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)
by Jove
[...] “Wow, I have no idea what to expect next.” Here is how I saw our day. Please check out Jovanni Photography’s blog for their full post on Ula and Tutasi’s [...]
[...] So many familiar faces at this wedding as Samson is one of Ula’s little brothers and we shot Ula + Tutasi’s wedding earlier in the year. Many close family & friends made the trip down to San Diego to witness [...]
Mahalo, to each and everyone of you for being soo great to my three kids in the wedding my son had the long hair ( sonny boy) and I know he was challenging to work with but you guys were amazing with him n my daughter westley….I love love u guys for that….thanks again…now I know who to call for our family pic…lol
[...] wasn’t able to come to the mainland to be the lead photographer, so another shooter, Jove of Jovanni Photography, who was also scheduled to be with us that day stepped in {click the link to see his full post on [...]
Wow! You really captured all the details. Great Jobs!
You guys did such an AMAZING JOB!!! Thank you both so so so much for all you have done. You guys truly captured the entire day. I LOVE it. Every single picture is my FAVE!!!
[...] “Wow, I have no idea what to expect next.” Here is how I saw our day. Please check out Jovanni Photography’s blog for their full post on Ula and Tutasi’s [...]