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Wedding at Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel: Sarina + Matthew

Wedding at Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel: Sarina + Matthew

A Wedding at Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is one of the most beautiful settings for a spectacular sunset view. Sarina and Matthew’s wedding took place on the Terrace Lawn, and everyone enjoyed a spectacular sunset from the cocktail veranda. Sarina was sparkling from head to toe, especially in her bedazzling shoes.

 

 

Venue: Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel / www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/LagunaNiguel/Default.htm

Coordinator: Holly Schoenke, Simply Sweet Weddings / www.simplysweet-weddings.com
Event Producer: Carrie Zack, Carrie Zack Events / www.carriezack.com
Florist: This Old Garden Gallery / www.thisoldgardengallery.com
Video: Joth Riggs, Whitestone Wedding Films / www.whitestoneproductions.com
Makeup & Hair: Design Visage / www.designvisage.com
Linens: Fusion Linens / www.fusionlinens.com
 

Contact Karen about your Orange County wedding photography: www.karenfrenchphotography.com

 

 

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Brytanie + Kyle: Hummingbird Ranch Weddings

Black and white works excellent with locations that have architecture. At Hummingbird Ranch we had a combination of garden settings but also areas that had architectural elements. The printing process is very important with black and white, detail should be kept in the highlights and shadow areas. It takes someone very skilled in photoshop to do black and white correctly, but when it’s done right it’s absolutely beautiful! We had a fun time working with Brytanie and Brian and Hummingbird Ranch was a location with many wonderful backdrops to choose from

 

Humming Bird Ranch Weddings - Karen French Photography

 

Location: www.hummingbirdnestranch.com

Coordinator: http://www.pokoevent.com

Florist: www.wisterialaneflowershop.com
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La Venta Inn Wedding: Christina + Brendan

La Venta Inn Wedding - Karen French Photography

Venue: La Venta Inn / www.laventa.com

Caterer: New York Food Company / www.newyorkfood.com

Florist: Lily Pad Floral /www.lilypadfloral.com

Video: Parrallel Media Productions /www.parallelmediaproductions.com

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Laura + Marcus: South Bay Engagement Session

South Bay Engagement - Karen French Photography

I had a wonderful time photographing Laura and Marcus’ engagement session. We shot at great locations in Marina del Rey, Palos Verdes, and the beach at sunset. It’s always great when a couple brings a number of outfits to choose from as Laura and Marcus did. This enables us to pick the perfect outfit for each location. I’ve been wanting to incorporate some of my vintage cameras from my collection into my shoots. The camera in the image below is an SX-70 Polaroid. We were surprised to find there was still some film in the camera when Marcus clicked the shutter!

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Grand Lawn at The Ritz Carlton Weddings: Tracy & Andy

The ceremony took place in Dana Point on the Grand Lawn at the Ritz Carlton, and the Reception was held in the Pavilion Room. Tracy left her long hair down on her wedding day, and had a beautiful long veil to go with it. A slight breeze enabled us to do a lot of fun things with the veil flowing in the wind. The bridesmaids wore a vibrant turquoise blue that went great looked great with the blue ocean behind the ceremony. We did some fun jumping shots with the groomsmen that you can see here in the blog post.

Grand Lawn at The Ritz Carlton Weddings - Karen French Photography

Coordinator:  Sumac Productions/ www.sumacproductions.com 
Florist:  Inviting  Occasions / www.invitingoccasion.com
Lighting: www.mimediaproductions.com

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Alexandra & Blake: Rancho Las Lomas Weddings

Rancho Las Lomas

Rancho Las Lomas Weddings - Karen French Photography

 

I get my best images when I work with two people who are having a great time on their wedding day, like Alex and Blake did. A couple’s mood can have an effect on the entire event. If the bride is happy and playful, the groom, wedding party and family follow suit. So my advice to all brides is to make your mind up to have a great time…even if something doesn’t go as planned. If the sun doesn’t shine or the cake is chocolate instead of vanilla, don’t worry about it! Let it go and have a great time.

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Jennifer + Mike: Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach

I had a great time photographing Jennifer and Mike’s wedding.  Everyone was wonderful to work with, including their wedding party and families. The ceremony took place at Emerald Bay, a private residential neighborhood in North Laguna Beach, Orange County. There is a wonderful park there where residents can hold weddings.  We were on the move for much of the day, starting with Jennifer’s getting ready photos at her parents’ home in Laguna, then moving on to Emerald Bay, then to the Community Congregational Church in Corona del Mar, then back again to Emerald Bay and the beach. Community Congregational Church is one of my favorite church sites to shoot.  It has beautiful white pews and soft lighting that comes in from the side windows. A tent shaded the reception area with cocktails outside under statuesque maple trees. Jennifer had many of her sorority sisters in attendance and we did several fun pictures with them. One of my favorite shots of the day was a tender moment between Jennifer and her father during their “father daughter dance.” As always, Square Root did an outstanding job on the decorations for the reception. Wedding coordinator Susan MacDonald, also a past president of the Association of Bridal Consultants/Orange County, kept everything flowing smoothly, including the bride in her Vera Wang dress.

Emerald Bay Laguna Beach Weddings - Karen French Photography

Coordinator:  Sumac Productions/ www.sumacproductions.com
Video:  Ashley Video Productions /www.ashleyvideo.com
Florist:  Square Root /http://squarerootdesigns.com/
Dress  Salon: The White Dress / www.thewhitedress.com
 Gown Designer:  Vera Wang / www.verawang.com
 Makeup Artist: Tiffany Briggs /www.bridalrouge.com
Cake:  Tom Girl Baking / www.tomgirlbaking.com
 Church: Community Congregational / www.cdmucc.org

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La Venta Inn Weddings: Stephanie & Scott

Stephanie and Scott had their ceremony and reception at the La Venta Inn, this is a beautifully restored Spanish villa built in the 1920’s. We had a nice sunset so I took the couple out of the reception for ten minutes to get some wonderful sunset shots. One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer is hearing great toasts, which Stephanie and Scott had several of. I always enjoy capturing the expressions of the bride and groom as the toasts are being made.

 

Venue: La Venta Inn / www.laventa.com

Caterer: New York Food Company / www.newyorkfood.com