The world is in a different place.

This post is about a Carmel destination intimate wedding. But a few other things first. No one could imagine that 2020 would have been the kick in the butt that it turned out to be just mere months ago from a coronavirus called Covid-19. Yet, here we are. As I write this, people are staying home around the world as scientists work to help the medical community and the people of the planet. I don’t know how anyone’s perception of life and the world cannot be affected in some way or another. It has been incredible witnessing the coming together of so many people in different ways. The people in Italy singing from their balconies. The drive by parties to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. The goodwill of humanity trying to help their neighbors. It’s been quite the journey.

My little part of the world.  

My friends and peers in the event and wedding industry are really rallying together and I could not be more thankful. Our businesses and jobs came to an utter standstill for 99% of us. Just stopped. We as a community however, did not and are not. We are moving forward.

What does this look like? Good question. We are still trying to figure it out ourselves. Because everything is evolving on a daily to seemingly hourly basis, none of us really know. I can say though we are all paying attention and communicating regularly to stay on top of things. Imagine all the weddings and events that had to cancel with little notice. It was a massive endeavor to try to rearrange things. We even still have to be prepared to do it all over again. 

And, we will. We will do whatever it takes to make beautiful weddings and successful events and create beautiful portraits of families.

So, how does this play a role in photography and my business?

Good question and as of now, not a complete idea about this myself. But I am on it. It is in these crazy times that it will be really important to hire professionals to serve any needs you have for photography or any part of your wedding or event. The days of doing a google search to find an officiant, a planner, a photographer, a florist and hiring anyone who says they are a “professional” while on your lunch break (or not, yea, I know you do this ALL day long) will have to change. This is the time now when experience and education and understanding are going to be extremely important.

Now is not at all the time to hire someone who is cheap (believe me I understand budgets. We ALL have budgets.) and perhaps doesn’t have liability insurance, enough equipment for the job or the experience to troubleshoot and adjust as necessary. Now, is definitely the time to hire those people that you can trust in any kind of situation to be prepared, skilled and trustworthy. Personal recommendations now will mean more than anything. Having been in this industry for 20 years, I have seen good and I have seen bad. People I love to work with and people I will never work with again. 

This is where I want to help you, my community and my industry.

We are going to be more a team now than ever before whether a wedding or an event or a corporate seminar. Communication and trust will be the biggest key here. This will evolve and evolve again for who knows how long but I’m not going anywhere and my intention is to provide the best possible in any situation.

Ok, so now about that beautiful Carmel elopement with just the cheekiest of brides!

Carmel Destination Intimate Wedding

Just a few of us…

Veronica reached out to me in regards to an idea she had for a Carmel destination intimate wedding, also known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, of course. What? I’m totally in! She and fiancé, Mitch, are from the east coast but she had this idea and it was just a simple elopement on a visit to California. It was a simple moment but all the power and emotion of two people in love and sharing a very special moment together was taken just as seriously as if all the pomp was there with 200 guests.

We all were wearing either tennis shoes or flip flops and the only one who had their hair and makeup looking perfect was the bride. The rest of us? Well, I had the major big hair due to the weather and salty air but eh, who cares! A quickie ceremony,  quickie portraits and dinner at the local French bistro.

Parfait!

Now, that said, I had NO idea just how cheeky, fun, sweet and silly she was based on our emails and phone conversations. She and Mitch were so incredibly sweet and fun and all about having a good time and being true to themselves. Oops, we forgot the rings? No problem! Hmm, no actual sunset as we hoped? No problem! Did we do “our” pose? Yes, we did! I can see your butt, Veronica. No problem! I’m wearing matching boy shorts. See? Well, ok then!

I could do this every day of the week. The whole time was maybe an hour spent together but from the tears to the laughter to the funny faces to the absolute truest and purest sense of love between two people all happened in that short span of time. Those “outtakes”? Nope, I left many of them in. I had to. It was a simply magical day. 

See more weddings HERE.