In case you’re wondering, it’s Auer like Bauer. Like hour. Like our. Like power.

It’s simple, short and sweet. Don’t get me wrong, my maiden name wasn’t bad [though I myself, being a traditionalist, adore being tied to my husband via last name- and everything else]. But a married name is special. A married name is chosen, and I feel that it speaks volumes about me.

So when I met with Erica and she told me Brian’s last name was Winter, I about died. Can you imagine? How completely adorable is that? Any child they have will be the cutest kid in school with that last name. And their 11.11.11 wedding- just on the cusp of that pivotal season- is complete with theme, just being them. Matt and Molly Snelson of Mathieu Photo did it again [and again and again] and knocked my socks off with their gorgeous images. So, meet Erica, meet Brian… meet the [to-be] Winters:

Exactly. See? They get it!!

Erica is exceptionally sweet. She’s graceful and looks you in the eye when you talk with her. And she is so trusting of us. I’m thrilled that we connected on a personal level from the get-go. Chatting with her and knowing that she trusts us and our vision to make her wedding exceptional makes me feel like I’m on a whole new level of loved. And more than that- it shows tremendous things about her character!

Brian fits her like a glove. They’re considerate of one another, genuinely best friends and so excited to begin their life together. It’s amazing to watch and an honor to be a part of!

Oh yeah, she’s also a little bit vixen. In all the best [bridal] ways! Really though, I have a feeling she prefers her time to be spent right here:

In a place where we live the literal Endless Summer, it’s nice to get us a bit of Winter!! So, go leave these Winters some love by commenting lots right here!!!

Take a break with your head on someone’s shoulder today. Romantic or not, it’s real, and we all need us some reality at moments. It’s nice to be needed- and more than that, it’s great to show that you need, too.

xoxo,

Brooke is one of those girls that you always keep thinking “she’s one step from pissing me off”. No, no- not like that. Because Brooke is sweet. She’s genuine, soft, caring and feminine. And, well, she’s totes gorgeous [as exemplified] and apparently ridiculously photogenic. You want to hate her, right? But you can’t. Trust me. And when you meet her, you’ll stop wanting to hate her. You’ll just want to be around her.

Toon- her counterpart. Just gets her. They connect through quick glances, through laughter, and through their completely authentic friendship. Working with couples like them makes my job so full of raw joy. I adore it.

She gives us the “smeyes”…

And he sees her “smeyes” and raises it with a smolder!

These next two are my absolute favorite in the way they make me FEEL. About love. About Brooke. About Toon. About my job.

And one last cutie for the road:

B+T, you know I can’t wait for your Smoggy May wedding. It’s going to be quirk city and I’m thrilled to be along for the ride.

You can view the blog post that their photogs put up right here [and cruise around for a while, too- the site is enchanting!!]. And now, my dears, I implore you- spend some time in love’s midst today!

xoxo,

You see, Irene prefaced the email with the link to her photos by saying that I should “keep in mind they know how awkward they are”. So, of course, I was expecting your standard awkward engagement photo. And then I opened these from Ian Grant Photography, and gave my eyes a whole minute to do a super-drama-diva roll before telling Irene that she was off-her-rocker crazy. Like, she should be put into a straight jacket. And here’s me saying, Irene: it’s NOT ‘the dress’, it’s not ‘you’, it’s not ‘Aaron’, it’s certainly not awkward- it’s love. And above all, it’s your love. And I love that love.

When a couple has about 1/3 of their engagement photos full of laughter and true, genuine smiles… you know you’re in for the good stuff.

Growing up in Pasadena and now living in [and planning from] the Bay Area, Irene and Aaron are tying the knot at the incredibly ridiculous Saddlerock Ranch! A dream venue for brides and design teams alike!

Are you totally in love with them yet? Well, if not, here’s one to put you over the top:

Am I right?

Thanks to Ian for capturing them so authentically!

