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Pierpont Inn Ventura Wedding – Shanon and Jason

Pierpont Inn Ventura Wedding

Super fun and relaxed backyard wedding in the Ventura Foothills with a taco bar!

When Shanon and Jason first got in touch with me about their wedding at the Pierpont Inn Ventura, I was so excited – they were planning the most relaxed and laid back wedding with a taco bar! And who doesn’t love tacos?! Shanon and Jason are the nicest people and I couldn’t wait to shoot their wedding!

Bride and groom prep

I started shooting photos of Shanon getting ready at The Pierpont Inn, while my second shooter went over to the reception site to get some photos of Jason getting ready. The mood was relaxed and everyone seemed excited for the big day.

The ceremony

The wedding took place at the Rose Garnen at The Pierpont Inn, and it was a gorgeous garden ceremony. After the ceremony they went to sign their marriage license with a couple witnesses, and then they took a moment to relax, before we went and got some beautiful family portraits.

The afternoon

The wedding reception took place in a family member’s large back yard in the Ventura Foothills, overlooking the ocean. It was casual and relaxed, like a fun backyard get together with a taco bar.

It was a bright and sunny day, which was what the couple had hoped for. While the guests enjoyed some drinks, we stayed behind to take the family photos, followed by some photos of Shanon and Jason. My favorite photo from our couples session is Shanon and Jason in front of the glass doors at The Pierpont Inn.

During the reception they had a live band, which gave the afternoon a really chilled vibe. For the meal they had a taco bar, and it was super yummy. After the meal there were a few speeches, then the couple cut the wedding cake and the party got started. They also had several delicious cakes to choose from and a large variety of fresh baked cookies.

Here’s some of my favorites from their wedding at the Pierpont Inn!

Vendors

Venue: Pierpont Inn

Taco Bar: CaliGente Catering

Flowers: Etsy

Dress: David’s Bridal

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse

Bakery: Bread Basket

Old Hollywood Winter Wedding

Old Hollywood Winter Wedding

I photographed this Old Hollywood Winter Wedding a few years ago and I have no idea why I never got around to sharing it here! This is one of my favorite styled shoots I have ever done. Every thing about it was perfect and I’m so happy with how it turned out. I’ve always loved the Old Hollywood style, and I’ve always wanted to photograph a winter wedding. Being from SoCal, that isn’t a regular occurrence around here, so I thought I’d make my own. And why not make it into what I love?? An old Hollywood winter wedding!

Venue

I reached out to a few awesome local to Ventura area vendors to see who wanted to join in with the creation. I found the perfect venue, Bella Vista Groves. It’s a beautiful farm house and stable surrounded by orchards. The building itself has an east coast feel and I knew a winter wedding would be perfect there.

Wardrobe

To get the old Hollywood style, the bride wore a gorgeous cage veil and a white faux fur shall, with an intricate diamond brooch. The cozy shall helped tie in the winter wedding theme. The groom wore a classic pin striped suit with a baroque patterned tie and handkerchief. Together, the couple had such a glamorous and sophisticated look that really brought the old Hollywood style to life.

Details

I teamed up with an amazingly talented florist, who really helped with multiple styling elements. Her floral arrangements completed the feel and brought it all together. We had beautifully elegant rentals from Party Pleasers, and a delicious and perfect looking 3 tiered wedding cake, where each flower was painstakingly hand created. There was a fun and cozy little hot cocoa stand, a sparkling, elegant sweetheart table, and an invitation suite that had white faux fur details to match the winter wedding style. Oh, and did I mention we had snow?! YES! I brought in some snow to help make it feel more like the old Hollywood winter wedding that I pictured.

Here’s some of my favorites from this snowy Old Hollywood Winter Wedding.

Here are the amazing wedding professionals that helped pull it all together:

Photographer | Elizabeth Victoria Photography

Venue | Bella Vista Groves

Florist | Knot Just Flowers

Rentals | Party Pleasers

Bakery | Frostit Cakery

Hair & Makeup | DeVenir Beauty

Hot Cocoa & Coffee Bar | Black Sand Coffee Co

Invitation Suite | Umama Online

This wedding was featured on The Perfect Palette!

the perfect palette featured badge elizabeth victoria photography

Santa Barbara Courthouse Elopement – Shirin & Ashish

Santa Barbara Courthouse Elopement

Last week I photographed a wedding elopement for Shirin and Ashish at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. They had an intimate ceremony with about 10 or so of their family members. They flew in from New York a few days before their wedding day, and spent time with family in the area. Neither of them had ever been to the Santa Barbara Courthouse their wedding. They were lucky to have chosen such a beautiful place for their elopement.

