Fairytale wedding at Calamigos Ranch // ©2017 Sun & Sparrow Malibu Wedding Photographers
Welcome To The Blog
••• TELLING STORIES, SHARING LOVE •••
Tag Archives: wedding photography
Romantic Big Bear wedding // ©2018 Sun & Sparrow Big Bear wedding photographer
The morning of the wedding was incredibly peaceful. Anything that wasn’t perfect was just dropped, and I knew the things that mattered would fall into place. My girls and I did a little bible reading and prayer time before getting ready. Prepping for the day was a breeze. Chris slept in until he had to get dressed for the first look, which was done behind the groomsmen cabin. The first look location was perfect: romantic and natural. Chris’ favorite moment of the day was turning around and seeing me in my dress. I loved the intimacy of that moment. My favorite moment was sharing our private and personal vows in the gazebo. Then we were rushed off to the ceremony, which was mostly a blur. One of the most memorable moments for me was at the last second, our brothers decided to switch mothers to demonstrate that we were all family. My brother who was originally supposed to escort our mom ended up escorting Chris’ mom, and Chris’ brother escorted my mom. Chris surprised me by having our dear friend who officiated translate parts of the ceremony speech into Serbian, my first language. Our rings were left in the bridal suite up the hill, creating a comical moment during the ring exchange. Thankfully my bridesmaids had two rings between them that we used as props (something borrowed?). The first kiss was magical, walking together was just right. The family photos were done in true Todorovich-Webster fashion: chaotic, fun, and full of love. I was so surprised to see how well everyone connected. This was even more evident during the toasts. We had planned for only the Maid of Honor and the Best Man to make a speech. But the microphone just kept getting passed along to other family members until everyone shared their feelings of our love. At the head table, we were crying laughing from the sweetness it all. Neither one of us had ever felt so much love all at once.
While planning, we both immediately knew we wanted to be outdoors. Every banquet hall and chapel we visited had the same stifled air about it. Being in nature was a necessity. Given the craziness of both of our families and the excitement of the wedding day itself, being surrounded by peaceful, steady nature helped us really center ourself on what matters: our love. It was a perfect balance. The rest of the decor had to honor the nature. Our florist used mostly flowers and greenery native to the mountain, and then only ones that would complement them. Our whole aura is romance, so of course my bridesmaids were in a deep red, and his groomsmen had deep red velvet ties. It all came together better than I imagined. Romance and nature.
Chris’ advice for anyone planning their wedding is simply don’t stress. Make a list, delegating tasks to each person. Take time to snuggle and focus on the whole reason you’re getting married. My advice would include a wedding journal as well. From day one, I wrote absolutely everything wedding-related in my journal, even information I thought might be useless. It just really helped to have all of my thoughts, ideas, documented conversations, timelines, etc all in one place. And also don’t stress. So many things were imperfect about my wedding. In the end none of those details matter. If you go home with a spouse you absolutely adore, you had a successful wedding.
