Rachel McCauley :: Orange County Wedding Photographer

Tina & Sean :: A St Ferdinand Church & Castaway Burbank Wedding

Rachel McCauley — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:49:02 +0000

When I first met Tina & Sean that little voice in my head saying, “Oh please pick me!” was deafening. For me it’s important to have a connection with my clients and with these two I felt it. Although, I do suspect anyone that meets them can’t help but to like them instantly. I especially loved the fact that they are high school sweethearts as I am blessed to be so happily married to mine. The love they have for each other was so apparent I just HAD to be the one to capture it. Thanks again Tina and Sean for picking me! Such an honor.

The day of the wedding was lovely. Sun was shining and the excitement was palpable. I started shooting Tina at her parents lovely home while my second shooter, David Sno, captured Sean at his family home. One of the unique moments of the day was that Tina and Sean chose to do a blindfolded prayer together before the actual ceremony at St. Ferdinand’s Church. It was very sweet and emotional. I have done many First Looks before but this one was different and special to the couple.

Another one of my favorite aspects of course was their lightsaber grand entrance at The Castaway in Burbank. BEST GRAND ENTRANCE EVER. My geeky heart was a flutter. Check out Sean’s cool geek chic AT-AT cufflinks as well. Enough of my rambling, please just see the photos to get more of a sense of this amazing day. There were so many lovely details and emotional moments at this wedding it was impossible to include them all.

Congrats to the perfect couple Tina and Sean! xo, Rachel

Blindfolded prayer

Ceremony took place at St Ferdinand Church.

Live long and prosper salute! I didn’t even ask them to do this. Such a fun group.

Those colors!

Gotta love the AT-AT cufflinks.

Loving the stripey sock and TOMS shoes combo!

Cutie pies!

This is my favorite pic of these two from the day.

So many beautiful details at their Castaway reception.

The engagement photo featured was taken at Griffith Park. You can see more here.

Lightsaber salute grand entrance!!

First dance.

Emotional father/daughter & mother/son dances. Gets me every time.

And they lived happily ever after in a galaxy far, far away…

Sneak Peek :: Reham & Ahmed’s Pasadena Wedding

Rachel McCauley — Wed, 29 May 2013 19:19:09 +0000

Sneak peek from Reham & Ahmed’s wedding including their First Look that took place in the middle of a busy intersection in Downtown Pasadena!

Friends and family of Reham & Ahmed’s please help me in congratulating these two on their marriage.

Congratulations you two! I had a blast. xo, Rachel

More to come …

Sneak Peek :: Tina & Sean’s Burbank Wedding

Rachel McCauley — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:57:19 +0000

Sneak peek from Tina & Sean’s wedding including their lightsaber grand entrance!

Tina & Sean, I’d like to wish you bon voyage as you head out to Hawaii for your honeymoon.

Bon voyage! Have the time of your lives you two.

xo, Rachel

Ellie & Kyle :: A Huntington Beach Maternity Session

Rachel McCauley — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:25:59 +0000

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day other than sharing these maternity photos of glowing and gorgeous first time mama, Ellie. Along with doting father, Kyle, and the magic hour light we created some memorable moments I hope they will be able to share with their baby girl for years to come.

Congratulations to Ellie and Kyle! You two are already such amazing parents. Penelope is one lucky girl.

And, to all the Mother’s out there I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day! xo, Rachel

Jackie & Jon :: A La Habra Engagement Session

Rachel McCauley — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:39:57 +0000

At our initial meeting over coffee and tea, Jackie and Jon mentioned something about being awkward in front of a camera. In my experience, whenever a couple says this it ALWAYS turns out quite the opposite. Just look at these two. So cute! I think the main ingredients to a successful engagement session is to just have a blast and remember why we are here together in the first place. It’s all about the love, people! And boy did Jackie and Jon let their love shine through. It didn’t hurt that they chose a a place that fit them, as they are nature enthusiasts, and had gorgeous light. Can’t wait for the wedding in August.

Congratulations on your engagement, Jackie & Jon! On to the photos…

A sunflower picked from their own garden

Jon studies birds for a living, (Sorry I forget your official title) so they brought along some binoculars for fun.

Ugh, the light at this location! Gorgeous.

I had too much fun shooting these 2 in this field of yellow flowers

Love Jackie’s big brown eyes

Cutie pies

Beckie & Patrick :: A Wayfarers Chapel Book Geek Theme Wedding

Rachel McCauley — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:20:40 +0000

Took me awhile to put this blog together because there was so much I wanted to include. I adored every single part of this wedding. Be ready for a huge photo post! :D

I first met Beckie online through a daily photo project on Flickr. My love for photography re-emerged and blossomed though the projects I was a part of on Flickr, but I never thought it would bring me a chance to photograph a wedding. Even though I had not yet met Beckie in real life I felt like I got to know her through her photos. I knew her wedding was going to be good, but it ended up blowing my mind with all the DIY details she included to represent the love between her and Patrick. From Patrick’s Star Trek cufflinks, a Doctor Who poster and to the Harry Potter page wrapped candles at the reception. All of these perfect geeky details were incorporated subtly into the overall vintage book theme wedding.