Ceremony

I met them in the Hall of Records where they signed all of the legal paperwork. While documenting the moment, I had a chance to take some photos of their wedding rings and Shirin’s beautiful bouquet. Her arrangement was created by the amazingly talented, Unique Floral Designs. Afterwards, we went outside next to the building to a small shaded area. Underneath two giant palms, Shirin and Ashish were married surrounded by their closest family members. I always love photographing intimate wedding elopements. Being one of the few people to witness the love is always such an honor.

After the ceremony, we went to another area on the grounds of the courthouse to take the family photos, followed by photos of just Shirin and Ashish. Their wedding was at midday – which can be one of the worst times to shoot outside. Fortunately the Santa Barbara Courthouse has a lot of nice shady areas, and the inside of the building is absolutely gorgeous! We spent some time finding the perfect areas for their wedding photos. One of my favorites is of them walking down the stairs outside, this was right after we finished with all the family photos, so they were probably happy to have some time alone and get some photos together. Another one of my favorites is in the rounded staircase inside of the courthouse.

Check out the pictures from their Santa Barbara Courthouse Elopement!

Planning your wedding or elopement in Santa Barbara? I shoot in the area regularly and would love to chat! Get in touch!

Planning Your Wedding

Planning Your Wedding

YAY! You’re getting married! Congrats!!! Planning your wedding is exciting! You have so much to look forward to, so much to think about, and so sooooo much to plan! Ugh. Now it can get super overwhelming, but luckily for you, this is where I come in with this awesome post to help you figure it all out! So let’s get started.

Pick a Wedding Venue

First thing on the agenda is to lock down a wedding venue. You have to do this first because in order to book basically every other vendor, you have to know your wedding date. Your venue can be anywhere though. A beautiful country club, a nice hotel, the beach, a park… There’s multiple venues that are specifically made for weddings, or you can rent a private estate, or have it at your home or a friend’s home. As long as you find a place that you like, and you’re able to guarantee it’s available on the date of your choice, the rest of the planning can be a piece of (wedding) cake. Planning your wedding in Santa Barbara or Ventura? Check out this post on Perfect Wedding Day Venues.

Choose Your Key Vendors

All the vendors that are going to be apart of your wedding are important, but there’s a few that will really make or break the experience. These vendors tend to also be the ones that book up first and are some of the more crucial elements for your wedding.

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1. Wedding Planners & Coordinators

A lot of people try to plan everything themselves to save costs. Now I totally get it, weddings can be expensive, but you also want the experience to be pleasant. Sometimes that means paying a little more, relinquishing control, and letting someone else deal with all of the stress. Hiring a planner or coordinator can also help since they are excellent at helping you find all the other needed vendors.

2. Photographerelizabeth victoria planning your wedding

Once again, you’re in luck. You’re on my page so you don’t need to look any further for a photographer… unless of course I’m unavailable. 😉 Choosing your photographer and locking them in for your wedding should be the next thing on the list. The photography is one of the only tangible things you will have from your wedding day. You are going to put so much of yourself into this experience, you’ll want to make sure you have a talented, responsible, and experienced photographer there to document the day for you.

 

3. DJ/MC santa barbara greek orthodox wedding photography

Partying can be pretty lame without some good music to get the room dancing! And an iPod just doesn’t cut it. There will be awkward pauses, and no one to change the music up to match the mood of the crowd. A good DJ will keep the party going and motivate those who are usually not big dancers to get out there and have some fun. MC’s are super helpful at keeping the evening on schedule, and announcing important moments so your guests are aware of what’s going on and when. I love working with so many different DJs and MCs, but my personal fave is In the Mix Events!

4. Caterer & Bakery

People gotta eat. You can’t have an amazing wedding without feeding your guests. You do have a lot of options here though.

Savory

There’s caterers that offer a waitstaff where each dish is plated and presented. It’s a more luxurious option and is convenient as it keeps your guests all seated so no one misses any special moments, like the first dance, or speeches. You can do family style. It’s similar as the plated option, but instead the waitstaff would place a large plate in the center of each table for guests to serve themselves and share. Buffet style is always good and is usually a bit more cost efficient. Usually the MC will announce when it’s time for each table to go stand in line to get their dinners. This choice is popular but it does take people out of their seats for awhile so the scheduling of key events needs to be thought out more. Some couples will have food trucks, and some just have hors d’oeuvres.

