Tucked away within the redwoods and along the Russian River is a gem of a getaway, Boon Hotel + Spa. These two decided to have an intimate and personal celebration of their marriage that included dinner under the stars and limbo by the pool. It was a day of endless laughter and joy and I can't wait to go back!

April & I were randomly assigned as roommates our freshman year in college and it's truly one of the reasons why I believe in fate. Our friendship was instant and has lasted the almost-decade since that first day of class through trips to each other's hometowns, a summer in London and living in separate halves of California.

She's the girl everyone wants to be friends with, the girl who is laughing the loudest, dancing with strangers and singing along to whatever song is on. Her joy is contagious and she'll wrap her arms and heart around anyone and anything. When she got engaged to Shawn, my first thought was wow, he must be incredible. The man that marries April would be guaranteed a life of love and adventure. But to be the man that April falls in love with, he'd have to be pretty amazing in his own right. 

And amazing they are - together. The most perfect balance of heart and mind. Of trust and respect. Of finding that person that you're supposed to spend the rest of your life with. There wasn't a more perfect setting to witness their love for the first time than during this session in the city that they call home. 

Hannah and Brad are cool. Like not Instagram-cool, actually cool. And completely and totally themselves. This day was laid back and personal from the busy morning of getting all of the finishing touches perfect to the very formal "sign the damn guest book" board atop the welcome table.

The ceremony was equal parts casual and emotional (and a lot of parts windy). After dinner cocktails flowed on the patio as guests gave impromptu speeches creating the most intimate part of the day. I stole these two during sunset for some of my favorite portraits to date. Hannah's style (and the cape!) was effortless, chic and stunning and complimented Brad's classic look while these two broke their serious poses with fits of laughter. The entire day was so authentically them and photographed just as wonderfully as it felt to be there. 

planning / after the engagement
venue / the lautner compound
dress / toni maticevski from loho bride
catering / miho catering co
hair + mua / dede music
florist / tropic of flowers
bar / barcon cocktail co
jewelry / wwake
nails / color camp
rentals / circa rentals & signature party rentals

It was love at first sight - and I'm talking about how I felt toward Alyssa and Josh - I was obsessed with these two the second I met them. Their wedding day was nothing short of awesome. They spent their morning separately, laughing and drinking with their closest friends in two beautiful homes in the mountains outside of Temecula. Sometimes couples are nervous and too excited to enjoy their morning but these two couldn't stop smiling. I told Alyssa, "You're so happy!" and she replied, "I'm about to marry my best friend, who wouldn't be happy?!" and when I said the same thing to Josh, he had a similar response: "If you're not the most excited on your wedding day, you're doing something wrong". Or something like that, I'm paraphrasing for both of them because most of the time I was too busy laughing at everything they said. These two were just happy. 

From their vows under this incredible tree that was struck by lightning to their badass getaway '67 T-Bird to Alyssa's freaking insane dress sent from heaven, everything was incredible. They danced the night away with everyone they loved and I hugged them both ten times before I left. It was truly a day to celebrate and as you'll soon see from the photos, you'll be able to tell why. I love these two and I'm so happy I got to be the one to photograph their beautiful wedding day. Cheers!

Planning Events By Talissa / Florals by Cherry Blossom Floral Designs / Dress by Martina Liana from Blush Bridal Couture / DJ Jayce Hensley / Video by DP Weddings / Photography by Jes Workman with my badass second shooter Kayla Lilli

Put yourself in the mood, turn on some tunes:

Venue |  Avalon Hotel + Bungalow
Coordinating + Design | Boldhouse
Florals | Of The Flowers
Makeup Artist | Nika In The Desert
Hair Artist | Natalie Noel
DJ | Who's That DJ
Music | Matt Commerce
Video | Mawwiage Films
Rentals | Sig Party Rentals