Jude & Melissa-Catalina Wedding

A few days ago I started my story about my trip to Catalina. What started as a work trip soon became more of a mini vacation! :)

Brian and Maddie drove me up to Dana Point to see me off as I got onboard the boat to Catalina. I had never been, but everyone said it was such a great place. I always wondered what could be so great about it. I found out as soon as I got off the boat why it was so great! It is this tiny little city on the coast of the Santa Catalina Island. Almost everything is in walking distance and what isn't nearby you drive a golf cart to. The only cars I saw the whole time I was there were the taxi vans. It's so cute seeing everyone zipping around in golf carts :)
The maid of honor said it best....It's almost like Europe, but only a quick boat ride away. The whole little town is just adorable :)

I immediately met up with Lynn and we walked over to check in to our hotel. 

First thing Lynn does is offer me pastries. If you know me...you know that dessert is the way to my heart :) She had stopped at an asian bakery before hand and picked up a ton of them. We sat and chatted and scarfed down pastries (well, I scarfed them) before walking over to meet the bride. Soon after the best man showed up to pick me up and take me to the guys condo to hang out and photograph them. I don't usually get to hang with the guys when I'm shooting my own weddings, so this was super fun! What a GREAT group of guys too! I had a ton of fun. We headed to the ballroom to get ready for the ceremony. I met up with Lynn again to do some last minute pictures of the bride putting the final touches on and then it was GO TIME! The rest of the night was filled with amazing memories with an amazing group of people....we had a blast!

Here's a few of my favorites from the wedding...enjoy!

Awwwww, yea!

The view from the groom's condo....stunning!

The wedding took place here.....at the historic Wrigley's Casino Ballroom

The view from the ballroom!

I loved how Jude clutched at his heart when he saw her for the first time!

I'm so in love with this!

This pose was the theme of the wedding :) Look closely in the rest of the shots :) Love it!

Lynn, workin here magic and sportin her sea-sick patch...ha...not sure what the actual name for that is :)

They were so over pictures at this point, but I HAD to stop them to get one in the original elevator just as we were getting off it :)

Best. speeches. EVER! All the groomsmen got up to say something. It was like they were actors with beautifully written scripts intended to just tug at your heartstrings....never experienced anything like it...amazing!

I LOVE this one! After the last speech, Melissa jumped up and threw her napkin in the air...you see it behind her? So much love and excitement this night!

Perfect!

Jude's younger brother got up to freestyle...he was out of control good! If I closed my eyes and  just listened you couldn't of guessed if it was him or Eminem!

As we were walking back to our hotel at the end of the night, we stopped to take a few images of the ballroom at night. Isn't it gorgeous?!?!

Lynn and I made our way back to the hotel and dropped off our equipment...changed our clothes...and headed downstairs to the bar. We spent the rest of the night enjoying cocktails, chit chatting, and bonding while flossing our teeth ;) ha! Oh, and let's not forget the spooning... lol.....sorry about that, Lynn! 

It was an unbelievable and unforgettable wedding and trip!