Irene [who is most likely going to read this] and Aaron [who, let's face it, probably won't]: yay! Just, yay! I love the way you two love one another. That last picture, in the ice cream shop- reminds me of who I want to be. It’s full of all the hope and love and newly-wedded [almost wedded] bliss that dreams, real dreams, are made of. I love who you are. Don’t change a thing. Funny dress/face/laugh/feel and all.

xoxo,

Cute, right? I wish you could all meet them in person and just hug on them the way I always get to when we meet!! There’ll be more where this came from right around the corner. You betcha!

xoxo,

That’s the tree they’re gonna get married in front of.  I’m squealing with delight.

THIS is them.  So cute.  So fun.  So happy.

Can’t wait to be a part of this big day, which is right around the corner (THIS Saturday!).  Go ahead and head over to Matt and Molly’s blog to look at ALL their hotness. Now. Go!

Such a total fave of mine. I cannot get over it:

And some urbanite shots…

I love that the shot above is so indicative of marriage to me. It may not be a very feminist attitude that I have, but I feel exactly this way about my husband. He’s my protector, my best friend, my strong arm. I cling to him willingly and lovingly, as he promises to guide me, keep me safe, shield me from harm, and be soft to my heart. I can only hope that each and every one of my clients gets the same thing out of their marriage [as much as they desire it to be]- and I can tell that this is the dynamic already set up for Karina and Tanner in all the best of ways.

And two more faves:

Thanks Jered! Cannot wait to see the spanish-infused rustic fiesta fall wedding come together this Saturday!!

xoxo,

I’d forgotten to introduce you all to Carmen and Elmer. Via blog, of course. And they are oh-so-blog-worthy. But I’ll admit something candidly here just because I can: I’m happy about that. Mainly due to the fact that spending an hour with a couple learning about them initially is great, but working with them, seeing their love and their story and their time unfold… it changes me. It changes how I view my own world. And certainly how I view theirs. So, I’m writing to you now, imparting a bit of Carmen and Elmer and their bilingual love to you.

Oh Mr. Aaron Shintaku my affection for your work runs deep. Plus you’re a pretty fab hang with a great attitude- nothing I could ask for more!! He took C + E to their stomping ground, the Los Rios District in San Juan Capistrano. The iconic area as captured below:

When I first met Carmen- her sweetness immediately struck me. She is genuine, through and through, and now having shared her wedding day alongside of her… I know it. It’s pure, unfettered love for her HUSBAND that keeps her this way!

Oh and P.S. she totally got her braces off the week of her wedding. Along with a killer spray tan. This girl is one hot little mama.

With all the “fierce” they’re delivering in these engagement pics from months back, I can only IMAGINE what Aaron had to work with under the warm San Clemente sun [and a backdrop like Casa Romantica!]. Attack of the killer wedding photos… right?!

Carmy and Elms [just now made those names up, so deal with it]: I am totally completely head over heels in love with your love. Your families. The moments in your wedding sunk deep into my soul and I’m keeping them as part of my heart. I’m so honored that I got to spend those cherished hours with you. I hope you’re resting and relaxing and honeymooning it up! And I’m glad I didn’t blog these until now, so that I can shout from the rooftops how good it is to see a love like yours become a marriage like yours is sure to be.

Love fearlessly today, my dear readers!

xoxo,

You can tell already huh? This is gonna be good. And you’re right. It’s good.

I mean seriously if I could wrap Richard in a bow and place him on my bookshelf I would. That outfit!!

Classic Max:

UGH you guys. I’m trying to widdle down the number of images as I post and I just CANNOT seem to. I’m sorry. Don’t get bored. The best is still yet to come!

ADORE this:

This was their save the date postcard, below. There is possibly nothing better in life than girly, dainty running hands and human airplanes.

Okay. I’m doing it. I’m limiting myself to THREE more photos. But seriously there are oodles more.

