Tim & Lacey’s wedding venue was like no other. We were so excited when we had our initial meeting with them and they told us that they were getting married in front of the dueling dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.  Mark that one as a first for us!  The whole night it felt like we were in the movie “Night at the Museum” and Ben Stiller was going to round the corner with a little Owen Wilson as Jedediah Smith.  It was such an honor to make the trip from our home in Portland down to film Tim & Lacey’s day.  They took our advice so well.  They breathed in the day and let every moment sink in.  During their first look Tim said, “This is going to be an awesome day.”  He couldn’t have been more right.

Side note:  An additional little fun fact from this wedding.  Unbeknownst to Tim & Lacey, or anyone else at the wedding, Ian and I both had the stomach flu this day.  Our poor daughter had it the day before and we couldn’t escape it.  The nature of weddings is that this is a once in a lifetime moment for this couple.  They only get one shot on this day.  So there’s no really “calling in sick” for us.  If we can stand, we will film.  And if we can’t stand, then we will put a chair behind a tripod and film.  We willed ourselves to get through this day.  Super proud of ourselves for being able to create this film under such challenging circumstances.

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You know that feeling when you take a deep breath and exhale?  A certain calmness wraps around you for a second, and the world seems to become a bit clearer, and a bit more fluid.  That is how I would describe Maegan and Chris as a couple on their wedding day.  They seemed so grounded and calm and present throughout the day, but together they just always had that feeling of an exhale… just peaceful. It was a pleasure to be part of this day.  To tell their story.  To capture their family.  Enjoy.

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Not all weddings go according to plan.  Correction. No wedding goes according to plan.  Most times there are little hiccups during the day that no one notices.  And then 1 out of 100 weddings it seems like someone is pranking you.  This was that 1 in 100.  Who could have expected it to rain in California…in July…during a historic drought?!  None of us that’s for sure, but it did poured during Caitlyn & Marco’s day.  But I think that Marco’s best man/twin brother had it right.  He thought it was raining because the gods were crying because it was such a beautiful ceremony.  We happen to agree!  Huge shout out to the creative team behind this one for making it come together.

The amazing creative team
Venue: Bel Air Bay Club
Planner: Park & Grove
Photography: Lacie Hansen
Hair & Makeup: Nicol Artistry
Floral: Stella Bloom Designs
Cinematography: Couture Motion Pictures

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Now that we are living in Portland, OR it’s always great when we get back to California, especially when we get to film a wedding of one of our colleagues.  We were so excited when Marla called me up to say she had a wedding for Couture Motion Pictures.  We LOVE working with Marla! We have been working with Marla for several years now.  She started with JOWY Productions working with us on Jerry & Natasha’s wedding and then on Jordan & Tom’s wedding.  She has since gone off on her own and started her own event studio called Park & Grove with her best friend (and Maid of Honor) Sarah.  But this wedding was going to be extra special, because it was her own wedding!  Now let me tell you something.  When another wedding professional calls you to participate in her wedding, that is one of the biggest compliments you can get.  This was a huge honor and we felt so happy that Marla had found her special man, Andrew.  It’s such a special treat when you get to see someone who puts their heart & soul into designing and planning weddings for other people experience their own.  We could not be happier for you Marla & Andrew.  Such a beautiful couple, inside and out.

The amazing creative team
Venue: Casa Elar at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Planner: Marla & Sarah of Park & Grove
Photography: Joel Serrato
Hair & Makeup: Team Hair & Makeup
Floral: Kelly Kaufman Design
Linen: La Tavola
Decor: Rrivre Works
Entertainment: West Coast Music
Cinematography: Couture Motion Pictures

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We had a blast filming Hailey & Kyle’s Love Story.  Hearing about how these two met and the first date that followed, who could have guessed that these two would even like each other, let alone get married.  Thank goodness that “something magical happened” while they waited for their Mexican food on their first date because the wedding event that followed was nothing short of breathtaking.  Ian and I were so thrilled and honored to travel down to Beverly Hills to film Hailey & Kyle’s wedding held at the Four Seasons Los Angeles.  The details of this wedding were unbelievable.  (Huge shout out to Alicia of Details, Details on this one.)  But the most important detail was the spark between Hailey & Kyle.  It is undeniable.  Even though in their Love Story they described themselves as “opposites attract,” I think Kyle had it right.  “We fit together like two peas in a pod.  We’re just opposites attract to get there.”  Gorgeous wedding.  Gorgeous couple.  Gorgeous love.

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Opposites attract.  That’s how Hailey & Kyle describe themselves.  We’d like to add to that that they perfectly balance each other out. We love the chemistry that Hailey & Kyle have.  It’s undeniable.  And if you don’t believe us, just listen to their first meeting and their first date.  These stories had us laughing so much.  Please enjoy their love story…their wedding film is just around the corner!

 

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We are so excited to see Tracy & Dustin’s Catalina View Gardens wedding featured over on Love Toast!  This wedding had the most amazing details, all hand crafted by the talented bride herself, so it’s no shock that this wedding was picked up by a blog.  Our film is at the bottom of the post.  As you are scrolling to watch their film again be sure to check out the stunning work of Figlewicz Photography.  Andrea and Casey are so talented with the way they capture love and light.  We had a blast working with them and wish we could work beside them for every wedding!

 

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When we write a post to go along with the film, we like to tell you more about the day and the couple.  However, with Mika & Robin, we don’t need to.  Everything that is said in their film says it better than we ever could.  So enjoy their film!

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As Yankee fans, sometimes we have to set aside our differences and embrace a couple whose affinity lies with another team.  There is one team that is harder for us to swallow than the rest.  The Boston Red Sox.  With this particular couple, we weren’t the only ones with the challenge.  You see Emily’s family hails from the Chicago area and they love the Cubs.  Daniel is a die hard Red Sox fan.  Somehow these two were able to see past their differences and fall in love.

Emily and Daniel had a beautiful day.  Nestled at the Fess Parker, just steps from the beach, these two were ready for this day.  Their love for one another was ever present throughout the day.  It was obvious that they steadied one another.  Even more evident was the support they received from their families.  It’s always so special to see two families embrace one another and integrate.  Emily’s father, who officiated the ceremony, tasked the guests to support Emily and Daniel in their journey of marriage together, and that type of love and care are clearly what has made Emily and Daniel the people that they are today. 

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 We love when couples make the day unique to them.  When they pack the day with as many personal, unique things is the best.  Tracy & Dustin did not disappoint.  Every single detail you see during this film was carefully designed and deliberately placed at the wedding.  It was amazing.  (Bonus points to Tracy and Dustin for taking time during dinner to walk around and taking a look at all the details.)  But more than the details, we love when they personalize the events.  The major moment that we are talking about was their Secret Vows.  Dustin & Tracy are pretty shy people and don’t like being the center of attention.  So saying their personally written vows in front of all of their guests was a bit overwhelming.  Instead, Tracy & Dustin opted to read their vows to each other prior to the ceremony.  Dustin didn’t want to see Tracy until she walked down the aisle, so they did this back to back, grasping their hands and hearing each others’ voices.  It was one of the coolest moments of the day.

 

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