e-Harmony.com – great job! Whatever it is that you did to bring these two together, keep on keeping’ on, because Regina and Sean are M.F.E.O. That’s right – Made For Each Other. And I’m so happy that I received the pleasure of second shooting their happy day for my very talented buddy, Andrew.

Everything about Regina and Sean’s wedding day was tailor made to reflect their love – personal, intimate, fun, heartwarming. In a cute house just a few blocks from Downtown Orange, they celebrated their wedding day in the comforts of their own home and I honestly can’t imagine a more perfect way to make their love “official.”

Regina spent the morning getting her hair and make-up done, and Sean was running around the city running wedding errands. Not a stickler about traditions, the bride and groom whizzed by each other all afternoon, with scarcely a second to have a conversation. But when it came time for their first-look, it appeared as if they were seeing each other for the first time. It was such a special moment; I can’t even put it into words.

With about an hour or two available before the ceremony, Regina and Sean borrowed a classic car to match their classy looks, and we were able to snap some photos of the couple and their best man and maid-of-honor at a nearby park. I’m a traditional gal myself, but to have the opportunity to take photos of the couple before the wedding craziness really begins is actually really great. The photographers not only get more time with the the bride and groom, but the guests of honor get to spend more time together too. It’s a win-win situation =)

Back at the house, every table in their spacious yard had place settings reminiscent of a good ol’ country get-together, and on the center of each table was a white pitcher/vase filled with bright summer flowers. Guests had mason jars as drinking glasses, and a great part of the menu was prepared by the groom’s chef-sister-in-law. Regina’s hairpiece was a creation by her maid-of-honor, and the beautiful gazebo/altar was built by Sean and his father, Terry, who also officiated the ceremony. When night fell, guests chatted and laughed under a canopy of string lights.

Thank you so much, Mr. & Mrs. Ruddy, for letting us be a part of your day! You’re an awesome couple and I wish you the best!

My uncle hadn’t even gotten through singing his song when the room suddenly turned into a tearful crowd. His youngest daughter, my cousin Keshia, sat at a nearby table, held together by her new husband Jake. She couldn’t stop crying (and neither could I – thank goodness for my awesome buddy/2nd shooter Andrew who took a lot of the shots below); overcome by such emotion that she walked right up to her dad still crooning into the mic, and hugged him as tightly as she could.

As strong as my uncle has fought through his cancer, so too did Keshia and Jake fight through a long-distance relationship. My uncle has been an example of a simple but powerful philosophy that his daughter (and most of us) have taken to heart – there really is no better time than now. Love-NOW. Live-NOW. And that’s exactly what Keshia and Jake did. There was no need for a year’s worth of preparation for a huge wedding. What was important to them was starting a life together as soon as possible – why wait? 

The florals were put together by my awesome mom – roses and baby’s breath for the bridesmaids and orchids from her own little garden for the bride. My cousin, Dan and his roommate, Ken provided music for the ceremony and the reception. The banquet hall was not huge, but love and joy spilled out of every window and door. The guestlist was minimal, but each family member and close friend emanated such high spirits and boiseterousness that would shame the largest parties.

Keshia has always been like another little sister to me, but on her wedding day, she was a radiant, absolutely gorgeous bride and wife-to-be. Jake, who I hadn’t known very well, is exactly the warm, generous, kind man that deserves a woman like Keshia.

Thank you so much, dear cousin and cousin-in-law, for trusting me to record this most special day. I wish you two endless happiness!

Joan’s long white robe opened up as she leaned over to pick up something and there was Hello Kitty peaking out, patterned all over her pink pajamas. I own two pairs of Hello Kitty pj’s myself (don’t hate, they’re cute!) and couldn’t help but, “aaaw!” I told her (Joan, not Hello Kitty) that we absolutely needed to get some shots of her in the adorable pj’s and she laughed, “Really? Are you sure?” How could we not? Every thread of those Sanrio pj’s reflected more of Joan’s personality than any boring white Marriott bathrobe ever could.

Joan was aglow all morning; heck, all day, as most brides tend to be. And I don’t think I remember her ever looking stressed or worried. Calm as a cucumber (when did vegetables gain the ability to experience calm? Save it for another entry? ok). In the short time I’ve gotten to know her, I discovered she’s like that all the time. And her hubby, Bong, is, literally, a barrel of laughs. The way he cracks Joan up (not to mention everyone around him), it’s not a mystery why they were meant to be together.

Thanks for letting us be part of your day, Mr. & Mrs.!