Cherstin and Ryan got married! - Arroyo Trabucco Golf Club

Recently, I had the honor of photographing Cherstin and Ryan's wedding at Arroyo Trabucco Golf Club. You might remember their fun engagement session down in Corona Del Mar. These two are so lovely... really, really sweet, and so in love. And, their families are fantastic, too. There were many tears flowing that day as Cherstin and Ryan said their "I do's". The day couldn't have been any more beautiful. Thanks you two for allowing me to capture it. I hope you enjoy some of my favorites below and the slideshow here. All my best!!!- Natalie

Michelle and Emory: Married in San Diego!

Michelle and Emory were recently married down in beautiful San Diego. I had the great pleasure of capturing their wedding. They were so much fun, had lots of character and shared so much joy with each other, family and friends.

Thanks for choosing me to be a part of this important day in your lives! Enjoy the slideshow and a few favorites below. (Note- you might notice a few too many shoe or below the waist shots... I just couldn't help myself... I LOVE red shoes!)

I said there were a lot of shoe shots, didn't I? ;)

How about that wig and glasses??? ;)

Shane and Yvonne: Married in Hawaii!

I can't believe it's already been a month since Shane and Yvonne's wedding at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai. Shane and Yvonne are dear friends and Matt and I attended their wedding as guests but... we just couldn't help ourselves. So, the photographer from the hotel was nice enough to let me shoot along side him (he was a very nice guy :)).

Matt and I arrived at the airport in Kauai at about 2:00... and the wedding started at 4:00!!! So, we hurried ourselves over to the hotel and were hardly even tired because we were so excited for the wedding. I was able to spend time with Yvonne and the girls while they got ready and Matt hung out with Shane and Mike and caught a few shots with them. Then, it was off to the beautiful ceremony and very fun luau where Shane and Yvonne were treated like celebrities... resulting in them having their first dance in the middle of the luau and with a more Hawaiian themed dance on the stage a little later... where Shane strutted his stuff for Yvonne. We were all very impressed. ;)

Thank you, Shane and Yvonne, for inviting us to share in this amazing day with you. We will never forget it... nor will we ever forget...

- puka dogs (and their buttery companion spread... questionable... but a "must have" just the same)
- the helicopter flight (and Matt's fortunate swallow on the way down... fortunate for me that is)
- making Shane trespass on that ranch for the sake of truly awesome picture
- stories of your ill fated night/morning as a result of that muddy day trip
- BBQ's at Moser Estate ;) (courtesy of Poipu Kapili) and all of the good and not so good antics that followed
- snow cones... snow cones... and more snow cones at Jo Jo's
- the hurricane force rain and wind in Princeville... as we sat on the beach... went running for cover... and laughed the whole time!
- that amazing kalua pig pizza and authentic and personal Hawaiian music session on our last night there... we'll NEVER forget that... what a surprise and a great memory
- our amazing friends... Thanks again for letting us share in your honeymoon time. ;)

So, without further ado... here are some photos and a slideshow from the day of the wedding (note- the slideshow is long and the song is not... it keeps repeating... but it's Elvis!... come on). The amazing day-after session will be posted shortly... you guys look incredible in those ones!!! Love you- Natalie and Matt

Yvonne was a little emotional while getting ready.

Yvonne's adorable nieces.

I loved that the flower girls didn't wear dresses... so cute and unique.

Okay... how lucky is Shane?

Yvonne and her dad.

The one lifting up Shane? That would be Mike... Shane's wonderful best man. ;) As you can see, they're very close.

Look at that sky.

Classic.

Brides Magazine/WPJA Contest: I won 1st Place!

I'm so excited!!!

One of my images won first place in the Group/Bridal Party category in the 2007 Brides Magazine/WPJA Photography Contest. Round 1 of the contest was judged by an all Pulitzer Prize winning panel and the final round of images was then judged by the Editorial Department of Brides Magazine. I feel very honored to have an image place, let alone win 1st, and to be amongst a group of very esteemed photographers.

You can link to the online article at Brides magazine here and (if you want...) you can check the news stands for the November/December Issue of Brides Magazine where the 1st place images will be featured.

Without further ado, here's the image...




It was taken at the Parker in Palm Springs right before the wedding of Mimi (wedding planner extraordinairre of Enjoy Celebrations and Occasions) and Gabe Palmer.

Here's what the judges had to say about the image, "With the bridesmaids’ backs to the camera, Moser turns a standard before-the ceremony moment into an intimate, dramatically lit portrait. The flower girls’ body language is classic kid-dom: bored but trying so hard to behave."

