In 2022, many couples are looking for ways to save on their big day while still throwing a glamorous and beautiful event. One popular way of doing so is to jump on the DIY wedding decor trend! Now, you may be wondering, is a DIY wedding cheaper? Or, how can I do DIY without it looking tacky? In this article I will share an incredible example of clients who were able to save money and also create a stunning event for their wedding on a budget.

If you are planning a wedding or elopement in the Bay Area, look no further than San Francisco City Hall. Affectionately known as The People’s Palace, this venue’s grand embellishments and elegant presence create the perfect environment for your special day. With a luxurious amount of halls, balconies and galleries to choose from for your ceremony or reception, there is no lack of variety when it comes to photo opportunities.

Have you caught yourself looking up the phrase, “Should I have a backyard wedding?” If so, you’re not alone. With the costs of wedding venues, lack of flexibility in scheduling, and not to mention the restrictions of the pandemic, a lot of couples are searching for alternative ideas. While fears and doubts may arise with the absence of a venue to guide you, it is totally possible to have a beautiful and intimate backyard wedding of your own.

For many of my couples, the pandemic totally derailed their wedding expectations, forcing them to get creative with their solutions. Ben and Caroline are no exception to the drama of changing plans and being flexible. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I shot their sweet engagement session back in 2020 and then their intimate elopement when a larger event wasn’t possible.

Capturing your love in one of your favorite places can make the photos all the more special. When you already have so many wonderful memories in a place, having professional photos taken there can really enrich the experience. When Camille and Joey reached out to book an adventurous engagement shoot, I was so excited to hear they wanted to capture their love in Yosemite Valley – one of my favorite places!

I’ve completely fallen in love with Washington. In the summer of 2020, my boyfriend took me to meet his mom in Seattle, and that was it for me. I fell in love. Now, I’m constantly looking forward to the day that we will visit next or maybe move there! This summer, I was able to combine our yearly trip with some work for two dear friends of mine.

It’s no secret that engaged couples are considering elopements, now more than ever. With beautiful locations like Yosemite National Park to commemorate a marriage, how could they not? However, the pre-ceremony questions of where to elope or why to elope can quickly send a couple spiraling. Not to mention the concerns about cost, location, and photos. But what if I told you it was not only totally possible, but also extremely easy to plan your desired get-away elopement!

After my last blog post it’s no surprise that Lake Tahoe has quickly stolen my heart. The more time I spend here in these mountains, the more certain I am that I will be coming back for years to come! Between the serene forests, golden-hour sunsets on the lake, and lush hidden valleys tucked between snow-capped peaks — the possibilities seem endless.

I had the pleasure of photographing Jimmy’s proposal to Briana last year. I was delighted when they reached out again to photograph their engagement session. After a little debate on the location, Briana proposed we’d shoot at the San Juan Capistrano Mission! I was sold on the idea immediately.

As much as I love a simple, quiet elopement day in a scenic outdoor space, I’m a city girl at heart. And for some time I’ve been wanting to show clients that there is romantic beauty in even the densest city centers. Newly engaged couple Amanda and Alan agreed to be our bride and groom for the day. We met first at Exposition Park Rose Garden in USC. The afternoon light dissolved perfectly among large colorful roses. The glowy light around them was just breathtaking. Most people would be so surprised that these photos where taken in the middle of Los Angeles!