Saturday, February 16, 2008

Yosemite in Winter

Yosemite is always breathtaking in the winter and our visit last weekend didn't disappoint. After meeting with Melanie and Jonathon, an incredible couple who are getting married this summer at The Evergreen Lodge, we just had to take some scenic pictures around the park on our drive home. Also, as a bonus, before leaving Johnny surprised me with brunch reservations at The Ahwahnee, where we celebrated Valentine's Day a few days early with a romantic meal in the Dining Room. There was awesome cuisine and beautiful views of the snowy meadow and mountains outside. We worked off the meal with a crisp hike in the snow.









Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Amanda & Armando's Wedding

Ceremony and Reception: Visalia Convention Center
Caterer: Marriott Catering Service
Floral: Touch of Roses
Video: Video Image
Band: Grupo Control

Amanda and Armando were married in an unforgettable ceremony in the South Valley on January 19, 2008. With around 1,000 guests in attendance, the Visalia Convention Center Exhibit Hall was transformed into an exquisite and stunning ceremony and reception site including lit olive trees, custom lighting, hanging chandeliers and a sea of elegant candelabras and decor. It was also converted into a full concert venue for the reception.








The ceremony was very romantic with Armando singing "Por Ella" to his bride as she walked down the aisle. The reception followed immediately with the couple circling the hall and greeting the family and guests and then enjoying their first dance.








Entertainment was another highlight of the evening with two bands playing Cumbia up on the stage. Grupo Valasco from Orosi started off the night and was followed by the headlining band, Grupo Control, which was a special treat to the couple and guests. Known as "The New Kings of Norteño Cumbia," Control performed several sets of music and dancing to the delight of their many fans in attendance. The dance floor was packed the entire night. It was so much fun to be part of such a spectacular evening. The couple and guests had such a blast!












Note: Control has several albums out on EMI Latin and can be found on iTunes.

Monday, February 11, 2008

The Perfect Proposal

The New York Times featured a story recently about marriage proposals. Couples love sharing the story of how the question was popped and our society always loves a creative and romantic proposal story. We especially love the trend of photographed proposals, where a photographer is hired to secretly capture the special moment. Seeing the bride-to-be's emotional reaction and a couple in love is such a moving moment. What better way is there to have a true engagement session?

Here's a link to the article: New York Times

Leave us a comment below and let us know your favorite proposal story. How did your fiance propose? Did one of your friends get engaged at some really cool spot?

Cindy

p.s. Here's our picks of cool places to get engaged around the valley. I'm sure some of you can suggest some even better ones:

1. Yosemite of course. Overlooking Glacier Point, ice-skating at Curry Village, underneath the trees at Mariposa Grove, hiking to Yosemite Falls or dining at The Ahwahnee...the choices are endless.

2. The Tower Theatre- What would be more romantic than dinner at Veni Vidi Vici and then a proposal under the marquee at The Tower Theatre? Having "will you marry me?" on the marquee would top it all off.

3. For the sports buff, Grizzlies Stadium (aka Chukchansi Park) or Bulldog stadium. Proposals on the big-screen scoreboard would be a really big surprise.

4. The Madera wine trail. There are a number of local wineries who could provide an intimate and romantic setting for a proposal. Twice a year there are wine trail events where a limo can take you from winery to winery for wine-tasting and chocolate tasting.

5. Escape to the beach. Just a couple of hours away, the ocean is the perfect spot to pop the question. Pismo, Cambria and Carmel are great options for a romantic seaside proposal.

6. Proposal on the lake. Hire a sailboat, speedboat, party barge or canoe at either Bass Lake, Millerton or Huntington Lake and propose over a picnic on the water. If you are at Bass Lake in the summer, you can top off the evening with lakeside dinner and music at Jazz on the Lake at The Pines Resort.

WPPI Convention 2008

We are so excited about the upcoming WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) trade show and convention coming up March 13-20th in Las Vegas. We will be attending to look at all the newest photography gear, gadgets and products at the trade show, as well as attending numerous platform speakers and classes taught by a variety of incredible photographers around the world.

Also, we love watching the print and album judging during the convention. Prints and albums from across the globe are judged and critiqued and awarded various honors. It's like the photo world's own little Oscars ceremony, minus the writer's strike, fancy clothes, schwag and red carpet. Below is a funny satirical promo from WPPI for the upcoming awards ceremony. It gave us a little chuckle. For more information on the convention, visit www.wppionline.com