What’s that? You’re DYING for one more?? But how am I supposed to go and break the rules that I myself set up mere minutes ago?? Okay, for you lovely readers, because you’re worth it…

I know! It’s my favorite too. Have a splendid day, my friends. Hope these photos take you back to a youthful, joyful place like they did for me- tennis camp in the summers and playground on school days.

xoxo!!

J+S are tying the knot in October and their reception is at one of my favorite LA hotspots- Union Station! More specifically the Fred Harvey Room there. Which, I adore. I worked there a few months back and the event was so completely stunning that I’m unable to post images of it. And it’s killing me!

This image, above, makes me remember why I love love so much. Just ooey and gooey in all the right ways.

Um, yes, even their stuff is cute. Because it’s theirs. And set up cutely in a field. And stuff.

Seeing these images is fully getting me PUMPED UP for their wedding! Jamie is kinda my D-I-Y doll [super human crafting powers, respect y'all!!], and I know their wedding is gonna be one big personalized bash!

I could honestly post here for hours…. but since I won’t [and I mean that in the nicest of ways seeing as Kristin's blog is totally worth the click to visit], here’s just a couple more:

And there you have it! The Idiot’s Guide to Being Cute Whilst Posing with Vintage Props in a Field. I’m serious. It works, just look at the results!

J+S: can’t wait to see you both again. I’ll need to resist the urge to pinch your cute little cheeks after falling in love with these images! Only ONE MONTH to go!

xoxo,

A.

Yep. That’s a skort. A skort y’all.

Bed: check! Fun jumping-off-of-bed-picture: check! Classic Sleeping Beauty picture with bed: check!!!

Cute and fun.

Outfit change!!

Yep. Breakfast picnic. SO deeply into it. Cannot even handle it. And the hat?!?

Sleeping Beauty. Get it- breakfast buffet?? This also ties into the fact that Dustin proposed to Kristin by waking her up [at, like, 5am]- awaking his “sleeping beauty”. And then, breakfast. Because it’s soo 2010 to eat the most important meal of the day. In a grassy knoll. With a custom blue and pink quilt [hello, had to tie in that classic movie somehow- color scheme much??]!

And then there’s music. Because they sing- about their dreaming, about their prince. And stuff. And Dustin plays guitar so it happens.

Don’t forget sewing. She pricks her finger on a spindle. And sleeps [like a lot]. But the horses- they’re by FAR my fave. Cause that’s how he finds her!

Thanks SO much Bethany for the abundant beauty you’ve provided. Love the feel of this shoot- so glad I got to come on board and help flesh it out!! There’s plenty more, dear lovelies, over on her blog so don’t miss your chance to see it! And K+D- you know, I think you’re too fabu for words. Get married already!!

xoxo,

Yes, I know. It doesn’t look so vintage here. It also doesn’t look so Sleeping Beauty. But it’s not like me to be all theme and no quirk. And thus, the quirk attack. LOVE these cute little signs I whipped up the morning-of. Shouldn’t everyone be holding these, ALL THE TIME??
More [vintage-y, sleep-y] to come on this one from Bethany Belle Photography!

xoxo,

A.

And just to tip the cute scale even more onto the sickening side…

Oh Em and Rich! I love your love. You two are gonna have the raddest wedding this side of 2011! I can’t wait to share it with you.

xoxo,

A.

E&N met at Elena’s twin sister’s wedding. Yep. She was a bridesmaid and he was a groomsman- visiting from the East Coast. Where Elena had just gotten accepted to grad school. Interesting, right? When the pair hit it off, he told her to call him. And then, when she got to her new home… she did. I love a chance well-taken!

You must- MUST- visit Dave’s Blog for more images of them. They’re just too cute.

My fave. I love the vastness and smallness of love here.

And of course, I love a good foliage-filled background!

Yay for August’s rapid approach. YAY for killer fun details. YAY for pops of color and spanish infusion. YAY for love and marriage.

xoxo,

A.

