Category: Tips

August 19, 2018

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.

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. Photographer

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

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. Invitations

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 & Hair

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!

July 13, 2018

5 Honeymoon & 5 Mini-moon Destinations

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!

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.
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!
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.
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.
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!

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.

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!
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.
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.
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.
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.

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!

June 27, 2018

What to Look for in a Wedding Photographer

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!

Ann Johnson Events

All Occasions Event Planning

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!

June 27, 2018

Styled Ventura Bridal Shoot

A few weeks ago I photographed a Styled Bridal Shoot in Ventura to show off some amazing local vendors. We started the day in downtown Ventura with two different models. There’s a lot of great spots near the Mission and on Main St. After we were done with the first two models, we had a quick lunch break. We met up with the next two models at a fairly secluded beach in north Ventura. It was nice and sunny, but late enough in the day where the lighting wasn’t too harsh. When we were finished there, we left and ended the shoot with the last model at a private residence in Ventura. She brought her pet Beagle, and since I love dogs so much, I made sure to get a couple photos with him as well.

We had 8 different vendors (including myself and another photographer) get together to make this last minute shoot happen!

Styled Ventura Bridal Shoot Vendors:

Dolly Couture provided the dresses for all of the models. I love the vintage style they all had. So unique for a wedding day. A lot of brides choose these dresses as the reception/party dress. They also are great for bridal showers.

Sparkling Vine Design loaned handcrafted jewelry for the shoot. The jewelry is inspired by vineyards and vintage style. Several of the pieces transform upcycled wine corks and chandelier crystals into unique pieces of jewelry. The pieces complimented the dresses beautifully and added to the vintage look

Dulce Bloom joined in and created some pretty bouquets for the models. They put together a perfect variety of flowers. My favorite was the one with the yellow orchids.

Glory Munoz Makeup Artistry did the makeup for all the models. She made them look even more beautiful than they already looked.

Joanne Farmer Hair did all of the models hair.

The Feathered Head supplied us with a feathered wrap which you can see on the first model in the photos.

Illusions Bridal let us use a veil which you can see on the second model.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the Styled Ventura Bridal Shoot.

June 27, 2018

How to Have Your Dog at Your Wedding

Do you want to know how to have your dog at your wedding? Do you want them to be your ring bearer? Or are you just wanting to have them be there for the photos? I love the idea of bringing your dog with you on your wedding day! Your dog is not only your companion, they can be your best friend, and the one who got you through tough times. They mean more to you than anybody realizes. A lot of people compare them to a child, and I think they’re pretty similar. So why not have them there on your special day? I would hate not having them with me! Just the photos alone would be well worth the extra planning! So how do you prepare them, and yourself, for such a big day?

Weddings are Stressful for You and Your Dog!

Wedding days are not just stressful for you, they’re chaotic and definitely can be a stressful experience for your pup. One of the best things to do is have a friend be in charge of them the day of. Make sure they get a good walk in so they’re a little tired, well fed, and already went potty. It would be best to get them used to big groups of people before. If possible bring them to your rehearsal dinner. You can have them at your bridal shower, or even bring them to your bachelorette party! Lol, ok maybe not your bachelorette party, but you get the idea! Get them used to large amounts of people. On the day of your wedding, make sure they are exercised and they’re de-stressed as much as possible.

Do You Want Your Dog to be Your Ring Bearer?

Are you planning to have your dog walk the rings down the aisle? Or did you just want them there for support? If you did plan to have them be your ring bearer, I’d highly recommend having someone walk them down the aisle and not send them down alone. Very few people I know have a dog that’s trained well enough to walk down all alone with that many people around! But if you can train your dog that well, then those photos would be even better! I photographed several weddings where that was the initial plan but they didn’t prep the dog enough. The dogs were just too nervous and weren’t able to walk down the aisle after all, even with someone walking them. We still were able to get some cute shots with the couple and their dog, but they didn’t get the full experience they were hoping for. Now that’s still not necessarily a bad thing. Having your dog there just for the photos can be well worth it.

Where Does Your Dog Go When They’re Done?

