Jessica & Donny | Big Canyon Country Club – Newport Beach Wedding Photography
A sunset proposal to I-do; beauty found within each other
Jessica and Donny were meant to be. Just look at how they met: Donny had eyes for Jessica the moment he first saw her. It only took the sharing of mutual friendships (and a year, but who was counting?) for Donny to finally get the courage to ask Jessica on a date. Jessica followed her heart and agreed – they went on a date and two years later she said, ‘I-do’ at the Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach.
A magazine worthy wedding and all the smiles in the world
As wedding photographers we get to share so many intimate moments with the couples who hire us. We can’t help but feel emotionally connected with the brides and grooms, friends and family we are lucky enough to work with. With Jessica and Donny we knew as soon as we met that this was going to be an amazing wedding. I can’t lie; when a couple is explaining their wedding day I try and maintain my composure and not let my own preferences show in my body language. When they explained to me how their wedding day was going to unfold –
I could hardly contain myself, I knew this was going to be special
Somewhere between Jessica arriving to the ceremony with her father in the golf cart and scheduling the portraits near sunset is where it really hit me. As wedding photographers it’s our job to accommodate your schedule. It’s what we do. It’s also our job to make some suggestions that would help improve the photography. One of the main things I always recommend to couples is to try and schedule their portraits near sunset. This is usually something that couples aren’t too keen on doing – sunset happens usually around the time most weddings would be giving speeches or eating dinner. Even if we can pop outside for 5 minutes, the photos will be gorgeous and so worth it!
Jessica and Donny were happy to do what it takes.
Look at all of the smiles – it was as if I couldn’t take a photo without someone smiling. This tells me that this couple, their friends and family, they are all about experiencing the wedding day as it’s meant to be. Full of love and laughter these two practically danced their way through the formal portraits. With groomsmen and bridesmaids willing to throw down with a screaming-jumping-laughing picture I knew exactly how the rest of the night was going to go.
Let me tell you about the reception!
There are always a couple of things I look for when I’m getting ready to capture the first dance. I love to see planned out, well rehearsed grand entrances by the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and of course the couple (check). I like having the entire wedding on their feet watching the first dance (check). It’s always great to have a ballroom, live music, and of course a guest doing the splits in the middle of the dance floor. (check, check and check!) There were so many amazing things about Jessica and Donny’s wedding day that made it so memorable; but of course the one that sticks out the most for me is how they would look into each others eyes throughout the wedding day – almost as if they were the only two people in the universe. Seeing that kind of love will leave you speechless.
Jessica & Donny: Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of the biggest day in your life.
Vendors:
Venue (ceremony and reception: Big Canyon – Newport Beach
Photography: Brian & Jennifer Gilmore Studios
Florist: Dana Belinda Designs
Music/entertainment: Tijuana Dogs
Groomsmen attire: J Crew
Makeup by: Devon Baker w/Sweeter Than Honey Hair Lounge
Hair by: Aubrey Daws w/Sweeter Than Honey Hair Lounge
Jessica + Donny from Gilmore Studios on Vimeo.
Brian and Jennifer Gilmore are a husband and wife wedding photographer team in Orange County, CA. They have been photographing weddings together since 2003. Contact us for more info about booking your wedding in the Southern California area.
Brian and Jennifer Gilmore specialize in wedding photography in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Huntington Beach, and surrounding areas in OC and Los Angeles, CA.
Call 949-698-3968 or email us for more info about booking your 2017-18 wedding
