A December Wedding At The Montage Resort, Laguna Beach

Natalie & Conrad - Short Film from living cinema on Vimeo.


Curtis Heyne is another of my favs. All you have to do is watch his video to see why. He's warm, funny, insightful, and a genuine artist.

The beauty and festiveness of Natalie & Conrad's wedding was the vision of Brooke Keegan. She will take wonderful care of you.

Enjoy!

The Common Sense Of Being Kind

photo: one love photography

I recently reunited with a couple whose wedding I officiated fifteen years ago. They look older but their spirits are as I remember them. Open, inquisitive, yet clearly defined in their ongoing aspirations. Jack Daniels joined us at the table and story begat story. It was a magical night.

As I was leaving, Frank suddenly asked me: “do you know why Renee and I are still in love?” Various answers came to mind, but I simply said, “no, why are you still in love?” He said: “we’re kind to each other.”

So simple.

He explained how they don’t ever want to lose sight that they are each other’s partner and best friend--not punching bag or dumping ground for the day’s irritations.

So simple. So deep in the heart of what makes a relationship “work.”

And this is especially true while planning for your wedding. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s exhausting work. Often times it is frustrating and irritating work.

That’s why it’s essential that you be kind to each other. This is your wedding. You plan together. You muddle through the details and the weirdness of it all—together. Remember--you are not the “enemy!”

Be kind to each other. . .

The Life That I Have

 photo; brandon kidd

The Life That I Have

The life that I have

Is all that I have

And the life that I have

Is yours

The love that I have

Of the life that I have

Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have

A rest I shall have

Yet death will be but a pause

For the peace of my years

In the long green grass

Will be yours and yours and yours.

Leo Marks

Chelsea Clinton included this poem at her wedding. In three verses Leo Marks echoes the sum of a life lived out in the company of a soul mate.

Simple Words, Profound Words

cheriephoto.com/blog

Before a ceremony starts, I usually line up with the groom and his groomsmen. I always reassure the groom that he has nothing to be nervous about. All he has to do is hold his bride’s hand and look into her eyes. I’ll take care of everything else.
I told this to a groom last Saturday. He smiled and said, “Why should I be nervous? I’m marrying the woman I love.”
He said it all. . .

My Wedding Hero

photo: brandon kidd

Over the weekend, by chance, I met up with a woman whose wedding I officiated last year. She is one of my wedding heroes. Why? Well, everything that could have gone wrong with her wedding did. And by “everything” I am not really exaggerating.

Shortly before the ceremony, the zipper on her dress broke. The flowers were not the ones she had ordered. The tablecloths were not the color she had ordered. The musicians were late. The shuttle van from the hotel broke down and guests were stranded for a half-hour. The ceremony was delayed an hour.

Through it all she remained calm. Not once did she get angry. How did she do it? I was in awe of her. She told me that it was the happiest day of her life and she wasn’t going to let anything ruin her happiness.

She told me that the ceremony was beautiful (thank you!) and that she and her guests had a blast at the reception.

She is my hero. May I suggest that you keep this bride in mind as you plan and live out your own celebration. . .

New Year--New Posts!

It's been way too long since I posted here. . .
so here's to a new year and a new decade--and many new posts!
First up is an entry from one of my fav photograpers, Cherie Steinberg.
The photo is of Aimee and Dave, mutual friends of ours.

The photographer can make the wedding. They are like the psychiatrists, the fashion photographers, the stylist, technical engineer, psychologist, mother, father, friend and comedian. They are your eyes and your ears. They may even make or break the wedding.
The photography decision is the one that all your guests will either say, “Wow, what an amazing team of people you chose. They were incredible, capturing every detail of the day.” Or they will be the people that the guests will say, “Hmm, what a jerk the photographer was.” Love their photography studio and then love their images.
The relationship between you and your photographer needs to be very personal. It’s like choosing the right doctor or the right house. It is a very important decision. If you have to get a cheaper cake or get chicken instead of beef, do it!! Take the $1000 savings and transfer it to the photographers.
Again I urge… Please – do not skimp on the photographer. Your photographer will create your family heirlooms. That is why you need to get the best photographer you can afford.
To give you some perspective of how important this person will be in your life, I’ll share with you that many of our clients become personal friends. Our studio later photographs their pregnancies, their children, and their families. We are included in all family functions and photograph for years to come, and oftentimes we photograph extended family, neighbors and friends. We become woven into their lives.