I LOVE WEDDINGS!!!! And, coordinating Jen & Chris’ wedding was a great reminder for me why they are so special. And yes, I could scream from the top of my lungs how much I truly LOVE them. I mean who wouldn’t!?!?! They are such happy days…
I met Jen a few months ago through her sister Laura, who is a dear friend of mine. It is ALWAYS such an honor to be referred for weddings. To be honest, that is mostly how I get my clients…
When Jen booked me she had most of the venders secured for her special day and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be out of my element a bit up in LA (I know, I know.. I am an OC girl, but it was nice to be up around my good ol’ stomping grounds near SC).. well as you have it, both Jen & Chris went to USC and are fellow Trojans… ‘SC even had a small part in their wedding…
The day started out at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown LA. It had been awhile since I had been to this hotel, and I was reminded upon arriving why. There was a protest happening in downtown and it seriously took me 30 minutes to get off the 110 freeway and get to the hotel, which is only about 2 miles off the freeway. I was so frustrated, but truly grateful I had allowed so much time to get there… Anyway, the hotel is gorgeous and very regal. I felt as if I was stepping back into the late 40’s, as the hotel basically transports you back to that time period. Because we knew the hotel was beautiful and sweet, Jen & Chris decided to have a special moment and meet before the ceremony.
It was such a smart move on their part because Eric, a Jim Kennedy Photographer and in my opinion one of the best ones there is, captured such amazing photos here at the hotel and then also at the pre-ceremony photo shoot with all Jen & Chris’ family and bridal party.
By the time their ceremony began, which was at the First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, all of their formal photos were done! Amazing!
That left so much time after the ceremony for them to spend at their private cocktail hour with their bridal party in the penthouse of the reception, and, for Eric to capture some very crazy, fun, and artistic shots of the two newlyweds…
After the ceremony, guests made the trek back to downtown to one of LA’s hidden gems, the Cicada Restaurant. This place is gorgeous.. from the wood paneled walls, to the brillant chandalier, to the inviting lounge… it was truly a picturesque setting for Jen & Chris’ hollywood-glam wedding. It also didn’t hurt that Jen has imaculate taste and the flower arrangements, by none other than Jenny B, were seemless, white and simply gorgeous! The room did take your breath away and created a great backdrop for guests to dance the night away to Doug and his crew, the Rembrandt band, who were great. The guests were so impressed by the Rembrant that they did at least one oncore performance… Fun was had by all!
Thanks Jen & Chris for letting me be a part of your special day. It truly was a blessing!
Oh, I also need to give a special thanks to Tiffany, a student at USC, who interned for me at this event as was SUCH a huge help. And my sister, who flew all the way in from Texas, to assist me at this wedding. Couldn’t have done it without you sis! Love you!