Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden Wedding Preview | Sarah and Alex

Recently we had the distinct honor and privilege of photography Sarah and Alex's wedding at the beautiful Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena. Photographing weddings here is such a dream as it is so serene and beautiful. 

Sarah and Alex were so calm throughout the day and we couldn't be more excited to be part of their day. Their closest friends and family surrounded them as they literally had an unplugged wedding with the ambient sound from the wind blowing through the trees and the water running over the rocks into the koi ponds created the most peaceful wedding ceremony we have been a part of. 

Enjoy these preview images of their wedding until we are ready to publish the rest!

Pasadena City Hall Engagement Session | Michelle and Daniel

Pasadena City Hall lends itself to a beautiful backdrop for engagement sessions and Michelle and Daniel's relaxed session did not disappoint. We started on the second level of the building and moved towards the front as they got more and more comfortable in front of the camera. You can definitely feel the love between them and it certainly shows in their images. 

Although we can't share too many details of their wedding yet, we do know their wedding is going to be intimate and gorgeous, just like them. We're so grateful to be able to be at the beginning of their lives. We are privileged, or should I say, honored to be able document their wedding later this year at Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach. 

Enjoy these images, friends!

Vertigo Event Venue: Event Planners Association | Holiday Party 2014

Event Planners Association - Southern California Chapter: 2014 Holiday Party at Vertigo Event Venue

A few weeks ago we had such an amazing time at the Event Planners Association Holiday Party held at the modern, elegant and sophisticated Vertigo Event Venue just outside of Los Angeles. Vertigo opened in early 2014, was featured on Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine, and is slated to be the "go to" wedding venue for 2015. 

We were able to meet new people and reconnect with old friends. We feel wedding planners are key to your wedding day to make sure your day runs smooth and on time. A good planner will alleviate the stress of making sure everything happens as it was planned and enjoyable for you. This has been our experience and if you want to meet with one, we can definitely help you find a planner for you. 

As wedding planners work hard throughout the year they also deserve to have fun and party well, right? Here are a few images from the EPA Holiday Party. 

Apparently Christoph Brown, aka "The Amazing Etch Man", had Jack from Vox DJs surprised! Haha!

Benny Golbin also provided some sweet jazz to begin the festive night.

The Beverly Belles added a classy touch of holiday cheer with their swing and boogie-woogie style of Christmas Carols. They were definitely the hit of the night!

As I mentioned, Vertigo lends itself to a modern, classic and elegant space for weddings and receptions.

We are so grateful to have worked with Michael, Nonee, Katy, Jerry, Carissa and the rest of the staff and ownership group to feature their beautiful venue. They truly have a passion for providing your wedding one of the most remarkable venues you can find. 

Kim, Chief Marketing Officer of the EPA, gave a few words on the growth and talented work that the planners have put together over the past year and then it was time to party!

Cristina Barragan, President of Event Planners Association, received the Outstanding Leadership Award for her exceptional work over the past year. She is also the owner of Posh Peony | Floral and Event Design and her work is phenomenal. I listed her site above, but you can click on it here: Posh Peony | Floral and Event Design Many Congratulations Cristina!

Lastly, the vendors on display throughout the night definitely did not disappoint. Rose City Coffee was there showing off their lattes and explained their philanthropic work through coffee. Based out of Pasadena, they work with homeless and transitional youth to give them gainful employment and train them to become talented baristas in their communities.

Fantasy Frostings displayed their delectable desserts, SmorePlay showed off their custom smores and portable smore bar, iCups demonstrated their novelty cup and string gifts, and Phhhhoto showed us how to make a short video from a few photo booth pictures. Super. Duper. Cool.

Andy from Royal Films also filmed a short video of the whole event. Check out some of his fun work of the night!

We couldn't be more grateful to be a part of such a talented group of people and we look forward to working with more of you. Vertigo was the perfect place to entertain everyone and we can't wait to shoot more weddings here in the near future.

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Awesome Vendor List:

Venue: Vertigo Event Venue

Food/Catering: Vertigo Event Venue + Rose City Coffee

Florals: Lotus & Lily

Live Entertainment: The Beverly Belles + Benny Golbin

DJ: Vox DJs

Video: Royal Films

Cake/Dessert: Fantasy Frostings + SmorePlay

Photobooth: Phhhoto

Photography: Chris Holt Photography

Pasadena City Hall Engagement Photography | Araceli and Jose

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Araceli and Jose made this engagement session so easy and flawless. They wanted a bit of architecture with some greenery and as we discussed a few options they agreed that Pasadena City Hall would be the ideal spot. They were so excited as they never took pictures together before this and what better place to share some time alone and begin their married life together! 

They were a little nervous to begin the session (although we don't think so), so be sure to give them some encouraging comments below!

Have an awesome week!

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Pasadena CA Wedding & Reception Venue | Storrier-Stearns Japanese Garden

A few weeks ago we had the honor of shooting an event for ABC-GLA which was held at the beautiful and serene Storrier Stearns - Japanese Gardens in Pasadena. 

The garden is nestled in the quiet neighborhood of South Pasadena, and has recently been reopened after its restoration by the famed Takeo Uesugi, professor emeritus of landscape design at Cal-Poly Pomona and one of the leading experts on Japanese garden design which included rebuilding the teahouse. 

The gardens are now available for events such as wedding ceremony locations and receptions. 

You can contact Deanie at the garden as she would love to give you more info on holding your wedding here. You can email her at: info@japanesegardenpasadena.com

**As always, click on any image to view the full size!** 

During the event we were able to listen to the beautiful taiko drums played by Kogenkai, Nanka Fukuoka Kenjinkai Taiko Club based in West Los Angeles. Food was provided by Huntington Caterers and the most awesome sweets were made by Top Chef Desserts Finalist Danielle Keene from Bittersweet Treats! Check out the images below.

That last image must've snuck in there, Gina caught me resting on the job!! haha! 

Also, be on the lookout for a future blog post featuring Danielle Kene and her shop Bittersweet Treats. 

It just might pop up on our family site: ginaholt.com Check it out to keep up with our families if you haven't already! 

Many thanks to all of the awesome partners we are able to work with:

Location:  

Storrier-Stearns Japanese Garden

Event Planning: 

A Private Affair

Event Professionals

Red Carpet Systems 

Food and Cake:

Bittersweet Treats 

Huntington Caterers

Linens:  

GBS Linens

Stationery:  

Special Letters