More exciting news is coming soon... a new website perhaps?... stay tuned!!!

And, to my clients and clients-to-be who are awaiting email/phone responses I'm almost through my stack from being gone last week. Thanks for your patience!!! Talk to you soon!

Alyssa and Steve: Married at the Newport Beach Marriott

A few weeks ago Alyssa and Steve were married at the beautiful Newport Beach Marriott. What beautiful location and a gorgeous couple. We started out with Alyssa getting ready with the ladies and then moved on to that first moment when Alyssa and Steve got to see each other for the first time. It was really sweet and I could immediately feel their nerves calm down once they held each other (and Steve saw how amazing Alyssa looked!). Their nerves turned into happy anticipation for what was to come... and we were off for our bride and groom pre-ceremony portraits.

Normally, I like to go outside for most of these... but the hotel provided so many cool spots and awesome lighting conditions that we stayed in for the most part. Once we were done, the happy couple separated again to prepare for the ceremony... have a few more drinks... and a couple more laughs.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Alyssa, Steve, and their families and friends were so welcoming and kind. Thanks for making me feel so comfortable and allowing me to capture your day. I hope you enjoy your pictures (and your first month as husband and wife!)... I can't wait to hear what you think of the ones below and in the slideshow. All my best- Natalie ;)

Right after they first saw each other...

Wow...

Loved the lighting in this hallway... doesn't Steve look handsome?

More cool hallway light and a little bit of texture...

The details were beautiful.

... as they listened to the toasts...

Alyssa's dad was so proud and happy...

... as was Steve's mom...

Finally, the rings... loved this rock!

Danielle and Rodney: Wedding at Arroyo Trabuco

Talk about a great couple and a group of people... family and friends combined. I had the pleasure to being a part of Danielle and Rodney's wedding at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club recently and it was such a fun and beautiful day. This was the first time I met these two (they live up north and we did everything by phone) so I was so excited to finally meet them. As I could tell when we talked over the phone, these two are really fun, sweet people and are so in love and excited to marry one another.

Their day was beautiful and Allyson from Arroyo Trabuco took care to make sure that the day went off without a hitch (and she did it all with a smile). The Flower Girl provided the flowers and the music was provided by Pete from Generations Entertainment. Everyone did a great job to help make Danielle and Rodney's day wonderful and very memorable.

To Danielle and Rodney- Thank you so much for inviting me into your wedding day. I had a blast with everyone and I hope that you share many more amazing memories together as husband and wife (and as mom and dad ;)). Please enjoy some of my favorite images below and check out the slideshow to help you relive your day. Talk soon! Best- Natalie

To begin, a shoe shot... ;)


These girls were having so much fun together.


Mother and son...






Danielle blowing a kiss to her dad as he gave her away...


The ceremony was very emotional.

What a beautiful venue...

I love this shot.



Check out the upper right pic below... all of the placecards were set up between wine corks... except one. That one was on a cork wrapped in a Budweiser wrapper... LOVE IT! :)





Never have I seen this at a reception... invisible double dutch... that's right an invisible jump rope (well, two invisible jump ropes)... HOW FUN!!! Seriously, we need to see more double dutch at receptions! Love the one below...
And, Rodney even got in on the action!
Finally... I leave you with a ring shot... very fun.

Darcy + Todd: Wedding at Verandas in Manhattan Beach

The lovely Darcy and Todd were recently married at Verandas in Manhattan Beach. We started off the day with Darcy getting ready at their home in Venice Beach. It's located right on the water... beautiful. They seriously could have had their wedding there. ;) But, I digress, Darcy, the girls, and her niece and nephew were on hand for some pre-wedding primping. Everyone seemed very excited and ready to get this thing started! ;) So, we were then off to the beautiful Verandas in Manhattan Beach.

What a beautiful venue (I'm excited I get to shoot there again in November)! Sara and her team from Verandas were fantastic and very attentive to every last detail. The flowers were incredible and were designed and arranged by Tom Simmons from the fantastic three bunch palms productions. Make sure you look at Darcy's cake, too... if you look carefully you'll see that the ruffles on the cake match the ruffles on her dress. I loved it!

Thanks for the great day guys. It was a beautiful wedding and I felt so fortunate to be a part of it. I can't wait to attend your future parties (sans camera... to protect the innocent! :). Congratulations!

Here's a little slide show for you to enjoy. As per usual, it goes a little quick at the end (there were just too many fun shots). So, if you want to browse more slowly... click on the little squares to the bottom right of the show when it's over.