For those who don’t know and have yet to be WOWed by Josh’s amazing skills behind the lens, he is the owner/shooter of his own company Josh Elliot Photography.  Now unfortunately he won’t be shooting his own wedding [plus I wouldn't allow it] however, had some help getting the prefect proposal shots from Jeffrey Neal and Cami Jane.  WARNING: These are NOT the engagement photos, just the proposal, so stay tuned for more love from Christie and Josh!

With Love.

B

I promise you guys [cue terribly long, terribly punctuated run-on sentence riiiiiight now!], I don’t know how it happens, but I truly feel so fortunate, undeserving, and full-on blessed to end up with such tender, love-oriented couples who just happen to take pictures radiating those feelings for one another! Melissa and Fonzo are certainly no exception. When Brandon Kidd [their super fab photog] blogged their engagement session last week… I fell out of my chair. Okay, okay… not literally [but I certainly did emotionally- and then I emailed the link to every single team member working on their wedding... which is 4 of them. 4 + me = 5 members of the awesome-sauce committee]. They looks delicious and stylish and in love and sweet and- well, they look everything that they truly are! I cannot WAIT for their June wedding.

In case you didn’t notice about me yet… I love a good “pop color”- and Melissa is rocking that shirt like it’s going out of style! But, you know, color never does!

Possibly my favorite picture of them ever ever ever:

Happy hearts make happy weddings.

I know you’d all GAWK if I told you that there’s still more over on Brandon’s Blog that weren’t posted here but it’s true! So go visit, leave him some lovely words and ooey gooey notes of pretty things! M+F… you know I’m thrilled about your pending nuptials. I’m so honored to be a part of it! You two are the real deal. And for that… I love you!

Spend some time with living green things today and remind yourself that you’re alive!

xoxo,

A.

I can’t believe I’m even going to say this, but… seven years ago today, the wonderfully talented [and humble and sweet and loving and generous.... and more] Josh Auer asked me to be his wife.

He took me to Huntington Beach, where we parked out on a large stretch of empty sand just the two of us, his guitar and a blanket. He played me a song he wrote for me- the first song he’d ever written. Ever. For the wife of a now-full-time songwriter, it’s pretty unbelievable! Then he got down on his knee, and proposed. At 21 years old, I didn’t have a doubt in the world. And I never have!

Five months later we tied the knot in a wonderful whirlwind full of love [and, admittedly, chaos]. I’m so thankful that he “knew” enough to ask me to be his wife. I’m thankful for our story, and for who we’ve become together. Not everyone can survive being married and still having to grow up together- as man and wife. But we can, we did, we are, we have, and we’re going to!

Here’s one of our engagement photos, taken by a college friend of mine [now a high school photography teacher], Jette Via:

And just for fun, one from our first married Christmas [just a few months later]:

Never forget to celebrate the little things- and never forget the importance of your story! Becoming an “us” is one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in my life! And I’m in love with each day that I get to wake up as a wife of the man I love. Truly an honor!!

xoxo,

A.

And now that their wedding planning is well on it’s way, I’m thrilled to say that this is going to be one of the most special events of the season for me! Not only because Tom and Steph are my friends, but because they’re actually tying the knot at the same place my husband and I did nearly SEVEN years ago [crazy, how time flies]!! Working a wedding at The Oak Knoll Club in Ladera Ranch will be so fun- but Steph’s vision for the big day [think Paris shrouded in black, cream and chocolate tones with a cocktail-style dessert affair] is even more highly anticipated!

Their engagement pictures are courtesy of Trever Hoehne, an ever-fave of anyone with an eye for artistic ability and heart! I’m pumped, y’all! Totally 100% AMPED on this event! So, to get you into the spirit of it all… here’s some of their actual engagement session by Trever:

This image was shot in one of my favorite locations of all time- Santiago/Trabuco Canyon. It’s where I grew up and went to Elementary School. The area, the lush surroundings, and the vibe of the canyon hold such a special place in my heart. This picture represents it so accurately!

Is Steph not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?? ADORE the dress. Adore the style. Adore the “darkness” of the shot!

