Castaway Restaurant Wedding

I met Adrianne many years ago when she was graduating from the University of San Francisco. I took her graduation pictures then and so when she got married and asked me to come down to Burbank to photograph her Castaway Restaurant wedding just after Christmas, I was thrilled to be a part of the day.

I was also lucky enough to capture her and Joe during the summer with some fun engagement photos (although you can’t tell it’s summer from the images). They are the absolute sweetest and a ton of fun to hang out with. Both really great people through and through and their entire relationship and wedding day reflected it. Thank you so much for having me there to celebrate and be a part of it with you!

I started out with the ladies in the morning, as they got their hair and make up done, finished up the flowers (special thanks to Adrianne’s sister-in-law for an amazing job on those!), and transferred vows to final slips of paper.

Adrianne’s engagement ring was cleaned just for the day, of course, and it sparkled. Seriously sparkled! Isn’t it gorgeous? I love this photo of her diamond ring against the backdrop of the tree that decorated their invitation.

Here’s Adrianne looking gorgeous, excited, and ready to go get married! xo

The girls helped her put her dress on in the small bridal room at the church. It was simple, with just a floor length mirror and a small stained glass window, but it was perfect. Adrianne looked like a dream in her dress and Kat (who I also met a few years ago at Adrianne’s grad session!) was such a big help getting her in the dress and all laced up. Adrianne looked like a dream; so gorgeous.

Here’s the church, from the outside. I love the palm trees; so southern California!

One last snap before this lady headed down the aisle with her momma to marry the man of her dreams (hey, Joe!).

Joe was SO excited to see Adrianne as she walked down the aisle with her momma. They opted not to see each other before the ceremony, so this was not just a big moment before they got married, but also the first time Joe saw her dress. He was so moved and teared up big time when he saw his beautiful bride.

Special thanks to the Father, who Joe has known for a long time, for a wonderful and touching ceremony.

Joe was SO excited to marry the love of his life and it showed all day. I love when a groom is confident enough that he can show his emotions; it’s so sweet and touching!

I absolutely love this shot of Adrianne’s veil in front of the Christmas tree. The church was all done up in fabulous holiday decorations and I love how this image captures that and her beautiful veil. xo

Woohoo! Mr. & Mrs. Primo! You guys are so cute. Congrats again!

A few family portraits in the pretty light right outside of the church. We kept it nice and simple, but definitely wanted to get images of all the people that mean the most to Adrianne and Joe. I like to imagine these shots sitting on mantlepieces in pretty frames for years to come. <3

Before we headed out to the park for more photos, I captured some of Adrianne and Joe at the church. The light was that perfect winter light that we get in California – golden, but sharp – and the color of the church and the greenery worked SO well with their black, white, and red theme. Classy!

What an absolutely stunning bride you make, Adrianne! 

And I love your beautiful bouquet of gorgeous red roses. Great choice!

A few dreamy black and white shots and then we headed out to the park for more photos in the trees!

I love these bridal party photos. We were lucky enough to find that the park was still full of Fall and early Winter leaves and we totally took advantage of this for some pretty, sunny, and tree filled portraits. 

Adrianne’s bridesmaid’s had trains, too, which I just loved. Aren’t their dresses fantastic. The back is classy and gorgeous; I’m a huge fan.

Then I snuck Adrianne and Joe away for some portraits alone in the last of the golden sunset light. It was absolutely magical.

Isn’t the way the light catches her veil amazing? Love!

Special thanks to my second photographer Jacki for help making the magic on these shots! xo

So dreamy.

So handsome.

One shot that Adrianne and Joe wanted specifically was a photo of them kissing under the mistletoe. Since they were married just two days after Christmas, this seemed not just logical, but absolutely necessary, and we went about finding them mistletoe and putting them in its way. ;) The results are just too cute. Merry Christmas, lovebirds!

We headed inside to a lovely cocktail hour and a beautiful, Christmas and winter themed reception.

Adrianne and Joe are surrounded by people who love and support them and in the slideshow their parents put together for them and the toasts their friends and siblings gave, it was more than apparent. So many happy tears of love were shed!

These two had a romantic first dance, full of smiles.

Just look at the way that dress twirls! Amazing.

The cake cutting started innocently enough…

But turned into a little food fight fun. Hah!

One of the most wonderful and personal moments of the reception happened later on, after some of the dancing. Joe’s parents, who are the sweetest people, headed up onto the stage and, backed by the musicians in the live band (by the way: best choice ever. everybody should get a live band, if they can!), they sang a sweet duo.

“Ain’t no mountain high enough” is already one of the loveliest love songs. Sung by your parents on your wedding day? Amazing. I can only imagine how much this meant to Adrianne and Joe.

I’ve never shot a Christmas wedding before, but I’m hoping I have the chance to do it again. The holidays are already such a special time of year for so many people. Celebrating a wedding for two people who are so obviously meant to be together only adds to the magic that is this time of the year. And, hey, what better way to ring out the end of 2014?! xo

Just before I left, we headed out for a few quick photos under the gazebo. I love getting a couple of night shots to end the story with and these certainly do the trick. Love!

Plus, one bonus photo! Special thanks to Jacki, my second photographer for the day, for helping me out with this cute shot. Love you two so much; I’m so thankful I was able to be a part of your beautiful wedding day. Congratulations again, many times over!

Browse more weddings I’ve photographed right HERE. I’m now booking for 2015 weddings (and booking fast!). If you’re looking for a photographer for your big day, I’d love to celebrate with you. xo