Virgil & Briana's E-Session

Virgil & Briana are engaged! It's so exciting!

I've known Virgil for going on at least six years, probably more; in that time he's been a good friend both to me and now my hubby. :) To see him find the perfect woman is absolutely the best thing ever!

As soon as we met Briana - she's classy and elegant, stylish and fun, and loves God - we knew they were an excellent match.

So Saturday we went out to shoot some engagement pictures before their Spring wedding next year. We shot in the most perfect little area of Rancho Palos Verdes, starting at the Malaga Cove Library.

Let me know what you think; I do love the comments. ;)

I just love this one. Sweet and simple.




Briana has this amazing bone structure; I love how this angle just makes her jaw line "pop" in such a beautiful way. Gorgeous girl.


If you're gonna ask the photographer for a photo in front of the fish statue fountain you best be prepared to pull out your best fish faces. ;)




Love it! I discovered here that these two can totally play up to the camera in a super fun way if encouraged to "bring it." They totally did.






The light just popped for this shot. One of my favorites from their session!


Wanna see more? View more photographs from their session here!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Todd & Kelsey's Wedding

Todd & Kelsey are married! Friday, August 7 the wed at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, which was a destination wedding for this couple and their friends and family - most of whom are from Colorado.

Todd & Kelsey did an excellent job of choosing excellent vendors to help them plan and prepare from afar, and the result the day of was a unique, fun and lovely wedding!

Jeannie Ward of Wedding Jeannie, who coordinated the day, was a super star and did an excellent job of pre-day preparations as well as day-of coordination. She kept everything on the move!

Todd & Kelsey also hired an artist to paint a landscape painting of their reception while at the reception. Artist Karen Winters created a beautiful piece of art for this couple (see the last photo posted).

DJ Charles Kerr and his assistant of Music on the Move were a fabulous emcee and DJ team. Super professional guys with a great dance play list.

All in all it was a simply beautiful day. If you like what you see, please leave a comment!


I simply loved the colors combination Kelsey chose - coral with a leaf gray/green mix was simple, unexpected and beautiful.


The girls were like, "We want a picture in the tub!" How could you not with such an exquisite claw footed tub! The beautiful Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club is home to the luxurious accommodations where Kelsey, her mom and bridesmaids got ready on the wedding day.





Todd wowed Kelsey (and everyone else in the room!) with a stunning extra long necklace of Tiffany's pearls, which she wore wrapped three times instead of a veil.


Above photographed by 2nd Photographer Emily Engle.





Above photographed by 2nd Photographer Emily Engle.




Above photographed by 2nd Photographer Emily Engle.




Kelsey's dad handmade the ribbon wand - hand cut and stylized with four types of coral and white ribbon.



Above photographed by 2nd Photographer Emily Engle.




Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Daniel & Kristin's E-Session

I can't wait for Daniel & Kristin's wedding next year! Oh, my goodness it's such a good time hanging out with these two.

Daniel & Kristin are wedding planning for their Fallbrook, CA wedding from afar, while attending college no less, from Texas. So since they were in town for the summer we decided to seize the moment and do their e-session before the Fall term begins again.

Kristin came up with a fabulous location - Solano Beach near San Diego. The Cedros Avenue Desgin District was filled with color, texture and it was a feast for the eyes!

Enjoy the photographs below, and if you like what you see please leave a comment! :)






So the proposal story goes... Daniel learned to play guitar and wrote Kristin a proposal song (awww!). Once she said yes, in all the excitement, he leaned his new guitar up against the table so they could hug and enjoy the moment. Well, the table had a candle or two on it and...let's just say the scent of burning high gloss wood interrupted their nice pre-proposal moment. :)





These next few in the hammock are my absolute favorites! Just so much joy, fun, color and passion!











And they said I had to try out their awesome hammock...it was indeed awesome!







Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Bridal Shower of Awesomeness!

It's been one heck of a weekend! Instead of a full post of the entire two busy (but fun) days I've had I'll start with the first fun thing that happened.

Saturday we had Sheryl's bridal shower! It was so much fun; Sue (Sheryl's mom) did a great job hostessing and organizing the food (see below). And I had a great time organizing decorations for the patio.

Rather than info dump at the top of the post I've filled in the gaps between photos (my husband says it's much more interesting to read that way). :)

If you like what you see, or want to wish Sheryl a congrats, just post a comment! Thanks!




Marcos Catering - (310)631-3213 - did the food for the shower (Sue's genius idea) and it was amazing! Seriously, the best tacos I've ever had.



Sue asked me to be in charge of decorations - it was so much fun! I coordinated with a few girlfriends who helped out and I must say it looked pretty awesome when we were done. :)


Best 7-layer dip on earth.

The bride-to-be's new ring!


Ade even got a few presents!


The bow bouquet for Sheryl's rehearsal - great job Alison!

Alsace Lorraine bakery did a phenomenal job with the cake...tasted as good as it looked.


Sheryl opening a present from Alison that was better left not shared with the grandma's and new mother-in-law. ;)

Group shot (R-L): Sheryl (bride-to-be), Alison, me (middle), Elizabeth and Angela.


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith