more items left in the ceremony...

Sarah wanted to have a photo that replicated her grandparent's wedding photo in the getaway car - I think the two images are perfect!

And then I love the few others that we grabbed too!

My favorite from the entire day!! My husband is amazing isn't he??

I'm so excited to share the rest of the images from Mike and Sarah's wedding at Villanova University and the Philadelphia Country Club. Some of our most favorite images we've ever shot have come from this elegant, timeless wedding - including this image from the Rolls Royce above. Stay tuned for so much more tomorrow!

Wedding Photography : The Youngrens | Ceremony Location : St. Thomas of Villanova | Reception Location : Philadelphia Country Club | Floral Design : Passion for Petals | Cake : Desserts International | Dress : Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard Collection | Shoes : Grazia | Make-Up : Cheekadee Makeup | Band : CTO | Reception Lighting : Eventions | Wedding Videography : Cinema Cake