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If you follow me on Twitter or are my friend on Facebook,  you may know that Ashley Hoskins (Ashley Hoskins Photography) and I did a little traveling together last week. Here is what we did, all in about 36 hours:

Day 1 - flew into LAX, rented a convertible, had lunch with my brother-in-law Ben (you saw him in the last post), drove down Hwy 1 to Laguna Beach, got honked at about 13 times because apparently I don't drive crazy enough for LA, had manicures and pedicures, then had the best sushi we've both ever had. 

Day 2 - attended an all-day workshop with Jessica Claire (she was named one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world by American Photo Magazine). Then drove back to LAX and took a red-eye flight home that night -- I was awake for 28 hours because I couldn't fall asleep on the plane. I finally took a nap Thursday then next day went to Richmond, VA for a wedding you will see in a few weeks... a little crazy, I know.

So more about Jessica Claire --- She's amazing. Not only is she a super talented photographer, she's pretty much a genius on top of being really nice and totally down to earth. I started following her blog about two years ago. She invented the Shootsac, which is that really cute bag I carry around with my lenses and essentials at every wedding. She recently also just launched the Hipslip, which is similar to the Shootsac except it's for your laptop --- it was just featured in Glamour Magazine. Jessica Claire herself is getting married in less than a week and you should really check out her wedding invitations ---- I guarantee you've never seen anything like them! I'm sure you are all wondering who photographs your wedding when you are a top wedding photographer yourself -- for her, it's Jose Villa and I can't wait to see the pictures!

Ashley and I had the best time together --- we knew we would. Ashley and I became friends last year after Dan and I shot her wedding this time last year (Happy Anniversary Justin & Ashley!!). Anyways, Ashley and I were so funny about everything, I mean you would have thought we were going to meet Jennifer Aniston or something. We were so silly and had a really fabulous time. 

At the workshop Jessica had a mock wedding set up by some of the most talented people in the industry (their names and websites will be at the end of this post). She had this super-cute husband and wife couple model for us and you all are going to love the details you're about to see --- especially if you love Anthropologie, because it has that look :) 

Here we go ---

Jessica Claire has the grey shirt on.....There were about 20 photographers in the workshop.
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And here is what we were all taking pictures of:
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Here are some shots of the couple - they're so cute right?!
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And here are the details you all are going to die for!! Literally you could probably find almost all of this stuff at yard sales and thrift shops, it doesn't have to cost a ton and  I know some of you would really enjoy working on the details for your own weddings--- Get on it ladies!! 
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That's JC shooting on the left :) --- I'm a huge dork. 
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My Favorite :)
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The End!!
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Event & Photo Stylist: Grey Likes Weddings, http://greylikesweddings.wordpress.com/

Floral Design: Flora Organica, http://www.floraorganicadesign.com/

Hair & Makeup: Vivian Tran, http://www.allmadeupteam.com/

Wedding Stationary, Paper Favors, and Paper Suite: MaeMae Paperie, http://www.maemaepaperie.com/

Printing of Paper Products: Czar Press, http://www.czarpress.com/

Fabric Rosettes, shoe clips, and "just married" banner over cake: B. Poetic: http://www.bpoetic.com/Home.html

Cake: Cheryl Stewart of Cake My Day

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Michelle says:

AWESOME Nat! Love this!

julie says:

OMG! OMG!! OMG!!!

Fola Adewole says:

I heart all these images...Love the multi-detailed collage...Fabulous work Natalie...

Jenny says:

It was great meeting you at the workshop. Hope you had a great time in Cali ! Can't wait to have you back for visit !

Clary says:

Gah!! Natalie! The detail shots are fabulous. I had such a great time with you and still can't believe we randomly ate at hapi sushi:)

Gena Patten says:

Um, Yeah...these are GORGEOUS! You did a fabulous job! Love every single one! :) xoxo

{lauryl} says:

Oolala! Such gorgeous images! I would lovelovelove to get copies if I could... Please? ;-)

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This is a very special post because Lindsay, the bride, is Dan's little sister!! Lindsay and her husband Jon were married in St. Paul, Minnesota (they live there and so did Dan's family when they were little).  In their family, Lindsay is the youngest, Dan is in the middle and Ben is the oldest. Here are a few old family photos :)

Aren't they so cute!? I might be in trouble with Dan for that third one!!

familyphotos2.jpgOk, so I might have gone a little overboard with the family pics but I have to add one more... You might have noticed from the pictures, Lindsay was born in South Korea. Dan's parents adopted her when she was four months old -- Dan was 2. I just can't resist posting this next one because it's so special to their family and part of Lindsay's story!
This is the night Dan's dad picked her up from the airport and brought her home. Awwww, so, so sweet!

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Now everybody's all grown up ---  Lindsay & her new husband Jon, who is really cool and PS we are all going to Jamaica together for Christmas and I CAN'T WAIT!!

