A U.S. Marine wedding in San Diego

It pays not to burn any bridges- The bridesmaid on the right, and the woman pictured with me were the ones who referred my photography services to the bride. And hear this! they were once patients of mine when I was pregnant. At first it took me a few minutes to remember who they were and as my memory banks rolled, they were mother and daughter with different last names. Both were extremely pleased that I had healed them as they no longer have pain. Of course I got a big head over that! Alejandra you should have kicked me under the table.

And of course I was thankful of them, after all it got me a weekend trip to southern cal.

So meet the bride with these gorgeous eyes! Makes me think of the actress Audrey Hepburn.

And meet the makeup artist, who does the best makeovers I've seen yet.

Her website is http://www.beauty-to-be.com/.

Meet the serious husband, who was difficult to crack a smile from (it must be the Marine uniform). Kudos to Alejandra who really tried hard to have them smile.
And finally they started to relax a bit, and just be boys...

Taken in the Marriott lobby

And I just had them play hide-n-seek with the curtains...

And more curtains! Pretty regal I must say.

He's cracking a lot of smiles now- heck, the wedding is over. But it was pretty funny when he screwed up on his vows by reading his wife's part instead..."I, Amanda, take you to be"...

As I was taking their portrait, I hear this baby squeal in delight- and I immediately turn around, cause I am familiar with that sound!

Such as odd sight to see them! It's like 2 different lifestyles not meant to mingle...formal wear vs. outdoor rugged wear. Get it?

And trying to cut a wedding cake takes good eye-hand coordination and a steady hand when cutting with a SWORD?

And I thought this was a cool photo of how they quickly dissessembled the cake!

By 10:00 our job was over and Ale and I hobbled back to our room. Greg and Kai had spent the day at the beach and their lights were out...so we got into our swimsuits. Were we ever ready to enjoy that hot tub tonight!

From Carmel to San Fran, we shoot a wedding...

View through a window at the Tickle Pink Inn in Carmel, CA.

Whew! I have finally edited over 1,000+ photographs, color-corrected and retouched them and posted it on the world wide web. To see the slideshow of the wedding I worked with Alejandra- click here- http://amoreimages.com/Kacie_Chuck/

Alejandra and I left for Carmel to shoot a wedding on Avila Beach (April 27-28). It's a gorgeous beach I had car-camped out with Greg several years ago. I envy the owners with oceanfront property. Imagine waking up to this every morning and smelling the fresh air and hearing the waves crash... dreamy.

Lunch on the beach before we start our shift. That's Ale, she's pretty shy until a camera is pointed in her direction. I thnk she's waiting for Fabio to walk by...

This couple had their wedding in Carmel and the following day had their reception in a private hall, the top floor of the Fairmont in San Francisco. Personally if I was a guest, I would have been too exhausted to travel from Carmel to San Fran, and then to party again? So I was impressed that her wedding guests attended the reception the following day. But most of all, I was honored to be their choice photographer to record their special day. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to work in such a beautiful environment.

Anyway, I just wanted to share some photos of our little exciting journey!

CARMEL PHOTOGRAPHS

Wedding held at Avila Beach in Carmel, CA. (pix taken by Alejandra).

What a handsome couple!

The oil painting that was completed during the ceremony. I thought this was a wonderful idea!

I love this image I took of the bride. She just looked so care-free, so happy!

I couldn't resist stopping to take some scenic shots of Carmel on the way home.

Video of Carmel: a panorama of the ocean.

Monterey Photographs

Abalone, I think not! At the Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey.

You gotta eat the clam chowder in a bread bowl here! It's to die for!

San Francisco Photographs

(at the Fairmont Hotel)

I always get nervous near the cake. Leaning in to take close-ups of the detail on the cake, it would be a tragedy if I ever fall into it.

Ale posing for some test shots. There was this terrific panoramic view of the TransAmerica building, the Coit Tower, and the Bay Area. Breath-taking views from the Fairmont.

Me, with the big tupperware on my flash.

Bridesmaid catches the bouquet.

Afterwards we check out the Tonga Room in the Fairmont. This place is great for its mai tai's, floating band in a pool, simulated thunder/rain showers, and actual parts of an old ship that make the dance floor.