Tag Archives: weddings

Eryka and Neil’s Chic Loft Wedding in Downtown Los Angeles

Usually I’m an outdoor wedding kind of gal. I love me some tall grass and golden sunsets. But when Eryka said the words “LA loft wedding” I couldn’t say “I’ll DO IT!” fast enough. Eryka and Neil have been together forever. I remember them being deeply in love all the way back when we knew one another in college at Chico State. They’ve since traveled the world together and lived abroad, raised perfect baby frenchies, and made all of it look effortless and exciting.

I was thrilled when they asked me down to LA to shoot their incredibly sheik loft wedding. The Hotel Indigo was the perfect compliment to their urban loft space, with tall open windows and modern accoutrement throughout. Of course, Eryka couldn’t get ready without her dog of honor. That little one totally stole the show! After a sweet first look in the lobby, it was off the the gorgeous loft for group photos and meeting up with the rest of the bridal party. Their ceremony was filled with gut busting laughter and sentimental tears, making it all the more obvious these two sweethearts are totally meant to be. The night continued in a joyous fashion with hilarious toasts, a romantic first dance, and a truly one-of-a-kind (almost) cake fail. The couple laughed and danced all the way into their happily ever after, which is exactly the way it should be.

I’m super stoked for these two and I wish them all the best in their marriage. May it bring love, laughter, and (hopefully) more furry friends. 🙂

Lauren and Clayton: A Vintage Inspired Wedding at the Hotel Shattuck Plaza

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I met Lauren and Clayton at a bridal fair in 2018. We hit it off after Clayton and I discovered we both had a deep love of true crime. We talked shows, movies, and podcasts before finally moving on to chat about their wedding. Lauren described her style as vintage with a heavy dose of rock and roll and said they were more interested in candid shots of them enjoying their day with their friends and family than formal photos. I felt like we instantly got each other’s vibe and I was thrilled when their wedding day finally came.

The Hotel Shattuck Plaza was the perfect venue for this quirky couple. The decor screams unique vintage, with colorful wall paper and monochrome tiles throughout. Lauren fit right in with her fit and flare wedding dress and Marilyn red lips. Clayton was channeling some serious Mad Men vibes as he sipped whiskey and got into his dapper 3-piece suit. These two are a match made in old school heaven!

Everything from their ceremony to their wild reception went off without a hitch. Some favorite moments of my time with them include: a massive bridal party photo straight off the pages of Vogue magazine, their grand entrance to “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins (drum solo acted out perfectly), a hysterical reading of Clayton’s old OK Cupid dating profile by Lauren during toasts, a serious mosh pit in the middle of the reception, the most ridiculous rendition of the shoe game I’ve ever witnessed, and everyone dancing to “The Time Warp”. I am so stoked I was able to be a part of their day and I’m happy to say that I’ve made yet another set of lifelong friends in this couple.

CHEERS TO THE TRAYLOR’S!

Lauren sprinkled bits of tiki vibes throughout her day, bringing a pop of rich jungle colors to each event.

No one was more excited for Lauren than her gaggle of gorgeous bridesmaids. She looked like an absolute vintage vision!

Clayton was throwing off some serious Don Draper vibes while getting ready. Of course, not every moment can be a serious one when you’re surrounded by 8 of your best friends drinking whiskey.

The ceremony took place inside Hotel Shattuck’s newly updated bar/ceremony space. The full white draping gave it a dreamy and intimate feel.

Everyone deserves a high five when “I give you this wing… RING” is uttered by BOTH the bride and groom during their vows!

What do you do when you have a bridal party of 16 plus the bride and groom? You out on your best impression of a Vogue cover shoot and hope for the best!

These two were just so in love… wandering around the hotel for couples photos was an absolute delight.

Lauren loves everything rose gold and shiny, so their reception decor was tricked out in pink sequins. Their bar was tiki inspired, with signature cocktails to match the theme. Their dessert table was something out of every sweet lover’s dream and their awesome guestbook was a mish-mosh of polaroids and signed records.

If you’re not acting out a drum solo during your grand entrance, you’re doing it wrong!

The toasts were hilarious through and through. We found ourselves laughing along with them throughout!

There’s nothing like first dances. Lauren mixed things up by dancing with her mom as well as her dad. These two ladies really turned on the waterworks.

The shoe game is a fun was to interact with your guests and friends during the reception. Both a bride and groom hold one of each persons shoe. Questions are asked about their relationship (i.e. – who is the better cook or who talks more?) and the couple raises the shoe of the person they think fits the questions best. Sometimes they’re in agreement, but sometimes they hilariously disagree and everyone involved has a good laugh. Lucky for these two love birds, there was very little disagreement.

