O’Donnell House Wedding Palm Springs | Chloe + Evan

O’Donnell House Wedding

I had anxiously been awaiting Chloe and Evan’s O’Donnell House wedding all year. I first met with this sweet couple at the beginning of last year. From initially sitting down with them I could feel how infectious their love is for one another. These two now live in North Carolina but met back when they were living in California. We had our first experience shooting together in Glamis for an epic sand dune engagement session. Together we braved 25mph winds, 100+ degree temperatures, and climbing sand dunes the size of buildings. I knew after that experience that this fun-loving couple’s wedding was going to be an absolute blast.

I arrived at Chloe’s Air BnB in the morning where all of the ladies were getting ready. While hair and makeup proceeded I was tucked away in the master bedroom photographing all of Chloe’s beautiful details for the day. Her rose gold color palette for the shoes and jewelry contrasted beautifully with her teal and peach invitation suite and pops of bougainvillea. She even bought Evan an adorable rose gold cactus pin for his suit. Little details on the day of like that are my absolute favorite!

First Look

After all of the finished with hair, makeup, and champagne toasts outside by the pool we all hopped in the van and headed up the hill to meet Evan and his groomsmen at the O’Donnell House. Chloe and Evan greeted each other with a sweet first look on the patio overlooking the hills and downtown Palm Springs. Many kisses, “wows”, and hugs were shared between the two. Afterward, we met up with the bridal party for portraits around the property, and then everyone headed upstairs to relax while guests arrive.

Design Details

While family and friends began to enter I walked the property photographing all of the gorgeous details. The day was planned to perfection by The Events Department and the desert-inspired florals from Hello Gem Events used the most beautiful pastel color palette. By incorporating pops of rose gold, desert florals, and geometric table pieces, this O’Donnell house wedding was like something out of a dream.

Ceremony & Reception

Guests soon began to take their seats at the ceremony site. Everyone’s heads turned as Chloe made her way down the staircase to meet her father. After exchanging rings and vows everyone cheered for Chloe and Evan as they had their first kiss as husband and wife. While everyone made their way to the main courtyard for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres family had their formal photos captured on the upper terrace. Dinner was soon served and guests sat down to dine under the stars. Everyone danced the night away and enjoyed some tasty treats created by Over The Rainbow Desserts.

Greystone Mansion Wedding Beverly Hills | Mashan + Jamie

Greystone Mansion Wedding | Mashan & Jamie

Mashan and Jamie chose to forgo a local wedding in Atlanta and instead, planned a destination Greystone Mansion wedding. I had seen many weddings online showcasing this gorgeous estate and I anxiously dreamed of photographing this venue. Nestled in Beverly Hills, this historic estate boasts 180-degree views and overlooks downtown LA. It made for the perfect spot to host the couple’s intimate soiree. The day was planned to perfection by Randy Fuhrman Events and adorned with gorgeous white and blush florals.

The bridesmaids all donned beautiful off-the-shoulder blush dresses and were accompanied by the most dapper groomsmen rocking navy suits. While Jamie anxiously awaited the first look with his bride-to-be, Mashan eagerly circled the koi pond to give a very excited shoulder tap. After happy tears were shed, the family gathered for formal photos. We headed up to the infamous cypress walk afterward for a bridal party and couple of portraits. Everyone shared laughs as they strolled up and down the stone walkway.

Ceremony & Cocktail Hour

While the bridal party assembled for the ceremony to begin, guests took advantage of the beverage station where they had their choice of sun tea, fresh lemonade, and spa water and grabbed parasols provided by the bride and groom on the way to their seats. As the bridal party made their way down the aisle each member in the procession was accompanied by live music played by a harpist. After the ceremony concluded guests made their way over to the reception area where cocktails and hors d’ouerves awaited them. As soon as everyone had a drink in hand the DJ ushered everyone inside the house for Mashan and Jamie’s grand entrance.

The Evening’s Events

While guests were served their appetizers Mashan, Jamie, and I traversed the property while we chased light and found beautiful little nooks to photograph in. After dinner and speeches, guests made their way onto the dance floor to celebrate the newlyweds and dance the night away. Thank you again to Mashan and Jamie for allowing me to capture such a big day in your lives.

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Bernardus Lodge Wedding Carmel | Grace + Roman

Destination weddings are quickly becoming my favorite way to celebrate a couple’s big day. Grace + Roman’s Bernardus

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Pelican Hill Wedding Newport Beach | Melissa & Will

Pelican Hill Resort Wedding

My team and I headed down the coast during the Summer to photograph Melissa and Will’s black-tie Pelican Hill Resort wedding. You might recognize this familiar couple from a few months back when I photographed their

engagement at Pismo Beach. From the first time I met these two and heard how they got together, I knew it was meant to be that they would marry each other. From their first encounter at a club in Croatia to their second run-in at a bar in La Vegas, this fun-loving pair was destined to fall in love.

I met Melissa in the morning at her casita. While the ladies were being pampered and prepped for the day I headed upstairs to photograph some of her gorgeous wedding details. Everything from her Vera Wang dress and Valentino heels to the monogrammed Mrs. Box and invitation suite, everything perfectly fit the black-tie theme. Following Melissa’s hair and makeup, we headed outside to capture some candids with her and her bridesmaids.

First Look

After Melissa was zipped into her dress we headed to the rooftop topiary garden where she met Will for their first look. Following the sweetest embrace, the rest of the bridal party met us for formal portraits amidst the expansive lawns. Melissa’s bridesmaids donned floor-length black gowns paired with a single white calla lily. Following the bridal party portraits Melissa, Will, and I walked the lawn capturing midday portraits. This involved lots of tender moments and allowed us to explore the property together.

