James & Claire: “A guy walks into a bar…” and Finds True Love

Today I reminded why I do what I do.  I love everything about LOVE!  I love witnessing the bliss couples experience before and during their wedding.  Claire and James could not be a more perfect couple to sum up how wonderful it is to find your soul mate.  This couple is as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside, and that is hard to top!  I loved hearing their story about how they met.  Before writing this blog post I asked Claire to send over a few extra details that I could add to the blog.  I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from James instead, below are all the sweet details written by a man in-love…

James and Claire met early in 2007, when James headed to the Shamrock Bar in Newport Beach for a quick beer. Little did he know that he would meet the woman of his dreams, who would later become his wife. Claire and her friend Lauren were also at the bar, when Lauren offered to buy a beer for James and the three struck up a conversation. Their conversation flowed easily, and James and Claire realized they had mutual friends in common. In fact, James’ roommate Dave went to the same high school as Claire. At the end of the night, James asked Claire for her number, figuring that Claire probably gave him a fake one. When James later mentioned to Dave that he met a girl from Dave’s former high school, Dave laughed and said, “Good luck dude; that girl will never date you.” Dave proceeded to tell James that Claire was the senior class president of their high school in Newport, and she would probably never date him because James was not from Newport Beach.

Thankfully that was not the end of the story, as James and Claire finally reconnected after she returned from a trip. Their first date was to The Cannery restaurant in Newport Beach on January 25, 2007.

For James and Claire’s engagement shoot, we visited Longshadow Ranch Winery in Temecula. This is a beautiful, rustic property with a winery, barns and horse stables.  If you haven’t been wine tasting here, I highly recommend it.  It is nothing like the other wineries, I love the laid back atmosphere and the wine is phenomenal!

We had soo much fun during this shoot.  Claire and James were such great sports and were willing to change outfits three times and continue taking pictures even though it was FREEZING!  I love it when a bride brings her whole closet for me to pick outfits from.  We had a great time picking shoes jewelry and dresses.

James and Claire will be married at the beautiful Los Angeles Country Club on August 18, 2012. Their ceremony will be in a gorgeous patch of pine trees nestled at the end of one of the golf courses, with the reception located inside of the country club.  I can’t wait for the big day, I know it will be spectacular!

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2011 Highlights

2011 was filled with beautiful brides, dashing grooms, fun families, new babies, happily engaged couples, and more.  Enjoy these highlights from 2011!

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Enter to Win!

This week we have an exciting contest happening:  Enter to win a $50 Nordstrom’s Gift Card!  See the flyer below for all of the details.  Be sure to follow this blog and “like” us on Facebook, as well as follow us on Twitter.  All entries must be submitted through the official Leah Marie Photography Facebook page. Simply send a message (through that page) for each entry you have completed. Contest ends January 31st.  Good luck!

Wine, geese, stilettos, an orchard and a love that started in radio…

I am convinced that I have the best job in the world!  I am blessed to work with amazing couples that are enjoying the best time of their lives.   Mike and Sarah are the perfect example of this.  We had a blast getting chased by angry geese, me stepping in manuer, and Sarah almost falling off the bike after hiking in 5 inch heels.  It’s amazing what we will do for a great shot!

Mike and Sarah met while working at a radio station years ago. They worked as a great team and had so much fun together being silly, producing commercials together that they realized quick that not only did they work great together but they had so much in common. Soon, Mike asked Sarah out on a date and took her to Temecula’s wine country. Throughout the day they fell more and more in love with each other.

FAMILY PHOTO!  How cute are their puppies!?!

Five years later on June 4, 2011 Mike proposed to Sarah at the same winery (Bella Vista Winery) where they fell in love at on their first date. With a gorgeous view of wine country in the background and wild ducks from the pond watching, Mike asked Sarah to marry him and spend the rest of their lives together. Mike and Sarah are engaged now and are set to marry July 21, 2012 at Villa De Amore Vineyard in Temecula.

I had never been to Bella Vista Winery before… it is super cute and quaint.  Just found out it was the 1st winery EVER her in Temecula.  Just to warn you… they do have geese that hang out (at the pond below) and there are a few that are MEAN.  I can now say that I have been chased by geese while on a photo shoot.

