Jovanni Photography Blog

First of all, I want to say that I would have had this posted earlier, but something about making an unexpected trip to the hospital and the birth of our newborn son =D, prevented me from doing it until now.  More on that later, but for now…

Once again, I had the opportunity to team up, as the second shooter, with our good friend/mentor/Jedi master, Henry of Henry Chen Photography.  I started off the day by hanging out with Kevin and his groomsmen (all from different parts of the U.S.) as they were getting ready at the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove.  Their suits were absolutely stunning and Kevin’s especially as it was tailored straight from China.  So many memories just from the guys getting ready…Kevin opening up his gift from Michelle (a case of whiskey!!!), Kevin handing each of his groomsmen personalized gifts, and who can forget the whole tying their ties with a full windsor knot which had all of them gathered around groomsman, David’s cellphone which was displaying a YouTube instructional video!!!

A quick ride in the limo brought them to the ceremony site, The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, where Kevin + Michelle had their first look just right before their ceremony outdoors.  The wedding planner, Kelly Duprat, did an amazing job with all the decorations throughout the whole day and making sure everything ran according to schedule.  Guests covered their heads from the sun by holding up their purple or white umbrellas.  Afterwards, they all headed down to the reception at the S Fine Dining Restaurant, where there was plenty of food, and great dancing!

Thanks again Henry for allowing me to join you.  For everyone else, Henry was Annie + my inspiration ever since he shot our own wedding.  We’ve learned so much from him and are proud to call him our friend.  For any serious photogs out there, he’ll be having another workshop this year (in London)…we highly recommend it!!! =)

Originally, I was scheduled to go up to Oakland with my Army unit on a day trip mission, but that didn’t pan out, so luckily I got a chance to once again assist our good friend, Henry of Henry Chen Photography.  I’m glad that I was available for this one because the location was at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point.  This place was like a photographer’s playground with all its little nooks and crannies, amazing scenery overlooking the beach, and I was sure when I arrived that Henry would have a field day.  Check out his blog post!!!

The couple, Lisa + Richard, made it so easy on us and made us feel right at home.  They actually had a civil ceremony in September of last year, and this was their reception that gathered all their close family and friends from different parts of the world.  The day started off with Lisa + Richard getting ready with every detail in it’s place ready for Henry to shoot it.  They then proceeded to have their first look by the venue’s spiral stairs.  Guests then gathered for a very touching slideshow and lunch, followed by a hula dancers performance.  It was definitely a great time!

I had the pleasure of second shooting at The Mitten Building in Redlands for our friend, Jaemi of Jaemi Suh Photography. I also finally got a chance to meet Trini of Nozza Studios, as it was her sister, Rosa, who was getting married. Jaemi put me in charge of following Robert and his best man/son, Danny around prior to the ceremony. They headed over to a local restaurant/bar to have a couple of drinks and a quick bite. It was funny to hear the whispers of everyone at the bar wondering who the guy was that was being followed by, in Robert’s own words, his ‘own personal photographer’. I even overheard a group of girls in the back mention that Robert was some famous guy … I MAY or MAY NOT have started that rumor when they asked me 0=-).

The wedding itself was very intimate and the reception area was decorated with such great detail. There was plenty of great dancing going on and once the D.J. played some Michael Jackson, all eyes were on Best Man, Danny as he moved and grooved as if he were the King of Pop himself! Thanks Jaemi for allowing me to join you, and to everyone else, make sure you check out his blog post about this event!

Talofa!

This had to be one of the fastest bookings to date. Originally, I was scheduled to shoot with our good friend Mapu of Mapuana Photography at her cousin Tutasi’s wedding. However, things happened and Mapu couldn’t make it out here from Hawaii, so she referred her cousin over to us. I met with Tutasi + Ula the day before the wedding just so that we would be on the same page and to go over the details. I knew from a quick glance at the itinerary (with such words as K-Ci + Jojo, Boyz II Men, & King’s Hawaiian Bakery) that we were gonna get along just fine =D. Their personalities just welcomed you in and their smiles just lit up the room…and this carried on throughout their wedding day.

Now let me tell you, there were a bunch of firsts for us at this particular wedding: 1) Latter-Day Saints (LDS) wedding, 2) Polynesian cultured reception, and 3) 700+ guests!!! Annie + I were just lucky that we had Erin & Jenn along for the ride. The day started off at the Los Angeles Mormon Temple in Los Angeles where we had to wait outside with family and friends for Tutasi + Ula’s sealing ceremony to be over. It was definitely crowded as different couples were coming out every 15 minutes with their own photographers and family & friends waiting. After some shots around the temple grounds, we then proceeded to the reception at Royal Vista Country Club in Walnut.

The reception was a Polynesian cultural explosion, everything from the vai mango drinks, to guests dressed in traditional clothing, to the authentic Samoan Cultural Presentation, to even the dances done by the Autalavou Dance Troupe. Tutasi + Ula’s bridal party competed with each other to see who could give a better performance of how they first met. This had everyone busting out laughing, but in the end I think Tutasi and her girls won it when she got up and busted out with her rendition of “Proud Mary”…let me tell you, this girl has got pipes like Tina Turner!!!

Thank you Tutasi + Ula for being the most easy going, laid-back couple we have ever met, and for introducing all of us into your culture. Hope you two have a great time on your honeymoon in New York! Also, thanks Mapu for giving us this special opportunity to step up to the plate…that’s what friend’s are for…we definitely missed you!

Sealing Venue: Los Angeles California Temple
Reception Venue: Royal Vista Country Club
Cake: King Hawaiian Bakery
Musicians: Common Kings
DJ: DJ Runaway
Dancers: Autalavou Dance Troupe
Flowers: Lupita’s Flower (213-622-5655)