Before the ketubah signing we met up with family who was awaiting our arrival at the iconic rotunda for family portraits. The couple said their I do’s under a handmade chuppah on the main lawn encircled by family and friends. Following the ceremony, guests congregated on the terrace for cocktails and fresh sushi. Everyone found their seats via the hand-calligraphed and water-colored escort cards. Guests soon made their way into the main ballroom after cocktail hour for dinner and dancing. Samantha Scott Events did a miraculous job transforming the space and the live band kept the party going late into the night. In addition to all of the sweet treats guests enjoyed, the night ended with a bang when In N Out showed up. Everyone had the most phenomenal time celebrating Melissa + Will’s Pelican Hill wedding and it’s a night I won’t soon forget.

Photography | Alex W Photography

Planning | Samantha Scott Events

Florals | The Little Branch

Venue | Pelican Hill Resort

Bride’s Dress | Vera Wang

Bride’s Heels | Valentino

Groom’s Suit | Tom Ford

Groom’s Shoes | Christian Louboutin

Ring Box | The Mrs. Box

Lab | Negative Lab

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Brookview Ranch Wedding in Malibu | Stephanie & Jonathan

Two of the sweetest people I know had friends and family gather for their Brookview Ranch wedding over the Summer. I had the pleasure of photographing it and have some serious eye candy for you to enjoy. You might remember seeing a previous blog when we traveled to Los Olivos for an epic mountaintop engagement session.

I had been eagerly awaiting for their big day to finally arrive. I met Stephanie in her bridal suite in the morning and had the most beautiful details to photograph. The entire day was perfectly planned by Masterplan Events and exquisitely decorated with beautiful pops of colored florals by Rebelle Fleur Design. All of the bridesmaids donned gorgeous floor-length dresses with subtle blush floral patterns. It perfectly complemented the groomsmen’s navy suits. Jonathan rocked the most dapper three-piece plaid suit from Indochino and Stephanie stunned in a gorgeous Winnie Couture gown.

As seen in Style Me Pretty.

First Look

Stephanie and Jonathan opted to do a first look before the ceremony (which is my absolute favorite). After hugs, kisses, and even a couple tears we headed over to meet the rest of the bridal party for more photos on the main lawn. As guests began to arrive, everyone was escorted to their seats for some pre-ceremony champagne.

Ceremony

As the guests took their seats and the music began to play, the bridal party began their walk across the lawn and down the aisle. As Stephanie approached all the guests rose out of their seats. She made her entrance through the gorgeous antique patio doors provided by Archive Rentals.

Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony concluded, guests headed over to cocktail hour where they enjoyed lawn games and some tasty appetizers. Stephanie, Jonathan, and I took full advantage of the property and visited all of the hidden nooks and gorgeous spaces for the bridal portraits.

Reception

I headed up to the reception site afterward to capture all of the gorgeous details before guests arrived. Every vendor involved really pulled out all of the stops for this one; it was gorgeous! From the cascading Silk & Willow table runners to the gorgeous calligraphy on the geometric stone name cards that the bride created herself, this was truly a dream! The dessert table had not one, two, or three but four cakes beautifully crafted by Cake Divas. The gold foiling was the perfect accent to the blush tones found throughout the reception. All of this was beautifully complemented by warm candlelight surrounding the reception area.

As guests took their seats. Stephanie and her father shared a heartfelt father-daughter dance followed by Jonathan and his mother. As the sun began to slip behind the mountains we headed to the top of the property to enjoy the last few minutes of golden hour and 360 degree views of the hills. After sunset we headed back down to the reception area to enjoy toasts, some delicious cake, and a night full of dancing. I’d like to wish Stephanie & Jonathan the biggest congratulations and I look forward to following the progress of their sweet marriage!

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Destination Lake Wedding in Greece | Ellie + Charles

Destination Wedding in Greece

This lakeside wedding is particularly special because I personally know the bride and it was my first destination wedding in Greece. Needless to say, there was a lot of preparation that had to be done for a trip of this magnitude. Luckily I have an incredible girlfriend who helped throughout the process and even accompanied me to Greece. We flew into the Athens airport a few days prior to the wedding. This gave us ample time to adjust to the time difference and scout the area for the wedding day.

The days leading up to the wedding were quite nerve-racking. Every day we experienced scattered showers, strong wind, and even severe nighttime thunderstorms. Needless to say, this was not the weather we were expecting. Thankfully, once the wedding day arrived the clouds rained themselves out and we had nothing but sunny skies. This was a huge relief considering the entire day was to take place outdoors.

Bridal Details

I met with Ellie on the morning of in her suite. Her hair was styled to absolute perfection without a single strand out of place. The jewelry was simple and elegant, much like her custom-made dress. Ellie’s friend and Swedish-based designer Lina Nordin, worked with Ellie to create her dream gown.

Ceremony & Reception

The wedding went off without a hitch. The couple kept things very traditional and saved their first look until the bride walked down the aisle. In Swedish tradition, Ellie and Charles were adorned with crowns during the ceremony. Following the ceremony, we hopped in a van with the bridal party and headed to the coast for portraits. We returned to the lakeside reception after bridal party photos and sunset portraits for family photos and the evening’s festivities. Heartfelt speeches were given throughout the night and a flash mob surprised Ellie on the dance floor. Everyone danced the night away with drinks, enjoyed homemade Greek ice cream, and a cigar bar.