What to do with your dog after the ceremony or the photos are done? You probably don’t want them there the entire reception, and they probably don’t want to be there the entire reception either! Loud music, and lots of people dancing seems like a very stressful time for a dog. What I suggest is having that same friend that walked him and prepped him earlier, bring him back home or to your hotel immediately following the photos. There are dog services you can use that will do just that if you don’t have a friend available. Some specialize in wedding day walking and watching so they would be my first choice. I recommend Black Tie Pups or Canine Crossings. If neither are in your area, I’m sure you can make arrangements with a pet sitter from Rover.com.

What Does Your Dog Wear?

So you got most of the logistics worked out. Now what does your dog wear?! He can’t show up to your wedding in his regular old dingy collar! There’s a few companies out there that make custom collars, bow ties, and leashes. I’d check out Fang and Fur, or Punky Roo, and there’s also Olivias Doggie Designs. You can get something that will match the colors of your day exactly! You can also buy a mini tuxedo from Chewy!

I LOVE love love when my clients bring their furbabies to their weddings, and to their engagement sessions. Dogs are awesome and they are our best friends and our family! Why not have them be there for you whenever possible?!

Check out my website to see some of my favorite moments where clients brought their dogs! I love it so much, I have an entire gallery dedicated to showcasing them! It’s called Puppy Love! ? If you want to see more cute pups, look at this dog wedding I photographed for FurKid Rescue in Pittsburgh.

June 26, 2018

Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer

I’m a Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer. I moved to Pittsburgh a couple years ago and now am back in California but I travel back and forth regularly. While in Pittsburgh, we bought a home in Churchill, right next to the Edgewood Country Club. I got really familiar with the area while living there and was able to photograph weddings in the city and the surrounding areas. Most weddings I photograph are in downtown Pittsburgh but several are in Shadyside, Fox Chapel, Mount Lebanon, Robinson Township, Wexford, Oak Mont and Monroeville. There’s so many great photography locations and venues in this area. It won’t be hard for you to find a spot that will fit your wedding day perfectly. The Pennsylvanian is such a popular wedding venue. And you can’t go wrong with Phipps Conservatory, the Omni Penn or something smaller like Point Breezeway!

I love meeting my clients and getting to know them. Sometimes just a video chat on FaceTime or Skype is enough to meet each other and see how we mesh. Reach out and we can plan a time to talk, and I’d be happy to recommend some great spots. I’ll also make sure as your Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer, I’ll be able to take you to the best places if you don’t have somewhere that stands out to you already.

Pittsburgh Engagement and Wedding Photography

Having your engagement session in Pittsburgh is a great choice since there’s so many beautiful areas for photos. There are so many parks, and downtown Pittsburgh can look really cool in pictures. Any of these are really nice areas for your Pittsburgh engagement photography session.

If you’re looking for the best and coolest photographer in or around Pittsburgh, then you came to the right place! Please contact me so we can talk about your Pittsburgh wedding photography!

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

I’ve been photographing couples getting married for over 10 years! I love being creative, and wedding photography gives me that perfect canvas for creating magic.

My style is a mix of photojournalistic, classic, and commercial, giving it a timeless quality. I love bright, crisp, vivid colors with a romantic, fun, relaxed vibe. If you’d like to learn more about me click here. I’d love to hear about your wedding! Call or text me at 805.410.0721 or send me a message!

June 26, 2018

Westlake Village Wedding Photographer

As a Westlake Village Wedding Photographer, I know several good wedding venues and ceremony sites. I was raised in Newbury Park, and my first job was being a delivery driver in Westlake Village. I’m really familiar with the area and often photograph weddings there. Most weddings I photograph in Westlake Village but several in the surrounding areas, like Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Oak Park, and Malibu. There’s so many great photography locations and venues in this area. It won’t be hard for you to find a spot that will fit your wedding day perfectly. The Westlake Village Inn is such a popular wedding venue. And you can’t go wrong with Calamigos Ranch, The Sherwood Country Club or the Four Seasons Westlake!

I love meeting my clients and getting to know them over coffee. Sometime just a video chat on FaceTime or Skype is enough to meet each other and see how we mesh. Reach out and we can plan a time to talk, and I’d be happy to recommend some great spots and make sure as your Westlake Village Wedding Photographer, I’ll be able to take you to the best spots if you don’t have somewhere that stands out to you already.

