Orange County Wedding Photographer | Ly Cecilia and Will

Wow. I don’t even know where to begin! First, let me just say that I was completely honored and humbled to have been given the opportunity to document such a beautiful wedding for Ly and Will out in Orange County California. These two are such adventurers with many great friends and families that traveled far and wide to be there to celebrate with them.

Be prepared for a very very very long blog post:)

It all happened quite some time ago. Many years ago, I met Ly Cecilia when she visited Ly (No.1) in Milwaukee. Ly (No.1) is called such, because she is older than Ly Cecilia. These two were besties in their younger days and remained besties even though they had drifted states apart. So, when Ly Cecelia got engaged…she naturally asked Ly (No.1) aka, “Colleen’s Ly” who she would trust to document her big day…she said ME:)

I was more than happy and honored to not only share in this beautiful day with such a wonderful couple, but that I got to be there to support my friend as she stood next to her bestie on her wedding day. 

As luck would have it, myself and my second photographer (Jeanne Delain) flew in on August 21st and landed in Orange County Airport right as they were going through a heat wave! Boy was it hot hot hot! I was so happy that we got a rental car that was white so that it helped keep the ambient temperatures more tolerable when we would enter the vehicle.

(selfie on the plane…of course;)

We spent the day driving around and checking out the venue and overall area. It was so beautiful and we just loved looking out at the water!! After some grub and driving, we checked into our room and got ready to head out to the rehearsal. But not before squeezing in a wee bit of pampering time! Love California and their speedy pampering!! 

No…we are not drunk. This is how we always look….absolutely ridiculous!! haha 

Ahhh…the drive along the beach was just stunning!! And rehearsal was a breeze! Everyone was so on point and perfect that it went so smoothly.

I don’t think Ly and Will could have picked a more ideal location for the rehearsal dinner. A beautiful little spot nestled just a short walk up from Laguna Beach where we could see and feel that perfect ocean breeze and watch the sun setting across the ocean.  Ahh….I could have stayed there all night just listening to the waves crash on the beach and watching the stars. But alas…the night grew dark, and we ended the evening with a few token speeches from Ly’s Brother and Will’s Sister.

We even managed to snap some more photos of my trio. Myself, Jeanne and Ly (No.1)

RISE AND SHINE! The morning came and down for breakfast and coffee we went before meeting up with our girls!

The girls were already on the go in the morning with the absolutely amazing Hair and Makeup Crew from Kelly Zhang. Their team is phenomenal and did a stellar job! 

Not before Ly was all finished getting dolled up, Will had a surprise for her. He had created a video message for her and it was just the sweetest thing!!! Tears, laughs and smiles all around. It was absolutely beautiful!

Off to the church we went. It was so cute!! Initially, Ly, here father and brother were just going to Uber a ride over there, but since I was heading that way to photograph them (duh), I figured I’d just take them:) It worked out so well! Jeanne drove so that my short legs and me could squeeze in the backseat to give everyone else a wee bit more room. The drive was beautiful…again and we made it to the church with time to snag a few photos before Ly went to chill out in her bridal room. 

After a beautiful ceremony, it was off to the beach for some fun photos before heading over to Soka University of America. 

Soka University was just beautiful! And to be in the art gallery was such a clean and crisp environment that it just made the entire place feel so welcoming.

Because guests were seated on both the lower level and the second level, all the speeches and toasts were completed before dinner so that they could have everyone’s undivided attention.

The one thing that I LOVED LOVED LOVED…is actually something that wasn’t photographed at all. Ly and Will choose to have their first dance out in the middle of the water field of the university….alone. They wanted to just enjoy being with each other, in the moment, free from any distractions, cameras and people. It was just the two of them, their love for one another, and the music inside their heads playing as they enjoyed some peaceful and romantic moments together on their wedding day. I’m even getting emotional as I write this because it was such a beautiful moment that they got to share in private and with each other that no one can ever take from them.

As the party rolled on, we continued to snap away long into the night. I am so honored to have been a part of this wedding and wish so much happiness to Ly and Will. These two met in 2011 and connected, loved, laughed, adventured and traveled the world. And now, they continue a beautiful journey as husband and wife. 

Colleen

p.s. if you made it to the end, thanks so much for reading this incredibly long post:)