Lorena and Serbando (aka Jessy) had a wonderful Mexican themed wedding last week. It was definitely an eye-opener for Ricky and I to learn all about the Mexican wedding traditions. Their wedding day was a perfect celebration of their love for one another. There was wonderful music playing throughout the day by an amazing Mariachi band. And the fiesta ended with everybody dancing the night away. I am not kidding! It amazed me that every guest was born to be a dancer. We were so excited & honored to be a part of their big day. Cheers to you Lore and Jessy!

A lasso of rosary beads was placed around their neck to symbolize unity and protection of the marriage.

As Ricky and I were standing there waiting for the bouquet toss, I saw Lorena and Jessy climbed up on the chairs and I had no idea what they were doing. So I asked one of the girls standing next to me and she explained that in Mexican tradition, the bride and groom stand on chairs with a veil between them like a bridge. Before the bouquet toss, all the girls form a line and dance around the room and always go under the veil when they pass by. It was so much fun and I think this should be done at every wedding!

Enjoy the slideshow!

Ricky and I just came back from two weddings this past Labor Day weekend. I am so proud of myself for making this BIG accomplishment – my toes did not cramp a single time at both weddings! Round of applause please. In truth, Gatorade deserves the credit. I used to drink Monster thinking that it would give me all the energy that a monster needs, but I was still getting toe cramps at every wedding. Given how athletic I am, when I have to reach up and down by tip-toeing and squatting all day, my feet sometimes blacks out on me. Now forget Monster and bananas, I’m sticking with Gatorade because my toes like it.

While I’m working on the images from those weddings, here are my favorites from the photo booth, compliments of Mebo Photo.

There are moments in your life when you wish you could just stop, and remember always what you just experienced. After Yoko and George’s ceremony and reception, we had a moment to rest before we headed out for more photos. While George was trying to catch his breath, he said, “What just happened?” It’s not unusual for newlyweds to feel this way. Everything happens so fast on a wedding day that it feels like you just wake up from a dream. Sometimes you remember bits and pieces of it. But soon after, the memory becomes blurrier and blurrier.

Yoko and George, your wedding, your vows, and your love, are all too beautiful to be forgotten. I hope these photos will give you a lifetime of sweet memories!

Many thanks to An All Inclusive Event who made every detail beautiful.

Enjoy more photos in this slideshow!

I feel that God treats us too well when we get blue sky, white clouds in a city like San Francisco. It was my second wedding this year in San Francisco. I love everything about this city except for the lack of parking everywhere we go. I even love that I have to wear a warm wool jacket in the summer.

It was one of those weddings where we got to see a few familiar faces, and that always makes Ricky and I feel warm and welcomed. Margaret is my good twin friends’ sister. She is so true and genuine, who always wears her big heart out on her face with a huge smile. I met Wilson for the first time. Little did I know that he is a comedian. He is funny and hilarious. I feel so honor that they invited us to ride along with them in their limosine. It was such a relief for us not having to drive up and down the unfamiliar streets of San Francisco, not to mention we escaped the most unwanted parking craze.

There was so much going on at Marg and Wilson’s wedding that I wish there were three of me to capture everything. It was a 16-hour wedding shoot and I won’t hide the fact that I was exhausted towards the end. But it was all worth it. I had much fun with the two and the wedding party. Here, enjoy a little of their happy day…

Wilson was reading his “love declaration” to Marg before seeing her…

Margaret was listening to Wilson’s entertaining pledge…

After tea ceremony is when the bride gets to be decorated as a tree of gold. Even a little girl knows those are good stuff…

A shot by Ricky while I was with the girls…

These guys love to have fun…

You ladies look GORG!!

We got to see some pretty awesome lion dance…

To see more photos from the wedding, play the slideshow below:

Last week, I photographed the most intimate wedding I have ever attended. I felt so special and honored because I got to play three roles at Kristen and Klaus’ wedding. Not only that I was there to document their ceremony, I also happened to be their official witness who signed on their marriage license application, and the only guest.

Okay, enough about me. It really was THEIR civil wedding ceremony at the Laguna Hills Civic Center. The wedding might be fast and simple, but their commitment is big. Kristen was beyond nervous as she stood in front of Klaus and the officiant. I could hear Kristen’s heart beating from across the room when their 4-minute ceremony was over. Then we hung out together for a few more photos.

