Nothing is more exciting for a photographer than knowing that they are going to be shooting in a really gorgeous location.
I have known Jahaira since she was just a little girl. My ex-husband, the father of my daughter, Maya… Was best friends with Jahaira’s father, Noel. We did a lot together with their family. After the divorce I didn’t keep in touch with their family although I have a very fond memories of all of them. I did still keep in touch with Noel he was very diligent about contacting me every 6 months to 1 year. So,when Noel called me and told me that his daughter Jahaira was getting married I was so thrilled.what was even more thrilling was when he told me that he wanted me to shoot her wedding.
Of course I was on board! A few weeks later I spoke to Jahaira and Jeremy over Skype and I learned that their wedding was going to be in Big Bear. That of course made me even more excited! Circling back to what photographers love.. amazing landscapes and amazing locations. A great photographer is going to be able to make any location look amazing and I tell my clients all the time, that’s what you pay me for. I remember once my best friend Junior was assisting me and I took my bride and groom to the edge of the parking lot where their venue was where there was some grass growing wild on the sides of the venue. I took this amazing high fashion photograph of them in the wild grass and I remember him telling me that’s when I knew that you were amazing because you took this TJ looking parking lot and made it look like a high fashion fine art photoshoot..
I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea? You don’t have to have an amazing venue in big bear, like Gold Mountain Manor. Your wedding can be at any venue anywhere and I can make it look amazing. But and this is a big BUT! it is really amazing when you do have a gorgeous setting for a wedding. there is nothing more beautiful than a bride and groom set against a majestic background. That is exactly what it’s like at the wedding venue Gold Mountain Manor in Big Bear.
I shot Jeremy and Jahaira’s engagement session which was just stunning. I shot their engagement at Laguna Beach and hopefully one day I will blog it, I’m only 2 years behind.
I also shot her boudoir session which I know for sure I will be posting in the next month or two so keep a lookout.
But let’s finally get to the day of the wedding.
I drove up with my assistant Noah Chavira who is also my second shooter. Even the drive was beautiful. The wedding was in December of 2020 so you can only imagine how chilly it was. It was a very crisp day but it really didn’t take us very long to get there, maybe an hour and a half.
When I pulled up to Gold Mountain manor, the wedding venue in Big Bear. I knew I was going to love this wedding. I know I said this a few times but it’s definitely the type of place where I would love to get married. The inside is decorated beautifully it has a homey cozy feel and all of the walls are dark wood. The outside was bright and beautiful and you can tell that the place was set up for a venue because there were vignettes that were just gorgeous as you can see from the images. There were Branch arches and lots of beautiful little areas to photograph.
We started the day by taking pictures of the details, things like the wedding dress and the wedding jewelry, the wedding rings. Afterwards we took pictures of Jahaira getting ready.
She looked absolutely stunning in her dress.
We then did a father-daughter first look which was awesome because I love both of them so much. Noel conjured some real emotions…that’s a lot for me to say because if you knew Noel you would know that he is constantly joking around and he never says anything serious.
Once we did the father daughter first look we moved on to her real first look. We found a beautiful location where she would see Jeremy for the first time and it went flawlessly. They are so sweet together, they make such a beautiful couple.
After the first look we shot some family portraits and then proceeded with the ceremony.
Aside from a drone crashing into a tree everything went beautifully and even that was a small humorous relief and Jahaira was cracking up!
After the ceremony we shot a few more family portraits and then we headed to Big Bear lake about an hour before sunset and were able to get some unbelievably beautiful photographs. I will be posting these on my website also and will be featuring the Wedding.
We shot until the sky was low in the horizon and we were able to get the pink and purple light on the east side of the sky.
And because they both love music they opted to have instead of a guest sign in a book, they had their guest sign records…. And by records I mean old-fashioned vinyl albums.
The dinner was extraordinary and afterwards the dancing was even better.
The first dance was sweet and emotional, and then Jeremy danced with his stepdaughter. The father-daughter dance was hilarious as Noel and Jahaira really Boogied down!
Afterwards we finished with the cake cutting and some more guest photos and that ended our day. Both exhilarated Noah, my second photographer and I headed back to my house in Whittier.
Lastly, I want to give a shout out to everyone that made this day happen. People don’t often think about what needs to happen in the background for brides and grooms or partners to have these gorgeous weddings. The hours and hours and sometimes days of preparation that go on behind the scenes are what makes these days so special and so beautiful.
A huge shout out to the entire staff at Gold Mountain Manor in Big Bear I’m hoping to be able to shoot there again and especially to the on-site coordinator Amy who did an amazing job. A thank you to little greenhouse florist. Liz did an amazing job with all the florals.
Also a thank you to the cake company Sister My Sister and Lucy there who helped with the beautiful cake. I thank you too Yolanda Herrera @cosmeticsbyyoyo IG for the beautiful makeup and hair. The dress was purchased at Layah’s boutique.
And of course photography was by square photography and a huge thank you to Noah Chavira for always being the best second shooter and assistant.
