Corona Yacht Club
46-600 Tyler Street
Coachella, CA 92236
760-398-0206

“Nestled in a Palm Tree Grove just east of Palm Springs, the Corona Yacht Club is an idyllic location for weddings. Blooming flowers, towering Palm Trees and flowing waterfalls create a magical setting unlike anything in the Coachella Valley.” (from their website)

The only thing I had ever associated with the Coachella desert was the sweet Coachella Music Festival that happens there once a year. Rock and roll! Much to my wonderful surprise, it is also the grounds of a beautiful wedding venue called the Corona Yacht Club! Behold . . . an oasis (literally!!)!! A small man-made lake is surrounded by fantastic groves of perfect palm trees and LOTS of character as well.

I met superstar coordinator Shelly Wakefield from Details Details just outside Palm Springs for the beautiful wedding of Monica and Timothy Bradley. This wonderful couple has known each other since grade school and they still like to giggle alot. Christopher Aldama (event designer extraordinaire) of Fiori Fresco Special Events wrapped this venue up in lovely shades of purple – butterflies, orchids, hydrangeas, roses – beautiful job Christopher.

These . . . are statement shoes. Monica wants us to know her color for the day and she is not backing down! Way to go Monica, love it!

Our playful bride . . .

Ladies and Gentleman, the legendary Timothy Bradley, current WBO World Light Welterweight Champion . . .




Palm treeees!!!





True infrared dream . . .


My 2nd shooter for the day, Jeffrey Neal, is a master and strong advocate of the tilt-shift lens. See the magic . . .




Here we get to see some of Christopher’s work, from the reception area . . .



More butterflies!! It’s a beautiful dream!!

Happily ever after in a grove of palm trees! Hey, it’s awesome!!

Coordinator – Shelly Wakefield, Details Details
Floral and Event Designer – Christopher, Fiori Fresco Special Events
2nd photographer – Jeffrey Neal, JNP Studios
Cake – Exquisite Desserts

The One and Only Palmilla
Km 7.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
San Jose Del Cabo
BCS, CP 23400 Mexico

Sunset da Mona Lisa Restaurant
Transpeninsular 6KM
Missiones Del Cabo
Cabo San Lucas
BCS, 23410 Mexico

I want to shout it at the top of my lungs, “I LOVE MEXICO!” Yes! I have photographed at least 10 weddings throughout Mexico and have had several vacations there myself. I find places like Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Cozumel to be so beautiful and fun. Smaller resort areas like San Jose and Zijuajtanejo are so peaceful and relaxing. White sand, dark blue water, stucco, fish tacos, oooooh I want to leave right now!

The wedding of Brycie and Ian was photographed in the wonderful los Cabos area. Anyone who has been to Cabo will really appreciate this first collage as it is made of little pieces that make up the whole. . .

Brycie and Ian invited me to join their entire weekend – poolside lunches, guys fishing (Ian caught a FAT dorado, way to go man), rehearsal dinner and wedding day. The rehearsal dinner took place at the beautiful Sunset da Mona Lisa (formerly called Da Giorgio) which sits on a cliff overlooking the entire Cabo area and sea. We had a great time there with a few casual portraits, Brycie and Ian are lots of fun and very playful . . .

This is what I am talking about when I say the Sunset da Mona Lisa is beautiful! . . . WOW . . .

At the beginning of the wedding day I met Brycie over at the spa where she was in a private room getting her pedi for the day . . .

Getting ready . . . shoes from Manolo Blanik, awesome designer wedding gown by Melissa Sweet . . .



It is pretty classy when the guys have to tie their own bow ties. It took Ian the boys a little bit of time to do this, and you can see they worked up a good thirst . . .


The chapel on the resort grounds of the One and Only Palmilla . . .

Is that Ian, or is it JFK Jr.?? Stud . . .


We spent a few minutes playing on the beach, too much fun. You just can’t beat it . . .

I decided to make another collage to represent the reception. We went WAY beyond cheese and crackers for this one . . .fresh clams, mangos, oysters, JUMBO prawns, wine and tequila galore. All of this cliffside at the One and Only Palmilla Resort . . .

I love it when a wedding comes together! Thank you Brycie and Ian for inviting me to your spectacular and fun weekend. You both were so generous and perfect. Hope to see you again sometime!

St. Regis Monarch Beach
One Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 234-3200

Once again, back at the mesmerising St. Regis Resort and Spa in Monarch Beach, Dana Point. Dayna Lewis from A Very Special Day coordinated this event with Stephanie and Mike, a very solid Orange County couple . . .

Stephanie had a beautiful Pronovias gown which she customized with white ostrich feathers . . .



The florist also used the white ostrich feathers for the luscious bouquet . . .


There must be at least five ceremony locations at the St. Regis. Stephanie and Mike chose the more private Pacific Lawn (on the south end of the resort) . . .





The very recognizable grand staircase . . .

The rest of the evening was filled with shot glasses made out of ice, TONS of crazy dancing, and a delicious cake!

A party to remember, thanks Stephanie and Mike.

St. Regis Monarch Beach
One Monarch Beach Resort
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 234-3200

I regularly hear from couples that one of the hardest parts about planning the wedding is cutting down the guest list. Do you think you can get it down to less than 40??? Bob and Keli got married at the intimate botanical garden of the St. Regis Monarch Beach, with a guest list of less than 35 (including children)! Here is a sample from their wonderful day with a small group of friends and family . . .