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And then here is Ben (Dan's older brother) & his wife Heather. They are expecting a baby in Febuary - YAY!! Ben is determined to NOT find out the sex of the baby, which is driving Dan's mom (and me) crazy --- and that's probably what that little smirk on his face is all about (among possibly a million other things) -- haha.
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So, here are a few of our faves from Lindsay and Jon's wedding!!
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A note from Jon + rings :)
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Here is one that I personally love that probably won't make it into Lindsay's album. It describes what they day was like for me. This is Dan (don't worry he changed clothes before the wedding), Heather (Ben's wife) and John (Dan's dad).
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Lindsay and Jon got married at the James J. Hill Reference Library in downtown Saint Paul. It is this really big, old, beautiful library with books almost all the way to the ceiling. Their Save the Dates, Invitations, Table numbers, menus and everything had this whole card catalog theme -- so cute!
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Outside the library.
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Here is a picture inside from the ceremony --- see, books almost all the way to the ceiling!
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Heather read during the ceremony and I just love this sweet look Ben is giving her as she walks back to her seat. 
jon_lindsay_w_2644bweb.jpgInstead of doing a unity candle they each brought dirt from their hometowns and put it in the pot and then they planted the tree in their backyard. Dan's mom is behind Lindsay --- she and Dan's dad have been married for 37 years. They are THE BEST in-laws I could ever ask for!
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This is something that I don't see very often in the south but apparently it's really huge in other places -- a receiving line. This is Dan's sweet, sweet 86 year old grandma giving Linds a kiss after the ceremony. Dan's favorite picture.
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The next two are also the receiving line... They had beautiful light for this and since the line itself is something I'm not used to so I really like these.
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Aside from the last image of Lindsay & Jon, the photo on the left is my personal favorite of the day. I really love it because to me, it describes the day: perfect weather, family, smiling faces, everyone happy to see one another.
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My fav!! The end!  Linds & Jon -- see you in Jamaica mon! xo

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Heather says:

What a wonderful family story and beautiful wedding! This one definitely got to me!

Stephanie Potter says:

Yeah that last pic is fabulous. Great work guys! And Dan your sister is stunning, beautiful wedding! Congrats!

Susan ampton says:

Beautiful couple! Beautiful wedding! Beautiful photos! Congratulations to the happy couple and families! Terry & enjoyed meeting and visiting with both Jon & Lindsey at the Meach Family reunion in Traverse City a few years ago.Thank you for sharing this special day.
Sue & Terry Hampton, Gladstone, MI

Jeremy Diamond says:

This is probably the best (and most personal) shoot I have every seen. This is awesome stuff. The library is a very unique setting and beautiful. I really think Dan will understand the personal photos since it helps tell the story (at least that's the angle I'd take!!!) Keep making great works!

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Hi friends!! Dan and I have been traveling literally all over the country shooting weddings -- we have so many images to share! Keep checking back because this is going to go kinda fast ;). 

Now, on to the main event!


Anna Marie (the bride in this post) and my sister Claire were roomates all though college --- so, I've known Anna for years. Most people in my family lovingly refer to her as 'Anna Banana' --- and she's the cutest thing you've ever seen. If I had to guess, I'd say she's under 5 feet tall and probably weighs about 80 pounds -- she is a really tiny person. Dustin on the other hand is quite tall..... So, naturally, they do this pose a lot!: Cute right?
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Rewind .... Anna and Dustin live right up the road in Greenville, SC, which is both of their hometowns and I love that place!! The downtown area is sooo super cute!! They were married at Greenville A.R.P Church and had their reception at the Commerce Club.

Here are some of our favorites of the day!
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My sister Claire is the second from the left. 
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The ladies can't help but LOVE Dustin!
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This next one is one of my favorites.  Anna Marie's brother, T.J., and are aunts practicing the song they would later sing for the ceremony.
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And this!!!! Something unexpected happens at just about every wedding. For Anna Marie & Dustin's wedding this is what happened: The limo started smoking on the way to the reception! They had to pull over, call the wedding planner, and she rushed back and got them!! Everything was fine, it was just funny when we got to the reception and someone filled us in on what was going on!!
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I love this one for some reason.
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First dance
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A toast by Dustin's dad.
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This was the best part of the whole reception. Anna's maid of honor pulled her grandmother out onto the dance floor --- it was fabulous!! She had the best time and everyone loved it!!
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At the end of the night, Anna Marie and Dustin took a carriage ride through downtown back to their hotel and of course I had to hop on for a second to get a few pics! Congratulations Anna Marie and Dustin! We love you guys!!
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clary says:

The candid ones are the best. My favorite is the toast shot...you rock!!!

Alissa Ferullo says:

Looks like such a fun wedding! Gorgeous shots! It must be SO fun to travel all over with your hubby doing what you love - lucky girl!! =)

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