There’s nothing like cake in your face to get the party started!

Rowdy doesn’t even begin to describe this incredible dance party!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Traylor! ❤

Lisa and Sean: Swedenborgian Church Wedding + Hotel Kabuki Reception

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Lisa and Sean are a quirky and fun couple who put on all the stops for their amazing San Francisco wedding in September. Lovers of both culture and architecture, their ceremony was held at the stunning Swedenborgian Church in San Francisco and their reception was held at Japan Town in SF at The Hotel Kabuki. The church is over 120 years old and provides a rustic and enchanting backdrop for weddings of around 80 people. The Hotel Kabuki is in juxtaposition to the old world church, with plenty of modern pop art and colorful decor. The combination provided the best of both worlds and made for a stunning day from beginning to end.

Some of my favorite moments of Lisa and Sean’s day include her adoring aunt doing a live stream on behalf of her family who couldn’t attend for nearly the entire day, their adorable dog sprinting down the aisle in the church, a rad wall of records at the entrance of the hotel reception where they popped a bottle of champagne, and all the swaggy ridiculous dance moves them and their guests busted out all evening long. Their day was full of goofiness, laughter, joy, and LOTS of dancing; I feel so incredibly lucky to have been a part of it! For your convenience, a vendor list can be found at the end of this blog post.

CONGRATULATIONS LISA AND SEAN!

HUGE THANKS TO

Photography: Katherine Elyse Photography // @LoveKEphoto

Coordination: Avida Bridal // @AvidaBridal

Ceremony: Swedenborgian Church // @SfSwedenborgianEvents

Reception: Hotel Kabuki // @HotelKabuki

Florist: Natalini Flowers // @natalini.flowers

Cake: The Cake Maker

Band: The Lucky Devils // @LuckyDevilsBand

Transportation: SF Limo Express

Grace and Chad: Plymouth Ranch Wedding at Rancho Victoria Vineyards

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Grace and Chad’s wedding day was an absolute dream. From the bridal party, to the emotional moments, to the gorgeous location, especially the joy that was felt by all, it couldn’t have been more perfect. Grace and Chad, THANK YOU for allowing me to be a part of your big day! What a joy you are to each other’s families! Chad: you’re sweet, intelligent, committed, faithful, and you care for other people oh-so well. Now you’re married to the sweetest, funkiest, most amazing girl ever and I know you’re going to love her in the most special way. You’re both so lucky!!

The day started with some seriously awesome bridesmaids on bridal beauty duty. They were rocking their blue converse and making sure Grace stayed smiling and looked PERFECT from every angle!

Even the tiniest member of the bridal party couldn’t stay away.

After getting the girls secured in their hiding spot, it was time for this gaggle of awesome dudes to strut their stuff!

And of course, some tender moment were due for the groom as well.

After that we shooed everyone away for a sweet moment of love and prayer (and no peeking) between the couple. It brought tears to my eyes too Chad, and I’m so glad I got to witness this amazing moment.

I couldn’t wait to see Chads face when Grace walked down the aisle and boy, I was not disappointed. Not a dry eye in the house!

Their ceremony was gorgeous, held under a massive blooming Oak. Their commitment to one another was felt by all who witnessed their vows to God and each other.

After a romantic and deeply moving ceremony, the knot was tied and they were happy to galavant back down the aisle (with a few surprise kisses) as a married couple!

Getting the whole family and bridal party together was a delight and you could tell everyone was so happy to be a part of the celebrations!

Then it was onto couples photos and, let me tell you, these two ROCKED their portrait session. (I don’t have to tell you though, see for yourself!)

The reception was nothing but pure joy and insanity. Everyone boogied their way in, laughed their way through dinner (so much so I was able to sneak the couple away for sunset photos!), and smiled and cried along with the couple during their wedding speeches and dances.

After the main events it was time to party down and dance the night away! Glow sticks and crazy guests added so much texture and energy to the night!

Beyond being an awesome couple to photograph, these two pushed me outside of my comfort zone with their requests for some super fun off camera flash and sparkler photography!

Their night came to a close with another ride in the incredible vintage wonder car as they waved good-bye to all their guests!

I am so thankful Grace and Chad chose me for their wedding. I don’t know if I’ve ever shot a couple with more style, flare, and all around good vibes! I wish them all the best in their life together, even though I know they don’t need it. ❤

(HUGE thanks to Rebecca Skidgel from Rebecca Skidgel Photography for second shooting for me on this fine day!)