MY VENDORS: NAME, WEBSITE,
Venue: Bristlecone Weddings, www.bristleconeweddings.com
First look site/cabins: Cienaga Creek Ranch, www.bigbearcabinscalifornia.com
Coordinator: Stephanie Lim @slimadventures
Photographer: Sun & Sparrow, www.sunandsparrow.com
Coordinator: Stephanie Lim @slimadventures
Photographer: Sun & Sparrow, www.sunandsparrow.com
DJ: Omar Khan, www.djomarkhan.com
Photo booth: Creative Photo Booths, www.creativephotobooths.net
Florals: Branch and Bulb @branchandbulb
Invitations: Always B Brave, https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlwaysBBrave
Florals: Branch and Bulb @branchandbulb
Invitations: Always B Brave, https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlwaysBBrave
Wedding rings maker: Kay Jewelers & Family Heirloom
———
Wedding Gown Maker: David’s Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Luisa Gaxiola from Peroxide Beauty & Barbershop, peroxidehair.com
Hair & Makeup: Luisa Gaxiola from Peroxide Beauty & Barbershop, peroxidehair.com
Bride Shoes: ALDO, www.aldogroup.com
Bridesmaids dresses: Weddingtonway, www.weddingtonway.com
Bridesmaids robes: Thalia Sodi created for Macy’s, Macys.com
Bridesmaids robes: Thalia Sodi created for Macy’s, Macys.com
Bridesmaids gifts/details: Fuzzy slippers by Express, @express
———
Groom Suit: Alfani for Macy’s
Groom shoes: Military standard black patent
Groomsmen suits: Alfani for Macy’s
Groom shoes: Military standard black patent
Groomsmen suits: Alfani for Macy’s
SaveSave
Elegant wedding at the Estate On Second in Santa Ana // ©2018 Sun & Sparrow Orange County wedding photographers
In the morning my bridesmaids came over early to start getting ready and I got my makeup done and my mom did my hair. My mom did my hair for my entire childhood so It was a sentimental moment for me for her to do my hair for my wedding day. After getting ready we got to the venue and everything was already looking beautiful. I had not yet seen what the flowers were going to look like and I absolutely loved the arch. Davida really made my flower dreams come true and the flowers looked better than I could have imagined. It was fun taking pictures with my mom and finishing getting ready! Then we went to the first look and I was so relieved to actually see Roberto. I’m glad you convinced us to do a first look because it eased a lot of my stress. The ceremony was nice, Rev. Sarah really understood us as a couple which made it personal. One of the funniest moments of my day was my twin sister sweeping the floor before we jumped the broom. It was good to laugh! The reception was soo much fun! Even though I totally forgot all of the dance moves for our first dance it was still really fun and not as embarrassing as I thought it would be. Another highlight of my night was doing a soul train line because both of our families came together to dance and everyone had a good time.
The venue and the flowers really brought my vision together. Luckily Estate on Second is so pretty we didn’t have to do much decorating! I did all of the signage and calligraphy myself and then the flowers tied everything together.
My advice for brides and grooms is not to wait until the last minute! I was up organizing everything and making signs the night before the wedding. Save yourself the stress and do it before! Also communicate with your partner and your family/friends! There are people who want to help you, you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself.
Venue: Estate on Second http://estateonsecond.com/
Coordinator: Lauren Galla-Rini, https://popthechampagneevents.com/
Photographer: Sun & Sparrow, www.sunandsparrow.com
Florals: Davida Buggs, https://www.flowersbyladybuggs.com/
Invitations & Calligraphy: Alyson https://www.alysonnailahdesigns.com/
Caterer: Jays Catering @jayscatering http://www.jayscatering.com/
DJ: On the go DJ Pro: https://www.onthegodjpro.com/
———
Wedding Gown Maker: David Tutera https://davidtutera.com/
Wedding Gown Boutique: Say I Do Bridals https://sayidobridals.com/
Makeup: Amber, D. Rosa Makeup Artistry
Bride Shoes: Badgley Mischka
———
Groom and groomsmen Suit: 3 day suit broker http://3daysuitbroker.com/
WRITTEN AS FEATURED ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BRIDE // “Our bride wore a beautiful sleeveless wedding dress that was topped off by a floral head piece made of fresh flowers. Calligraphy signs were displayed matching the hand written menu cards placed on the tables. Unlike the traditional full floor length linens, and standard table runners, our tables were dressed with a simple silk table runner running through the middle allowing the tables’ natural beauty to be showcased with the plate setting. Fresh floral arrangements sat lined up on the silk runner while detailed plates were stacked and perfectly arranged side by side; tall white candle sticks lit the tables to emphasize that romantic feeling. To give it a pop of color, we had linen plum colored napkins cascading on the side of the table. Vineyard chairs was our cherry on top as it completed the look of our dinner tables.
(more…)0 comments
A Fairytale Malibu Hills wedding // ©2016 Sun & Sparrow Malibu wedding photographers
FROM THE BRIDE // Our wedding was absolutely perfect! It was honestly a fairytale Malibu Hills wedding! We’ve never in our lives been able to truly enjoy living in the moment until our wedding day. The only thing on our minds on this day was the excitement of being with one another forever! We were both truly mesmerized and so in LOVE! Our wedding day was euphoric and full of joy!
