Alisa and Dan's Beach Party

Last night I finally got to meet Alisa and Dan, a wonderful couple, and many members of their family and friends. All so kind and welcoming, a great group (of about 50 or 60)here in Mazatlan to celebrate Alisa and Dan's wedding tomorrow. We went up to the gorgeous penthouse atop the Royal Villas and had pizza, then out to the beach to catch boats to Deer Island for an night time bonfire beach party. Everyone was in great spirits and the beer was flowing. Super time! I got a few nice shots. I'll post a few of the photos below. Tonight I'm off to shoot their rehearsal dinner. Looking forward to getting to know everyone a little better and having more fun!

Carnival in Mazatlan

Yesterday (Tues) afternoon I arrived in Mazatlan and was surprised to find that the Carnival celebrations (their Mardi Gras) were still going on and the parade was going to take place about an hour after I checked into the Hotel Siesta, and it goes right in front of the hotel. Great photo ops for me!OK, I've posted a few, take a peek.I'll be photographing Alisa and Dan's wedding at the Royal Villas on Saturday and am excited about that. Tomorrow (Thurs) I'll meet them and their family and friends that are here to celebrate with them and I'll join them on a trip to Deer Island. Friday I photograph their rehearsal dinner. It's all good, can't wait!

Tracy and Rick's Valentines Day Wedding

Friday morning I woke up to 6" of snow. A sinking feeling began to set in that I might not be able to get out of here to shoot Tracy and Rick's destination wedding in the Napa Valley area on Saturday. Roads not plowed and impassable, more snow forecast. Only once every 5 or 10 years do we get snow in this amount at this elevation in the Sierra foothills. If I didn't get a break in the weather I was out of luck. I made calls and found back up photographers, just in case. Around 9 a.m. the snow stopped, at 11 a.m. the sun came out, by 3 p.m. the roads were clear enough to leave and I went to Napa to stay the night with good friends, Kevin and Karen, before the next storm hit. Whew!!
And this was a wedding not to miss. Had a fantastic time! Tracy and Rick were married at a beautiful, family owned, private vineyard which shall remain anonymous as they normally do not allow weddings. The host family was wonderful and accomodating. Tracy and Rick embraced the wet weather and decided to have the ceremony outdoors, umbrellas at the ready. Their friend and limo driver, David Rasmussen, owner of Eclectic Tours http://www.eclectictour.com/ took great care of them. If you ever need a tour of the wine country, he's your man!
Their beautiful wedding was very private and small. Tracy and Rick had decided not to tell family and friends until after the wedding. Only Pastor Tom Burgos and his wife, myself as photographer and witness, and David attended. Pastor Tom http://www.onenationundergodministries.org/ has connections. While we were standing in the pouring rain waiting for David and limo to bring Tracy, Pastor Tom prayed for a break in rain for the ceremony. Just before the limo pulled up the rain stopped! They had a beautiful, moving ceremony, we took a few more photos outside as the rain started again and then went underground amidst the barrels of wine where an intimate wine tasting table was set up for the bride and groom. Afterwards, they went to the wine tasting room to learn more about the history of the vineyards and taste more wine. I very much enjoyed sharing their special day! What a nice couple, so much in love.