Molly and Matt {2016}

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It’s a tale as old as time… boy meets girl, girl captures boy in a web of Disney infused romance, boy realizes he’s the prince to her princess, proposal, party, Party, PARTY!

Molly and Matt are some of the sweetest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. I don’t think I ever saw Molly without a smile on her face, and it wasn’t just for photos. Obviously their day was filled with a LOT of laughter and joy!

The Croatian American Cultural Center made a perfect back drop for their colorful Fall wedding. Pops of yellow and purple accented Molly’s fiery red hair and elegant stark white gown. Matt and his crew rocked some awesome checkered Vans to match, tying everything together in a cohesive and relaxed bow. Cute chalkboard signs and an INCREDIBLE do-it-yourself ribbon backdrop showed them down the aisle (led by her amazing FLOWER-GRANDMA!) where they tied the knot in front of rows full of friends and family. A kiss, a first dance, and a cake cutting later and it was onto a rockin’ party with TONS of dancing and of course, (not just a few) shots. I’m so lucky these two goobers chose me to be their photographer and I’m happy to say that they aren’t just clients anymore, but wonderful friends. 🙂

CHEERS FOR A HAPPY AND LOVING FUTURE TOGETHER, MATT AND MOLLY!

Huge shoutout to my amazing second shooter Felice from Felice Russell Photography for all her wonderful photos! Wedding planning provided by Design Atelier.

Maddie and Sean: Under The Sea {2016}

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I’ve gotten to a point in my life where a handful of friends have entered the category of “people I’ve known longer than I have not known them”. I’m also at a rad age where everyone around me is getting married, having babies, and all around living their lives to the max. It’s an incredible time in everyone’s lives and it’s made even more magical, for me, by getting the chance to take part in some of my friend’s big events.

I’ve known Maddie since we were about 12 years old. We were amazingly awkward teenage band geeks at a summer camp in the woods when we first met. Nowadays we’re still both thriving artists just trying to make a living and stay sane. I was ecstatic when she reached out to me to shoot her wedding, and I was NOT disappointed with her plans.

It was beautifully foggy and cool when I arrived in Monterey to get some detail shots and capture everyone getting ready.

The bridal party got ready on separate floors, which was ADORABLE because the bride and groom kept yelling up and down the stairs to one another and chatting. Everyone was being ridiculous and having a TON of fun.

The neat set-up also gave me lots of access to both groups of the bridal party, which was super super convenient for me!

There was a tiny space in front of a window for Maddie to dress, but you’d better believe all her girls piled into the room to help!

Once she was dressed, we took a long moment just for her to embrace the feeling of truly and finally being a bride. I teared up looking at Maddie. You could not have asked for a more surreally gorgeous angel of a bride.

After everyone was dressed and ready, we headed over to the Monterey Bay aquarium for a fun and airy first look out on the open sea balcony.

I can do a million first looks, but the look on the groom’s face when he sees his love will ALWAYS make me melt.

We had a few minutes to enjoy the ocean breeze and check out the otters in the Monterey Bay. It was cool and quiet and really really magical.

The ceremony was in front of the ‘Open Ocean’ exhibit and it was exactly as incredible as it sounds. There were literally LIVE FISH watching them tie the knot! It gave a whole new meaning to the term “wedding bubbly”!

After they made it official, we got free reign of the aquarium for a few more wet, fishy kisses. It was the most unique location I’ve ever shot in and their truly palpable love for one another could have filled an entire ocean.

We kept the PDA going, despite the peeping tom. 😉

Luckily we were able to head back outside with the incredibly silly bridesmaids and groomsmen for some super fun bridal party shots before the sun disappeared!

From then on it was go, go, go with a huge party in front of the otter tanks at the aquarium. I’ve never seen a wedding that was hovered over by a whale skeleton, but I’ve got to say, the aesthetic really worked! 😉

Maddie and Sean, I am so unbelievably happy for you guys. I’m proud to have been able to capture your special and unbelievably unique day and I am looking forward to a lifetime of love and happiness for the both of you. 🙂

lovekephoto

Katherine Elyse Photography – Award Winning Bay Area Photographer

Tag Archives: weddings

Eryka and Neil’s Chic Loft Wedding in Downtown Los Angeles

Lauren and Clayton: A Vintage Inspired Wedding at the Hotel Shattuck Plaza

CHEERS TO THE TRAYLOR’S!

Lisa and Sean: Swedenborgian Church Wedding + Hotel Kabuki Reception

Grace and Chad: Plymouth Ranch Wedding at Rancho Victoria Vineyards

Molly and Matt {2016}

Maddie and Sean: Under The Sea {2016}