There’s really not a wrong choice. Just choose one that fits your style and budget. I love everything from Plated Events!

Sweet

Also having dessert is pretty necessary if you’re serving food. A giant 4 tiered wedding cake, a single cake, a donut wall, a dessert table, an ice cream bar… you can really do almost anything, as long as it satisfies a sweet tooth. For a super talented and delicious bakery, check out Sweet Art Bake Shop.

Planning what food to serve at your wedding can be extra fun since it often involves going to yummy tastings! Mmmmm!!!

5. Officiant

It’s kinda hard to get married without an officiant. I mean technically you can’t get married without one. Or at least not without someone to sign off on the marriage license. A good officiant will help you both feel more comfortable during the ceremony. They will have a clear voice, know what to say and when, and get out of the way for the first kiss photo! 😉 Well, preferably anyway! Check out Seaside Ceremonies, Kristin is awesome and personable, and hides for the first kiss!

6. Invitationsinvitations planning your wedding

How are people gonna know you’re planning your wedding if you don’t send them an invite?! It’s gonna be this giant, amazing, fun-filled extravaganza so you can’t just send them an email, text, or call them! I mean yeah, I guess you can, but that wouldn’t be nearly as cool as receiving a beautiful invite in the mail! Regardless, you gotta let them know the whens and wheres! I’d highly recommend Umama Online. She does amazing work creating the perfect invitation suites that will compliment the look you have in mind.

7. What to Wear

Unless you’re nudists and are getting married in a nudist colony, you will need some type of clothing. There are several local wedding boutiques where you can find gorgeous dresses and gowns, like Camarillo Bridal. And guys can either rent or buy their attire from a tuxedo store or several men’s apparel shops. Friar Tux is a great place to check out.

8. Flowers

Having beautiful flowers at your wedding is kinda like painting the walls in a new home. Without pretty florals, your venue can look kinda plain and boring. A beautiful arrangement can compliment the mood of the day, and make your entire vision come to life. I ALWAYS love what Unique Floral Design comes up with. They are truly talented and having them help will make planning your wedding so much easier!

 

9. Makeup & Hairsanta barbara el paseo wedding photography

Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up on your wedding day and have someone else help beautify you? I wish I could do that every morning! I’d look so much more fabulous than my usual look of smeared left over mascara, and a messy bun. Don’t worry, I put a little more work into my appearance when I leave the house! 😉 Hair and makeup artists can make you look flawless! They can erase tan lines, fix flyaways, hide tattoos, and make you look your even more beautiful. I love working with Fairytale Hair & Makeup. Their makeup brushes are like magic wands – which is probably where their name comes from.

10. Rentals

This is something you might not need to worry about when planning your wedding day. It depends on the venue you end up going with. Some venues will supply all the tables, linens, chairs, and dishware, but some won’t provide any of it. Also, some venues that do provide a lot of the items may not have the look or style you want. So it may be best to visit a rental company and see what they can offer. Ventura Rental has a great selection!

What Else to Think About

There are still other things to think about when planning your wedding and other vendors you’ll want to include. Here’s a few more:

Wedding Rings

If you followed the traditional route, you already have the engagement ring. Now you’ll want to get some beautiful wedding bands for each other. Check out Fox Fine Jewelry

Videographer

Photos are awesome, but video can also whisk you right back to your favorite moments. A highlight reel edited to your first dance song can really showcase the feeling of your entire wedding day. Epoch Productions create beautiful wedding videos.

Photobooth

They are LOVED by guests! And having one also gives you a fun photo keepsake of lots of the people who were at your wedding, and them being extra goofy too! Oh Snap Studios has a super cool booth setup!

Calligrapher & Signage

Sign placement helps your guests know where to go and what to do. Pretty signs look better and still help your guests know where to go and what to do. Have Letter Bliss help create some signs for your wedding!

Bartender

Some venues provide one already, but if not it’s definitely something you’ll want to look into having at your cocktail hour and reception.

Transportation

Need to get from the ceremony to the reception? Or maybe you want a getaway car. Waiting for an Uber might not be ideal, and there’s so many cool transportation options, why not get there in style?