Oh… another down-side to this winery.  Right after I took this picture I stepped back into a big pile of manure.   LOVELY!Even dormant vines are cool!Here we are at the fabulous South Coast Winery. While waiting for Sarah and Mike to arrive I chatted with the bouncer, of course I wanted to know all the crazy stories that happen when folks get shnockered.  My favorite was the nude guy playing in the fountain. AWESOME!I knew Sarah and I were going to get along great when she opened her trunk to reveal an entire closet worth of accessories and outfit options.  Check out those heels!  She’s my kind of girl. ) 

Can’t wait for the big day!  Sarah and Mike will be getting married at the FABULOUS Villa De Amore.

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Have a wonderful week!!

-Leah

Soccer + Surfing + Surprise proposal = Summer wedding

Engagement season is in full swing!  Congratulations to everyone who got engaged over the holiday break!

I met Patrick and Samantha in beautiful Del Mar.  It didn’t take long for them to shine in front of my camera.  I loved hearing how their love began.  Here is their story in Samantha’s words:

Patrick and I worked together at Enterprise and this is where our love began. One night the men’s soccer team was short on players, so I came to help out and play.   I actually assisted two of pat’s goals that game. We grabbed beers after the game and became really good friends.  A year later, he asked me out for Valentines Day and I of course said yes! We went to the Crab Catcher in La Jolla for dinner that night and the rest is history.

He proposed on August 5th on the beach at 15th street in Del Mar. It was his birthday weekend and he wanted to surf that night after work. I watched him surf, like I sometimes do, not expecting what was going to happen. When he came out of the water, we watched the sunset and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He hid the ring in his wetsuit pocket and took it out surfing with him so I would least expect him to propose. After that, we went up to En Fuego where all of our friends were waiting for us to celebrate our engagement. I was so surprised by it all!

Stay tuned for their wedding photos, Samantha and Patrick will be tying the Knot at Villa De Amore in the beautiful Temecula Wine Country.

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Laguna Beach + Puppy + Diamonds = The best proposal EVER!

Engagement season has officially begun!  I love getting to know a couple before the actual wedding day.  It’s great practice for the couple and I love getting to know them in a more relaxed environment.  I had the privilege of meeting Dustin and Kristin last week and  I immediately knew they were going to be a blast to photograph.  They had great chemistry and I could tell they adored each other.  My favorite part was hearing how they were engaged (guys take notes.) Here is the engagement in Kristin’s words:

It was a Saturday morning and Dustin had told me he had to work. It turns out he took the whole weekend off and planned a trip without me even knowing! We spent the day Saturday wine tasting and relaxing. That night he had booked a hotel in Laguna Beach (where we first met). We had an amazing dinner at Salt Creek Grill and there was actually a wedding reception taking place at the restaurant while we were there.
The next day we drove to Salt Creek Beach in Laguna. This is one of our favorite beaches. We had a picnic with some wine, cheese, and crackers; very tasty. Dustin mentioned he had to use the restroom and he left for a bit.
The next time I turned around to look for him he had a puppy in his arms. I was confused, shocked, and excited all at the same time. It was just moments before he left that I was telling him how much I wished we had our own dog sitting with us.
I got up and walked towards him and I didn’t even know what to think. Did he just ask someone if he could show me their puppy? Is this our puppy? Where in the world was the puppy hiding?! There were so many things running through my head that I did not even think to look at her collar.
Once he told me that she was OUR puppy I was so excited that I turned away from him and went to go sit down with her. Right before I turned away from him he was reaching in his back pocket (I didn’t even notice this at the time). He follows me back to our blanket and asks me if I looked at her collar. In my head I was thinking, “no I haven’t looked at her collar! I’m too busy looking at her cute face.”
I finally look at her collar and the tag is in the shape of a heart and it says “Will you marry me?” Then it hits me that he has had this entire weekend planned around this proposal the whole time. I was already sitting down at this point and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes!

Dustin & Kristin will be getting married at the fabulous Villa De Amore in Temecula, Ca.  I’m excited for the big day!!