Counting down the minutes until their July wedding!!

xoxo,

A.

And then…there’s Heather and Joe. To say that they are a match made in heaven is an understatement. And to say that I love them just a little…well that would be an understatement as well. They met at work. They sat in cubicles just inches apart from each other, and were friends for what seemed like forever. Then one Valentine’s Day they both found themselves single and decided to couple up, just for the day of course, and be each other’s “date” for the evening. It couldn’t hurt to go out just as friends, right?

Cut to three years later, and we’ll be watching these two “friends” walk down the aisle as husband and wife on the anniversary of their first date. Valentine’s Day 2010. It is going to be an affair to remember, on one of the most romantic day’s of the year. And I am so so honored and blessed to be a part of it.

So without further ado….I present to you…Heather & Joe!

They took their engagement pictures in downtown Laguna Beach, having a blast finding all of the cute little nooks & crannies trickled among the artful streets that line the area.

Now I wasn’t there, but I know with 100% certainty, that the face that Heather is making on the right means that Joe just said something to tease her. In a very loving way of course. ;)

And then it was time for an outfit change, and change of scenery to match!

This image takes my breath away.

Ahhhh…..Love!

Well, what did I tell you? Amazing right? Just make sure you go over to Adrienne’s blog HERE to see the rest of these beauties. You won’t be sorry, I promise!

~ Alicia

A coordinator hired by another coordinator!?! Can you think of a bigger compliment?? Seriously! That’s why when I got the inquiry to do the wedding of Leah, of Sweet Pear Events, I was beyond thrilled! And as I saw her vendor line up begin to fill up, I continued to jump for joy. She has made some great choices, and I am SO honored to be a part of this all-star line up.

Last year, In The Now was honored to coordinate for Jen, one of the other members of Sweet Pear Events, as well. You may remember her fabulous wedding from May, but if you don’t, check out some of her images here. So we are SO glad to have Leah joining our happy wedding family as well!

Ok, so back to these fabulous vendors I mentioned, I was thrilled to hear that Leah had selected Brandon Kidd as her photographer, but when I saw her engagement session pop up on his blog, I did a small happy dance. Think Irish Jig while wearing my PJ’s…

Just check out these A-mazing engagement pictures he took of Leah & Josh in Palm Springs.
The shoot started at The Viceroy, where Josh had proposed to Leah back in January.

Those yellow heels are KILLER right?

And when you can’t get the yellow heels in the shot, a yellow door will do just fine!

I love the way she’s looking at him here.

But this one is my favorite. You are Fierce girl…FIERCE!

Wow! That’s what you’re thinking to yourself right now right? And that you wish you could see more? I know, I know, I’m a mind reader…it’s a gift. Well, it just so happens that you’re in LUCK! This was seriously just a sampling of Brandon’s amazing work. So make sure you check out the rest of his goodies on his blog HERE!

~ Alicia

Kellee and I clicked from minute one. She’s just so HER. And of course, I’m ME. My quirky, spastic, emotional and ridiculous self. And she loved it. And that made me love her even more! Her and Nick are wonderful together- can’t you seeeee from these images?

These make me even thatmuchmore excited to work with Jill Denny of RustyBoy Photographers. And the good news? I don’t have to wait long at all!! Take a peeksie:

Their wedding is the merging of two cultures, two lives, two hearts… I am so so SO in love with their plans for the big day! And what’s better? It’s at Nick’s family’s private residence that has a panoramic ocean view. I’ve seen nothing like it. Truly incredible!

FAVE:

I’ll end with this quick lesson of “How-To-Spot-A-NOW-Client” [as told to me by Kellee, just this morning]: the week before their big day, they’ll be breaking in their wedding shoes around their house, in jeans, with socks, to ensure the shoes are prepped and stretched for the marathon-of-a-wedding-day to come! How amazing COOL are they!!!

I am surely the luckiest duck in the pond. :) Proud mama bear smiles to all of you!

xoxo,

A.