Marie and Jocelyn had an beautiful wedding at the El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya and I feel so blessed to have been their photographer. After months of communicating through email and a few phone calls, I finally got to meet them and their 8 wedding guests. (Yes a wedding doesn’t have to be big to be wonderful.) I know it seems like every time I post about a wedding on my blog I’m talking about how great the couple was, fun the wedding was, etc…. and I really do mean it. What makes my job so rewarding is not the fancy venues or expensive wedding gowns or even the shoes that I get all excited about, its the couples. And Marie and Jocelyn are one of those couples that you can’t help but love. They just ooze happiness and love for each other and their friends. This wedding was so touching and a joy to be a part of. Just a brief history of Marie and Jocelyn. They met a party and that night Marie went around telling everyone she was going to marry Jocelyn. And she gave him the nickname that she still calls him today – Minou.

From the moment I met them in Mexico they were asking about me! How was my trip? Is my room ok? Was I having fun? Such a thoughtful couple. And fun! I have to tell you I was a bit confused after being in Mexico with my French-Canadian wedding party and trying to communicate with everyone!!! (I did take some french in HS and college but I’m afraid most has left me!) I was Hola-ing and Bonjour-ing all over the place ;) During the reception every once in a while someone would yell out – only english for the next 5 minutes for Leigh, for la photographe! And what I wasn’t quick enough to get, Jocelyn’s gracious sister would translate for me. Also the entire wedding party got up and did a choreographed dance together! It was probably the first and last time that I will ever see that!!! Marie’s sister used to be in charge of entertainment on a cruise ship and apparently is very persuasive. Now you can see why I was having so much fun! Lastly I was floored when I told them all good-bye and they clapped and gave me a standing ovation!!! (and not BECAUSE i was leaving – haha!)

So enough chatter from me. On to the wedding day photographs! A few posted below and better yet a slideshow of Marie and Jocelyn’s Wonderful International Wedding!.

This is my favorite seashell. At my wedding I had tiger cowrie napkin rings! Just an FYI!

I love this photo of Marie. Can you tell she’s a little mischievious?

This is one of my favorite images of Jocelyn, while waiting for the ceremony to start and Marie. Watch the slideshow to see his reaction to her coming down the aisle.

The meeting.

The celebration.

Salut!!!

The world’s happiest couple.

A few reception details.

The wildest garter removal I’ve ever seen :)

Congrats again guys! I hope you are having an amazing time in Greece.

engagement session is rounding out about the busiest week and 1/2 I’ve had.  2 weddings, 3 engagement sessions, 1 family session, 1 boudoir session, 1 trip to Mexico, 1 trip to LA and 3 client meetings!!! Whew. 

But back to Debbie and Grant.  They are just fabulous. We met for the first time for dinner and before I knew it hours had passed and Debbie cried when she told me their engagement story!  So i knew I wanted to be their wedding photographer.  Imagine how emotional shes going to be the day of the wedding ;)  And I love that!  So for the engagement session we went back to our place – San Juan Capistrano.  Yes I’m a dork.  Debbie and Grant and I have a special place ;)

Hope the move went well.  I will talk to you guys soon.  Enjoy the preview!

There was a wedding that just let out right behind me as we were taking these pics. 

We found this amazing barn. 

This is right outside the parking garage.  Great places are everywhere.

Debbie has such a contagious laugh.

This was my favorite spot of the day.  A rusted garage door in a little alley way. 

See the guy to the right?  Now here I’m thinking, wait a minute!  That’s my couple.  I don’t know who it was but he was photographing the wedding. 

And there is the bride and groom.

last week I meet Anna and Alex at UCLA to shoot their engagement session.  They wanted to go back to where it all began.  I had never been to UCLA so they gave me a tour, including the spot where they actually met.  We had a great time at the ES and I love Anna and Alex’s sense of humor.  I can’t wait until the wedding day :)  Here’s a little preview guys.  Talk to you soon!

The infamous stairs at UCLA.  Apparently there’s something about not stepping on the 6th stair.  So of course I stomped all over it.  Hopefully I’m not going to get struck down or something.

There was some interesting artwork around the campus.

And here’s where it all began.

How could we resist?