Westlake Village Engagement and Wedding Photography

Having your engagement session in Westlake Village is a great choice since there’s so many beautiful areas for photos. There are so many parks, both natural and manmade, and you can always head to the beach in Malibu if parks aren’t your thing. But any of these are really nice areas for your Westlake Village engagement photography session.

If you’re looking for the best and coolest photographer in or around Westlake Village, then you came to the right place! Please contact me so we can talk about your Westlake Village wedding photography!

Elizabeth Victoria Photography is a Westlake Village 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!

I’ve been photographing couples getting married for over 10 years! I love being creative, and wedding photography gives me that perfect canvas for creating magic.

June 26, 2018

Ventura Wedding Photographer

I’m based in the Ventura area so by rights I’m a Ventura Wedding Photographer. I love traveling all through out the state, the country, and even the world. Although most of the weddings I photograph are in Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Santa Barbara, Westlake, Ojai, and Somis. There’s so many great photography locations and venues in this area, it won’t be hard for you to find a spot that will fit your wedding day perfectly. There are also so many amazing wedding vendors in this area, you’ll have no problem planning your day.

I love meeting my clients and getting to know them over coffee. Sometimes just a video chat on FaceTime or Skype is enough to meet each other and see how we mesh. Reach out and we can plan a time to talk, and I’d be happy to recommend some great spots. Since I photograph so many weddings in Ventura, I know of a ton of great areas to go to get cool and unique backdrops for your engagement photography or your wedding photography. And of course if you have somewhere that stands out to you already, I’d love to go there too!

Beach Wedding Photography

Because I’m a Wedding Photographer in Ventura, I know that beach weddings are perfect. Not just in Ventura, but also in Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and of course Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Montecito, and Malibu. They always look amazing, and they have such a relaxed and natural feel. You can still have that luxury wedding you dreamed of having. I love photographing destinations weddings around the world, but with the sun and the sand here in Southern California, you don’t need to go far to get that tropical destination wedding! Ventura county is a perfect location for your wedding photography!

Ventura Engagement and Wedding Photography

Engagement sessions in Ventura County are a great option. We have so many beautiful areas you can go for photos. Downtown Ventura has some perfect areas. Ventura Beach or Oxnard Beach also make really nice backdrops for your Ventura engagement photography session.

When I first started photographing weddings and engagement sessions nearly 10 years ago, I always would go to the beach. The beach is such a great choice and it really never gets old. But sometimes you want someplace a little more unique. Or you’d like to go somewhere that has more meaning to you and your fiancé. One of my favorite engagement sessions I photographed was in downtown Ventura. We walked around near the Ventura Mission and stopped at Starbucks to get some coffee. We got some really cool and natural shots of them just walking across the street and sipping their drinks on an outdoor patio. This engagement session was photographed in the fall, and if you’re not familiar with SoCal, you should know that we rarely get those amazing fall colors. But we found a couple of trees right next to a parking structure of all places, and we were able to get some fun shots under the bright yellow leaves.

I really LOVE being a Ventura Wedding Photographer!

One of my favorite wedding venues that is quintessentially Ventura is the Crowne Plaza! This property has such amazing views of the ocean. You can see all of the Channel Islands from your sweetheart table. Then being able to have such easy access to the beach right in front of your wedding venue is really nice. It’s actually the only beachfront property in Ventura! The Pierpont Inn is also in Ventura but it’s technically across the street from the beach so although it’s a lovely property, it makes beach access a little less convenient. Still definitely worth checking out though!

If you’re looking for an awesome and fun wedding photographer in Ventura or Santa Barbara county, then you came to the right place! Please reach out so we can talk about your Ventura wedding photography!

Elizabeth Victoria Photography is a Ventura 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!

I’ve been photographing couples getting married for over 10 years! I love being creative, and wedding photography gives me that perfect canvas for creating magic.

My style is a mix of candid, classic, and commercial, giving it a timeless quality. I love bright, crisp, vivid colors with a romantic, fun, relaxed vibe. 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!

June 26, 2018

Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

I love being a Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer! Years ago I lived in Santa Barbara and I really loved living in the city. I was right in downtown so getting to State St was so convenient. Alice Keck Park, which is a great place for engagement photography, was literally only a block away from my house. I still live close by in Ventura and I have so many weddings in Santa Barbara, I feel like I never moved. Most of the weddings I photograph in Santa Barbara County are in Montecito, Carpinteria, Goleta, Solvang, Santa Ynez, and Los Olivos.

