Often times people tend to throw caution to the wind when hiring friends to participate in their wedding matters. I can understand the concern for impending lack of professionalism and potential for unpleasant butting of heads. However, from my personal experience I have found the opportunity to work with friends to be incredibly rewarding. Typically, a wedding photographer is going to be going to be involved with some intimate moments with your family and friends. Knowing my clients and having my clients know who I am ahead of time makes everyone more comfortable when the big day comes.
I have know Christine Eakin for close to three years now. We met through her son Alex who happens to be one of my closest friends. Back in December of 2008 Christine inquired about the possibility of me shooting her wedding. She mentioned a potential destination wedding someplace warm. My eyes lit up like a kid entering Toys ‘R’ Us for the first time. No matter where the final destination was to be I eagerly cleared my calendar to accommodate her March 21st date. As the big day approached so too did a decision on a wedding location. Talks of a rented house in the hills of Malibu, California was what reverberated my way. Visions of mansions sporadically erupting along the hillsides over looking Highway 1 quickly came to mind. There was no hiding my excitement for this new adventure.
March 19th finally came and we were bound for sunny California. A quick flawless flight had us taxiing on the LAX runway in under two hours. Before we knew it, we were headed down Lincoln Blvd. aiming for Highway 1. A short while later and we pulled through the private entrance on up to the house that we were staying for the weekend. Not wanting to Now I have seen lifestyles of the rich and famous and seen millionaire mansions on TV but have never experienced one first hand. My jaw dropped straight to the ground. This house was a sprawling 12,000 sq. ft. overlooking Zuma Beach… Did I mention that I really enjoy shooting events for friends?
My long weekend started off on the right foot. I spent the better part of Friday relaxing and familiarizing myself with the location. I was fortunate enough to meet Hector and Christine’s families, catch some waves at Zuma Beach and wind it all down with a nice soak in the hot tub.
Saturday came with open arms. To a certain degree I really enjoy the hustle and bustle of wedding day happenings. Guests and families arriving, last minute ceremony/catering/djing details to go over and the random hiccups provide enough nervous anticipation to force bursting cardiac rates. It’s enough to drive anyone insane but when the music starts to play and the wedding party starts to walk down the aisle everything is put on hold for life to be lived in the moment.
I’ll admit that most brides and grooms tend to wear their stress on their sleeve but I must say that Christine and Hector were probably one of the calmest wedding day couples I’ve come across. They handled any issues with ease and transitioned from the pre wedding madness to the ceremony without skipping a step. Yet even with their ability to handle all the madness you could still see them block everything else out as soon as their first steps down the aisle began.
The ceremony brought Christine and Hector’s closest family members out on the grounds of the massive Malibu residence. Christine and Hector stood elegantly at the edge of the expansive vista over looking Zuma Beach. A traditional ceremony flowed effortlessly and before you knew it, Christine and Hector were officially wed.
Greetings and blessings were exchanged before the guests were invited to partake in a delicious feast of simplistic yet classy meal capable of satisfying just about any appetite. Stories of the couple’s past were told, toast were given and congratulations were passed as everyone enjoyed their meals. It was a real opportunity for everyone to get to know the positive values as well as a few embarrassing moments that Christine and Hector have embraced. I’m pretty sure that just about everyone had a little chuckle and smile somewhere during the events. I know I sure did.
Cake cutting and dancing carried the latter part of this beautiful wedding on to the wee hours of the evening. I truly had a great time meeting everyone and having the opportunity to capture all the special moments. I hope you enjoy going through the pictures as much as I have. More images can be found by clicking here.
All images copyright Ray Gadd and Steve Smith Weddings
Posted by Ray J. 
