Well here we are again, our Monday “meeting place.” Just you and me and the rad couple we’re posting. How was your weekend? Did you miss me? I thought so. Rico and I had one wedding this weekend that kicked some major wedding ass if you ask me. Go view the glimpse HERE and you’ll see what I mean. mmm…mmmm…mmm.

Guess what??? Rico and I had the day off yesterday! I know, monumental. So that means I only needed ONE cup of coffee this morning to go along with my blueberry soy milk smoothie and my pickled beets (breakfast of champions).  Rico and I had such a special weekend, with an engagement session of a couple of triathletes and a wedding of two of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. So I’m feeling good and ready for what this week holds, first of which is sharing a couple who is very near to my heart.

HOWEVER, before that I have a little propostion for you all. I have been getting a lot of emails lately from current and aspiring photographers asking questions about photography. I love all your questions and I love that you’re reaching out, it just takes me a little while to respond sometimes because my inbox is crazy… a dark place that inbox. A few years ago a photographer I love offered a little meet up at a coffee shop here in San Diego which we attended and the relationships and knowledge that came out of it were invaluable. Since that helped us so much, I thought I’d offer the same. SOOOOOO, not sure there is even anyone interested, but I’m thinking of scheduling a meet up for sometime in the next two weeks on a weeknight at a coffee shop just to meet, hang out, answer any questions. I want to keep it somewhat small so if you’re interested send me an email to rachel@studiocastillero.com and the first 6 people/couples who respond will receive the details of the meet up. Sound good? do it now. boom.

And with that I give you the FANTASTIC Luca and Carly. Oh man, these two…I love them. Luca is a good friend of mine from college in SLO. I have such fond memories of too much nutella on french bread, MANY nights at Garappolo’s, hours of excel accounting homework bashing, and eating pasta in the middle of the night. They were married at the San Luis Obispo Mission on a rainy day in June. It was beautiful, the food was amazing (Luca is from Italy and has quite the taste for good Italian food), the details were exactly “them”, and the day went off without a hitch..even with the rain.  Luca, you are such a sweet part of my college experience and I don’t know what it would have been like without you. Carly, I have only met you recently but I must say, I adore you just as much…the two of you are a prime pair and I couldn’t have picked someone better for Luca. Next time we’re in town we must get together for some wine tasting and nutella..yes, mmmmmmm. In the meantime, enjoy! xoxo

Erica and Nate are quite the couple, I must say. First off, they are from Seattle which AUTOMATICALLY qualifies them as one of my obsessions (I love most everything that comes from that city). THEN, they are sweet and super hot and so easy going, so it was a done deal. I.LOVE.THEM. They were married at Erica’s family winery in Los Olivos called Saarloos and Sons and let me tell you, it was magical. If you are ever in the area you need to get yourself on over there and check it out, do some tasting, or even if you’re looking for an amazing wedding venue, check it! That huge awesome tree was perfection and found myself tempted just to hug it the entire ceremony (don’t worry, I refrained and took pics instead…thought that might freak the guests out just a bit). Then the reception in the amazing barn, with the KILLER details…seriously, I just need to stop talking and get to the pics because words honestly can’t describe. The bride’s cousin did all the design and she is quite the talent if you asked me. Erica and Nate, I know I’ve told you before, but I adore you both. You are truly good people and are TOTALLY and FULLY made for each other. We enjoyed so much getting to know you and being there on your amazing wedding day, and we can’t wait to watch you grow as a couple, as a husband and wife. Many blessing to you on this new journey and lets chill next time we’re in town (come on Seattle!!!!!). xoxo

And of course, a special shout out to the following amazing vendors:

Videography: Aqua Vivus rocked the same day premiere as usual, which can be seen here:

Cuppies and cakes: Enjoy Cupcakes (I tried one, or four and believe me, they were delish)

Wedding coordinators: Joy DeVivre

Catering: Pam Nesser

Flowers: Mindy Rice

DJ: Patrick’s Mobile Disc Jockey

Guitarist: Ray Fortune

Hair/Makeup: Luna Bella

Speaking of folks we love, Mimi and Mike are going to make you swoon today with their amazing Palm Springs wedding. They were married at the Smoke Tree Ranch about a month ago. What is it with Palm Springs? I swear, it’s magical..and that pretty much defines their wedding day as well. This wedding was so special, and I found myself teary eyed several times during the ceremony (that RARELY happens) listening to them express their commitment and love to each other and to their families…it was beautiful and awesome and EXACTLY how it should be…real. These two, I’ve had a crush on them since the morning last July when we met Mimi in a coffee shop in Newport. She is beautiful to the core and her energy is contagious, and you seriously CANNOT be anything but thrilled when around her; a real genuine and lovely person inside and out (which I’m sure you’ll see even just looking at the pics!). Then I met Mike the morning of their wedding and he sealed the deal; he’s just as much a keeper as her with his care for those around him and the fact that every sentence that comes out of his mouth is seriously poetic (he’s a writer, on one of my fave tv shows too!). I am not surprised ONE BIT that these two found each other, and I could gush about them all day, but I’ll leave you to the pics, they are all the gushing you need. Before I go though, Mike and Mimi, being a part of your wedding truly made my year. I couldn’t have asked for better people to work with and to be inspired by. Rico and I love love LOVE working with fellow artists who inspire us, and you certainly do just that. Not only though in your creativity but also in your love…it’s real, it’s beautiful, and it’s inspiring. Thank you for that, it’s such a gift to us. We wish you the very best in your new marriage and we look forward to seeing you again soon…very soon!

And I never share feedback from clients on the blog because I’m not a big fan of tooting my own horn, however, I LOVED the feedback email Mimi forwarded from Mike after the wedding SO MUCH that I couldn’t resist. (We had the extreme pleasure of working with Aqua Vivus at this wedding, and his feedback was directed to both teams). “Can you forward this to our amazing team of intrepid photographers, videographers, and vampire diaries fans?  I can’t believe these people exist in real life.  When you first showed me their work, I figured they were all some kind of elite team of Euro-hippster artists, maybe mid-40s, probably labored for years under the tutelage of Kubrick or Annie Leibovitz or I don’t even know who. And then I met these young sweethearts and I was like, hello?  These kids are the same age as my students.  And yet they do the kind of work I’ve seen taught in classes.   Wow.  So amazing. I love you for finding them!” Seriously? Mike, you rock, AND say hello to Damon for me, you do know I adore him! Muah to you both!

And because we’re celebrating this afternoon, we thought we’d share an extra special wedding with you today. It took place at a beautiful venue (La Valencia in La Jolla), it was stunning, it was on schedule, it was drama free, the food was amazing, and the party went off without a hitch. However, all that aside, what really made this wedding as special as it was, was the couple, Kristin and Cameron. I don’t even know where to start with them, seriously, I love them. And all of you reading this blog that know them can definitely back me up here….you cannot help but be happy when you are with these two (I’m serious, I was smiling all day long…even before dinner and after being on my feet for HOURS and almost being pushed in the fountain). These two are not only bursting with love for each other, but for everyone around them. It was a truly beautiful day and it reminded me of just how important community is. How crucial it is to have your “people” that are important to you, around you, celebrating life with you….and that’s exactly what this wedding was.  Ok, I’m going to get all sappy if I don’t shut up soon, so I’ll do just that. Before I do though, Kristin and Cameron, Rico and I feel ENTIRELY blessed to have met you…thank you for welcoming us into your community and letting us capture something so precious. OH, and ps, you are HOT STUFF. Muah!