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I Left My Heart In…

San Francisco! Michael and I drove up to Frisco for an engagement portrait session with Phuong and Joe, which was more like a tour of the top ten things to see in San Fran. We had so much fun spending a whole afternoon with them and can’t wait for their wedding in October. Here are some of the highlights:

We started out at the Legion of Honor with its gorgeous columns.

The Legion of Honor sits on top of a hill with views of the city, the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge.

From there we drove to Golden Gate Park, where many scenes from the movie The Wedding Planner were shot.

I had fun playing with the rays of sun peering through the trees.

We passed on the Japanese Tea Garden – too busy – but stopped in front of a set of huge wooden doors to get these shots.

Next stop was the Palace of Fine Arts with even taller columns than the Legion. The light was beautiful.

We took advantage of the last minutes before sunset with a portrait on Baker Beach with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Then we took some less serious photos.

And we ended the day on a romantic note on the other side of the bridge.

Phuong left her heart in San Francisco, too. Not sure exactly how my camera captured it, but this “heart” was made by the sunset reflecting on my lens – no effects were added in Photoshop.

Thank you Joe for driving and Phuong for navigating down the one-ways and closed streets. We had a blast with you guys!

FL&R

Curiously Sinful

Las Vegas may be Sin City, but the new chocolate covered Altoids are Sin Mints. My sister gave me my first tin of peppermint Altoids dipped in pure dark chocolate and I ate the entire tin on a four-hour flight with no meal service.

Also available in ginger and sin-namon. Curiously chocolate indeed.

P.S. Even though their chocolate inspired me to take this photo, I don’t work for Altoids. You think if I did they’d pay me in mints?

FL&R

Ala - I knew you’d like them – but I don’t think you’re supposed eat them at one sitting! (Love your blog, is everyone really having that much fun?)

Viva Las Vegas!

Las Vegas, Nevada
After their reception Sandy and Albert wanted to take some photos on the Vegas Strip.

We started at the famous welcome sign that’s a prerequisite photo for any visitor to Sin City.

Then we drove to Caesar’s Palace. Sandy gets the Luckiest Bride Award – and not just because she married Albert, who shares her sense of fun. For kicks, she played a few quarters on the slots and won on her first spin! Not only that, but she promised us (Albert, their friend Lester, my assistant (and husband) Michael and me) that she’d split the winnings, so we all won thanks to her luck!

Albert proposed to Sandy by the fountains at Caesar’s Palace so we walked around the columns taking photos.

The newlyweds struck gold again at the Bellagio Hotel. Albert had just finished telling me that they never manage to catch the fountain show. Sure enough, the show had ended just before we walked up to Bellagio. We took a few photos and a minute later another show started, and Sandy and Albert danced in front of the fountains!

We called it a night! Thank you Sandy and Albert for a fun time! And a BIG thanks to their friend Lester who kindly drove us to each of our locations.

Here’s Lester, Sandy and Albert giving me their best cover model poses.

FL&R

Congratulations Sandy & Albert!

Las Vegas, Nevada
Chicagoans Sandy and Albert planned a destination wedding in Las Vegas. Their reception was at Maggiano’s located in the center of the Strip.

Each table was sprinkled with confetti words such as joy, forever, and of course, Sandy & Albert. Matching blue and cream lollipops served as cute centerpieces that guests could take home.

Cheetos appetizer anyone?

Say cheese!

This kid was adorable. I saw him pick up the lemon and I had a feeling it would be a good moment.

FL&R

cathy v. - these photos are great i see the cheetos were a hit!

Catholic Wedding Ceremony

Bloomingdale, Illinois
Here’s some more photos from Santy and Ernesto’s wedding. Their ceremony was at St. Isidore Chapel in Bloomingdale.

St. Isidore’s, like some other churches, requests that no flash is used during the ceremony. All of these photos were shot using available light only.

Some Catholic ceremonies include the lighting of the unity candle, which signifies the joining of two families.

Everyone is invited to recite the Lord’s Prayer.

Father Felipe consecrates the bread and wine for Communion.

Santy and Ernesto included some traditional Mexican wedding customs like the lazo. A lazo, usually a white ribbon or rosary, is wrapped around the couple to show that they are bound together for life.

The sign of peace is part of every Roman Catholic mass and is expressed by a handshake, hug or kiss and the words “Peace be with you.”

The priest and Eucharistic minister offer bread and wine.

The Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary consists of an offering of flowers to the mother of Jesus followed by prayer.

Father Felipe pronounces Ernesto and Santy as husband and wife.

The happy couple floats down the aisle!

FL&R

Denise - Aleks – these photos are great!! I can’t believe these were with natural light!