What a beautiful day for a wedding! We started the day with the bride and groom getting ready in their separate suites at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course. We got there early as an event was ending so we had to fight a sea of people to get into where the bridal suite was which was funny. It looked like a white coat ceremony for doctors so all the students and their families were there with flowers and gifts and the works. We finally fought the sea of people and entered the bridal suite where everything was already in motion. The bride’s hair and makeup were getting their final touches and we set up for details. Since there were people still filtering out we stayed in the suite for details including the garters, rings, perfume, heels, jewelry, invite, and more.
After we got a bunch of photos, we headed to the groom’s room while the girls finished getting ready. The bride had a gift for the groom that we took over to him and photographed him opening it. It was a bracelet with a crown pendant to match a charm he already owned and a card that he read 3 times over, so sweet. His oldest son was the only other one in the room with him because they didn’t have a traditional wedding court and just wanted their sons to be a part of their big day. They have two younger sons who legit look like twins and have beautiful long silken hair that the hairstylist braided for them. The bride was telling me that just days before the wedding her oldest son went for a haircut and came back with a buzzcut! Hahaha, he had said that he’d just gotten sick of his hair and was over it. So now two of her sons had hair down to their butts and one son with no hair.
Once she was ready her sister and her mom helped her get dressed and strap her heels on. Her mom was so happy for her and it was a very sweet moment that I’m sure they’ll never forget. After that, it was time for the first look! I scouted the course for the best lighting for that time of day and it turned out to be near the entrance of the main building. I had my assistant prep everyone while I got the groom in position and went back to grab the bride. Once everyone was ready she walked up, tapped him on the shoulder, and they hugged and kissed. You could feel how much they loved each other and it was a beautiful moment. The dress had detachable sleeves and the clips were so hard to see my assistant and I spent almost 30 minutes with everyone trying to find them for the bride hahaha. I’ve done this so many times but those clips were crazy hard to see amongst the sequins and patterns so the tailor did a great job of hiding them. One we got the sleeves all clipped in, she finished up getting ready, and we got set up for the first look.
After the first look, it was time for my favorite part, photo time! We went all around the golf course and I’ve been to the Anaheim Hills Golf Course many times, so I know all the best spots. Golf courses are fun because we get to ride around in the golf carts and my daughter loves to drive them. She claims it’s like Mario Kart hahaha. The bride is a trooper because she walked around in her heels the whole time! Usually, brides will wear backup shoes in between photos but not her. The bride and groom photographed beautifully and were down for absolutely anything and everything which is always the best. After driving all around the golf course the sun was close to setting and it was time to head back for family photos. After family photos near the entrance and the arch, it was time for the couple to hide and get ready for the ceremony.
Funny story: They were originally booked with a venue near my home in Whitter (not going to name names) and one of the bride’s stipulations was that she wanted candles everywhere. Candles for the ceremony, candles for the reception, candles around the cake and all the tables, EVERYWHERE. Originally the venue had said that would be no issue but, soon after, told her that they couldn’t have candles inside. Long story short, the venue was changed and luckily the Anaheim Hills Golf Course was kind enough to accommodate and make her candle dreams come to life.
The ceremony was dripping in candles, and roses, and lit by a sign over the altar that glowed “till death”. They also had my favorite officiant Allen! I just think Allen (of Great Officiants) is so funny and still professional and an absolute expert at what he does. He’s also a comedian and amazing at improving. At one point during the ceremony, a plane flew over and he was cracking jokes about any little thing. He also interviews the couple before the day comes so that the ceremony is personal and not any cookie-cutter ceremony. The bride walked down the aisle and looked stunning and they made sure to incorporate their boys during the lasso ceremony. As she walked out a love mariachi played and sang it was magical. They were so talented that I wanna hire them (Tierra Mia Mariachi) The couple also locked a box up of a bottle of whiskey that they get to enjoy on their one-year wedding anniversary!
After the ceremony, it was cocktail hour, and since we’d done formal photos earlier the bride and groom got to walk around and enjoy their own cocktail hour as the mariachi played. Usually, cocktail hour is the time that the bride and groom sneak away for formal so this was a nice change and probably the best structure for the couple to enjoy their day and for the photographer (me) to get the most out of the time you’ve hired me for. They walked around and took pictures with all their friends while they caught up with everybody. Once the reception was all set and dinner was ready, they started to invite guests to head in and find their seats. On every seat, they had a tiny easel holding up a portrait of cookies with everyone’s individual names on them. It was super creative and I don’t see that one a lot. Their cake was surrounded by candles and had roses the entirety of the way up the cake. Next to the cake was the dessert table that had little cupcakes, cookies, and more beautiful desserts. The head table had the arch moved in behind them which had the Til Death sign with roses and candles everywhere. It was gorgeous and timeless and I’m so happy she didn’t have to settle for not having real candles.
The reception started, the DJ started playing, and the party started. They didn’t do a bouquet toss or garter toss and were more focused on photography (which was AWESOME!). They did a thing where we pulled 2 chairs to the center of the dance floor and people lined up for silly photos. We also did a whole group shot and went table to table for photos of people who weren’t as able-bodied. They made sure to get as much of their time with me to get pictures with their valued guests.
They had what we call in the industry a “fake exit” so that their guests could still be included even if they didn’t want to stay the whole night. We had everyone use the cellphone flashlights and point them at the couple. It looked amazing and everyone was so cooperative which was so nice. After that, they opened up the dance floor and the party really started! It was a bit of an older crowd so not many people danced but those who did got DOWN. Their little sons were also right in the middle of the dance floor breaking it down! It was so cute and they were such great dancers and were the lives of the party.
Thank you so much to Marissa and William they’ve always been so kind and gracious and truly make my job so easy. They are purely good people and I wish them a beautiful future.
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….
Venue: Anaheim Hills Golf Course
Mariachi: Tierra Mia Mariachi
Officiant: Great Officiants
DJ: Party Memoriez
Makeup and Hair: Kate Chavez and Crystal Goins
Cake: Beverly’s Bakery
Desserts and Florist: Roberta Avellaneda
