©Sun & Sparrow Photography // Chic Palm Springs Wedding
©Sun & Sparrow Photography // Chic Palm Springs Wedding
©2015 Sun & Sparrow Photography // Enchanted Villa Montalvo wedding in San Jose
FROM THE BRIDE // Our wedding was wonderful (from what we’ve heard), although we can only remember little bits and pieces, oh if it was three times as long! The day went well; it was a beautiful sunny, 75 degree day on Catalina. Sans the boat ride over it seems everyone had a wonderful time. Everything ran smoothly and was well organized. Guests had fun chatting, enjoying the trail mix bar, the coffee reception, the guest puzzle, the views, the drinks, the music, the food, and the folks at their tables. The kids enjoyed the size of the space; plenty of room to run around!
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR WEDDING? // The inspiration was Catalina itself. I (Jenny) visited the casino when I was probably around 14 years old and went on a tour, on the tour the guide said that they hold weddings at the casino for a reasonable price (some things may have changed in the next 20 years). Since that day I decided, if I got a chance, I would get married at the casino on Catalina…and it came true! Another inspiration was my Catalina Pottery collection, which was not only used as the vases for the floral arrangements around the event, but the colors of the 1940’s pottery inspired the colors of the wedding party’s attire, as well as the flower arrangements. I also wanted people who have lived in the South Bay their entire lives, and have not taken the hour long boat ride to this magical island an opportunity to go and experience Catalina. It was our nearby destination wedding.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE/FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY? // I (Jenny) think just being there, and watching everybody enjoy themselves. I love that it was a self-sufficient relaxed wedding, nothing seemed forced, nothing seemed delayed. The space was perfect for the entire event. I just wish it was longer! I also loved that people came from all over the country to our wedding! It was amazing the distances people traveled to be there for our special day, and not just that, but also pay for the boat ride across the sea to Catalina. Ryan’s favorite part was the entire wedding; he just wishes that he had more time to soak it in (we agree!).
WHY WAS PHOTOGRAPHY IMPORTANT TO YOU AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SUN & SPARROW? // Sun and Sparrow were the first vendor we hired (after the venue). Photography is sooo important at a wedding, due to the inability to remember or experience the majority of the event. Photos fill in the spaces you can’t remember. And great photography is especially important, because it documents the occasion. This is how you (and people you show the photos to) will remember your wedding your entire life, and you want the best memories you possibly can have. We wanted to have these great, talented ladies as a part of our wedding.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR BRIDES WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PLANNING PROCESS? // Don’t over plan. Remember the crowd mentality: if one person starts doing something, others will follow. You can’t control a crowd, you can just give them options so they don’t get bored. Sit back and enjoy the day, it will go smoothly if it’s well organized and people have things to look at. And even if it doesn’t, you won’t be able to remember much of it anyways, so hire a great photographer to take pictures for you. It also doesn’t hurt to look at pinterest for ideas, and know graphic design.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING MARRIED NOW? // Jenny – GETTING TO SEE RYAN EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!! It’s the best! Also, having Zoey (Ryan’s dog) as my stepdogter. Ryan– I think the best part is getting to begin the next chapter of our lives together.
PLEASE COMMENT BELOW AND SHARE! TELL THESE TWO HOW MUCH YOU LOVE AND ADORE THEM BOTH!
©2014 Sun & Sparrow Photographers // A colorful wedding on Catalina Island
PLEASE COMMENT BELOW AND SHARE! TELL THESE TWO HOW MUCH YOU LOVE AND ADORE THEM BOTH!
©2014 Sun & Sparrow Photographers // A colorful wedding on Catalina Island
VENDORS // Photography: Sun & Sparrow Photography // Music: Kurt Hunter // Flowers: Bloom Floral // Cake: Rossmoor Bakery // Bridesmaid Dresses / Groomsmen Ties / Groom’s Vest: Laura Heckman, socalseamstress@gmail.com // Pastor: Tim Morey from Life Covenant Church // Hair: Amanda Lezama – (310) 408-9465 // Makeup: Larissa Singhoff // Santa Catalina Island Company Coordinator – Shannon Cook (she’s the best!) // Coordinator: Karen Courtney // Graphic Design: Jenny Cowell // Wedding Dress: Tara Keely // Groom / Groomsmen’s outfits/Bride’s Jewelry: Banana Republic
Way, way, way!!!! Did I mention “way” too hard to pick a favorite. Beautiful pictures because you two reflect beauty from within! God is so good … yup all the time!
Love you both deeply, Aunt Renee
Karen & Jay reside in the beautiful Sydney Australia. These two decided to travel the distance to Los Angeles to hire Sun & Sparrow to shoot their engagement photos. We are so happy to be a part of their engagement and wedding story!
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On the 10th of August 2013, I took Jay out for his birthday dinner at a restaurant in Sydney called Aria which had beautiful views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The plan was that our friends would meet us somewhere else afterwards to celebrate his birthday with him.
After our dinner we still had some time before we had to meet up with our friends so we decided to take a stroll and take some pictures along the Harbour. I found it strange that for some reason Jay kept asking me to walk up the steps of the Opera House, and being the somewhat lazy person that I am, I kept telling him that I didn’t want to walk all that way and that I just wanted to get out of the cold. Lucky for me, he ended up convincing me and just as we got to the bottom of the steps of the Opera House, Jay received a text message from one of our friends saying: “Jay, don’t you have something to show Karen?”.
Jay then started playing a slideshow on his iPhone with pictures of us from along the years with the song ‘No One Else Comes Close’ by Joe in the background. I was so confused and wondering why he was playing a slideshow of our relationship on his birthday when the slideshow then changed and the words “Now, what have I been up to this week?”. Some pictures then appeared of him and some others shopping for materials and working on some sort of banner. The next few pictures revealed that the banner actually said “Will you marry me?” and then the slideshow ended with one last picture of Jay holding a little blue box in his hand.
When the slideshow finished, he bent down on one knee and our friends ran out from the top of the steps of the Opera House carrying the ‘Will you marry me?’ banner! Jay nervously said a little speech and then asked me if I would marry him. Needless to say, and after embarrassingly screaming out “Oh my gosh, I didn’t do my nails!!!”… I said “Yes” 🙂
©2014 Sun & Sparrow Photographers // Rustic destination engagement in Palos Verdes
©2014 Sun & Sparrow Photographers // Rustic destination engagement in Palos Verdes
May I ask where exactly this was taken in palos verdes?
Hi Kristina, Sorry for the delay. The photos are behind the PV golf course.
May I ask where exactly this was taken in palos verdes?
Hi Kristina, Sorry for the delay. The photos are behind the PV golf course.
From the Bride…The Garden Pavilion at Calamigos Ranch, Malibu was the perfect backdrop for the vintage glamour theme I envisioned for the wedding. The ceremony was held under a 100 year old Oak tree with tiny white lights along its branches and the guests were seated in chairs on a sprawling lawn with white rose petals and shepherd’s hooks holding white flowers adorning the aisle. IZZE drinks in galvanized steel tubs with lavender and white paper straws greeted guests at the ceremony. I loved the lace that the calligrapher used on the invitations so much that it became the inspiration for many of the wedding’s key components – the DIY programs, menus, and donation sign had the same lace digitally printed on them, the cake’s frosting emulated the design, and the cocktail and dessert tables were swathed in a similar vintage-inspired floral lace. A string trio played The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony before guests made their way to the reception area, a short walk away.
©2012 Sun & Sparrow Photography // Calamigos ranch vintage styled wedding