A California Christmas Elopement...With Style!
Tue. December 6, 2011 | i do
Every now and then, a little spark of inspiration will happen and turn into an idea bigger than you ever could have though! For this wedding shoot, that little spark was a picture in my head of a Christmas tree somewhere unexpected..like the beach!
My good friend and wedding coordinator Lindye Galloway took the idea and ran with it as only she can do, and produced this absolutely gorgeous holiday beach elopement!
The team that made this shoot possible:
Location: Private Beach, Newport Beach, California
Designer & Planner: Lindye Galloway Events
Photographer: Jessica Claire
Flowers: Honey and Poppies
Rentals: This & That Vintage Rentals
Hair/Makeup: A Lovely Bride
Invitations: Copper Willow
Cake/Cupcakes: Design Cakes & Cupcakes
Models: Lauren Gillmore & Daniel Scotti
Although we really never see snow in So. Cal (a fact that regularly makes me want to abandon ship and move to the East coast), we can fake it with the best of them with a white tree!
The image that started the whole thing:
A few little details:
The feel we wanted for this shoot was COZY COZY COZY! Cable knit sweaters for him:
Long sleeves & a faux fur accent for her (and some cool, dramatic makeup too!)
Lauren, the bride, is a real bride marrying her real fiancee in this shoot in May! I'm super excited to shoot their wedding, especially now that they've practiced getting married for this shoot:
My two favorite images:
What would a wedding (or a holiday) be without a few beautifully wrapped gifts!? Slightly less sparkly, that's for sure:
One of my favorite things to do is admire my Christmas tree when I'm at home. It makes me feel all cozy and warm. Add that with a sunset and waves glistening...perfection!
That and snuggling with your favorite person:
There was this perfect little cave right next to the ceremony site--perfect for a little relaxation lounge area for watching the sun set:
A gold pillow and some golden light streaming in:
I so love this one:
I think Lauren likes him a little:
A little groom detail as they prepared for the ceremony:
Daniel is such a good model! Lauren has taught him well:
A few portraits:
And the ceremony! Super simple, just the two of them and a gorgeous chandelier by Lindye. Lindye is so good at creating little details that really pop!
Seriously--so simple but i would never have thought of it:
The Honey & Poppies flowers were so awesome. Megan is SUPER talented and her bouquets always look fresh and relaxed:
Check out the little brooch detail and sprigs of pine in there for a holiday (but not OVERLY holiday flair)
GORGEOUS place settings & personalized menu cards:
Lindye built this table--girl, you are too much! I'd want that in my house!
I love sweet moments like this:
A close up of that rad arrangement:
Look how perfect it was on the beach that day:
Seriously? It was amazing:
One kiss, just as the sun starts to set:
A little post-dinner stroll on the beach. Whenever I shoot down in Laguna Beach at the Montage or anywhere else, I love to take couples to the beach for photos!
And it's nice to have a little alone time in the midst of a busy day:
Plus, I can't pass up light like this--ever!
Look at Lauren's little leather gloves:
Seriously, these two are so stinking cute:
Although their wedding will have a different vibe, I hope Lauren wears her hair at least partially down like this:
The cupcakes were absolutely gorgeous (and delicious--don't ask me how I know):
But weren't they pretty?
The cake was gorgeous too, but I can't help it, I'm a sucker for a cupcake!
So were Daniel & Lauren. No fake feeding here!
A few more moments:
A few more photos of the couple:
Did I mention I'm so excited for their wedding? It's going to be at Parker Ranch in Trabuco Canyon. I hope the light is anywhere close to as good as this that day. I don't have to worry about the couple knowing what to do :)
Thanks so much to Lindye & the whole team who helped with this shoot!
Plus, there's going to be some behind the scenes footage you'll see somewhere else...but you'll have to wait and see for that! Check out STILLMOTION setting up...
More to come on that soon ;)
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