We first met Lidia Pareno when we signed up to document her Queen Mary Long Beach wedding to Clarence. She loved the experience of planning her wedding so much, she decided to become a full-fledged wedding planner. Lidia's just formed By Your Side Events a Temecula based wedding and corporate event planning service. She's already got three weddings in the works for 2009--in Puerto Vallerta, San Diego and Temecula, and is looking forward to meeting with Southern California brides to help them put their dream weddings together. "With most hotels, they have so many events going on, they can only give you just a few minutes of time each day, if that," she says. "I called my company By Your Side, because that's what I am. I am there for you." Lidia is a former hotel event planner, so she knows of what she speaks. She worked at La Costa in Carlsbad and the Temecula Winery and Hotel before striking out on her own. With the average California wedding topping out at between $40,000 and $60,000, Lidia specializes in helping to dramatically cut costs. "I can work with any budget and show brides how to really save money." E-mail Lidia at byyoursideevents@live.com or call her at 951-219-3984
Some memorable moments from 2008 weddings. We begin with Miranda and Patrick's Torrance beach sunset wedding. Afterwards, we asked Mom to pose by the water, and her kids picked up on it. Look below to see the shape of one child immediately afterwards. And they were all going out to a fine Mexican restaurant to celebrate. Luckily, they brought along a change of clothes.
For Nisa and Jeremy's wedding in Venice, California, they wanted to get a nice shot of them with the dogs. The pups didn't really want to cooperate here!
Back to the kids.Below is the moment when the DJ calls all the single ladies to the dance floor to catch the bouquet. Someone neglected to tell the little boy at Toni-Lynne and Robin's Long Beach wedding, who was having too good a time to stay away.
Cathy wanted to reward husband Earl with a rendition of "I'm So Sexy," at their reception, complete with a lineup of ladies who agreed 100% with her. Folks, you just don't see stuff like this every day. Earl was in heaven....
The dance of the year. At Gaby and Dave's July wedding, there was a Mother/Son dance like we'd never ever seen before. Mo (mom) was just the happiest mother of the groom of all time--and quite a dancer--as you can see below!
Favorite location: the amazing Malaga Cove section of Palos Verdes. Cathy and Earl live in Northern California, and wanted to wed down South, near the parents, at a church in Carson, with reception in Torrance. We had a two-hour block for photography in-between, and offered a few of our favorite nearby spots. "I want to go to the prettiest spot in Southern California, Palos Verdes," Earl said. Not a problem! We used to ride our bike to P.V. every Saturday for several years before wedding photography entered our lives and know it well.
We stopped by the gazebo, which has a killer P.V. to Malibu view, and asked the happy couple to do a dip for us. Then we turned to Photoshop afterwards to enhance what was already a dynamo sunset. When they make a movie about Cathy and Earl, I hope they use the picture for the movie poster!
Bridesmaids Just Want to Have Fun: Toni-Lynne and the Gals @ Queen Mary This is our "Sex and the City," shot, one we always opt for at weddings, the girls linking arms and having the time of their lives. This is our best ever, thanks to the priceless expressions of the ladies on the deck of the stately Queen Mary. We visited the old ship three times in 2008, and look forward to returning in 2009.
Best Dress: Amy and her three gowns!
Amy put on a real show at her Palos Verdes Trump National Golf Course wedding with three wedding dresses. One for the ceremony, another for the grand entrance, and a third for the wedding cake and bouquet shots.
Most Romantic Venue: Mary & Steve @ La Venta Inn Back to idyllic Palos Verdes again, to the quaint, hideaway charm of the La Venta Inn. Mary and Steve wed on Labor Day, in a gazebo overlooking the Pacific Ocean, again, from P.V. to Malibu, with family and friends looking on. After the wedding, we stole the couple for a quick kiss shot at the other gazebo, on the other side of the property.
Best Surprise: Gaby & Dave and the Bruins.
Gaby and Dave didn't meet @ UCLA, but they're both Bruins, and love the school sooooo much. Dave and Gaby call each other on the phone--their ringtones play the Bruin fight song. So they insisted we do their engagement session at UCLA. And after the wedding at St. Timothy's in Los Angeles, they wanted to stop by UCLA for couple shots. Like it's not one of the greatest backdrops in the world? We were thrilled to be there with them. For their reception at Mountaingate Country Club in Los Angeles, they made their grand entrance with the Bruins themselves. Go UCLA!
One of the great things about being a Manhattan Beach based photo team is running down to the sand and surf for engagement sessions. Susan and Benjamin wanted to be photographed at first on a bike together. Fantastic--bring it along. Then, when sunset wrapped around, we dipped by the Hermosa Beach Pier, and asked her to jump into Ben's arms. Lucky for us. We got one of our favorite iconic images, by Sam Graham for Los Angeles Wedding Photo.com
Dampest Location: Palos Verdes Wedding
Jenna and John wanted to have their wedding party photographed on the steps of the Malaga Cove library in Palos Verdes. But it was raining, and everyone was going to get wet. Luckily, we had umbrellas in the car. Let's face it--the umbrellas bring the shot to life, doesn't it? Jenna @ Malaga Cove
Simple solution to the rain: move under a covered roof. That's exactly where we brought Jenna afterwards, to the beautiful, European style Malaga Cove shopping center. Best Cake:
We spent a lot of time with happy same-sex couples in 2008 in the pre-Prop. 8 good times. Let's hear it for Max and Paul, Lissa and Marty and all the other happy couples who were able to tie the knot in 2008. Our best wishes for 2009.
We joined forces with our friends at Cherished Vows last weekend for a Los Angeles beach wedding on the sands of Torrance Beach. Miranda and Patrick tied the knot, and Rev. David Nixon performed the beach wedding ceremony. We were lucky to have a beautiful, classic Southern California late afternoon and a hint of sunset to go with the service.
Cathy and Earl had a traditional Filipino wedding Saturday in Carson at St. Philomena Church, followed by a rollicking reception at the Torrance Marriott. In-between we took the couple and wedding party to our favorite romantic spot, the gazebo in Palos Verdes' Malaga Cove, for fun husband and wife and wedding party shots. Malaga Cove is so magical--especially at Sunset!
Here's a fun three minute highlight reel video from Gaby & Dave's summer wedding. To say they're UCLA fans is an understatement. Click and watch and you'll see why. By Conor Morris for Los Angeles Wedding Photo.com
Nisa and Jeremy, with a little one on the way, decided to make it official recently, with a classic Jewish wedding by the sea, in Venice, at the Inn at Venice Beach hotel. We were thrilled to be there to document the big day! This Los Angeles wedding had it all: vows, a hoopa, katubah, hora and roller bladers and joggers by the sea! And did we mention a really fun couple and great guests! Mazel tov! Photographs by Sam Graham of Graham & Graham Photography.
Another idyllic Palos Verdes wedding! Mary and Steve wed by the sea on Labor Day, at the incredible La Venta Inn, high in the hills of Palos Verdes. La Venta offers wonderful vistas of the Pacific Ocean, from Catalina to Malibu. Once you get out of the car, you totally forget that you're in Los Angeles! Mary & Steve by http://www.GrahamAndGrahamPhotography.com
