Sometimes I worry when family asks me to be their photographer. My family is wonderful, but it is also very very large, so I am always afraid everyone will want to chat (including myself) while I am on photography duty or that I will be missing out on those rare occasions when I can see everyone… but after having so very much fun at their engagement session, I didn’t even think about that and I was super excited when Pedro (my brother) and Kylene (my gorgeous* sister-in-law) asked me to photograph their wedding.

When they asked me, they were not very worried about the fact that I was very pregnant and they assured me, the wedding would be very low key. I have photographed non-traditional low key weddings before, which were wonderful, but I have never seen a bride and groom as relaxed as these two. I called them two days before the wedding to ask them about their plans for the day and confirm a couple of things as a photographer (any special/ unusual plans for the ceremony? Any details they didn’t want me to miss?). They said they weren’t sure about what would be going down. They were thinking at that stage of  – maybe – hiring someone to set things up, but if they didn’t find anyone, that would be fine, as long as everyone had fun. When I got there on their wedding day, right before the time people were supposed  to show up, I found my brother running around without a shirt and a bunch of friends carrying trays of sandwiches, cupcakes, decorations… but no stress. Everyone was just laughing at how late they were and in a few minutes things looked perfect (not that they would let any imperfections spoil their day if they didn’t).

The wedding was a fun picnic at a park by the beautiful beach at Dana Point (in Orange County, CA). They set up blankets and picnic baskets as tables (which the guests got to take home as favors :-)). After everyone was there, enjoying the picnic and each other’s company, Pedro and Ky at some point asked: should we do it now? and then we all proceded to the beach for the lovely, fun and very personal ceremony at the beach (performed by my husband… also a great idea of theirs). After the ceremony, all guests were encouraged to keep enjoying and go for a dip (which some did). It was a wonderful day, and the simplicity of everything ended up highlighting what was really important: family, friends, love all around… and a bride and groom crazy for each other, were definitely there. This was my favorite wedding, both as a guest and a s a photographer.

Congratulations, Ky and Pedro on your beautiful wedding! I am so very happy to have you both and Isis in my life. Love you guys!

*Don’t take my word for it! Have a look: she is gooooorgeous!

Credits: Venue: Dana Point, CA, Make up: Tonya Drossos (bride’s best friend), Officiant: Dan Shiber (groom’s brother-in-law), Photography: Ananda Lima (groom’s sister, me :-))