I don’t know about you, but winter is one of my favorite times of year…. there’s just something so romantic about it!  Winter’s a time when life slows down a little, cuddles by the fire are enjoyed, and the world looks a little different. Plus, all the cute jackets and accessories can be worn… like scarves, peacoats, and cute hats! Well, Brittany and Allie over at Rooted in Love Weddings are also big fans of winter…. so much so that we decided to put together a winter styled shoot up in Arrowhead area. The inspiration for the styling was the color combination of wood and wine, combining classic wedding details with woodsy elements and DIY charm. Those girls put a lot of time into creating some super cute DIY decor, and they did a great job on the design. Kathleen Bantad of The Paper Mint Press also joined our team to create some adorable letter press invitations and recipe cards. And to top it off, we had a ridiculously cute couple model for us! Scott and Claire are celebrating over 5 years of marriage this year and they are more in love than they were on their wedding day! Jaya Loo and Danyell Weinberg did Claire’s hair and makeup. Here are the highlights from the afternoon…

Event Design: Rooted in Love Weddings, Hair: Jaya Loo, Makeup: Danyell Weinberg, Invitations: The Paper Mint Press, Silverware: BHLDN, Lanterns: World Market Cost Plus, Venue: Private Estate

I never turn down an opportunity to shoot with my friend Jack. He’s awesome. The brides and grooms he gets to shoot are SO sweet… it’s always a pleasure to hang out and shoot. This particular wedding took place in the beginning of December 2009… when the weather was still wintery. (I figure I should blog this one before it’s no longer wintertime. Ha!)

Daniel and Mandy’s wedding and reception were held here… at Orange County Mining Company. The “old barn” look and rugged accents gave an organic and intimate feel to the wedding… and the people were warm and SO excited that these two were finally tying the knot!

Any chance I can get… I love to shoot with other photographers because it gives me the chance to step out and try new things without the stress of shooting the entire event myself. It’s nice to take a step back, help where needed, and spend time taking more artistic and intentional pictures. So some of these shots are different from the usual wedding images I blog, but I love them… they’re relaxed and beautiful. Enjoy!

Epic Jack… Epic.

Daniel and Mandy… thanks for letting me hang with you guys on your wedding day. You’re too cute… and spending time with both of you left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. You’re a reminder of what a newly wed couple is supposed to be like… utterly IN LOVE. Twas a pleasure…

Also muchos gracias to my good friend Jack Ratana… you rock!