Bryan & Ashley's Engagement Session

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to photograph Bryan and Ashley's engagement session down at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach, CA. These two wood-artisans are the cutest match! It was a blast hanging out with them and their dog Timber.

I can't wait to photograph your wedding, in just a few short months!

Here are a few of my favorite images, plus their e-session slide show. Enjoy!

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

:: Sorry, the SNL Clip of Steve Martin's "Don't Buy Stuff You Can't Afford" was removed by YouTube ::

Okay, this tip is inspired by a recent business seminar. The above video is a funny clip that proves the point (which my husband often reminds me): don't spend what you don't have.

Now this can be a tricky principle when planning your dream wedding. So here's a game plan for getting what you want without getting into debt.

1) Make a list of what's most important to you about your wedding day. Is it your dress? Your photography (hint, hint)? Take a moment to define what your wedding priorities are.

2) Make a list of what will last beyond the big day. In addition to your marriage, what will you take away with you to remember your wedding bliss? Will it be your bouquet, the centerpieces, a wedding album? Take a few moments to define this list as well.

3) Compare and contrast. Take both lists and go through each item. If wedding cake made the important list - then cross check it against the what will last list. Did it make it onto both? As you cross-list what's important and what will last, take note of the items that are on both lists. These are your wedding priorities.

4) Budget. Now figure out what you have to spend for your wedding. Calculate any money coming in from family or other friends into your budget. Assign the most money to those few things that are most valuable and work down from there. You might be surprised how affordable your wedding can be!

5) Take action. Take the money you plan to spend for your wedding and put it in a high-yield savings account or a short term CD. Earn money on your money! Maybe that interest will fund the vintage car, instead of the limo you have budgeted.

The most important part of this plan is simply that: having a plan. People are less likely to spend too much on something they don't truly care about when there's a plan. So make your wedding plan your New Year's resolution. :)

Merry Christmas! Enjoy the clip.

Rodrigo & Anna's Wedding

Warmth, family and generosity are all words describing what was clearly evident at Rodrigo and Anna's wedding Saturday night.

Anna is an amazing young woman, full of life and ready to take it on full speed ahead. She graciously shared many wonderful details about how she met the man of her dreams, which only made me so much more excited to meet Rodrigo.

Rodrigo is an wonderful man, clearly in love with Anna. Together God will accomplish many beautiful things through them.

I feel the need to describe these two because after meeting them, you feel as if everyone should have the privilege.

Thank you for sharing your special day with me! I wish you a truly blessed and wonderful life together.

Wedding Tip or Trick of the Week

Family. Yup, that's it - the whole tip of the week summed up in one word.

This time of year typically brings about more than one opportunity to spend time with those we care about, whether its your actual family or a group of people that have become closer than family.

My advice to you is to take a little time off from all of the planning and decisions to be made, and spend that time with those you care about.

As some of you know, the week of Thanksgiving I took the entire week off (gasp! I know). And I'm so glad I did; it was a refreshing time to relax and recharge. In fact, it was so wonderful I plan to do the same for the week of Christmas.

I learned an important lesson though - all of the "to do lists" and emails to send and decisions to make we're all patiently waiting for me when I returned. The world didn't explode because I didn't check voice mail for seven days.

So I challenge you to do the same - maybe you don't have the luxury of taking a week off from work - but I challenge you just the same to retire your planning guide for a least a day or two to enjoy spending time with those around you.