I would like to tell you how much I appreciate Emilie and Edwin, from the bottom of my heart. I did not know them until they booked me as their wedding photographer a year ago. And yet, Ricky and I were being treated as two of their honored guests on their wedding day. They are a couple with big hearts, big smiles. Two of the most loving people on earth. They are the type of people who say “thank you” for everything possible because they truly mean it. It’s amazing how far those two little words can go with me.

Even their family treated everyone like family. They were warm, caring and truly joyful. I cannot forget Edwin’s dad telling me at the reception, “Drink water. You must drink some water.” And my heart melted, right into my cup of water.

At the ceremony, there were several moments that I shed a few tears because their love for one another was overwhelming in the best possible sense of the word. My tears could not hold but rolled down my cheek as I heard those words that Edwin sang to Emilie.They had dated each other for almost a decade but their love has not faded for a single day.

My favorite part of the day was at the reception that took place at the Universal City Hilton.  Edwin’s best man honestly gave the most epic toast I have ever experienced, people were rolling. The chicken dance was no doubt highlight of the night. I was all having fun and dancing right along.

I can’t say enough about the amazing quality of Emilie and Edwin. No wonder they were so loved by everyone at their wedding. They love, because God first loved them.

Edwin and his sister. One of my favorites of the day…

Their idea to take photos in a laundromat. Everyone here was totally cute!

They have all sorts of fun ideas at their wedding. This “photo booth” was one of them…

Emilie is simply gorgeous inside out…

These two were hilarious…

See more photos in this slideshow.

I knew Hanns because he used to live in Southern California and we went to the same church.  But after he met Winnie, he followed her all the way to San Fransisco, got a job there, and decided to spend a lifetime with her. This is the engagement session I shot for them last summer in San Fransisco.

What an ideal day we had for their wedding. It was the first time I went to San Fransisco with so much sunshine. The weather was perfect and could not have been any better. I think because God knows Hanns was a perfectionist. What also amazed me was the amount of efforts Hanns and Winnie’s friends put in to help organize and arrange every detail of their wedding. It’s like they’re willing to climb up the mountain and dive into the sea for this newlywed couple. That’s what friends are for.

Door opening game: Hanns was a kangaroo…

Click here for the slideshow.

Winifred and Dave had asked me to photograph their wedding which took place in January of 2009. It was the first wedding I shot and I was thankful that they trusted me enough to even pay me, with REAL MONEY dude! Fifteen months later, Hanns, the garter catcher, fulfilled his responsibility and tied the knot. That was how I spent my last weekend with Ricky, traveling to San Fransisco to shoot his wedding. Good catch Hanns!

My Finao album arrived yesterday! I am more than impressed with its top of the line quality. I chose Finao because of the unique two-tone leather cover that they offer. There are so many options to choose from, and the colors are all fabulous! I decided to try this combination of textured accent and distressed leather, which gives it a modern and unique look.

The album was lovingly packaged in handmade paper made from recycled pineapple leaves and mulberry leaves.

Main leather: biker chic. Accent material: femme noire.

I like the seamless spread pages which make full page spreads look wonderful!

Last weekend, I shot Teresa and Scott’s wedding with Richelle Dante at the Arboretum in Fullerton.  Richelle was so kind to hire me and trust me to be her second shooter.

Knowing that Scott is a photographer himself, the opportunity to shoot his wedding is an honor. It’s a nice change to be a second shooter except that I don’t get the privilege of Ricky carrying half the lenses for me. So the stress that usually lies on my back turned into 10 lbs of equipment that was hanging on my shoulder. You can imagine how much I missed Ricky!

I am sure Richelle will be posting her amazing shots on her blog. In the meantime, here are some that I captured…

The groomsmen found the perfect prop…

While I could not keep my eyes off these fabulous colorful shoes…

…Scott could not keep his eyes off her beautiful bride…

Scott really wanted a picture of the windmill, so here it is…

Snapping a few while Richelle was changing card…

Teresa is so lovely that the look on Scott’s face totally makes sense (making sure no one will take her away)…

The sun was setting behind the head table…

For the following two photos, I could not decide which one I like better…