The last couple of years, we’ve done our favorite wedding images and it’s been such a daunting task because every single wedding is so special to us, as is all our favorite couples … and this year was no different.
But rather than break it up into several blogs, we made some DEEP CUTS (they hurt, y’all!) in order to create one blog filled with our favorite details, portraits and moments of 2016. This was NOT EASY whatsoever … this is the hardest blog of every year for us, because we get so attached to our couples and every wedding has something amazing and incredible that makes it a favorite. But these are, without a doubt, the photos that make our hearts so happy!
Our Favorite Wedding Images of 2016
Dave + Jessica handmade wedding invitation BOOKS, guys!
Sarah carried a photo of her two new step-sons down the aisle with her for their wedding. We’ve never met someone so excited to be a bonus mom before, and we loved it!
We loved this delicate invitation suite from Tim + Vanessa’s wedding!
Seriously the raddest ring ever: it’s made out of a moon rock and two comet fragments … literally the moons and the stars!
Most thoughtful destination wedding welcome kit!
Such an elegant wedding invitation suite!
We loved these wedding guest gifts – individual succulents!
We loved these matching bridal wedding band sets!
We love when couples have unique details to their wedding – like a hand fasting ceremony with Celtic wedding bands!
Heels are beautiful but let’s be honest: Converse All-Stars make the best bridal shoes!
Most emotional wedding detail of the year: Dominic carried a photo of his late mother on his wedding day, and made all the tears flow.
While waiting for the elevator to carry us down before their first look, we loved this quiet moment of Jessica in front of the window.
Edwing and Bianca just got married a couple of days ago – their blog will be coming next week!! – but this was easily our favorite bridal gown portrait of 2016.
Quiet moments with Cody before the ceremony.
Give us all the sequins!!!
Mark made the most handsome groom, Randy loved hanging out with him while he got ready!
Window light makes the best light – we loved this photo of Lexy with her bridesmaids getting ready!
We loved Christina’s bridal party – such amazing, supportive women!
Gold and pink glam? Yes please!
The quiet moments, putting on the last details before her wedding.
Loved this moment Randy captured of Dominic putting the last touches on his suit.
Because when Ben Zorn from the Bachelor is one of your groomsmen and best friends, you’ve gotta present him with some sort of flower.
Cutest ring bearer ever, right? Love you, Marley!
Most emotional first look of the year.
Right before this photo, Christina’s bridesmaids gathered around her – praying for her, for her wedding day, for her marriage to Matt, and for the future.
Not only did we love these three fun bridesmaids, we LOVED their matching hot pink robes!
Let’s just admit it: this is our favorite groom’s picture we’ve ever taken. Steve’s such a handsome devil! 😉
This is another favorite from Edwing and Bianca’s wedding coming up next week on our blog … just a brief moment before their first look!
We loved traveling to Casa Real in Pleasanton (in Northern California) for Laura’s wedding with Billy!
Little moments like THIS can’t be forced or planned. Love this photo full of joy!!
We loved the henna at Luke + Jessica’s DTLA wedding … and their gorgeous metallic-themed wedding attire!
Love when groomsmen just hang out and be themselves for photos. Love this shot of Kevin with his guys!
Casual wedding parties who like to laugh and have fun are our favorites!
When your bridesmaids all can rock an LBD like no other!
The one photo that Steve requested was just one badass photo of him with his groomsmen … ummm, CHECK!
We just loved everything about this wedding party’s style!
Travis and his two boys – our favorite father and son portrait of the year!
Vladen + Michelle opted not to see each other until the ceremony, but they did share a ‘first prayer’ before … with Vladen’s son Jackson in between.
Most badass entrance AND best groom’s gift? Luke arriving to his DTLA wedding by helicopter. Hell yeah!!
We loved watching Kristi walk toward Brent at sunset at La Quinta Country Club at sunset – the light was perfect!
We loved Kevin + Kim’s wedding at Corona Yacht Club – such a beautiful setting, and they had a mariachi band!
Loved watching Malia be escorted down the aisle by her parents … she was so excited!!
One of the most emotional hand-off’s we’ve ever seen … this moment between Melinda and her daughter Shannon was easily one of those moments we’ll remember forever.
Outdoor ceremonies under a handmade wooden arch with gorgeous flowers? Yes, yes, yes!
Kristi + Brent’s wedding was one of the most emotional weddings we’ve ever attended. These pink balloons were in memory of Kristi’s mother, who passed away just a few days before the wedding – and they were released at the end of the ceremony. There wasn’t a dry eye anywhere.
The most beautiful altar of the year – we LOVED the ombre rose design, hanging by pearls!
We can’t look at this photo without tearing up. Nicole’s father passed away a couple of months before he could walk her down the aisle, so her mother escorted her alone and before she handed her off, she took a moment at the end of the aisle.
Our favorite church venue of the year was definitely St. Andrew’s in Pasadena … it’s where they filmed Princess Diaries 2!
What can we say, we love watching parents as their children get married!
Ashley’s favorite ceremony photo of the year!
Favorite wedding ceremony backdrop of the year at La Quinta Country Club!