Child & Pet Sitting

If your guests can bring their children, they are much more likely to attend your wedding. But do you really want everyone’s child running around and screaming during your wedding?? There are child sitting services that come to you and will look after the kids while the parents let loose. Also for your pets. Maybe you want your furbaby in some of the pictures but not for the entire wedding. Pet sitting services will take care of them until you’re ready for their closeup. Check out this post on how to have your dog at your wedding!

I feel like I’m forgetting to remind you about some other elements to be prepared for but every wedding is different. You might find yourself just saying “screw it” and eloping to a luscious, tropical island. Which is always a great option and I’m happy to travel! 😀

If you still have more questions about planning your wedding, and aren’t sure what you need, let me know, I may be able to give a little more advice. When you’re ready to make sure you have a kick ass photographer there for you, get in touch with me!

Elizabeth Victoria Photography is a Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer based in Southern California and Western Pennsylvania. I photograph weddings primarily in Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and Los Angeles counties, and in Pittsburgh, PA. I love to travel and am always looking forward to an adventure. I’d be happy to photograph your destination wedding!

If you’d like to learn more about me click here. I’d love to hear about your wedding photography needs! Call or text me at 805.410.0721 or send me a message!

Wedding at The York Manor Los Angeles – Stefania & Conor

Wedding at The York Manor Los Angeles

Stefania contacted me almost a year and a half ago in search of a photographer for their wedding at The York Manor Los Angeles. I remember meeting with Stefania and Conor over FaceTime back when I was living in Pittsburgh. They told me about their love story, how it started as just friends, and how they finally realized that their feelings were stronger for each other than they thought.

They started planning their wedding well in advance, which helped since their wedding required a bit more logistics. Stefania is from Romania, and Conor is from Ireland, they had a traditional ceremony in Romania with friends and family, another party in Ireland near Conor’s childhood home, and a final celebration back in the US. That’s where I came into the picture (no pun intended). Since they already had their legal ceremony completed, this was really just a big, awesome party.

Getting Ready

The day started at a cute little AirBnB less than 5 minutes down the street from The York Manor. Stefania and her bridesmaids all wore cute, matching outfits with tropical green leaves. We got some photos of them hanging out and relaxing before the party began, although you could definitely tell that the party had already started when we got there. Everyone was so relaxed and having fun just hanging out.

Stefania was glowing, her hair and makeup looked stunning, and you could instantly see how happy she was. She was so at ease and laid back, nothing could’ve put her in a bad mood. Nothing went wrong, but if anything did, I’m sure she would’ve just laughed it off.

The Party

We all walked (actually I drove the 30 second drive) to The York Manor. Once there we took some Vogue inspired photos of the ladies around the property, some of the guys, and then some of just Stefania and Conor. Then the real party began. There was dancing, and laughing, and more dancing, and more laughing. They served a variety of finger foods (which is super convenient for a photographer btw), and an assortment of tasty little desserts.

Here’s some of my favorites from their wedding at The York Manor Los Angeles

Photography | Elizabeth Victoria Photography

Coordinator | Tasteful Tatters

Venue | The York Manor

DJ | Spirit of ’68

Florist | Valerie Jurado

Caterer | Sunrise to Sunset Catering

Bakery | Portos Bakery

Hair & Makeup | Absolutely Beautiful Brides

Wedding Gown | Dress The Population

Groom’s Attire | Generation Tux

Second Photographer | Jenny Rolapp

Excited to share that this wedding was featured on Offbeat Bride!

5 Honeymoon & 5 Mini-moon Destinations

5 Honeymoon & 5 Mini-moon Destinations

friendors pittsburgh wedding photography

Here’s a list of 5 great honeymoon and 5 perfect mini-moon destinations to consider. Now that the wedding is over, it’s time to relax, kick your feet up, and let loose! Pricing will vary greatly between the options, but this will help give you a starting place, that’s a little more sophisticated than just throwing a dart at the map.

One thing you’ll want to do before you get started is make sure you have a current passport. There’s lots of amazing places to go in the US, but there’s also a whole lot of places outside. This world is big. Explore it!

  1. Riviera Maya – With so many all-inclusives, many that cater to newlyweds, going to Mexico for your honeymoon is a no-brainer. They have a ton of couples only resorts that are stretched out on gorgeous white sand beaches. A couple of my favorites (and one I’m currently staying at) are: Unico Hotel 20º87º, and several of the Palace Resorts.

