As we loaded our equipment for the day into the car, it began to rain, lightly. They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck. I say that cloudy weather is the best for photos. Either way, both made for a beautiful day full of love and a much-needed break from the So-Cal Summer heatwave. We arrived at the Hotel Amarano in Burbank and it was so cute and vintage. I had never been to this hotel before and got to scout the area for photo opportunities. The theme of the hotel seemed to be reminiscent of old Hollywood with famous actors and antique photos of old Los Angeles hung everywhere. I absolutely adored the color scheme of the hotel as well as the cute little black sheep statues that were scattered about.
We made our way up to the bride’s room where the room was bustling with business. Denise was getting her makeup finished up and looked absolutely gorgeous. Her maid of honor was actually one of my brides and multiple guests of hers are also clients of mine so it was like a big reunion later in the night hahaha. Anyway, I met up with the videographers who were so organized and professional, I look forward to working with them in the future and they produced insanely beautiful work and even brought a drone @Jim_filmmaker . ANYWAYS, the day had begun and we began with “getting ready” photos. After that, we went all around the hotel shooting detail photos and photos of her mermaid-style ivory dress. Once her makeup was all done and we were done shooting all her details, it was time for her to get dressed and laced in. Her mom helped her and it took so long to lace her that we went down the hall to get some photos of the groom getting ready.
Once everyone was ready and had packed up all their things, a Model X Tesla came and picked the bride up. The doors swung open and up like a Dolorian, I didn’t know Teslas could do that so it was super cool. We met back up down the road at St. Robert Bellarmine church which was fairly big inside and bursting with beautiful browns and colors. They had a traditional Catholic ceremony and we took some beautiful photos inside afterwards. They had everyone blowing balloons for their exit which was super cute. There was a line of trees that were in beautiful bloom right outside of the church so once everyone left I had the bride and groom walk along them and I loved how the pictures came out.
After that, we headed to Brand Park for photos. Funnily enough, almost half of the bridal party drove to the wrong “Brand Park” but luckily we had plenty of scheduled time for photos and the bride and groom got to have a quick lunch break and some one-on-one photos together along the huge staircase. We did some dramatic veil shots and they came out so beautiful. Denise’s dress had a long train and her veil was twice as long. We do this technique where my assistant will toss the veil or fan it in waves to get that beautiful windy effect. We also shot some pictures with Luis where I just asked him to walk and do whatever he felt comfortable doing and they came out great. I love candid photography and want people to like how they look in photos instead of going with stiff posed positions all the time.
Once the bridal party all made it to the park we took plenty of group photos and the videographers got some really cool drone shots here. Then it was time to head out to the reception! They held their reception at Angeleno Banquet Hall in Los Angeles and had beautiful pink and white roses filling the room. They did their grand entrance and then it was time for dinner. They had amazing Mexican-style buffet food and let me tell you I LOVE WHEN WEDDINGS SERVE MEXICAN FOOD. I’m Mexican so I may be biased but that and barbecue are just the superior food options at weddings in my opinion. When you’ve been to as many weddings as I have you’ll never want to touch chicken and mashed potatoes with a salad ever again so this was amazing. After dinner, the couple had their first dance, equipped with sparklers and fog, and surprised everyone by changing their slow dance into a full fun Mexican dance.
They danced with their parents and the bride danced with all of her brothers because her dad is no longer with us. They cut their cake and danced the night away as it was time for us to leave. My assistant and daughter Maya and I had such a blast and I wish Luis and Denise a bright and happy future. A big shoutout to my past bride Beverly who referred me and was her maid of honor and cousin.
I want to give a shout out to everyone involved in the wedding as it takes a village to put together a wedding!
A huge thank you to the staff at Hotel Amarano for their graciousness.
A thank you to the funny priest at St Robert Bellarmine Church
A thanks for everyone at Angeleno Banquet Hall they were the best staff ever! So kind and generous! And the food was outstanding! Thanks Kevin your staff is amazing and so are you!
A thank you as always to Juliana Zaragoza for her amazing coordination, as always she is perfection!
Thank you to Blooming Flowers for the gorgeous florals!
Thanks to Nadia for the Cake
Thanks for Emmanuel for the music and entertainment
A thanks to Jim Fredo for his artistic vision with video I was thoroughly impressed with his work!
A thank you to my daughter Maya for assisting, she is always the best!
A huge thank you to Beverly Razo for referring me to this wonderful couple! That’s two just this year Beverly!!!! You are AMAZING! Thanks for always believing in me and my work! LOVE YOU!
And finally to the bride and groom Denise Gomez and Luis Sanchez for hiring me! I had the greatest time at your wedding!
I want to conclude this blog by stating that the people in the back that are putting all of this together from the florals to the linen to the cake. All of these people make these events possible. And I want to send out a huge thank you and shout out to all of the vendors that made this day possible….
Events by Milan @eventsbymilan turned their reception hall into a fairytale and they always do such an extraordinary job. DJ Bebo was on it all night, as always, and was such a pleasure to work with @djbebo @photoboothbomber. Here’s To Them Events was in charge of coordinating, Patrick is the main videographer that I work with @patrickstaehlmedia , and the Mariachi Raymundo was astounding.
Make up was done by Alondra Hernandez and hair was done by Andrea Macias @_gorgeoushairbydre
Reception and catering was done by the Westin Hotel in Anaheim
Mariachi 714-269-6646
Here’s to Them Events 626-379-0848
Photography by me @squareeyephoto
Plus I want to thank Angie and Alex. I have been looking forward to shooting their wedding since I first met them and their engagement session was such a blast. This couple is so flexible, free spirited- and full of love for each other. They seriously glow even in the hardest of circumstances and can find the happiness and gratitude in everything. They hold God close to their heart and are both sacred human souls that came together in this lifetime to spend their lives together. And I was so glad that I was here to watch the love that surrounds them warm their hearts on this beautiful day… And watch them finally become one soul.