When one of the bride’s brother is giving a speech during the ceremony and stops to take a selfie.
During Matt + Christina’s wedding ceremony, we looked over and saw their father’s sharing this moment.
Favorite view point of the year at our Lady of Perpetual Help in Indio!
We loved this for two reasons: 1.) It was a cool spin on the Jewish tradition of breaking the glass and 2.) We loved what it represented – the covenant that they’ll always make time for each other.
We loved this moment of pure HELL YEAH kind of joy after Luke + Jessica were pronounced husband and wife!
Favorite wedding arch of the year, we loved the florals on it!
We can’t imagine a more romantic spot to get married – by the lake at sunset!
If we are shooting an indoor ceremony, they should always be lit by candles with a fireplace. So beautiful and romantic! This was definitely our favorite indoor wedding ceremony site of 2016 at Casa Real.
Can more weddings please have a classic hot rod?
Our favorite matching bride + groom sunglasses!
We loved the color scheme of this desert wedding – coral pink, navy blue and gray!
Favorite bridal laugh of the year!
We just can’t stop gushing over the way Janelle looks at Dominic!
Favorite couple laughing photo of the year, because we love these two so much.
Favorite negative space photo of the year – love those Southern California blue skies!
Favorite military wedding AND favorite unique wedding venue location of the year!
We loved the mix between Eastern and Western traditions for Luke + Jessica’s American-Indian wedding!
Favorite backless dress of the year.
Favorite “just married” couples portrait of 2016.
Favorite intimate moment of 2016.
Favorite row of trees, favorite college venue and favorite Colorado wedding of 2016!
Just a favorite because … just because. Just loved this moment.
Favorite inside joke moment of 2016 (Edwing + Bianca’s wedding is coming next week!).
Favorite light to shoot in and favorite Joshua Tree wedding portrait.
Favorite sunset wedding portrait.
Favorite San Francisco City Hall wedding of all time, ever.
Favorite bridal hair and favorite bridal bouquet of the year!
Favorite intimate wedding reception of 2016.
Favorite reception set up – how totally rad are those modern couches by the dance floor?!
Favorite catering of 2016, because hello – it’s In N Out!!!
Favorite grand entrance of 2016. Normally we wouldn’t share a photo of a bride taking a spill on the dance floor – but Ashley was SUCH a good sport about it, and had EVERYONE laughing that it was absolutely our favorite wedding outtake of the year!
We know we already picked one favorite intimate wedding reception, but this is our blog damn it – and we’re picking a second one! Love those bistro lights at Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage!
Favorite way to cool off in 2016 – the entire wedding party ended up in the pool!
Favorite wood chairs – these are our favorites!
Favorite floral beard of 2016. In fact, only floral beard of 2016. LOL!!
Favorite colorful wedding reception tablescapes.
Favorite tablecloths of the year. Kind of a weird thing to have a favorite of – but come on, give us all the navy blue sequins!!
Favorite reception set up of 2016 … so classy and romantic!
Favorite plates + silverware … we loved the gold!
Favorite nighttime reception set up of 2016.
That moment when the groom brings out his two brothers to share his mother-son dance so that they could trade off with his aunt and grandmother. Favorite parent dance of the year!
Favorite reception party of 2016 … definitely had so much fun at Steve + Shannon’s Palm Springs wedding!
Favorite moment at the reception: when the bride grabs the mic and gives an epic performance of “California Love” by Tupac. Also favorite: Luke realizing he totally married the raddest woman in Los Angeles!
Favorite dessert and rings combined photo of 2016.
Favorite cupcakes of 2016 …. seriously, soooo tasty!
Favorite nighttime, colorful and intimate wedding reception set up!
Favorite intimate moment on the dance floor for 2016!
Favorite moment with parents – Jessica appreciating what an amazing guy she married!!
Favorite glam wedding cake of 2016. Those flowers were hand painted!
Favorite Magic Mike impression at a wedding reception in 2016.
Favorite buttercream cake of 2016.
Favorite bouquet toss of 2016. Even better because the crazy one on the end is one of our best friends, hahaha!
Most epic photo bomb of the year … three drinks in hand, the groom’s brother Jorge totally just walked in front of Randy during the bouquet toss. No worries though, we did capture it from an alternate angle. Perk of having two shooters! 😉
Favorite “whoops, got stuck on the dance floor surrounded by the conga line” photo of 2016.
Favorite father-daughter dance of 2016.
Favorite big group photo at the end of the night!
Favorite nighttime (OCF) bride and groom portrait of 2016.
… and that’s it, friends!
Until next year!!
What an amazing year we have had, and we’re so blessed to call each of these wonderful couples our friends. You’re each our favorite, and we love you all!
I just love you guys – you’re so awesome!! Always beautiful!
What an INCREDIBLE year you guys!!! So happy for you- loved the commentary too!
stunning images! What beautiful celebrations you were a part of this year. Congrats on a great year!
Gorgeous!! Looks like a great year for you guys! Love how you told snippets about each photo too!
Wow this post looked so hard to put together! I love each and every moment you capture!!