Kaiti and Jakes’s Wedding – Proud Marine and Loving Beauty Marry in Hyatt Valencia Rose Garden

Posted on May 30, 2011 by rnrfoto

We previously featured this loving couple with their puppy Tucker in their engagement portraits at Vasquez Rocks. We knew their wedding would be a wonderful day surrounded with friends and family from all over the country. The bridal party was filled with Marines celebrating with their brother and friend- and boy do they know how to party. We could not fight the feeling all day long that Kaiti & Jake were meant to be- from the joy on both of their faces as they exchanged vows to the tender way they treated each other.

Considering how many times we have done getting ready shots of brides in rooms at the Hyatt, it was amazing that on Kaiti & Jake’s wedding day their suite had a perfect view of the American flag in front of the Hyatt. We were so excited to be able to capture the dress with the flag flapping in the wind behind it. The red Rolls Royce was the perfect color coordinated surprise for photos after the beautiful ceremony in the rose garden at the Hyatt Valencia. R & R Creative Photography has enjoyed the pleasure of photographing events at the Hyatt since they opened.

We are dedicating this post today in honor of Memorial Day with Gratitude for all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country and appreciation to all those who continue to serve. Thank you for allowing us the pleasure of meeting all of you and your wonderful families and the privilege of creating these memories for you. We will not forget you.

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Amanda & Ryan’s Santa Barbara Courthouse and Leadbetter Beach Ultimate Engagement Session

Posted on May 28, 2011 by rnrfoto

We were looking forward to a Monday afternoon getaway from the studio to Santa Barbara for an engagement session. We had not shot at the Santa Barbara Courthouse in several years and remembered it fondly and Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara is one of our favorite beaches. So, we knew we were in for an awesome day! We had diligently been checking the weather forcast to make sure it wasn’t too cold or windy and everything looked perfect. There was a great surprise at the end of the day that we could not have even imagined.

We met Mandi and Ryan downtown near the courthouse and they were ready to go with lots of great clothing options and changes. We kept teasing this dedicated nurse and hunky paramedic that they were like Barbie & Ken- adorable, beautiful, handsome and ready to play! So play we did- exploring every nook and cranny of the courthouse, capturing the incredible warm light at the end of the day on the beach, and climbing up and down the rocks to get just the right shots. They were game for anything, and not afraid to get just a little wet. The only thing that stopped us after hours of shooting was the setting sun and wet clothing. Wow! We could not wait to work on these images and we hope you like the creative effects we used on them. We are sure they will end up on the R & R Creative Photography website in the near future.

Ryan casually asked us at the car what our plans were next. We said we would probably get a bite to eat and head back across the 126 towards home. Ryan asked if we would like to join them for dinner at a steakhouse nearby that they had reservations at. Of course we accepted, who wouldn’t want to spend more time with this couple? The surprise was that they were taking us to dinner at the renowned restaurant- The Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch. This nearby steakhouse is in fact (we later found out when we went home and googled this extraordinary delight) quite famous and has received the Diner’s Choice Award as one of the 50 best restaurants in the United States, as well as one of the most romantic restaurants by Travel & Leisure Magazine. This was an amazingly generous surprise, from a very special couple that we will never forget. Thank you again!

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Kelsey & Chris’s Fantasy Wedding at Ponte Vineyards in Temecula- The Ultimate Destination Wedding

Posted on May 27, 2011 by rnrfoto

Talk about it being a small world. We first met Kelsey Schmidt when she was a bridesmaid in Yesenia & Duane Miller’s Wedding In October, 2009. Yesenia is Myra Harbour from Celebrate’s daughter. Kelsey’s mom Cindy Schmidt was also our granddaughter Lilly’s kindergarten teacher at Old Orchard at the time. Cindy told me at Yesenia & Duane’s wedding that she thought a proposal was on the horizon and that we would be talking soon- because she knew only three things about Kelsey’s wedding for sure…1- that it would be to Christopher Yonan, 2-that we would be the photographers, and 3- that Myra from Celebrate would be doing the invitations and flowers. The where and when were unknown at this point. The proposal came soon thereafter and we had the pleasure of planning together for the next year.

We were thrilled when they selected Ponte Vineyards in Temecula as the venue for this destination wedding. We headed to Temecula on Friday to scout the location and get ready for the big day. It was everything you could possibly imagine; almost like a dream come true. From the beautiful suite of rooms at the South Coast Winery Resort next door to Ponte, to the details (check out the Mrs. Yonan custom hanger and the Mr. & Mrs. signs on the back of their chairs), to the spectacular flowers from Celebrate, along with two of the most appreciative, delighted families and one of the most outgoing, fun loving bridal parties we have seen; it was an amazing weekend. We ran into couples whose weddings we are doing in the upcoming year, lots of old friends and clients who we didn’t even realize knew Kelsey & Chris, and met lots of new friends. We hated to go home when it was over and look forward to sharing the memories with this wonderful group. The comments on the first Facebook image post we did were very touching to us. After thirty years of wedding photography we are thrilled to be so excited about what we do and have our client’s share their delight with us. Thank you all from all of us at R & R Creative Photography!

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Alison & Tony’s Fun Engagement Session at 3rd Street Promenade & Santa Monica Pier

Posted on May 27, 2011 by rnrfoto

You know it’s going to be a great engagement sitting when the couple is on time, in the right location, wearing coordinated clothing, and brings along with them a file folder full of ideas-including an ampersand that Alison custom-created and made-by-hand to execute a shot she had in mind. What more can your photographers ask for? It was a beautiful evening in Santa Monica and we got to window shop, listen to street music, people watch, drink Starbucks, eat cotton candy, play on the beach, and create these incredible images. That’s what we consider FUN! We hope you enjoy these romantic images that captured Alison & Tony’s personality along with the surroundings of one of their favorite places to hang out.

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Audrey & Jeff’s Fairytale Wedding Has San Fernando Valley Heads Turning

Posted on May 4, 2011 by rnrfoto

Audrey was one of the most organized and detail-oriented brides ever. From her sparkly dancing shoes to the amazing orchid bouquet, she planned her wedding to Jeff meticulously for over a year.

What Audrey did not know was that her parents had listened to their only daughter very carefully over the years. They knew that her perfect wedding would include a Cinderella-style horse-drawn carriage to carry her and her Prince Charming away after a traditional church ceremony.

It was quite a feat to to pull off both the surprise to Audrey & Jeff and to find a carriage company willing to park in front of Our Lady of Grace on Ventura Blvd. in Encino. But her parents were determined. They alerted us the day before the wedding and we were ready.

The look on Audrey’s face as she got a peek outside the church door during the recessional was priceless. What followed was overwhelming for everyone in attendance. Traffic stopped momentarily on Ventura Blvd., heads turned, horns honked, onlookers waved, and the couple was jubilant. So were the photographers!

We want to give her parents Sandra and Victor a special thank you for letting us know this was going to happen…we know where your daughter got her planning skills.