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Kevin & Ashlee: Santa Barbara+blue skies+true love

Kevin and Ashlee’s wedding was a wonderful way to end the 2011 wedding season.  They were my 148th wedding and I feel so blessed to have captured every last one.  As I look back on the past year I realize that I am truly a hopeless romantic.  I caught myself wiping tears as I watched Ashlee’s brother break down crying when he hugged his sister before she walked down the isle.  It never gets old seeing a grooms face light up the first time he sees his bride, or a father and daughter hold each other tight during their dance, or a mother beam with pride as her little boy kisses her at the end of the isle.  The day represents all that life is about: love, commitment, God and family.  Thank you everyone that has allowed me to capture these precious moments.

As I drove up the coast that morning I was amazed by the beautiful crisp blue skies, we couldn’t have asked for better weather.  The wedding was held at the Fess Parker Hilton In Santa Barbara.  Kevin had built the chuppah they were married under himself, I love what the Chuppah represents.

The floral arrangements were soo beautiful!  I loved the fall colors mixed with the beach backdrop.

A photo shoot isn’t fun unless you risk your life…

 

Ever since meeting Ashlee and Kevin I have discovered we all go to the same church, my husband has known Ashlee’s family for years, and my best friend is Ashlee’s esthetician.  Such a small world!  I’m excited to see them more often and I’m even more excited to see all that God does in their marriage.

Congratulations Kevin & Ashlee!!!

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Josh + Eliza- A beautiful couple, a beautiful future

I was honored when Josh asked me to photograph he and Eliza’s big day.  Thanks to Facebook I was able to follow their courtship, engagement and updates as they planned their trip to California for their wedding. I loved seeing the updates of all the fun dates and trips that they went on together as they enjoyed their courtship in Colorado.  Since they both were raised in Temecula they decided to have their wedding at the beautiful Pala Mesa Resort.  It was a gorgeous day filled with lots of friends, family and love.

Josh and Eliza I am so excited for the new life you are starting in Colorado.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your big day.  May God continue to bless your life together!

 

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Naomi & Jason’s beautiful wedding on the bay

It was a beautiful day in San Diego. Sunny with a breeze .  What made the day even more beautiful was the bride and groom I was about to photograph.  I met Naomi and Jason a year and a half ago when I shot their engagement photos.  They were officially the farthest in advance I had ever booked a wedding.  It seemed like an eternity waiting for their date to arrive.  They were such a fun couple and I couldn’t wait for their big day.

Naomi was a stunning bride.  I love her style and all the creative details she put into the wedding. As you can tell she has an infectious smile… Jason is a lucky guy!

Jason looking oh so dapper.  Thanks for being such a good sport Jason!

The girls all had statement rings. Love little details like that.

Naomi and Jason decided to have their first look before the ceremony.  I love it when couples do this!  It’s a great way to have your first moment on your wedding day alone and private.  There is no rush with photos and the best part is you then get to enjoy the cocktail hour with your guests!

The wedding took place at the Admiral Kidd Club in San Diego.  I love this venue!

Yum!  I’m getting hungry for a cupcake right now.

Congratulations Jason & Naomi!  It was an honor to be a part of your big day.

Thanks for stopping by!!

-Leah

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Baby + Amore

I know it’s been a while since I posted on my blog.  I promise I have a good excuse.  On September 28th we welcomed baby Grace into our family.  Her brother and sister are excited to have her here and she has adjusted well to the chaos of our home. Thank you to everyone who sent their well wishes.

As if there wasn’t enough change happening, that same week I met with the owners of Villa De Amore, a stunning wedding venue in Temecula wine country.  I was honored that they asked me to be a photographer for their all inclusive wedding package… I gladly accepted.  I am excited to join their team and start a new chapter in my business.  If you know anyone who is getting married have them check out Villa De Amore, it’s amazing!

Here is a glimpse of the venue.  A big thanks to Elisse and Kyle for being my models!

The home has a beautiful getting ready room for the girls.  I love the blue walls, it photographs so well!The guys get to enjoy a room with a pool table and a gorgeous view of the vineyard.   

How stunning is that walkway surrounded by trees?! I love all the beautiful backdrops!This is where the cocktail hour is held.  Once again, a beautiful view of the rolling hills of vines. Stunning!At Villa De Amore you will find crosses everywhere.  In-fact, there is a gallery  inside the home with  old rustic hand made crosses and pottery.  I love the uniqueness of this venue, there is nothing like it in wine country.There are endless spots to take photos.  The iron gates are amazing and I love the fountain area that overlooks the sun setting on the mountains. So romantic!