  2. Hawaii – This is another fairly obvious choice, and rightfully so! Hawaii is beautiful and has so many varied places to go while enjoying the relaxation of the island lifestyle. Pro tip – don’t just go to Oahu! Check out the other islands, Molokai is awesome! It’s very private and you feel like you have the entire island to yourself!

  3. The Caribbean – Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua, there are so many islands in the Caribbean. The gorgeous, crystal clear waters, and the beautiful resorts make the Caribbean a frequent choice for newlyweds.

  4. Europe – Warm air and sea water is great and all, but a European trip is something every American should do if they can! I haven’t been to all of the countries in Europe, but for my very first trip, I hit up Paris, France, Venice, Rome, & Naples, Italy, London, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland. I’d say that was a good start.

  5. Iceland – This country is gaining popularity because it’s amazing, and there’s often some really great travel deals there. I loved Iceland! If you go, make sure you plan to check out Jokulsarlon Glacier. It’s about 5 hours from Reykjavik but well worth the visit!

ventura santa barbara wedding elizabeth victoria photography

Chances are you just dropped a whole lot of money on an extravagant, but utterly fun and amazing wedding. So spending a few more thousand on a honeymoon might have to wait. But you REALLY want to get away, and I don’t blame you! You should definitely get out of town for at least a weekend!

Here’s a list of 5 perfect little mini-moon destinations to go on until you can plan that epic trip you’ve always wanted.

  1. Catalina – Why not go to a much closer and less expensive island? With lots of great little hotels and air bnbs, Catalina can give you that island getaway feel without making you have to getaway too far. And if you go on your birthday, you can get a free ferry ride!
  2. Solvang – It’s only about an hour from Santa Barbara and it feels like you flew to Denmark. Plus there are a ton of tasting rooms and nearby vineyards for wine lovers.
  3. Yosemite – Get in the car, pack some hiking boots, and check out nature. Go camping or stay at the lodge. Either way you’ll feel amazing being surrounded by so much natural beauty.
  4. Big Bear – A bit closer than Yosemite, but still beautiful It’s a great little mountain town that’s only 2 hours or so from LA. Go on a hike, rent a kayak on the lake, or just hang out in town and relax.
  5. Ensenada Cruise – There are lots of super affordable 3 day cruises from Long Beach to Ensenada and back. Cruise ships are perfect little getaways. You get the feel of being at a tropical resort, without having to travel as far, and often for much less money.

los olivos vineyard wedding photography

If you need help planning your honeymoon or mini-moon, contact Julia with Two Nights In. She’ll help you plan the perfect trip.

And if you’re still in the wedding planning stages and you need a photographer, or if you’re planning a destination wedding, let me know, I’d love to talk to you!

Camarillo Airport Wedding – Brian & Danny

Camarillo Airport Wedding Photography

Late last year I photographed Brian and Danny’s wedding at the Camarillo Airport with Jennifer Johann Photography. This was the first wedding I’ve shot at that location. Now I’m wondering how I haven’t been to more there?! It’s so awesome having all these giant, old planes and jets as backdrops for wedding photos! I loved that I was able to get some photos almost right on an airport runway, because that’s not something many couples get to do.

Before the ceremony, Brian and Danny took an airplane ride around the area. All the guests were seated and then the plane dropped them off nearby for them to walk down the aisle to be married. I thought that was a pretty unique way to make an entrance! Afterwards, we went to the nearby airplane hangar, which was where their reception was. They had a red, white, and blue theme which fit with the location. This hangar is such a clean slate, it really could’ve easily had a completely different look inside and would still look amazing. Because the hangar was so huge, fitting a very large wedding guest list very comfortably would not be a problem.

One of my favorite parts was being able to take Brian and Danny into an old WWII bomber plane. We got some cool photos inside. The weather was perfect and we were able to get some cool photos of them in front of different aircraft.

Here’s some of my favorites from their wedding day at the Camarillo Airport.

If you are planning a wedding at the Camarillo Airport, let me know, I’d love to talk to you about photographing your wedding there!

Hotel Maya Long Beach Wedding Photography – Ana & Mike

Hotel Maya Long Beach Wedding Photography

Ana and Mike got married a couple weeks ago at the awesome Hotel Maya, which is a modern and trendy hotel in Long Beach. It was a beautiful day and the sun even made an appearance!

