Moonrise Kingdom Theme 1st Birthday Party!

So excited to have my Sweetsie Pea's Moonrise Kingdom theme birthday party featured on Grey Likes Baby! They are one of my favorite blogs out there. Pinch me.

You can see the feature here on Grey Likes Baby.

-or-

stick around here and see more photos.

Special thanks to Jenny from Boxed Heart Design for making my vision a reality. You are the best! xo, Rachel

Kristianne & Joe :: An Orcutt Ranch West Hills Wedding

I am so happy that I have blogged! It's been a minute. Featured today is Kristianne and Joe's colorful wedding at the lovely Orcutt Ranch in West Hills, CA. Their vibrant colors were only surpassed by Kristianne's personality. She was so happy all day. Can you blame her? She was marrying her handsome soul mate of a man, Joe, in front off all their closest friends and family. I myself felt part of the family as her Maid of Honor was one of my past brides, so I was familiar with many people there already. Plus, Kristianne's tribe is just so friendly anyone would feel instantly welcome.

I have many favorite things to share about this wedding.  I loved how the day was so emotional before the ceremony even got started. We did a tearful First Look with the couple and one as well with Kristianne's awesome dad, Mark! It was so touching. I'd love to do First Looks with fathers more often. I also loved how all the bridesmaids made a special homemade dessert of their own, as if their super hugemongous cupcake tower wasn't super delicious in its self. But, my favorite thing of all was all the love, tears and laughter that was shared that day. Thank you Kristianne and Joe for having me be a part of it!

Vendor love:

♥ Venue - Orcutt Ranch

♥ Rentals -Party Connoisseur

♥ Hair/make-up - Desiree AnnMarie Ponce

♥ Cake/cupcake tower - Nikki Duschinsky

♥ Day of Coordinator - Nyleen Viegas 

♥ Caterers -  Stone Fire Grill

♥ Coffee cart- Bon Cafetit 

♥ Bar- Sunseri's

♥ Brides dress/Bridesmaids dresses - David's Bridal 

♥ Grooms suit/Groomsen suits- Friar Tux

♥ Photo Assistant - Gio Barot

Tina & Sean :: A St Ferdinand Church & Castaway Burbank Wedding

When I first met Tina & Sean that little voice in my head saying, "Oh please pick me!" was deafening. For me it's important to have a connection with my clients and with these two I felt it. Although, I do suspect anyone that meets them can't help but to like them instantly. I especially loved the fact that they are high school sweethearts as I am blessed to be so happily married to mine. The love they have for each other was so apparent I just HAD to be the one to capture it. Thanks again Tina and Sean for picking me! Such an honor.

The day of the wedding was lovely. Sun was shining and the excitement was palpable. I started shooting Tina at her parents lovely home while my second shooter, David Sno, captured Sean at his family home. One of the unique moments of the day was that Tina and Sean chose to do a blindfolded prayer together before the actual ceremony at St. Ferdinand's Church. It was very sweet and emotional. I have done many First Looks before but this one was different and special to the couple.

Another one of my favorite aspects of course was their lightsaber grand entrance at The Castaway in Burbank. BEST GRAND ENTRANCE EVER. My geeky heart was a flutter. Check out Sean's cool geek chic AT-AT cufflinks as well. Enough of my rambling, please just see the photos to get more of a sense of this amazing day. There were so many lovely details and emotional moments at this wedding it was impossible to include them all.

Congrats to the perfect couple Tina and Sean! xo, Rachel

Blindfolded prayer

Ceremony took place at St Ferdinand Church.

Live long and prosper salute! I didn't even ask them to do this. Such a fun group.

Those colors!

Gotta love the AT-AT cufflinks.

Loving the stripey sock and TOMS shoes combo!

Cutie pies!

This is my favorite pic of these two from the day.

So many beautiful details at their Castaway reception.

The engagement photo featured was taken at Griffith Park. You can see more here.

Lightsaber salute grand entrance!!

First dance.

Emotional father/daughter & mother/son dances. Gets me every time.

 And they lived happily ever after in a galaxy far, far away...