Featured Friday | Courtney + Philip Married | Chart House Redondo Beach Photography

A few months ago I attended an amazing photography conference in Santa Barbara and had the opportunity to meet some amazing new friends in the industry. One of those friends was Taliah. Taliah had always dreamed of shooting a beach wedding and I mentioned an upcoming wedding I had in July that had beach written all over it. Taliah flew down all the way from Canada to help me tell Courtney and Philips story. After enjoying In N Out, a beach bike ride and an engagement shoot, we were off to photograph what truely was a gorg beach wedding. I want to thank Taliah for all of her help, from calming me down when we couldn’t find parking to throwing a dance party after the ceremony in the car to saving some cookies from the reception for the car ride home. I could not have asked for a better second shooter! I am secretly hoping she moves down here sooner rather than later (sorry Taliah’s mom!) so we can work together more often (we make a pretty sweet team!) Anyways onto the wedding!

Courtney is a born and raised California surfer girl, so what better place to get married than on the sand at the Chart House in Redondo Beach. I met up with Courtney and her amazing bridal party of 9 at the Seasprite Motel in Hermosa Beach. As soon as I walked in the room I knew this would be a perfect wedding. Courtney was donning a gorgeous pink rose headpiece made by the lovely Carmen from Expressionary Events and had picture perfect (literally) makeup and hair by Rock Me Up Makeup Studio. All the girls were wearing matching mint/teal robes with their initials and Courtney in a gorg silk white robe. I was so extremely excited when I saw this because I have always wanted some sweet getting ready photos of all the girls together. Another detail that Taliah and I were excited over was the bridesmaids all had starfish in their hair, I mean come on starfish it was all so perfect!

While I was shooting some photos of the gals getting ready Taliah headed over to the boys. Of course it was probably much more calm over there! In fact they were chilling drinking beer hehe. The boys were finishing up getting ready and while waiting for us girls to be done decided to play a round of tailgate bean bag toss. I finally called Taliah and gave her the go ahead to walk Philip down to the beach to get him prepped for the first look!

Once in place I brought Courtney down to say hello to her man for the first time as a bride. It was so sweet and so picture perfect (ok I know I have said this twice already but just wait til you scroll down and see these photos you will agree!) I could have taken photos of the two of them under the Hermosa Beach Pier for HOURS! After about an hour we had finished all the wedding party photos and spent a little extra time with the two of them. Once again first looks are SO amazing you have me for all day (more likely) might as well do a first look get some super amazing photos and still be able to enjoy a sweet party bus ride after the ceremony like Courtney and Philip did!

The ceremony was held on the beach beside The Chart House in Redondo Beach and the day was so perfect for a wedding on the beach. The weather here has been very hot and I was a little worried about the wedding day but it turned out to be just breezy enough you weren’t overheating by being outside. Courtney and Philip DIY’ed every aspect of this wedding from the centerpiece jars, the programs and all the signs. You guys did an amazing job!!! I loved how Courtney made a sign saying “Shoes Optional”. Taliah and I were the first to lose our shoes and I have to say I am looking forward to shooting more weddings barefoot in the sand. I might have found my speciality!

The reception was held at The Norris Pavilion in Palos Verdes and included a surfboard guestbook and an In N Out truck (yes the Canadian got In N Out twice in five days now that is a good friend hehe). I mean I could not have picked a more perfect California wedding to have Taliah fly down for. The reception was amazing and I was able to display a same day edit on a HUGE screen as a surprise for the two of them. I think they liked it 😉 They had a super cute slideshow of the two of them growing up and their lives together up until the big day. Including the birth of their amazing little girl, Sage! From the first dance to the hokey pokey and cake cutting the night was magical!

I wish you two all the best of luck in the years to come and cannot wait to continue to watch you grow. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of such important events in your life! Here is to the two of you! CHEERS!