Hey Hey! Once again I’m back with an incredible blog post. This one I was SUPER excited about because my couple was AMAZING but it will also be aired on TLC’s new show I Want That Wedding ( which is on tonight so check it out! ). Natalie Sofer always attracts some beautiful couples so I was more that ecstatic when she referred Andreas and Loren over to me for their TLC QUEEN MARY WEDDING. Whenever I get that call I know that for one the wedding is in GREAT hands and two that the couple will be rad! HAHA.

For this TLC QUEEN MARY WEDDING we headed out to Long Beach. Now I grew up in Orange County so know the Long Beach area very well as well as The Queen Mary. I’ve shot here plenty of times but this was very different. For starters it was themed Great Gatsby, which in itself is amazing. Everyone was dressed to the nines and totally into character. We also had a night time ceremony on the top deck. Typically these are done in daylight but with the knowledge of off camera lighting and an incredible film crew with their own lights this went off without a hitch. People I cannot stress enough, hiring a vendor that knows light should absolutely be high on your checklist.

I’m not talking about some on camera flash with one dimensional light either, I’m talking dynamic lighting. Check this link out for more examples How I use Lighting at Receptions.

We started out our day as I always do with details and prep. Today they shared a cabin so it offered some refreshing looks of both grooms prepping each other. Once we nailed down some creatives we moved outside for something I had never experienced, a group glass smashing. Finding the right area for this was tricky because we had to consider the fact that it wouldn’t be too wise to do it while kids and families were still walking around the ship. We fortunately found a little area a few hundred feet west of The Queen Mary, did our toast and BAM! Smashed all the glass on the ground. I was crouched down pretty low and glass shards flying up at my face but could care less. It was an awesome moment and a few cuts wasn’t about to stop me from getting that shot.

One thing I really wanted to incorporate into this wedding was a different take on table rounds. Anyone who knows me knows how tacky I think traditional table rounds are. The guest tables ALWAYS have half eaten plates, empty glasses and are generally just messy. Then you have the wonderful half moon circle around the table and….no.

There are WAY better ways to get these shots IF they are planned. So guess what? That’s what we did. I’m a big fan of Mark Seliger and his work with Vanity Fair so I decided I wanted to use that style and get Andreas and Lorens guests something that they would actually LOVE instead of some throw away pics.

We coordinated an amazing settee to be in front of the fireplace in the reception hall. I set up a large 7ft parabolic umbrella, had each table come over, posed them accordingly and viola. It was an amazing time of the night as you can tell each and every guest felt appreciated and not forgotten. Since then this is something I bring up to all of my couples. Sometimes there just is not enough time and other times we make damn sure we have time hahaha! This style mixed with the Gatsby theme was perfect.

The reception was simply put, INCREDIBLE. I could probably write a ton about how amazing the gals hanging upside down from the ceiling pouring champagne were or how brilliant the pianist was or even how infectious the atmosphere was, but the words wouldn’t do it justice. I’m going to end this with something I always tell my friends who ask why I don’t have photo gear on me when I go places. Sometimes…..you have to live in the experience and let it wash over you.

The main reason you hire me is just this, so that you can be IN the moment and rely on me to let you relive it through the medium. When I go places with my family or to a friends awesome wedding I want to be A PART of it not be distracted by technicals. This is one wedding I truly WISH I could have been a part of in the experience.

Thanks to everyone who made Andreas and Lorens wedding AMAZING, Natalie Sofer, the film crew, The Queen Mary and tune in tonight to TLC QUEEN MARY WEDDING at 9pm!

 

 

Wedding Planner – Natalie Sofer Wedding and Events

Venue – Queen Mary Long Beach CA

 

While you’re here feel free to check out some of the other incredible weddings I’ve been a part of as well as advice you’ll need when debating that First Look!

May + Mike | FCC Los Angeles Wedding

First Looks. Traditional VS Modern and why you should always choose the latter.

Leslie + Vlad | El Encanto Santa Barbara Wedding

Ryan + Trent | El Matador Malibu Engagement

Emily + Joseph | Hacienda Heights Country Club Wedding

Gail + Brian | Figueroa Mountain Wedding

I want to tell YOUR story and be you’re QUEEN MARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER! Chat with me today to see if your date is still available!