Meranne, Luke & The Talking Stick | Boothbay Harbor, Maine

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The day before the wedding is often a day that does not see our blog, but it is honestly one of our favorite things to capture. Yes, the wedding is fun, but the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner is the closest, most intimate group of people to the bride and groom. There is almost always nervous, excited jitters during the practice for the ceremony to follow the next day. A meal is shared. Encouraging, heartfelt, or humorous words are often shared complete with laughter and tears. Sometimes we can steal the bride and groom away from the craziness for a few moments, and snag some creative portraits.

The day before Meranne’s and Luke’s wedding was just such a day. In Boothbay Harbor, Maine, their rehearsal started with crystal clear blue skies. However, dark clouds were rolling in on the horizon. But this did not reflect the outlook of all of the their friends and family. At the Lobster Dock right on the harbor, Luke introduced us all to The Talking Stick. Anyone who wanted to speak at the rehearsal dinner was invited to get up and say a few works to the couple…but only if holding The Talking Stick. Someone would stand and slowly like a rumbling stampede we would hear, “stick. stick. Stick! Stick!! STIIIICK!!!” Throughout the evening almost every person there said something amazing about the hearts and character Meranne and Luke. No one could keep from crying either from laughing too hard or from heartfelt emotion.

Much more to come about Meranne and Luke in their wedding post, but for now enjoy a few moments from their rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Happy Monday!!!

Linda & Chris | Sydney, Australia

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Linda and Chris’s wedding was a much anticipated event for us this year. Having never been to Australia, we truly did not know what to expect. We had heard that Sydney was actually a lot like Southern California in the feel of the area and style of the people, so we figured we would be right at home. When we arrived at the airport and saw the beaming faces of Chris and Linda it was as if we were coming home and meeting old friends. Linda and Chris had asked us if we would stay with them in their home, so over many nights of dinner and wine we got to know the incredible hearts of these two. Through the extended time we were able to spend with them we felt honored to be able to see the intimacy and subtlety of their love. There is an open, heart-on-their-sleeves, honesty between these two that immediately captures your heart the instant you come in contact with them. They are a team and take such good care of each other. They have the cutest orange kitten named Cookie. They love photography and have recently started their own studio.

Flying all the way to the other side of the world also allowed us to be involved in their story the entire week of their wedding. Through their rehearsal and time spent at each of the parents’ houses, we were able to get to know their sweet families who welcomed us with open arms. And we couldn’t have been more grateful! Spending time with them reminded us that marriage is not just the union of two people, but the union families and cultures. In what at first sounded like and ode to Linda’s Armenian heritage, during his speech Chris spoke a few words in Armenian. As Linda and her entire family broke out in hysterics we soon heard the translation of  the few Armenian words he’d learned for the occasion: “…the only thing between you and your grandchildren is that wedding dress!!”

Linda and Chris, thank you for inviting us into your home, your families and your hearts! You are both incredible and we feel so blessed to have been a part of day number one of your marriage! We wish you both all the best with your marriage, your photography business, and can’t wait to see where life takes you both.

Deya & Ken | Palm Springs, CA

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Ken is a personal trainer and Deya is in the movie making business here in Los Angeles. After hearing about their Palm Springs wedding plans over a three hour lunch nearly a year ago, we knew that this was going to be our kind of wedding, but more importantly, our kind of couple. There is just something about Palm Springs weddings. Perhaps it is the sense of escape and freedom you get while only being a few hours away form Los Angeles. The desert feels so intimate and vast all at the same time. Deya and Ken’s wedding was no exception. Taking place at a private estate and the boutique Movie Colony Hotel, they invited an intimate group of family and friends to celebrate the first day of their marriage. We felt so blessed to be invited into their inner circle and truly felt like family ourselves. To Deya’s surprise, accompanied by one of his groomsmen on guitar, Ken broke out in song mid-ceremony and sang his vows to her. During the ceremony they shared funny and heartfelt stories of their relationship through laughter and tears. We can’t wait to hang out with these two again and see what adventures lie ahead for them.