There’s so many great photography locations and venues in this area, and throughout wine country. It won’t be hard for you to find a spot that will fit your wedding day perfectly. The Santa Barbara Courthouse is such a popular wedding venue. It has so many gorgeous areas and the architecture is stunning! You can have an intimate elopement on the property or a huge wedding ceremony and both options are amazing there!

Santa Barbara Vineyard Wedding Photography

If you love wine and all the great vineyards we have so close to Santa Barbara, then you won’t need to go far to check out some beautiful wineries to have a wedding. Wedding photography in Santa Barbara county area vineyards is really popular and there are a ton of places to choose from.

I love meeting my clients and getting to know them over coffee – or maybe a glass of wine? Sometimes just a video chat on FaceTime or Skype is a more convenient way to meet each other and see how we mesh. Reach out and we can plan a time to talk, and I’d be happy to recommend some great spots. I’ll give you plenty of suggestions for places to go in Santa Barbara for your wedding photography. I’ll be able to take you to some local favorites and some hidden gems if you don’t have somewhere that stands out to you already.

Favorite Santa Barbara Wedding Photography Areas

One of my favorite wedding venues in Santa Barbara is the Four Seasons Biltmore. It’s right across the street from the beach, and the property itself is so beautiful. There’s plenty of lush green areas, and one of the ceremony sites is right where you can see the beach in the background. They have several intricate fountains, luxurious rooms for getting ready photos, and plenty of gorgeous areas for your reception. If you run out of photo locations on the property, head across the street to Butterfly Beach and you won’t be disappointed! One of my favorite weddings I’ve ever photographed in Santa Barbara was at this hotel.

Winery Wedding Photography

Being a Santa Barbara wedding photographer makes it so I’m often up in wine country. Because I go up there often I’ve seen some wineries and vineyards that would make perfect wedding venues. Los Olivos, Solvang, and Santa Ynez are some of the better places to go in Santa Barbara County to find the nice and larger vineyards. That luxury wedding you dreamed of having fits in perfectly in Santa Barbara county. If you’re craving that destination wedding and Italy isn’t quite going to work out, staying local in Santa Barbara is an excellent option.

Santa Barbara Engagement and Wedding Photography

If you’re planning to take your engagement photos in Santa Barbara, then you’ve made a great choice! There’s so many beautiful areas for pictures. You could check out Alice Keck Park, or there’s also the Funk Zone which is a pretty new area with a ton of restaurants, lounges and bars. The beaches by the Fess Parker are really nice as well. These are just some of the great areas you can consider for your Santa Barbara engagement photography session.

If you’re looking for a Santa Barbara wedding photographer that is fun, easy going, and takes pretty awesome pictures in Santa Barbara county, then you came to the right place! Please contact me!

Elizabeth Victoria Photography is a Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer based in Southern California and Western Pennsylvania. I photograph weddings primarily in Santa Barbara County, Ventura 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!

I’ve been photographing couples getting married for over 10 years! I love being creative, and wedding photography gives me that perfect canvas for creating magic.

My style is a mix of candid, classic, and commercial, giving it a timeless quality. I love bright, crisp, vivid colors with a romantic, fun, relaxed vibe. If you’d like to learn more about me click here. I’d love to hear about your wedding! Call or text me at 805.410.0721 or send me a message!

June 26, 2018

Perfect Wedding Day Venues

Perfect Wedding Day Venues can be difficult to find. Luckily you found this site! I’d love to help you find a place that will help complete your wedding day!

So you got engaged?! YAY!! Congrats, how exciting!! Where are you getting married? This is one of the first questions you’ll hear, so how do you go about picking your wedding venue? If you’re new to planning weddings, and most likely you are, this can be very difficult. How do you know where to look? How much are they? What do they offer?

Lookie here! The wedding-spot.com helps you find venues based on the location on the map, it doesn’t list all but it has many on there and a lot of information attached to each of them. It’s definitely helpful for at least getting an idea on what’s available. It even allows you to filter it based on guests, style, budget, services in addition to locations.

So once you get your date and venue locked down, it should be time to book your photographer. That’s where I come in! ? Send me an email or give me a call and we’ll talk about your wedding!

Here are some gorgeous ceremony sites to check out.