Desert Bridal Inspiration

About this collection: "Mystic Love collection is inspired by a femininely elegant bride, it is a small collection that carries fresh styles and a design aesthetic. My exquisite design details include beautiful combinations of charmeuse with overlays of  delicate embroidered lace and lace appliqués. I provide my Brides with different silhouettes from pretty dresses to veils and robes, all at which we carry at an accessible price point."

Vendors: Photographer: Jennifer Fujikawa Photography // Veils and headpieces: Marisol Aparicio

Longshadow Ranch Winery Rustic Spring Wedding from Theresa Bridget Photography

"My favorite part of our wedding was the way the music brought it all together. While all the details were in place, the music and DJ truly set the tone. For so long I have imagined the moment when I walked down the aisle, when Matt and I would be presented as a married couple at the reception, and being able to look across the room when a certain song is played and look at a friend or family member and just know that everything about the day is just..right. My heart is overwhelmed with the feelings and memories that rush back when I hear certain songs- "Mine" by Taylor Swift, "Honeybee" by Blake Shelton and our first dance- "When you got a good thing" by Lady Antebellum. 

Our wedding day was just as much about us as it was about every single person in the room. Each person played an important role in our lives. I will never forget the moment my best friend of 21 years gave her Maid of Honor Speech, or sharing my father-daughter dance with my grandpa, step father and officiant. Matt and I can happily say that we soaked it all in and enjoyed every moment of that day. While it flew by, the memories are lasting." -bride & groom

Orange County Elegant Bride and Groom Portraits by Damaris Mia Photography

Something not a lot of people know about unless you've been following Southern California Bride for awhile is that I am so a Southern California wedding photographer! I actually started shooting before I even got into wedding blogging and focused primarily on Southern California weddings. I decided to take a break from shooting weddings back in 2012 when I got pregnant with twins -- which, hello! was a pretty big surprise as we were expecting to get pregnant with just one baby but God had something better planned for us and well, I could go on and on about it! Anyway, I digress! I had the opportunity last year to photograph my brother's proposal + two engagement sessions + engagement party and earlier this year, his Orange County wedding at the Majestic Garden Hotel in Anaheim. All this kind of got the ball rolling on me getting back into wedding photography and to be honest, I just missed it too much!

So this brings me to this shoot that I am sharing with you today. This shoot is my first styled shoot since getting back into photography and I am so proud of the team that I had the opportunity to work with! It makes an enormous amount of difference when every team member is as passionate about the shoot as you, the creative director. Up and coming Los Angeles florist, Florals by Isabelle, designed this gorgeous bouquet and bout. Hikari Murakami Makeup and Hair just blew me away with how even more beautiful she made the bride model look! I mean, she just nailed it! And these gowns from Ferndale's Bridal were breathtaking -- I wanted to take both of them home! Petals and Stones supplied us with the prettiest jewelry ever! My dear friend, Ruthie, who helped make sure everything went well throughout the shoot -- the best stylist and assistant a girl could have! And lastly, a big thanks to Meladie & Stefan who were so great to work with! I am blessed to have gotten to know you both! Now without further adieu... 

Vendors: Photography: Damaris Mia Photography | Ballgown: Maggie Sottero | Lace Gown: Allure | Bridal Boutique: Ferndale's Bridal | Hair & Makeup: Hikari Murakami | Florals: Florals by Isabelle | Jewelry: Petals and Stones | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Styling: Ruthie

Florals by Isabelle + Petals and Stones + Damaris Mia Photography are Southern California Bride Preferred Members. To find more vendors near you, visit us here.

Downtown Los Angeles & Skyline Engagement Session

"On a trip to Switzerland to visit Paul's parents (and for skiing of course!)... it happened. Here's the proposal story: On a cool January evening, during a walk together along Lake Geneva, Ashley asked Paul how his parent's had met. After a short explanation, this question was turned back to Ashley... "so what does our story sound like?". Ashley then proceeded to take him on a trip down memory lane. They eventually settled on a bench upon the hill across the blue lake. With the sun setting in the distance, he looked saw a lighthouse with a green light. Paul knew this was the moment. All he could think about was the Great Gatsby......at the conclusion of her story, Paul said it was time to head back. "It's getting cold babe, let's get out of here". As she walked ahead, Paul called out to her. She turned around to see him on one knee... "I can't wait for our next chapter", he said, while her eyes filled with tears of unbridled joy. Finally, after 6 years together, they are going to get married!" -the couple

Vendor: Photography: D. Park Photography

An Elegant Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara by Meghan Christine Photography

We love featuring our Southern California Bride members so when Meghan Christine Photography sent us this gorgeous wedding, we just couldn't wait to feature it. This gorgeous elegant and classic wedding took place at the famed Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara -- a stunning resort situated on the Santa Barbara coastline. The bride looked stunning in her Kirstie Kelly ruffled gown and the bridesmaids donned a classic look in black gowns. But wait until you see the reception -- just breathtaking!

About their wedding: "My husband and my wedding day was truly our dream come true. My mom and I planned the entire wedding over 18 months, and boy did we need all 18 months with how detail oriented I am! Throughout the entire planning process we always made sure to enjoy it, to not sweat the small stuff, and to truly take in all of the things happening during this life changing time in my life. 

I could never choose one moment in the planning process that I loved because there definitely were a few of them. The most special moment was wedding dress shopping with my mom. We went just the two of us to the Kirstie Kelly showroom & from the moment I put the dress on that I walked down the aisle in we both knew that was "the one". My mom's reaction and happiness was a moment I will never forget, and I am so glad it was just the two of us. My favorite moments with my husband was our menu tasting (that was his favorite) and designing our wedding bands together, I had no part in designing my engagement ring so this was a lot of fun for me! 

How to choose one favorite from my wedding day? I can't, there's just too many. I chose to do a first look with my dad, not my husband, it was such an emotional and raw moment, it was so special to see the look on his face and to hear the words he spoke to me and to hear him talk about how lucky my future husband was. Seeing my husband at the altar was another one of my favorite moments, seeing his face was such a calming feeling, it was so surreal and in that moment I had never been happier before in my life. We exchanged letters the morning of our wedding and the words he wrote me are some that I will never forget, and I loved that it forced me to sit down, take a breath, and relax in all the chaos of getting ready. My last favorite moment I'll talk about (I could go on forever about them!) is our first dance, yes it was so special to be dancing together but we invited everyone at our wedding to finish the last half of the song with us on the dance floor and in that moment being surrounded by everyone who love and supported us was such an amazing good feeling, it truly warmed my heart to look around and see everyone singing along with the song and sharing that moment with us." 

This shoot was originally featured by Heather Sharpe.

Vendors: Photographer: Meghan Christine Photography // Cinema and Video: BGS Productions // DJ: DJ Hecktik // Reception Venue: Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara // Ceremony Location: Four Seasons The Biltmore Santa Barbara // Linens and Coverings: La Tavola Linen // Makeup Artist: Samantha Singer Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist // Floral Designer: Stella Bloom Designs // Event Planner: Tricia Dahlgren Events // Dress: Kirstie Kelly

Meghan Christine Photography is a Southern California Bride Preferred Member. To find more members in your area, visit us here.