And of course, last but not least, the bear, grrrrrr!

and if you ask Kim, she will say she’s cursed.  But I don’t believe it because no bones were broken during the engagement session yesterday – haha!  Wednesday I had the pleasure of not only doing a fun family session but then an engagement session too with an awesome couple.  Kim and Gary and I hit it off immediately when we met.  I think we ended up at dinner for at least 2 hours.  And I’m not sure there was much discussion about photography at all!!! And now Kim has become one of my best email buddies.  (Gary I expect you to step it up!) So I was so excited about this engagement session and to be hanging out with them again and am now looking forward to the wedding even more.  And since I KNOW they are anxious to see a few pics,  I will move on.  Here you go.  Talk to you soon :)

Kim giving Gary a little sass.  Something tells me she does that a lot :)

Ok, sass over!

yesterday I met Debbie and Jason and the new addition to their family, Bauer, in Coronado to do a family session before Jason deploys.  It was a lot of fun for me because last year I shot Debbie and Jason’s engagement and wedding.  It’s fun to see how their family’s grown ;)  So here you guys go.  A little preview to tide you over.

A face only a mother could love.  Debbie said it first, I swear.

Bauer’s prepared to support the troops while daddy Jason is away.

A sweet moment between Debbie and Jason.  I know they are going to miss each other so much while Jason’s gone.

Proud parents.

I think Bauer’s in the terrible twos of doggy years.   But he really was a lot of fun.  And well behaved.  Way to go guys!!!

And he’s off.

A final family portrait. Thanks guys.  It was great seeing you again.

who got married in one of my favorite places in California – the palm desert.  It was nice to finally meet them because they live in northern Cali and all our communication had been done via email and phone calls until the day of the wedding.  It was a beautiful California desert day, with lots of sunshine and heat!  Nevertheless Christa looked stunning the entire day.  She has such a classic beauty about her. And I could tell these two were surrounded by tons of family and friends who were so excited for them.  So here’s a sneak peak, a few pics from the day.  I hope you are having an amazing honeymoon!!! Safe travels – Leigh

It was so sweet how even on her wedding day Christa took time to pay attention to her niece and flower girl. 

The church was really dark and of course – no flash allowed – but I really like the dramatic lighting during the ceremony.

Don’t they look so happy!

This woman knows how to have a good time.

Nathan dancing with his mom.

Did she or didn’t she?

Christa and dad.

at the Darlington House in La Jolla.  I have been looking forward to this wedding since I met Michelle and Brian for their engagement session in Balboa Park.  We had such a good time and they were so fun, I knew the wedding day would be great!  And with Michelle’s background in photography I knew they would have a special appreciation for my work on their wedding weekend! In fact they hired me to shoot the entire weekend, something I usually only do at destination weddings. I always enjoy being around for the entire weekend.  I get to know everyone and by the end they’re so used to me they don’t pay any attention to me at all (and I mean that in a good way!).  Both Michelle and Brian’s familes were so wonderful.  During his toast Michelle’s dad took a moment and thanked by name every single person who was involved in the wedding day including the coordinator, the minister, videographer, and me.  What a thoughtful person!

So here are a few pics from the day and a slideshow.  These two were up for anything including letting me go back to the hotel with them.  Hope you are having a great time in Spain.  Wish I was there.  Why am I not there again?  ;)

Loved Michelle walking all over the place in jeans and her veil.

She definately got some interesting looks.

The guys getting ready.  Really this is about all they do.  Putting on the socks is about as exciting as it gets.  Just kidding guys! You’re fun too but you’d be more fun if you put on lipstick or something.

Isn’t Michelle just beautiful?  I loved her very simple and elegant J Crew wedding gown.

Michelle and Dad.  All smiles before heading down the aisle.

Just a few tears of joy during the ceremony.  This getting married is a big deal!

A quiet moment after the ceremony.

Michelle’s tulips were so elegant.

And this photo tells the true story of these two.  They were really this happy to be getting married :) 

I want to send out a great big congrats to Sanny and Oli!  Their beautiful Pedregal wedding has been featured on The Knot Real Weddings.  If you missed it here’s their original blog post and slideshow.  Thanks guys so much for having me as your wedding photographer!!!