We try to develop a friendly, trusting relationship with our couples during the planning and shooting of the wedding day. Not that being friendly is only a means to an ends, but we love the creative freedom that comes from couples who like what we do :). Having been long time friends with DeeAnna + Tom I have a small idea of the long road that led to this wedding. I outright got the warm fuzzies* when I finally got to see this couple unite.

After the ceremony and reception our couple was expectantly eager to be done with it and enjoy newlywed life. Still, they knew that some extra time invested into the shoot would pay off so they allowed us to continue to film throughout the Hyatt in Huntington, CA. And with the beach only a short walk away, DeeAnna couldn't resist an afternoon dress-trashing. We even talked Tom and the bridesmaids into joining in (we couldn't figure out why Tom didn't want to trash his rented tuxedo...).

benji

It just so happened that finishing this edit christened my 25th year of life. As I told Allyson, working on this project has been a sort of gift and an inspiration on my birthday. Allyson was a fun bride to share a day with to say the least. At the end of morning prep, she was still cracking jokes even as the clock ticked closer to (and then past!) our departure time for the ceremony.

And though Allyson may have dealt with her anxiety through humor - Todd seemed completley relaxed. While the girls undertook endless primping exercises, the boys were in their suite watching surf videos, drinking Heineken and chillaxing until nearly the last minute - just enough time to put on a tux.

The real privilege was when Allyson + Todd finally came together. Tender moments and love all up in our lenses for the rest of the night. Awesome.

Heather + Horacio had a whirlwind wedding. While Horacio slaved in the heat to put up a decorative white canopy in the tree overlooking the ceremony (true love, no?), we filmed Heather's preparation. Somehow, what seemed like the entire wedding party managed to squeeze into the small room where Heather was getting ready (imagine a clown car at the circus). But that is what this wedding was ultimately about: family, togetherness, union.

So we rolled with it, and before we could blink Heather was walking down the aisle to a heart wrenching orchestration of The Beatles' "In My Life". Admittedly, its not trendy for "cutting edge" wedding highlights to delve into music of the past. Hmm, maybe we'll start a new trend?
...Na na na na ;)

-Benji