I first met Roberto and Nayeli in person, the day of their engagement session. We had an awesome time photographing at Los Angeles Arboretum. Then, soon came the wedding day. As we were received, we felt very welcomed from the beginning. Nayeli was very calm and smily, then she offered us Mexican hot chocolate to drink, which is one of my weaknesses in the winter. Oh but let me tell you, not just hot chocolate, also Mexican bread. We sat and enjoyed it while waiting as we arrived a bit early. A week after their big day, I met them in Bali Indonesia to continue to document their story. We spent a whole day touring and taking pictures. We went from Tanah Lot Temple to rice paddies, and followed by Ulun Danu Temple. But right before Ulun Danu Temple, while we waited for the storm to pass, we had coffee tasting. It was just an amazing experience meeting them and being able to capture their love story. Thank you Roberto and Nayeli.

Congratulations on your engagement! 

I always tell couples how very long time ago, planning a wedding was done in 6 months. Well, this is not really the case any more. I would say 99% of the time there is an exception to a rule. Not that time has been a rule, however, the more time you use for planning, the better the outcome will be. I would say a year is good timing to plan a wedding. Here, I will share a few ideas for a better wedding planning. Every scenario is different depending on your circumstances but, lets say you have a year for planning, and if you don't, you are going to work at a faster pace. If your budget allows it, I strongly recommend a wedding planner or wedding coordinator. This will make the process a lot smoother. 

If you just got engaged, the first thing to do is:
8+ Months
- Figure out how big is your guest list
- start considering venues as well as vendors
- Make a list of questions to make sure what's important to you is covered when you contact vendors
- Start making phone calls
-Engagement session (you might need these pictures for your Save the Date Cards)
- Order Save the Dates (if it makes it easier, count household rather than guests)

6 Months before wedding
- Send Save the Dates
- Continue to look for vendors if you still need some

4-6 Months
- Order wedding invitations
- Ideally, your venue should be booked by this time, as well as your menu

2+ months
-By this time you should start sending your wedding invitations

4-6 weeks
-Order and coordinate final touches (such as wedding favors)
-Create a program/itinerary for your big day
- Make an emergency kit with band-aids, bobby pins, safety pins, needle, thread, tequila(optional 😂) and any other tool you consider helpful for that day. 
- If you don't have a wedding planner, designate someone to be in charge in case something goes wrong. This way, vendors are not going to you and you can freely interact with your guests. 

Somethings to consider for reception itinerary are?
- First dance
- Father and daughter/Son and mother dance
- Bouquet and garter
- Honeymoon dance
- Toast
- Cake
- Any other special tradition in your family

THE BIG DAY!
- Be calm
- Be positive
- Take some flats for reception
- Take a tequila shot (again this is optional😂)
- Have someone assist you (bridesmaids are great assistants)
- Dance the night away!


After you say "I Do"
-Send thank you cards
-Share your memories with those who weren't able to attend your wedding
- And most importantly, let your love grow and endure through time 

Let's be honest, not everything will be 100% of what was expected but, good planing will equals to a better outcome. The more time you take to plan your special day, the happier your will be that day. This is your wedding and do what makes you happy. Once this day is over, aside from your memories, some of the things you will have to remember it, will be your pictures and/or video. Make this day very special because you will not be able to come back and modify it. What can I say? I'm fan of love stories.  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my 2017 couples. And looking forward to capture more "I Do's"  this year. May 2018 be filled with love stories and great adventures. 

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Started my first engagement session of this year with a super fun couple. Had so much fun through out the session and I can imagine once the wedding day comes here, in March. I'm very fortunate to witness so many love stories and not just that, but also capture them. 

At the end of the day, after photographing a wedding; there is nothing more gratifying than having captured a love story. One of my favorite moments, is the first dance. I believe each image has a story to tell. When I see images of the first dance, I see the way couples look at each other, I see love and I see feelings. Cheers to Charles and Jorgina and to a lifelong love story.