I first met Gretchen at Sarah and Reve’s wedding in September. She worked for Brenda Swann as her assistant. But there is sad news. Gretchen left So Cal for the warm (ha! joke) Chicago. Good thing I fly to Chicago a few times a year or else I would be extra sad!

Gretchen’s hubby Jason is in the military and he was overseas for a long time. Not sure how long, but as long as I have known Gretchen! 😉 He was home for some R&R so we grabbed him to get some fun Trash the Dress shots before the big move!

I liked Gretchen from the moment I met her because she always welcomed me with a huge smile and a warm hug!

Here is there happy little family!

awwww Zoey!!

This is one of my many favs from the session downtown San Diego!

Gretchen, we miss you madly!!!
xoxo, M
ps Big thanks to Brenda for coming out to watch Zoey!!!

Ann knew me in my awkward stage.  If I had a photo of me during those years, I would post it, but I have good reason to believe they have all been burned.

Well, not all of them.  Ann kept the copies and proudly displayed them (along with others from her life) at her wedding.  When I showed Nic the photo of Ann and myself at 14 years old he asked “Who is that”?  Yeah, you can say we’ve changed a lot.

I admit this wedding was an extra special one for me.  With Ann being one of my oldest friends and Kyle being her PERFECT match, I got extra emotional at the ceremony.  I’m just glad that I wasn’t facing Ann, I would have really lost it!

We started out at the US Grant Hotel downtown

Both Ann and Kyle have quite a few nieces and nephews. Maddie and Ashley are two of the many! 

Because it gets dark so early in the Winter, Ann and Kyle decided to see each other beforehand to take all their photos.  Ann’s nerves calmed as soon as she was headed to see her love!

Wowzers!

The ceremony site at the Prado was just beautiful! Lauren-Michele Seals presided over the vows. 

Can you believe this fabulous cake??

Seeing her black and pink theme made me re-think my own wedding colors! (Don’t worry Mom, no major changes this late in the game!)

Mmmm who can resist white chocolate chips??

Ann and Kyle, I love you two very much and am so glad you are part of my life.  I feel priveledged that you wanted me as part of your big day!  You two totally deserve each other, I look up to both of you for the amazing relationship and bond you have together. 

XOXO,

M

BIG thank you to my wonderful assistants from last Saturday, Vanessa and Nic!  You two rock, its always a pleasure hanging out…I mean working with you!  

Enjoy the slideshow!!

Last Saturday was cold. And not throw on your sweatshirt and drink cocoa cold. It was, if you don’t have a scarf and mittens your limbs might fall off, cold.

Ok I might be exaggerating.  But this California girl isn’t used to the Midwest weather anymore!

The wedding was held at the church where Dana grew up.  She actually went all through 8th grade at the school where they got ready and held the reception!

Dana was very calm the whole day, even while getting her hair and makeup done!

Love colored shoes!

Since they got ready in the school, I went along with the theme!

Abby, Dana and Hattie!

And the handsome groom, Kyle.  We have known each other for about 4 years now.  He is actually a photographer as well!

This was all the groomsmen idea!  They had a fun time with this stop sign! 

Bobby, Kyle and Lonnie.

Uniting.

I convinced them we had to go outside for at least 5 minutes.  In between shots, Lonnie (the groomsman) had a fleece blanket that he would wrap around Dana!  You can see it in the slideshow!

See..it was worth the cold! 😉

I had such a fun time during my 4 days in Indiana.  I love seeing different parts of the country.  Thank you to Dana and Kyle for having complete faith in me!  I wish you two the happiest life together and I will see you in a month when you visit Cali!

xoxo, M

ps Big thanks to Alicia for driving down to shoot with me!

Enjoy your Slideshow!