The lovely Jamie and her wonderful beau Steve sat for a session with their wedding photographer,Kristin Rogers, for a cute little scene celebrating their engagement! I think y’all know by now that I, of course, *adore* when real life couples style their shoots and infuse character with personality into their pictures. So, it’s no surprise that I’m drooling for these images.

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.

I’ll admit it- when the idea of a “Sleeping Beauty” styled shoot was tossed around by Kristin, I quaked in my boots a bit. I couldn’t think of anything [instantly, because that's how I work... I'm very instant] that wasn’t Disney, flitty, fluttery, cheese-ball. And then it hit me: classic. Sewing. 1940’s. With a bed. Because, well, that’s how I roll. I’m grateful to Bethany Belle for capturing it all so beautifully. And thanks to K+D for, you know, being in love and stuff.

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,

I styled a cute, 1940’s style “Sleeping Beauty” engagement session a few weeks back and here’s a preview.

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.

How cute are my clients you guys? Seriously though…. how cute are they?? It makes me love my job even more ferociously when I meet and book clients like Emily and Richard. They’re just some of the coolest, most down-to-earth, creative, fun-loving people that everyone wants to be. And they show it. Like when Max Wanger took their engagement photos. Like this:

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 tie the knot next month in Long Beach. I cannot think of words to say that will express my excitement and joy working with Elena and [fabulous] family. When E booked me, she hadn’t met me. We’d chatted on the phone, but really- it was her family that gave the true stamp of approval as we went venue searching together on Elena and Nathan’s behalf [you see, they're East Coasters with a love for Cali and a heart to come back- eventually]. So, her mom and two sisters met me one morning up at the Ebell Club in Long Beach and it was love at first sight. For us all. From then, it’s been my pleasure to meet Elena, hug Elena, and plan with this fun couple. Their wedding is set to be a party with spanish/romantic flair and lots of love to spread for their gaggle of out-of-towners joining the occasion. SO fun, right? So fun. Many thanks to Dave Richards for these super hot engagement photos and even more thanks knowing there’s lots more to come in the future, from their wedding!!

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.

About a month ago, I met with the sweetest couple in their Ladera Ranch home.  I was greeted with a warm welcoming smile from Christie and overly excited smile from Josh.  As much as they are welcoming, they are in love, and there’s no hiding that!  As we chatted and brainstormed of ideas for their perfect day, I couldn’t help but count the number of times they thanked me for helping them.  I don’t think I have ever received that many “thank you’s” in one meeting.  They are such a thankful, laid-back, excited couple that I have the honor of working with.  I should be saying thank you to them!

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

Hello, I am dying right now from gorgeous overload.

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.

[photo taken around 9pm on 3/21/03, the night we got engaged! These were eventually featured on our save the date cards]

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.