Descanso Gardens Engagement Session | Emilie and Dave

Emilie and Dave are people after our own heart!

Dave called us one day and quickly let us know he read the info on our website and he asked where our favorite ramen place was. It caught me off guard because our clients typically begin asking about photography, our style and so forth, but he really wanted to know our recommendations! I knew we were going to hit it off really well when we had a discussion on the Lakers, Japanese culture among other things and we spoke on photography for about 5 minutes out of a 2 hour conversation. 

He told us about their wedding plans and as we photographed at Storrier-Stearns Japanese Gardens he wanted us to photograph their upcoming wedding there. They happen to love Japanese culture as much as we do and they wanted to include that influence in their engagement and wedding images. 

So they opted to have their engagement session at Descanso Gardens in La Canada (right outside of Los Angeles) and we had so much fun in the different garden areas. 

We can totally see why Emilie and Dave are meant for each other. They're totally smitten with each other and if Descanso Gardens didn't close, we could have photographed them all day!

We hope you enjoy these images and look out for their wedding highlights. If their engagement session was any indication, their wedding is going to be one for the books!

Congratulations you guys and we can't wait to rock out with you guys!

Pacific Palms Resort Wedding | Cristina and Jo

Pacific Palms wedding romantics right after their ceremony

Cristina and Jo were one of the last people at the wedding they were a part of and since Cristina didn't have a ride, Jo offered her a ride. They didn't know each other at that time, let alone did they know they would be life partners and become husband and wife in their own wedding! They flew in from Chicago to be married near friends and family at St Lorenzo Catholic Church and had their beautiful reception at Pacific Palms Resort in Walnut.

The love and joy their friends and family shared with everyone made their day go so smooth and effortless. We couldn't have asked for a better couple to serve and we're excited for what their future holds. 

Enjoy these highlights from their wedding and make sure to give them as much love in the comments!

Congratulations Cristina and Jo and we loved every minute of your wedding! Much love to the both of you!

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Much love to everyone who made their wedding come together seamlessly: 

Bridal Prep and Reception Venue: Pacific Palms Resort

Ceremony Venue: St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Parish

Hair and Makeup: Monica Duldulao Professional

Bridal Gown: Charmaine Joie Couture

Bridal Shoes: Kate Spade

Florals: Commerce Flowers

Wedding Planner: Events by Edge

Photography: Chris Holt Photography

Videography: MP Wedding Films

DJ and Emcee: DJ Wrex

Reception Design (LOVE sign and set design): Just Merried Events

Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Photobooth: Socialite Photo Booth

We had a blast working with all of you and we wish you continued success!

Griffith Park Observatory Surprise Proposal | Nafisa and Mo

Mo called me a few months ago and asked if we had availability sometime in February. I quickly asked him if he was ready because I knew he was dating and was pretty serious about Nafisa. He told me he was more than ready and couldn't wait to start planning his proposal to her. 

After our planning session, we scouted a few locations and settled on Griffith Observatory overlooking Downtown Los Angeles and I couldn't have been more happy for him. I've known Mo for a number of years and to see him grow from a car-enthusiast, career-driven bachelor to a soon-to-be-married man is pretty awesome. 

Once we were all at Griffith Observatory, I gave him our pre-planned hand signals and we let the events unfold. 

As a few words dribbled out of Mo's mouth, Nafisa absolutely lost it! Nothing gets by her and for Mo to be able to pull off getting the ring, planning the proposal and coaxing her to come on a fake double date was absolutely incredible. 

Nafisa had no idea it was coming and she couldn't believe what was happening. After her consistent laughter and overwhelmed emotions, a crowd starting to form, they pulled out their cell phones and started recording and taking photos and gave a huge Congratulatory cheer as she said, "Yes!" to Mo's marriage proposal. 

They're perfect for each other and we can't be more excited to be a part of their upcoming wedding. 

I hope you enjoy these images as much as we did being a part of it! And make sure to give them some love in the comments below!

Laguna Beach Engagement Session | Kate and Jeff

Through the hustle and bustle of life, it's so easy to get caught up in the stress of everything going on and it may be hard to take time out to allow ourselves to let our true feelings out. It may be cliche, but we absolutely love bringing out the best in our couples and we hope we were able to do that for Kate and Jeff. 

We've been to Laguna Beach many times for various engagement sessions and weddings and this session was very intimate. I'm not sure where to start as the vulnerability and raw emotion that Kate and Jeff brought to their engagement session made it an absolute pleasure to witness and we can't wait until their wedding day to celebrate with loved ones. 

Kate and Jeff may seem like you're everyday friends, which they are, but when they got comfortable they became overwhelmed with emotion as they realized the reason why they're getting married. They let themselves love on each other in a way that let the other person know they deeply cared for them. I'll let the images speak for themselves as their story is personal and unique yet their love for each other was on full display. 

Enjoy and be sure to give them some love in the comments!

Angel's Flight and Downtown Los Angeles Engagement | Monica and Jhanisus

I have to say, this year has been pretty amazing already and we couldn't have asked to be able to have more awesome clients as Monica and Jhanisus. They're so down to earth and as we started to plan for their engagement session, we knew we were going to have a blast. They chose to tame the tough streets of Downtown LA and incorporate their casual engagement session around the areas they were looking forward to the most.

We started in the Art District to get some of those cool vibes then made our way to the 1st Street Bridge. We had a quick change into their second look and they continued to rock it out around the Angel's Flight area. To finish off the evening, Jhanisus took us to a little spot where he really wanted to take some night shots with the Financial District as the backdrop.

No matter where we went, they both brought their 'A' game when it comes to styling and because they complimented each other, they definitely rocked it for the whole time. 

Although they told me they were a bit anxious before we started our Downtown LA tour, I couldn't tell at all and they seemed like absolute naturals in front of the camera. 

We can't wait for their upcoming wedding and if their engagement session is any indicator of what's to come, we know they're going to knock it out of the park!

So many blessings to you guys and we're looking forward to what's in store for you guys!