A beautiful wedding gazebo sits in the midst of Greek statues and beautifully manicured gardens, all overlooking palm trees, the Monarch Beach golf course, and then the Pacific Ocean. . . . can you handle it?




Bob and Keli had their reception in the Wine Cellar of the St. Regis. “The ultimate private dining venue with 100-year-old French paved flooring and stone walls creating a cellar-like ambience; mahogany and custom iron furnishings; wine inventory of 10,000 bottles from around the world and tasting table.” This room holds 50 guests max.

No kidding . . . sunset overlooking Monarch Beach! This shot was taken from the grounds of the awesome St. Regis . . .

Laguna Cliffs Marriott
25135 Park Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 661-5000

Melissa and Samid’s big day at the Cliffside Marriott in Dana Point! Not only was it ANOTHER perfect day in southern California, but this event was VERY well put together. DeNeitra Vincent with Savvy Events did a great job as “elements of Hamid’s Persian culture were infused into the event” with a Persian wedding spread at the altar (called the Sofreh Aghd) and also a belly dancer at the reception! Shazam! Let’s start with a few details I found in Melissa’s getting ready room . . .


Videographer for the day was Elysium Productions. They put together an incredible “same day edit,” which they presented at the reception! Wowzers!

A ‘finished’ Melissa looking magnificent and splendid . . .

Hamid and his crew . . .

Check out the exceptional ceremony set-up!! Flowers by Victoria’s Garden. Custom aisle runner by I Do Originals . . .

Some of the details of the Persian wedding spread at the altar . . .


All that warm sun makes a bride want to go for a little stroll in the park outside the Laguna Cliffs Marriott! Custom parasol with the wedding logo by I Do Originals . . .

Cake by It’s All About the Cake . . .

Some details from the immaculate reception set-up . . .

One more picture of Melissa and Samid before they leave for their honeymoon in Egypt!! So cool.

Surf and Sand Resort and Spa
1555 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(888) 869-7569

Occasions at Laguna Village
577 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 376-4536

This is what could happen if you date someone from work!! hahah . . . just joking . . .sort of . . . Well, Chris and Diane met at work and a couple years later made the move to marriage! Congratulations! They got ready at the beautiful Surf and Sand Resort and Spa in Laguna Beach and then had the ceremony and reception at the perfect Laguna Village just a short ride down the Pacifica Coast Highway. Both locations have stunning views overlooking the Pacific Ocean and are great for weddings. Here are the girls in the courtyard at the Surf and Sand . . .

The guys over at Laguna Village . . .

Ceremony!!

A walk on the beach . . .



By now you should be able to tell what Diane’s favorite color is! . . .

Hoffmann is a preferred vendor at the Laguna Village and has worked over 20 weddings there! Come in and check out his portfolio!

The Mirage Las Vegas
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 791-7111

TPC Summerlin
1700 Village Center Cir
Las Vegas, NV 89134
(702) 256-0111

Welcome to Las Vegas, Nevada! You may never think of LV as having cold temperatures, but the weather outside was as cold as the slots on this winter day! I love Vegas as much as the next guy, but being born and raised in Huntington Beach, I was completely underprepared for 30 degrees F. BUT it didn’t matter anyway – the hot love was flowing as Laura and Steve got ready at the Mirage Resort and then exchanged vows at the TPC at Summerlin Golf Club. Stop #1 as you arrive to Vegas is always this great nostalgic sign . . .

If you can say “Reem Acra,” you have my attention. . .


Laura getting ready, thinking about her day and her man . . .

Laura getting ready, NOT thinking about her day and her man, hahah . . .



The guys got ready at the Mirage as well. I caught up with them in the casino . . .


We had to find a place for pictures that wasn’t perpetually misting with cold dew. The front entrance to the TPC Summerlin worked as good as ever, just throw down a little texture and we have ourselves a portrait . . .

This was actually the very first inside wedding that was ever held at the TPC Summerlin. Turned out to be very nice and cozy, a great celebration . . .

Good looking people, let me tell you . . .





A few details from the reception room . . .

First dance . . .

Father and daughter sharing a very special moment . . .

Thank you Laura and Steve for inviting me to your big day at the TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas! Beautiful!

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
21500 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 698-1234

Pacific Avalaon Yacht Charters
2901 West Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949)673-8545

Trisha and Brandon are SUCH a fun couple! Just following their regular Facebook updates up to the wedding, I knew we were going to be in for a good time on the wedding day. Trisha had a delicious pair of Stuart Weitzman’s that she made sure I took lots of pictures of . . .

Trisha’s favorite . . .

And meet Trisha! She may get mad at me for posting this picture, but her eyes and sweet personality come through here . . .

More shoes pictures!!


One of Brandon and Trisha’s favorite spots to hang out is the Red Chair Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. Also a great place for photos . . .


Trisha and Brandon got married on the yacht Majestic in the Newport Harbor. Always beautiful. This is the first time I had seen this during a ceremony – the bride and groom hammered nails into this box to shut it. What’s inside? A bottle of wine and two glasses. This is to be saved for a tense time of marriage when they may need to sit down and talk for a while. So great . . .

This is why people get married on a yacht in Newport Beach harbor . . .

First dance . . .

A special moment during the toasts . . .

I gave this wedding a full 5 stars for dancing! EVERYONE was on the dance floor and it was SO much fun. Way to go Brandon and Trisha!!

Videographer – Perfect 10 Productions