Drew B Photograhy

I knew Leslie and Yashaar’s wedding was going to be awesome.  When Leslie initially told me that their wedding was to be held at the Parker Palm Springs I just about died.  The Parker is a photographer’s dream to shoot.  The quirky and vintage design is amazing.  They had awesome vendors lined up to make their day perfect.  And I knew with Leslie’s fabulous taste all of the details would be fabulous.

But, beyond all of the beautiful details and perfect location it was seeing two college sweethearts who have such an amazing love for one another finally get married that made the day perfect.  I didn’t know Leslie and Yashaar before they booked me for their wedding.  However, Leslie just happens to be part of the best sorority, Delta Delta Delta.  Leslie and Yashaar went to the University of California, Irvine and Leslie joined Tri Delt right after I already transferred to UCLA.  Her maid of honor, Cassandra, is my Lil’ Sis and most of the bridal party happened to be Tri Delts as well.  It was such a fun reunion to see all of my “sisters” all grown up, engaged, married, with babies!  It’s amazing how fast 10 years can go by.

I could tell Leslie was a bit nervous (understandably) before the ceremony.  My favorite part of the whole wedding was seeing her walk down the aisle towards her groom and seeing all of that nervousness go away.  Her eyes remained focused on Yashaar as she walked down the aisle and a huge smile came across her face.  I love that moment.  When you realize that you are really getting married to the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Congratulations, Leslie and Yashaar!  I hope you are having an amazing time in Kauai!  Here’s your slideshow!

I’m sure all of you shoe lovers will recognize these shoes.  They are the shoes Carrie leaves in the closet from the Sex and the City movie (except in silver, not blue).  Be jealous ladies, very jealous!

Brides, I can’t stress how important it is to not only have a talented makeup artist, but also one that is able to stay on schedule!  It really sucks when your makeup and hair artists cause you to be an hour late and you miss pictures (yes, I am speaking from experience!).  Nicole Deanne is both an awesome makeup artist and she finished EARLY!  Thanks, Nicole for keeping us on schedule and for making the ladies look beautiful!!!

Leslie’s florist, Shannon G, was the same florist who did my own wedding flowers!

Leslie’s nephew took a few minutes away from watching Dora to give her some love

I love how all of Leslie’s bridemaids bouquets were different!

If you’ve been to Palm Springs before you know why the groomsmen ties are so awesome!

I’m not going to lie. I wasn’t sure this wedding was ever going to happen. Their first wedding date was September 5, 2009. And they actually did get married that day. But, not at the beautiful church that Cristina has been attending since she was a child. And they did not get to have the lavish reception that they had planned. That first wedding was held in the ICU at UCLA so that Cristina’s dad could witness his little girl get married.

They pushed back the wedding date once again to Thanksgiving Day weekend in hopes that Cristina’s dad would be well enough to attend that wedding. But, just a week before the wedding I got the call that he wasn’t going to be well enough so they asked if they could push it back one more time. April 10, 2010. To give her dad lots of time to recover. Cristina couldn’t imagine getting married without her dad there.

I got an email from Cristina in January confirming the April date for their wedding. I asked how her dad was. Almost knowing in my heart what the answer was going to be. Cristina’s dad passed away in early December. I was so sad for Cristina and her family. But, she assured me that they were doing fine.

The days leading up to Cristina and Mike’s wedding the weather forecast called for rain. Then the rain disappeared from the forecast and it was supposed to be cloudy and cold. All I wanted for Cristina and Mike was a perfect wedding day after everything that they had been through. And the weather ended up being perfect. Sunny and warm. I can’t help but think that was Cristina’s dad had something to do with that.

Cristina didn’t want to get to married without her dad there, and she didn’t have to. He was there the whole time. From the poem that was found in her dad’s desk and read by Cristina’s sister, to the amazing and emotional toast that Mike gave, and the first dance with her mom to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” he was there celebrating with his amazing family that has been through so much in the past year.

Congratulations, Cristina and Mike! I’m so, so, so happy you were finally able to have your dream wedding. It was an amazing day and I was so happy to be apart of it! Here’s your slideshow.

PS Thank you to the awesome Denise Bovee for referring her cousin to me!

Flowers By Sharen

The reception was held at Calamigos Equestrian Center in Burbank.  Beautiful venue and great staff to work with!

I love happy accidents!

Very, very emotional toast by Mike.  Not a dry eye in the room.

One of the best toasts I’ve ever heard by one of the Maids of Honor, Cristina’s sister.  The toast included the Eight Clap.  If you don’t know what the Eight Clap is then you’re not cool

Cristina’s mom and sisters found a poem in Cristina’s father’s desk that he intended to read at the reception.  A very special and very emotional moment.

I can’t get through the mother/son dance without crying.  I lose it EVERY. SINGLE.  TIME.  Can’t help but think that will be me and my little boy one day.

Did you know that DrewB Photography has a Facebook page? I post sneak peeks of all my sessions there as well as announcements and casting calls. Come on over and join so you can be one of the first to know new and exciting news!

I’ve been busy working on my new Mom*tog guide! Here’s a shot of cute, little (well, not so little because he’s a chunky monkey!) Baby Liam that I got during one of the shoots for the guide. I just love that little guy!