Their ceremony was held at the Rivendell-esque Wayfarers Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes. Wayfarers is beyond gorgeous and perfect for that intimate wedding. Reception was held at the Betty H. Reckas Cultural Center in Long Beach where family and friends gathered to celebrate the union between Beckie and Patrick.

Congratulations to Beckie and Patrick! I hope your story is a good one.

Vendor love – 2nd photographer: Elizabeth Kitchens/ Co-ordinator: Mad Love Events/ Ceremony: Wayfarers Chapel/ Reception: Betty H. Reckas Cultural Center/ DJ: Allegro/ Videographers: The Dreamshot Studios/ Felt florals: Muncle Fred Art/ Reception Florals: Flower Duet/ Photo Booth: Smile Lounge/ Makeup: Label Me Lindsay/ Custom invitations, posters & banners made by the bride: Honey and Luck

This wedding was also featured on the fantastic When Geeks Wed!

A Vintage Book Themed Wedding With A Geeky Twist

Beckie’s rings photographed on a Doctor Who fabric tray

Patrick’s Star Trek cufflinks and tie pin

Harry Potter bracelet

Coolest wedding invitations ever. Vintage books hollowed out to include the invites designed by the bride herself. Amazing.

First Look

Felt bouquet. So unique!

One of my favorite details was how Beckie incorporated the memory of her grandfather by carrying a photo of him on her bouquet

Wedding programs designed by the bride

The bride created DIY wands for guests to wave during the recessional

Custom Beatles banner designed by the bride

Love this shot captured by my 2nd shooter, Elizabeth

Beckie’s dad has the coolest car. Perfect for wedding photos! The newlyweds drove it to the reception.

Escort cards were keepsake notebooks wrapped in pages from a Harry Potter book

Betty H. Reckas Cultural Center reception room

Super cute book themed cake topper created by the bride

Doctor Who poster

Moonrise Kingdom poster

Candles were wrapped in pages from a Harry Potter book

Sweetheart table with the bride and groom representing their respective houses Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff

Each napkin on the tables had a different book cover printed on them

Beckie glued on buttons to designate table numbers on vintage books

First dance

Party time

Sneak Peek :: A Huntington Beach Maternity Session

Rachel McCauley — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:17:57 +0000

One of my favorite aspects of capturing weddings is that it doesn’t necessarily stop there. Sometimes you forge lasting relationships and get to have the honor of photographing another momentous occasion in two lovely peoples’ lives.

Congratulations to Ellie and Kyle on their bundle of joy on the way! More photos to come…

Sneak Peek :: Jackie & Jon’s Los Angeles Engagement Session

Rachel McCauley — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:56:00 +0000

Love is gorgeous year round, but Spring time is definitely my favorite. Sneak peek from the adorable Jackie & Jon’s engagement session.

Sneak Peek :: Sportsmens Lodge Wedding

Rachel McCauley — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:03:48 +0000

Just Married!

Congratulations to my cousin Peter and my new cousin-in-law, Flora May. We are so happy to have you as part of our family.

Laura & Craig :: A Braemar Country Club Wedding

Rachel McCauley — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:08:37 +0000

Another gorgeous wedding on the blog! I was in heaven. Laura and Craig’s unique details were elegant, the ceremony site at the Braemar Country Club was lovely and their shoes…Spicoli’s and sparklies. If you haven’t seen Fast Times at Ridgemont High I am referring to Craig’s checkered vans. Anyway, please to enjoy the awesomeness that was Laura and Craig’s big day.

Thank you so much for having me there to capture it. Congratulations Laura and Craig! If you’d like to see more, click here for their slideshow.

Started the day at Laura’s parent’s house for getting ready photos. Behold the sparklies!

Thanks to my second shooter, David, for capturing the groom getting ready.

First Look!

So pretty.

Sun was setting during the ceremony. Loving the light and their smiling faces!

Laura wrote their ceremony. It was very touching

Married!

Off to the golf course for a few photos.

Spicoli’s!

Love this personal touch Laura added for the clutches she gifted to her bridesmaids.

And custom knives for the groomsmen. Badass!

OMG SHOES

ADORE their unique “guest book”. Guests signed their names on the birds. What a wonderful keepsake Laura and Craig will be able to hang in their home.

1,000 origami crane cage in their colors. For good luck.

PARTY! And boy did they dance all night. Such a fun group.

Vendor Link Love <3

Second photographer: David Sno

Venue: Braemar Country Club

Coordinator: H. White Special Events

DJ: Amazing Event DJs

Flowers: Ariel’s Flowers