Getting ready

Ana got ready in her hotel room with her bridesmaids and mom, and the atmosphere was full of excitement. After she got her gown on, we went downstairs to a small bridge right in front of the beach for their first look.

The ceremony

The ceremony was a beautiful service overlooking the beach. A gorgeous chandelier hung from above, the waves crashed in the distance, and the tiki torch flames flickered in the wind. Their flower girl was a hula dancer and she performed a traditional Hawaiian dance before the bride walked down the aisle. During the ceremony they read their own vows which were so personal and sweet to hear. It was touching, but funny and overall, such a personal service. Rose bushes have a special meaning to them both, so they had a watering ceremony to show their coming together as husband and wife.

The reception

The reception was in an upstairs room at the venue, right above their ceremony site. It was a tropical themed wedding, which fit their personalities perfectly. I love shooting weddings at the Hotel Maya because there are always so many unique areas for photos. Right when you walk into the hotel lobby, you see so many cool details. And the entire property doesn’t disappoint!

They had a cocktail drinks reception in the afternoon, and a photobooth in the evening. They decorated the venue with orchids and succulents.

For dinner they served steak and chicken, which was absolutely delicious. The first dance involved the wedding party getting on the dance floor to get the dancing going, and they finished off the evening with the cake cutting, followed by a bouquet and garter toss.

The couple

Ana wore an Oleg Cassini gown from David’s Bridal and Mike wore a suit from the Men’s Warehouse and they both looked so incredible. Ana’s shoes were Badgley Mischka and their jewellery was from J&L Jewelry.

Ana and Mike’s wedding had such a chilled vibe and had a really fun atmosphere. Here’s my favorites from their wedding at the Hotel Maya Long Beach!

Hotel Maya Long Beach Wedding Photography Friendors

Venue/Caterer | Hotel Maya

Coordinator | Boutique Event Planning

Florist | Shell’s Petals

Bakery | Great Dane Baking Company

DJ | DJ Scotty Events

MC/Photo Booth | In the Mix Events

Videography | Hot Kofe, Daniel Timtim

Gown Boutique | David’s Bridal

Gown Designer | Oleg Cassini

Bride’s Shoes | Badgley Mischka

Groom’s Attire | Men’s Wearhouse

Jewelry | J&L Jewelry

Officiant | Seaside Ceremonies

If you’re having a wedding at the Hotel Maya Long Beach, I’d love to help with your wedding photography! Please get in touch!

What to Look for in a Wedding Photographer

What to Look for in a Wedding Photographer

unico 2087 riviera maya destination wedding photography

Here’s some tips on What to Look for in a Wedding Photographer. One thing I always tell my clients is make sure you actually like your photographer’s personality. Can you picture being friends outside of the wedding experience? If you can, just think how much more happy and comfortable you’ll feel if your photographer seems more like a friend than the paparazzi.

There’s a ton of great photographers out there, but unfortunately you shouldn’t only choose a photographer based on their skill alone. A lot of wedding photographers out there do it more as a hobby or side business, and because it’s not their primary job, some don’t think having insurance or a license is necessary, or even required. Check out the list below so you have a better understanding of what to look for, and what to expect when hiring a photographer for you wedding.

Important Questions to Ask

1. Do they have liability insurance? Hopefully this won’t be needed, but it’s definitely something a professional photographer should have.

2. What equipment are they using and do they bring backups in case something fails? The camera doesn’t make the photographer, but better equipment will help make the photos that much better! Also bringing more than one camera with is a must in case something goes wrong with one of them!

3. How do they backup the images and make sure nothing is lost? I personally use two cards recording twice in my cameras, and when I get home, I upload the images to my computer, and they’re automatically backed up to an external hard drive.

3. What happens if they can’t make it on your wedding? You likely won’t have to worry about this but it’s a good idea to ask. I know multiple other pro photographers that I can call in at the last minute in case of an emergency.

4. How long have they been in business? Are they really inexpensive? Seems too good to be true? Usually an increased price comes with increased experience. For one of the most important days of your lives, you may want to use someone who isn’t just starting out. Inexperience can lead to bad images, missed shots, failed equipment, and all other things you don’t want to think about!

5. What do they require to reserve your wedding date? Do they require a 50% retainer? Full payment? 25%? Is it nonrefundable? Just a signed contract?

