I hope you enjoy the engagement photos, and stay tuned for the wedding coming up here on the blog in a little while!

Also, many thanks to the ever incredible Fairytale Hair and Makeup team for their amazing work!

The details at this wedding were amazing – everything was beach themed, but in a really unique way. The place cards were sand dollars, each centerpiece was a different beach with sentimental importance to the guys.

Both wedding parties were SO fun – singing, running around being crazy and dancing before the ceremony.

The wedding officiant was a longtime family friend of Craig’s and his childhood pastor who drove from out of state to perform the ceremony.

The procession was SO fun – everyone had a different part to play. Both Craig and Scott’s moms are huge football fans, so it was natural they would run down the aisle playing football!

There was dancing…

Runway strutting…

And, whatever this was, it was FANTASTIC…

Some dancing with the stars-esque performing…

And the two California girls tossing beach balls to the Beach Boys!

After Craig had to literally drag Scott up the stairs to make it to the aisle, Scott was excited to be the center of attention as you can see below

EVERYTHING with these two is hilarious and fun. Clearly, no occasion is too sacred to poke fun at one another.

This is the part where the sand wouldn’t go into the hourglass. The perfect moment for Scott to announce “These are the gays of our lives!”

Craig and Scott’s wedding, surrounded by family and friends, was an amazing testimony to the fact that just because California law says that the two don’t have the right to be married, their love should be celebrated.. and are married to each other in every way that truly counts.

I just love the way this group knows how to party!

Rather than a formal prayer found in traditional weddings, the ceremony featured a reading from “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss. I think it was a completely perfect choice.

We grabbed some casual portraits along the beach during the cocktail hour, at the same stretch of beach where Craig and Scott got engaged.

We are fun…

I think I was laughing the entire day. Besides the ceremony, of course – and even then, there was laughing.

As to be expected, the reception was a blast – a party the entire time that didn’t want to stop.

With pretty much the most awesome cake I have seen!

Gotta have a little of P!nk’s “Raise Your Glass”…

Thank you so much Craig and Scott for inviting me into your lives the past year and allowing me to experience your wedding with you. It was an honor to capture this day for you both and be your friend. I wish you both the absolute best of luck in your future and know that your wedding is an inspiration to others that, no matter what the State of California may say, your love is REAL and should be CELEBRATED!

The French Estate in Orange was beautiful, and it allowed Brent and Charlotte to bring in a lot of their personality and their own decor. For example, there were maple leaves throughout the decor as a tribute to Brent’s Canadian heritage.

The French Estate is a wedding photographer’s dream – the colors are so beautiful and there are little details everywhere!

Charlotte got ready in one of the back rooms of this historic house. Everywhere there were different textures and colors.

I loved how this light through the doorway came in as Charlotte was waiting to come out of hiding and walk down the aisle!

They made a fabric draping which also served as the backdrop for the Photo Booth later on to hide her as she made her way to the top of the aisle.

And doesn’t Brent look totally handsome in his suit with that awesome orange tie??

Brent’s uncle officiated the ceremony – it was awesome!

During the cocktail hour we took all the family portraits, along with a group of Brent’s best friends, one of which happens to be my brother (far left)! The funny thing is, Orange County can feel like such a small place at times – I forgot my brother and our friends were attending the wedding until I saw them! Whenever I have friends in attendance (which actually happens more often than you’d think!), it makes it really fun! So – here’s Bobby, Andrew, Brent and Brent…

Some formals before the reception…

I loved these placecards – continuing the Maple Leaf theme

The sweets buffet was amazing – everything went by so fast I was lucky to grab some shots of it!

Andrew showing off his place card…

We also grabbed some shots with the rings and the awesome arrangement of leaves, pomegranates, and other fruits that made up the totally unique and pretty centerpieces.

At the end of the night, I won’t lie, these sparklers made me a bit nervous near the trees..

…but it was a totally fun and fitting way to end the night! Congratulations Brent and Charlotte – your wedding was just as amazing as you two are

First up is Chumani, who wanted to have a shoot for her boyfriend. This girl has style, and her boyfriend restores vintage cars. Knowing their affection for vintage cars, we planned a shoot with a friend’s Rolls Royce, and her two dogs – two of the cutest and friendliest doggies you’ll see.

Can you BELIEVE that Christmas is in 3 days, because I sure can’t.

I have had the most amazing, busy, whirlwind last couple months. For those of you who don’t know, in addition to working full time, and my photography business, I have been taking on full time credits at school. 80 hour weeks and finals meant I wasn’t going to be able to blog the awesome sessions I had!

In the middle of it all was my birthday, my brother’s and sister’s birthdays, Christmas parties and everything else that goes along with December madness!

Well, after all this work I am taking a vacation! It is finally time for me to rest for a couple weeks without work, school, or blogging. I have one more shoot before I wrap up my end of the year and want to say thank you to all my amazing Brides, Grooms, clients and friends who have given me the privilege of photographing them this year. Each year just keeps getting better and better, and I can’t wait for 2012!

So – stay tuned after the New Year for a re-cap of my crazy busy mini-session days, awesome Christmas family portraits, an amazing Laguna Beach wedding, a spectacular Orange French Estate wedding, a couple Disneyland weddings, and yes, MORE family portraits!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!