Janessa & Rob: "till death do us part... is for quitters"

When my good friend and extremely talented stylist, Shannen Ebert and I were working on a photoshoot project, we decided that we would use the effervescent Janessa as our model.  From ska band singer, to roller derby doll, to choir director, Janessa is involved in so many cool things.  Not only that, she's a whole lot of fun to photograph.  We had such a great time on our lifestyle photoshoot in 2011, so when I heard she was getting married, I was dying to photograph the celebration.

Before meeting Rob it was tough to imagine the man who would hold his own with a personally as big and spark as bright as Janessa's.  But after having such a great time taking their engagement photos in Balboa Park earlier this year, it was clear that the two compliment each other beautifully.  Both are so much fun, and both make each other laugh, which is the recipe for a happy life as far as I'm concerned.

Janessa and Rob were married at Cuvier Park in La Jolla (a.k.a "the wedding bowl") - and Janessa got ready for the big day at the beautiful, historic Grande Colonial Hotel nearby.  Their reception was held at Marina Village in Mission Bay.

Shannen completes the finishing touches

I just love Janessa's pin up look!

Beautiful!!

Janessa and Rob opted to see each other before the ceremony, so we were able to capture their 'first look' and get some formal photos of the two of them before guests arrived.

There were so many personal touches in this wedding.  First off, Janessa and her bridesmaids did their own flowers - some of the most beautiful DIY I think I've seen.  And check out Rob's attire.  Loving the trinity knot in his tie - and who knew hops would look so good in a boutonniere!

Ooh la la!

Rob takes a moment to center himself before the ceremony

Rob surveys the scene just before the ceremony starts

Ring bearers

Note the milk and cookies -- instead of a sand or candle ceremony, Janessa and Rob did a 'milk and cookie' ceremony, emphasizing the importance of two great individuals being even better together, complimenting each other, as opposed to the concept of 'two becoming one'.  I loved it!

The officiant (Janessa's former band mate) serenaded the couple with an original song written for the occasion.

They look pretty darn happy to me!

I mentioned earlier that Janessa is a choir director.  Her students performed for the ceremony - it was perfect.

A few fun details from the reception - love the personalized rocks

Janessa and Rob's slogan "till death do us part is for quitters" lent itself beautifully to a Dia De Los Muertos theme for the ceremony.  What a fun cake!

Rob and Janessa - when I heard you were getting married, I knew that the wedding would be unique and filled with fun details and even more fun people.  It was all that and more and I'm so happy that we were able to help you to capture it.  Dick and I had a great time!  (we should hang out sometime)

Janessa, Rob and friends barely escape disaster!

Liya and Jed: Hollywood glamour meets rock n roll

It's a modern love story.  Fed up with the dating scene she opened the match.com account.  At this point, she knew what she wanted (and more clearly what she did not want) and laid it all out, loud and clear, in her profile.  At first this approach didn't have the results she'd hoped for and after turning down multiple jerks, and deleting more than enough negative comments, she was just about to cancel her match.com membership... when she found his note in her spam folder.  This one had promise.

Next step was to introduce him to her little girl, and when Emma (who never shares her food) offered him a bite and called him "Jeddy" she was sure he was a keeper.  The rest was history as they say.

So - what was the wedding like?  Take one part Marilyn Monroe, add in a little rock n roll, throw in a twist of San Diego coastal sunshine, and you'll come pretty close to describing this celebration.  These two, and their families, had a great time at the beautiful Bali Hai in San Diego and we were so happy to have been there to help capture it.

Liya had selected adorable shoes both for the ceremony and reception.  The reception shoes on the right, she says, are the comfortable ones.  ;-)

Can we say pin-up?

Q: are you a kitty cat?
A: no!  I'm a person.

What little girl wouldn't want to try a walk in those shoes?!

Love the hydrangea bouquets - so unique!

Liya asked that the flowers in the bouquet form a heart shape.  So cute!

There are no words...

I bet this photo with her brother turned out great!

More photos of our stunning bride.

Now - I have to comment in advance - the cake artistry here was so exquisite that I'm going to show you several photos.  Easily amazing enough to win any TV cake making contest as far as I'm concerned.

The base of the cake, surrounded by "sand" made of sugar and other sweets, included this piece of "drift wood".  The word "flikov", I'm told, is one that Liya and Jed made up when they were dating but not ready to use the L-word yet.  So this was an abbreviation for "feels like in love" -- so sweet!  (literally)

Liya and Jed - we had such a great time with you two and are so happy we were able to help you celebrate such a beautiful and special day.  Thank you for asking us to be part of it.  We wish you all the best on your journey together and know that it will be one full of passion and laughter.