The Photography - Amelia Lyon Photography

When people say that your pictures are an investment because they are all that last from your wedding, it is SO true. But there is more to it then that!

People think we spent a lot on our wedding. Which is really a huge compliment because we tried to scrimp and save on so many aspects of the wedding. This is why so many of our elements were DIY'ed. I am not saying we spent very little, but I am proud to say that we did come under the national and local average of wedding costs (which is a pretty high average). We also went a little over our initial budget, but that is because our guest list ending up ballooning in the last few months. It was really crazy, but very worth it to make our family and friends happy. I will posting about budgeting later, but for now, I will say that a huge chunk of our budget (think like 1/4) went to photography and videography.

The thing is, if you have the most wonderful wedding and everything is perfect, I think the high of it all eventually dies down and your happy feelings can be ruined a few months later if you get photos that didn't capture any of it and make you sad rather than helping you relive the day! You can have a so-so wedding day with madness and mixed feelings and a few months later receive bomb pictures that capture your day in a beautiful light that you weren't able to experience through the stress of the day, and make for a lovely memory! Thus, the magic and beauty of photography!

We genuinely LOVED our wedding day. Of course, there are a few things that could have been changed when considering the power of hindsight. But Eddie and I agreed that we are blessed to be married in the company of our family and friends, legally acknowledged and socially supported so we should try to only think on the day in a positive manner. So, when Amelia Lyon posted some photos from our wedding day on her blog, I knew I would already be happy. But I didn't realize I would be so ecstatic and emotional! They seriously take me back to the day and make me feel like years from now, when I look at these pictures, I am going to be able to feel these same exact emotions. I can't put into words how happy and grateful I am to her for getting some great shots of my mom, my sisters and myself and for including my father's picture on her blog post as well.

I was so emotional that my mom had to help put on my earrings.

my mom and sisters helping me get into my gown

some DIY details from the wedding, including our theme, "love grows"

The shot of Eddie and his mom is also something that he treasures so much.

immediately after the ceremony. behind us is a large flower arrangement sent by my father's old workplace.

Parent albums were definitely out of our wedding budget. But there are so many wonderful images of our parents and families that we are considering such albums for future gifts...

I would highly recommend Amelia and Justin for any and all weddings. I feel like their images make me love our wedding day even more! And they are such a great team! I think their styles TOTALLY complement each other and their chemistry when they work is off the hook! Amelia is totally sweet and communicative and Justin is so cool and funny. He kept us laughing the whole time! They are perfect for each other in marriage and in work! Justin is actually an alumnus of Pasadena Art Center (just like Eddie!) and he produces the show, Yo Gabba Gabba! (One of Taylor and Benny's favorites!). So, I feel like he approaches wedding photography from a whole different perspective and adds another artistic element to the creative art that Amelia would produce on her own. *sigh* they are just wonderful! They are another "vendor" team I think we would love to be friends with in our everyday life. And their family is so beautiful!
You need to check out her posts of her two sons. They will make you melt!

Okay, so without further ado, along with the ones above, here are some of my fave pro-pics from our wedding day (at least from the ones she has posted on her blog). To see more, you can check out her blog here, or the slideshow here. There are so many more of my faves in her slideshow that I dunno how to post here so it is definitely worth a looksie! :)

on the entrance stairs of the Skirball Cultural Center

at the Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica

this library is the main reason why I booked our getting ready room at the Viceroy. swoon!

our lovely bridal party


with Molly, in our room at the Viceroy, immediately after getting dressed


the groom and groomsmen looking quite dapper!