I loved the place cards! Darcy and Todd love the craftsmen style and that was evident in these beautiful place cards.

Darcy and Todd cruising the streets after the ceremony for our fun portrait session.

Have I mentioned that I love Mexican food? Well, Poncho's seemed like the perfect backdrop...

Some of the amazing details compliments of three bunch palms productions.

Matt Sloan who was shooting with me helped me in these dance shots with some off camera lighting... I loved the effect.

Look at the love these two have... it feels so good to get to finally really enjoy the day...

And, finally... a ring shot.

Sandy and Andy: Surprise Wedding in Dana Point

I had the great pleasure of capturing Sandy and Andy's surprise wedding recently on the beach in Dana Point. They were kindly referred to me by Christine Saunders of the Spiraled Stem. (Thanks Christine!)

I was so excited about this wedding. You see, Sandy and Andy flew their family (her boys and his daughters) out from Ohio for a family vacation. But, that's not all they had planned. When they arrived on the sand I had been there for a little while. We pretended that we were going to take family pictures while we waited for the minister to arrive. The kids were a bit confused by the family picture thing but they went along with it. Then, Rev. Clint arrived... Sandy and Andy broke the news to the kids... "We're getting married... today... right now!" I've got to say... it was the most touching thing... the kids were all so excited. You could tell they couldn't wait to be officially made a family and that they all loved each other very much. After the surprise had set in a bit... the intimate ceremony started. It was truly a beautiful afternoon and I was so happy to be a part of it. Then they took advantage of the beautiful shores and lovely weather and played a bit in the water . We ended the day with some portraits, both of the family and of the newly weds.

Here's a slideshow of the ceremony and portraits.

Congratulations guys! Thanks for letting me be a part of such a special moment in your lives. Talk to you soon!The girls were surprised and thrilled!

There were other exciting things to do on the beach besides pay attention to the ceremony... like finding cool rocks! :)

I love that light... beautiful.

What a stunning family.

I love this last one... it totally captures their pure happiness. :)

Mena and AJ: Wedding at MOLAA in Long Beach

Mena and AJ were married at my new favorite venue... the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. WOW! This place is beautiful, colorful, modern and fantastic... a perfect match for Mena and AJ. This wedding was so much fun and these two are absolutely beautiful. I couldn't stop taking portraits... there are so many spots around this place... outside, by the loading dock, in the gardens, in the gallery and in the front of the building... FANTASTIC! And, the light was just perfect , too.

To Mena and AJ (and their son Nico)- I wish you and your family all the best as you take this next step. May your family be blessed and may you have many more happy memories like your wedding... filled with family, friends, and laughter. :) Lots of love and enjoy the pictures! More to come!

PS- Here's the slide show... you might think it's an interesting choice in music... but, this song is what I think of when I think of the crazy fun dancing that filled the evening... and ... I think this is Mena's dad's favorite. Enjoy! (One more thing... if you want to check out a particular image after the slide show is done, go ahead and click on the little squares at the bottom right of the window. That will bring you to the gallery and you can look until your heart is content.)

Here's that light I was talking about...

Nico wanted to be part of the action.

The gallery is so awesome...

Nico wanted to be a part of the first dance, too... or else, he might just have wanted to flirt with the photographer... who knows? ;)

The dancing didn't let up... these peeps love to party!!! ;)

Sarah + Steve: Wedding at Rancho Capistrano

I had the pleasure of being a part of Sarah and Steve's big day a few weeks ago. They are a very sweet couple... who are also... very tall! ;) Sarah and Steve were married at the beautiful Rancho Capistrano. Wow... this venue is surrounded by some truly gorgeous grounds.

The day was beautiful as was the wedding. Sarah and Steve, I hope you enjoy your preview slide show (click here to view) and some favorite images below. There's more to come. All my best to you both on the start of your lives together.

The one above... Sarah's grandma's wedding ring was sewn inside her handkerchief. It brought tears to her mom's eyes... very touching.

How cute are these two?

I loved this tree stump/chair.

The rings...

Jill and Dave: Pacific Edge, Laguna Beach

Another beautiful wedding and a great couple... Jill and Dave were married at Pacific Edge in Laguna Beach. They are a really genuine and beautiful couple, as are their families. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day, guys. I wish you all the best as you begin your married lives together. Check out a few of my favorite images from the day below and click here to view a slideshow that will help you relive the day if you were there and to be a part of it if you weren't.