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You are invited to an engagement party…. SURPRISE, it’s a wedding!
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I would guess that everyone has been to a surprise birthday party at least once in their life. But how many people can say they’ve been to a surprise wedding? Well, Jodi and I can mark that one off our bucket list after Saturday’s “engagement party” for Annie and Dave turned into a surprise wedding!
Annie and Dave invited approximately 70 of their closest friends and family to their engagement party at the Sunburst Estate in El Cajon. While the caterers were serving dinner, Annie and Dave quietly excused themselves from the table and gathered a few of their closest friends into separate areas of the house…this is where they informed their friends that tonight was more than an “engagement party,” and that they were about to be part of their special wedding night. Shock and emotion filled the room followed by hugs and tears of joy.
Besides their parents, Annie and Dave only told us about the secret wedding. So we were set up and ready to capture the reaction and the emotion of the party goers. Dave’s father gets
on the microphone, “the couple is about to announce their wedding party” to throw off the sent. Dave and his groomsmen stand in a line, while acoustic guitars begin to play Annie and Dave’s favorite song.
Three of Annie’s good friends begin to walk down the isle with flowers in their hands…the crowd is growing suspicious. Then all of a sudden, a door opens up and a beautiful bride appears on the arm of her father. This was a secret wedding and now everyone was conscious of what was about to happen. Annie and Dave are getting married. The reactions and raw emotions were priceless. Dave’s father proudly officiated the wedding.
In my humbled opinion, Annie and Dave pulled off the perfect secret wedding. I heard someone in the crowd say “This is exactly Annie and Dave.” They’re a great couple, obviously spontaneous, and live by the great words of Frank Sinatra “I did it my way.”
Congratulations to Annie and Dave for doing it your way.
Engagement shoot takes us to new heights above La Jolla
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Our recent engagement shoot with Mike and Inez took us to new heights. We met the charming couple near La Jolla Shores. We then drove north to their secret location hidden high above Blacks Beach where Mike had proposed to Inez. When discussing the location Mike failed to tell us until we parked that we would be hiking up treacherous, unstable cliffs joined together by a 2×4 piece of weathered wood.
Only one problem, Jodi is deathly afraid of heights. Despite her fear, she was a real trooper and able to overcome her fears to make it to the location. Once we reached our final destination the view was absolutely spectacular!
Inez seemed very comfortable standing several hundred feet above the crashing ocean while Mike understandingly felt nervous and uneasy. However Mike, did great considering how scary it really was. Once I walked out onto the cliffs edge, I have to agree with Mike. Jodi on the other hand was crawling around the small bluff so she would not fall off. Needless to say we all overcame, enjoyed the amazing view and first time experience in the sky above La Jolla.
We were quickly losing light so we marched down a steep hill towards Blacks Beach. We arrived just in time to capture some brilliant light and in turn we were able to take some 
beautiful images.
It wasn’t our average photo shoot, but then again Mike and Inez are not your average couple. Their sense of adventure and able to withstand heights set them apart from the average.
Congratulations to Mike an Inez on your engagement and we wish you a life time of joy and happiness.
Manhattan Beach Wedding at the Beautiful Ayres Hotel
We’ve been lucky enough in our short career to have photographed weddings all over California, Mexico, and even the US Virgin Islands. So when Becky and Wes hired us to shoot 
their wedding at the beautiful Ayres Hotel in Manhattan Beach, California, we were extremely excited.
The Hotel was designed with gorgeous European influences, with a breath taking; cascading stairwell that greeted you as you entered the Hotel.
As Jodi and I were scoping out the venue for potential locations, we ran into Becky and her bridesmaids having Mimosas on the balcony. All the ladies were all wearing tops that read “Becky’s Bitches” and right away I knew that this was going to be a fun group.
I took a couple shots of the girls when all of a sudden Becky’s mother jumped up and said to me, “wait here, I have something I want you to see” and immediately ran to her room. When she returned moments later, she had the biggest smile on her face. Mom said “Becky, you should have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue, so, here is something old I want you to have.” It was something from Becky’s father who had sadly passed away years prior. “I found it in one of your dad’s old cigar boxes” her mother pronounced.
I was ready with camera in hand to capture the mystery gift. As she opened it, Becky let out a joyous laugh. It was an old handkerchief her father must have picked up in Okinawa Japan when he was in the service. The funny thing is…on one side of the handkerchief was a pattern various intimate positions drawn out. A totally unexpected pattern, to say the least! And everyone had a great laugh. It was a moment of true emotion and I am honored to have been part of it.
There were a couple moments of panic prior to the ceremony as a light rain started to fall, but in true California form it immediately stopped and the sun came out. It was a beautiful
ceremony. Becky and Wes looked amazing and their vows were heartfelt and touching. The reception was off the charts fun. Everyone got up on the dance floor and danced all night long.
Congratulations to Becky and Wes. We wish you a lifetime of endless love and joyous memories.