6. What is included with your wedding photography? Does it include an album? High res or low res files? Will you get a USB drive or DVD as well? Do you get an online gallery? Any prints or print credits?

7. When can you expect to receive your images? Make sure you know this ahead of time so you won’t be upset when it seems to be taking longer than you want. I guarantee images within 4-5 weeks, some photographers will say 2-3 months. Just make sure you know what to expect.

Make sure that they are trustworthy, responsible, and professional.

8. Do you like their style? Clients always ask me what’s my style. Take a look at their photos. Do the images resonate with you? Do you think they’re pretty? Can you picture yourself in them? If you like the way their photos look, that’s all that matters!

9. Do they have good (or any) reviews on reputable sites, like The Knot, Wedding Wire, Google, or Yelp? Check them out online, do you see any reviews for them? Read the reviews. It’ll help you get a better idea of their personality as well as their quality.

10. Can they recommend other vendors? Have they worked with other vendors that they think would be a good fit? Experienced photographers will  be able to refer you to many that would be a perfect fit for your wedding.

Consider Hiring a Wedding Coordinator

Now that you know what to Look for in a Wedding Photographer, I’d really suggest hiring a wedding coordinator as they have the most experience working directly with other wedding professionals. Wedding planning can be so stressful you’ll want one to help alleviate some of the pressure. Here are some coordinators who are extra awesome, and I love working with them!

ventura santa barbara wedding elizabeth victoria photography

Ann Johnson Events

All Occasions Event Planning

Events by Tiffany J

Ebeling Events

Engaged 2 Be Wed

Events by Fran

Stop and Stare Events

Now that you know what to look for in a wedding photographer, contact me to reserve your wedding date and get the planning started!

Wedding at The Pierpont Inn Ventura – Melanie & Randy

Melanie and Randy’s wedding was so much fun, I can’t believe how quickly they put it all together!

Wedding at The Pierpont Inn Ventura

Melanie and Randy got married in May at the lovely Pierpont Inn, which is a nice hotel in Ventura. They had their ceremony in the back garden, which overlooked the ocean. They chose Pierpont Inn, because it has so many options and they just fell in love with it. It was an all white wedding, which looked so unique. I love shooting weddings at The Pierpont Inn, because the surroundings are relaxed and the grounds are so gorgeous. There are so many areas for photos, you can have such different looks and the beach right across the street.

Getting ready

Melanie got ready in one of the cottages with her mom, and the atmosphere was perfect. The bride and groom then met for their first look and some couples portraits before going to the ceremony. Randy got ready in his own cottage.

The ceremony

The wedding itself was intimate setting on the venue grounds, with ivy vines framing their ceremony. During the ceremony they read their own vows. It was such a personal service. Looking around at all their closest friends and family all wearing white or beige was so unique!

After the ceremony

The reception was at the same venue and they had their group photos and some more of the two of them taken before their grand entrance. They decorated the venue with all white flowers with candles and hints of gold, because Melanie loved the clean and simple look of an all white wedding. I’ve never seen this style done before and absolutely loved how it all came out. The first dance was immediately following their grand entrance, and it was a romantic slow dance. Melanie and her father had their father daughter dance right afterwards, and it was such an emotional moment. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

The nicest part of the day was being able to capture them together as husband and wife. I always love that part of the day, seeing the little moments no one else gets to see.

The couple

Melanie wore this gorgeous gown with an incredibly long and intricate train, and Randy wore a stylish tan suit and they both looked so incredible. Melanie’s dress was from Wang’s Bridal and Randy’s suit was from Jos A Banks.

Melanie and Randy met online and have been together for about 4 years. They got in touch with me barely a month before their wedding date! They said they wanted a photographer that could capture them and their personalities, and I thought it was awesome that they knew what they wanted, and loved my style.

Melanie and Randy’s wedding had such a fun atmosphere and was everything I love about weddings. I loved photographing their wedding at the Pierpont Inn Ventura! Here’s their awesome wedding day!

Wedding at The Pierpont Inn Ventura

Photography | Elizabeth Victoria Photography

Venue/Caterer | Pierpont Inn

DJ/Photobooth | Islandroots Entertainment

Wedding Gown Boutique | Wang’s Bridal

Groom’s Attire | Jos A. Bank

Rings | Macy’s

Videographer | Adrian Verdult