This is Sloane. She is quite the multi-faceted little girl.

She likes to horse around with her dad…

but also enjoys a good cuddle with her mom.

She’s a lover of fashionable shoes…

and like any fashion aficionado, is not afraid to show her diva side.

Sloane also has a contemplative nature…

and is clearly an expert wish-maker!

Even though she’s as pretty as a porcelain doll…

Sloane’s not above getting into a little mischief.

Finally, she knows how to travel in style.

If you’re craving more family cuteness, you might also enjoy this post.

It’s been so nice getting to know Kim and Jesse. Their lovely wedding was held at a private club in Pasadena. This red vintage beauty was on loan from a family member and made for a sensational prop!

During the getting ready portion of the day, Kim had a little attack of the nerves. Luckily, the ever-prepared Jennifer of Joie de Vivre was able to cool down the situation with a pretty lace fan.

Our handsome groom was sporting some snazzy socks. He not only looked dapper, he was showing his team spirit.

Kim was crazy about her Stuart Weitzman shoes and with good reason. They are gorgeous!

Ixora Floral Company created stunning bouquets and arrangements.

Beautiful!

As soon as we walked into the door of this place, I knew we had to incorporate this staircase into the photos. I’m sorry I wouldn’t let you take the elevator Kim, but I hope you think this photo made the extra steps worthwhile.

One of my favorite photo ops of the day, the big reveal!

Jesse seems to like what he sees.

Not to be outdone by his gorgeous bride-to-be, Jesse strikes a very dashing pose. This photo reminds me of an old Hollywood movie still.

I love how Kim’s love for Jesse radiates through this image.

Such handsome boys!

To me, this is the quintessential family shot. It’s infused with humor, life and love.

This is one of my favorite images that Larry made that day.

It’s nearly impossible to take a bad photo of these two.

This has to take the prize for the most creative “guest book” I’ve ever seen. This pretty mailbox imprinted with their nickname for each other, holds cards written by guests.

The cards had prompts on them like: “I hope” and “Always remember”…friends and family then offered up some words of wisdom for the newly-weds.

Large urns with a simple array of leaves set the stage for the ceremony.

A colorful canopy made for a cozy setting.

Another charming detail…inflatable swans bobbing in the pool.

If you’ve been reading this blog with any regularity, you know I’m a big fan of personal photos being incorporated into wedding decor. This collage took it to the next level. Guests really enjoyed perusing all the different images as they went to retrieve their escort cards.

I think this club has the loveliest ballroom.

More of Ixora‘s elegant floral design…

Another one of my favorite moments – the first dance.

Kim and Jess, we wish you both all the best in your new lives together!

To see Kim and Jesse’s engagement session, click here.

Larry and I recently photographed a really charming rehearsal dinner. It was brimming with sweet, heartfelt touches. I thought you might like to incorporate some of these ideas into your own rehearsal dinner or next gathering.
As you can see from the photo above, snapshots of the couple, when they were little, and their families, were enlarged, framed and hung as wall art. These framed groupings were placed on several walls and along the fence. Guests has a wonderful time walking around and looking at all the photos.

The groom’s mother created all the beautiful floral arrangements. I loved how she blended ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging with typically Californian fruits and flowers. The hand calligraphied sign led guests to the back yard.

A food truck for guests to feast from was stationed in the alley behind the house. While it was convenient to have it parked back there, it did pose the problem of having everyone traipsing through the garage to get to it. Garages are typically a bit of an eyesore but the bride’s mother and a very creative friend came up with this clever solution. By draping the walls with white christmas lights and sheer panels, they not only hid all the not so pretty garage stuff, they created a romantic, moody atmosphere.

I love everything about backyard parties. You would never think to ask your guests, to light candles at a fancy venue but in this situation not only is it wholly appropriate, it’s expected.

Want to incorporate family photos into your backyard party but don’t have a wall on which to hang them from? No problem. String up between two trees!

More of those gorgeous floral arrangements…

Food trucks have become extremely popular in our area of late and for good reason. These tacos were so delicious!

Of all the charming aspects of this party, this was my favorite. How cute is this little ice cream cart? Kids and adults had a blast creating their own sundaes.

I hope you found this post inspiring. Check back tomorrow for photos from this adorable couple’s wedding.

Autumn was in the air for our shoot with Emma. She happily played with fallen leaves while giving us one adorable expression after the other. I especially love her very fashionable footwear. I wonder if those come in a woman’s size 8?

We’ve been photographing the Lakdawalla family for quite a while now. When we first met Sanaya, she was a chubby baby who could barely sit up on her own. Her big sister Anahita was so adorable in her pixie haircut. I can’t tell you how much we’ve enjoyed getting to know them all for the past six years.

For this year’s portrait session, we took them to one of our favorites places. As you can see from the photos, there were lots of giggles and leaf tossing. Knowing the aim of this shoot is to have a holiday card, the girls got into the spirit by turning twigs and branches into reindeer antlers.

As usual, Larry and I were completely charmed by how funny, and bright these girls are. We can’t wait to see everyone again in 2015!

It’s hard to believe that we have been photographing Anahita (top row) and Sanaya’s (bottom row) family for six years now. It’s been an utter delight photographing these two beautiful, bright, sweet girls over the years. Please check back tomorrow for photos from our latest photo session.

Day of the Dead is one of my favorite holidays. Yes, it is often over-shadowed by the candy fueled, costumed extravaganza that is Halloween, but to me, Day of the Dead is really special. Not only is it the perfect time to honor our loved ones who have passed away, but it’s rife with decorating possibilities as well. The beautiful colors of Mexico (where this holiday originated) truly lend themselves to festive, lively decor. This inspiration shoot was based around Frida Khalo but if you are not a fan, the colors and textures, not to mention a fancy bottle of tequila at each table, would be a delight for guests at any occasion.

To see more Day of the Dead and chic Halloween party inspiration check out this blog post on Hostess with the Mostess.