As a photographer I have mental list of things and places I would love to shoot. I should really turn it into a written list, but for now it’s just mental, and high on that list was shooting a backyard wedding. Really high. I just love the idea of celebrating at home, probably because some of my favorite memories have been made at home, laughing on the couch, a group effort making dinner in the kitchen, henna-ing outside by the pool. Home is really important to me so a backyard wedding is soooo my speed. When Whitney asked me to second shoot Chelsea & Alex’s wedding with her, I was absolutely thrilled. A ceremony at Wayfarer’s Chapel in Palos Verdes, then back home for a reception in the back yard. Perfection.

I started the morning hanging out with the guys, Alex was totally calm and collected all morning.

The girls arrived at the Wayfarers Chapel to finish getting ready, and before Chelsea put her dress on she read a sweet note from Alex.

Chelsea asked her two best friends to stand beside her on her wedding day, the 3 of them have been friends for years but they were soon going separate ways for college and life in general. Chelsea got them each this bracelet each circle represents each girl and how they will always be together no matter how much distance there is between them. I’m a total sap. Love that.

I live SO close to Wayfarers Chapel, and this was my first time being asked to shoot there. I was crazy excited. ;]

Ok, I have wanted to shoot a backyard wedding for yeeeeeears!! So I was crazy excited for Chelsea & Alex’s day to come! It was like, the backyard wedding of all backyard weddings. I was in total detail heaven!

In. Love.

Oh off camera flash, why was I afraid of you for so long? ;]