Our favorite moment of our wedding day was first laying eyes on one another at the alter. I’ll never forget taking my father’s arm and not realizing how heavy I was breathing until I looked up and saw him, my future husband, standing there in a royal blue suit like my Prince charming. He was waiting so patiently to see me! It was surreal…seeing him immediately calmed me down. Everything around us became a blur and all my attention was focused on him and how he looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes. I can just envision that day, where we were so mesmerized with one another, it was such an amazing and beautiful feeling.
We are the type of people that truly do not like stress and do not mind when someone else takes control, which I know is not easy for many people. Our absolutely amazing Wedding coordinator, Aleta Parrish, and her amazing staff (who also catered our wedding as Choux Choux events) single handedly planned all our wedding from the flowers to the all white dance floor, the string lights, the rustic arch. At our ceremony, she had even planned the alter to look out toward a breathtaking view of the Malibu wine country while an amazing harpist played in the background. Aleta even hired our DJ who was fantastic! The only direction we gave Aleta was the meal plan which we chose from her menu by Choux Choux (which is a farm to table caterer) the appetizers during cocktail hour and the 3 course meal, our guests had the main course option of filet mignon or miso salmon during dinner which was cooked perfectly and delicious! We also gave her a hint on the decor ” All White Wedding”, everything else she did from the napkins to the lace table runners, the gorgeous white flowers and silver ware and plates! Everything about the decor was ALL Aleta! She honestly made our dream wedding come true without barely any direction. Truly amazing!
The best part of planning our wedding was allowing someone else to do it! Like I mentioned earlier Aleta Parrish from Choux Choux is simply spectacular! Tiffani Matsuura from Sun and Sparrow (our wedding photographer) was over and beyond what we expected from a photographer! Like our wedding planner she had amazing calming sweet energy. She made me look like a model! She needed no direction from us at all and had us take so many cute photos in the most adorable poses. She even came out an hour early to scout out the venue and figure out what places were the best photo ops. She was perfect! She truly captured the LOVE in our relationship so elegantly.
Now my absolutely favorite part about planning our wedding was how much time I was able to spend with my mother. Unlike most brides I had the luxury of having my wedding dress designer and hair stylist be my mom! Yes, my mother Elvia Rocha designed, created, and tailored my wedding dress all by hand and did my hair on my wedding day. She is truly an amazing mother. I cannot or will never be able to thank her enough for making me feel so special on that day! My wedding dress stole the show! I felt so beautiful and gorgeous in it! It was so comfortable and fit me perfectly! It was truly a memorable experience, from driving down to the fashion district in LA once a week and picking out my fabrics, to seeing my dress made from start to finish, and watching my mom work day and night hand sewing each flower and Crystal bead. It’s an experience I’ll always treasure and remember. I’m so happy and proud to say that my mother made my wedding dress.
My now husband and I are strong believers of hiring the right people to do the job and let them do what they do best! Sometimes its okay to let someone else take control, especially if you do your research! We can honestly say we definitely hired the right people for the job! We also used our family! Like I mentioned before my mother made and designed my wedding dress and did my hair! My mother’s friend daughter did my make up! My husband’s sister was our minister! We saved so much money utilizing these resources and were able to really go all out on other parts of our wedding like our venue. But having our family help us throughout our wedding really made it extra special and brought us even closer together!
Wedding Planner/Caterer/Florist/Decorations: Aleta Parrish // Choux Choux www.chouxchouxla.com
DJ: Dominic Miranda, Lead Associate DJ/MC // Who’s That DJ www.whosthatdj.com
Wedding Cake: Jamie Cakes www.jamiecakes.net
Wedding Photographer: Sun and Sparrow www.sunandsparrow.com
Minister // Rachelle Moore
Wedding Dress Designer/Creator/Hair stylist : Elvia Rocha
Wedding Make-up artist: Paola Isabel Paoisabel.mua@gmail.com
A Fairytale Malibu Hills wedding // ©2016 Sun & Sparrow Malibu wedding photographers
0 comments
Follow Our Adventures On Instagram