~ Bill Kouwe
Butterfly Garden…The Prado… A Special Balboa Park Wedding
Jodi and I feel so fortunate to live in a town like San Diego. In our bias opinion, it’s truly “the world finest city.” We 
have hundreds of miles of pristine coast line, hundreds of stunning parks, and several mountain ranges. But one park stands alone in beauty and architecture. It’s centrally located and next to the World Famous San Diego Zoo. Any guesses? Well, if you answered Balboa Park then you’d be right.
So when Brian and Mary Ann approached us to photograph their Balboa Park wedding in June, we were extremely excited to say the least. We’ve done several photo shoots there in the past and we think it’s a perfect backdrop.
This day would be no different. The June gloom dissipated by 10am and we had a beautiful sunshine filled day accompanied by a nice cool breeze. The bride and groom were looking extra sharp and ready to start their new lives as a married couple. Mary Ann looked absolutely remarkable as though she belonged in a vintage bridal magazine. She was so easy going and fun to work with. We couldn’t ask for anything more.
The smile and expression on Brian’s face the moment he laid eyes on Mary Ann was priceless. To be able to capture a precious moment like this makes it all worth while. This is the reason we got into this business in the first place. Capturing moment like this is our passion and what drives us to do our best.
Brian and Maryanne’s ceremony took place in the tranquil “Zoro Butterfly Garden”. The site is surrounded by garden of 
plants and flowers specifically to attract butterflies. The spot is shaded by beautiful sweeping trees with cascading roots that drip down the surrounding embankments. The bride and groom’s focus was showcasing they were natural, down to earth people who enjoy the outdoors and respect of Mother Nature. The reception immediately followed in the beautiful Prado Restaurant located in the heart of Balboa Park. The reception and getting rooms are decorated with beautiful, rich woodwork with Spanish influenced decals and carvings. The reception room was on the 2nd floor with terrace balconies providing picturesque views of the park and the famous “California Bell Tower” that can be seen for miles.
Before we knew it, it was all over. They day just flew by. I guess it’s true when they say “time flies when you’re having fun.”
Congratulation to Mary Ann and Brian, we wish you a life time of love and happiness.
Barona Casino & Resort Wedding
Driving down the winding road towards the Barona Casino & Resort, we could tell it was going to be a great day. 
Michaela and Ryan chose Barona to make their vows of eternal love and respect. It was a perfect spot for a perfect couple. Beautiful ponds, luscious green grass, gorgeous cumulous clouds and thriving flower gardens are just a few of amazing things about getting married at Barona.
Michaela is a natural in front of the camera and her personality is larger than life. Ryan is an all around good guy with a great sense of humor. He made a profound statement to Bill while we were patiently waiting for his beautiful bride to arrive in the limo for their first site reveal. He said “I’ve been waiting 30 years to meet a woman like Michaela; I can wait 5 more minutes.” With that kind of attitude and their mutual respect, you can tell this is a match made in heaven. Congratulations Ryan and Michaela!
Headshots
I spent a late afternoon with talented and charming Adam in North Park for head shot and portrait session. Adam is an on-air personality with X1FM, a personal favorite online radio station of ours; coincidently located right here in San Diego. You could catch Adam on the live cam on X1FM’s Alternative page.
~ Bill Kouwe.
Morning host of Sophie@103.7 gave us a shout
Our friend Jennifer White, talented morning host of Sophie@103.7 gave us a shout out in article published in 944 San Diego Magazine. Check out the [Article] and learn more about Jennifer White and Sophie Radio .
Hotel Del Coronado Wedding
It felt like such a privilege to photograph Matt and Karen’s wedding. We were excited to capture the bride’s life long dream of being married at the Hotel Del Coronado here in San Diego. The attention to detail was simply impeccable starting with the gorgeous flower arrangements created by Paula Rae Anderson of Paula Rae Florae. The professional bagpiper, three-string quartet, and the love dove release were certainly a unique touch.
Tom Fagen of Live Event Artist created a beautiful painting of the scenery. The energetic DJ, Miles Pelky of Mobile Dance Party kept the music pumping all night long and the stunning cake by Yoko My Sugar Garden was delicious and a huge hit.
This flawless extravaganza was coordinated by the talented Staci Tiras of Bliss Events. We also worked closely with Eric Nelte with Blue Pearl Productions who captured the wedding in video.
It was a fairytale wedding and a true pleasure to photograph….and like every fairytale; we see them living happily ever after.
A Beautiful High School Senior – Balboa Park
We had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful senior in High School from Modesto, CA. We were hand picked and this family chose to fly to San Diego for the day for us to take her portrait.
This High School Senior wanted classy and earthy setting for her senior portrait. We chose beautiful Balboa Park to for this shoot. The park’s beauty speaks for itself; added with the beauty of this lovely lady…magic happened.
Wedding Portrait Professionals International 2010
We attended the 2010 WPPI (Wedding Portrait Professionals International) convention at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This is the second year in a row we have attended the convention and I assure you it won’t be our last.
WPPI has the two things we love the most about life…Photography, and Vegas baby!
WPPI has hundreds of quality keynote speakers throughout the week and a trade show takes up two giant rooms. You’re able to touch, feel and test the latest cameras and technologies. This convention provides essential tools, tips and tricks of the trade to help every photographer in every genre. Not to mention they display thousands of award winning photography to inspire the most accomplished of photographers.