Things I remember about Sept 3 2010:

- Tricia’s constant grinning and giggling throughout the day. She is hands down the happiest bride I’ve ever photographed. You’re a lucky guy, Tony!

- how Tricia’s mom insisted to walk down her daughter down the aisle despite not being able to walk comfortably.

- Tony’s best man and brother’s emotional speech that had all of us crying. Yes, me AND my assistant!

- Spin the Bottle Dance-Off! I was made to do it too!

- the beautiful view!

It’s always so heartwarming and exciting to see two young people in love starting out their lives. Both Tricia and Tony, fresh grads, tied the knot last month at the rooftop of the Edmonds Public Library, which was the perfect venue on this gratefully sunny day.

Here’s a slideshow of the highlights:

Tricia & Tony from Jennifer Tai on Vimeo. Music: Peter Bradley Adams’ For You

Good luck Tricia and Tony!

Things I remember about Amanda and Ian’s 20s-themed wedding at the – wait for it – Hollywood Schoolhouse:

- Amanda’s dress did not arrive until late. That was exciting!

- the fabulous 30s-40s inspired hairstyles. The hairdresser did SUCH a good job. See for yourself.

- Their wedding was truly unique because they served dessert right away! There were savory cakes that were YUM-MAY. I particularly enjoyed the sage cake (yes I eat at weddings!).

- The swing-dancing was OUT OF CONTROL! Amanda swingdances regularly and has a huge group of swing dancer friends. Man, that party was probably the most professional dance party I’d ever photographed.

- Ian sang Flight of the Conchords’ Most Beautiful Girl in the Room for Amanda. He knocked it out of the park on the first go. Man, you rock. I became an instant fan of both FotC AND Ian Liddle

- There were VIDEO GAMES at this wedding. I kid you not. Mario Kart, Rock Band and more. Ian and Amanda played their first Mario Kart race as husband and wife that night!

Hands down, the wedding with THE most entertainment. You guys can throw a party, that’s for sure. Here are the highlights in a quick 3-minute slideshow:

Amanda and Ian from Jennifer Tai on Vimeo. 

Music: Madeleine Peyroux

Hope you’re enjoying your honeymoon in Europe!

Things I remember about Friday the 13th in the month of August 2010?

96 degree weather.

Kindra’s beauty of a gown.

Derek and his brothers doing the happy dance in their boxers.

Kindra not being able to stop giggling throughout the ceremony.

Derek sniffling through his “allergies”.

The AWESOME band they engaged (will get the name and post it on here soon) which is why I took like 145 dancing pictures.

Well, too many words, too few pictures. Here’s a slideshow that will better describe Kindra and Derek’s wedding!

Kindra & Derek from Jennifer Tai on Vimeo.

Music: Landon Pigg’s Falling in Love At A Coffee Shop

Venue: Hidden Meadows, Snohomish WA

Some love stories may have  ordinary beginnings but go on to be modern fairy tales.

For example, boy meets girl. Girl has fling with boy. Boy falls madly in love with girl. Girl grows up and marries boy. For Whitney and Padraic, who met in the beautiful San Juan Islands and ended up tying the knot there at Whitney’s family home, the fairy tale came true.

To you, Whitney and Padraic. May you live in interesting times!

ps. Please be patient and wait for at least the first five slides to load before playing for the best viewing experience. Thank you!

Music: Something to Believe by Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan.

I’ve known Audrey since she was this sweet quiet little girl, always hanging around with her sis Hazel. Today, she’s such a confident, sassy lass – still sweet, still quiet but there’s a twinkle in her eye and a spring in her step that says, “Yea, mess with me. Do it.”

Audrey and Chris, you guys are truly lucky to have each other. Not only do you LOOK good together, you’re also good for each other. There are just things you notice being a photographer, especially a wedding AND family photographer – things I know make a marriage. And you guys have it.

All my best, Mr and Mrs Wong!

Audrey + Chris from Jennifer Tai on Vimeo. Photography by myself and my fabulous second shooter Thomas Tam, who is an AWESOME wedding tog based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His work can be found at www.maxtography.com. Music: Big Bird in a Small Cage by Patrick Watson and Won’t Cost a Thing by Waz.

This was my first Vietnamese wedding, replete with a traditional morning ceremony, where the groom visits the bride at her home, asks for her hand in marriage and then brings her to his home literally to be wed in front of their ancestors, friends and family. There was also a white wedding at Pickering Barn in Issaquah, a very pretty venue, with the reception there as well.

Thy and Thuan – you guys really know how to throw a party!

Some highlights of the day in a slideshow.

I wish you guys all my best!

{hitched!} Thy + Thuan from Jennifer Tai on Vimeo. Music: Heaven by Brandi Carlile; Another Day by Pomplamoose.Venue: Pickering Barn, Issaquah.

What a beautiful day it was for a wedding. In fact, it was down right sweltering – always welcome here in the rainy Northwest!

Jason and Tamara – you guys make my job so easy. Besides being two beautiful people, your love shines so true and honest that it’s hard to take a bad picture. It shows on your faces, in your eyes, your smiles. Jason’s silly, infectious grin. Tamara’s open, warm laughter. The way her brown eyes twinkle when he calls her “pretty” (his nickname for her). The delight on her face during your First Look when Jason could not stop gushing. He definitely looked like the luckiest guy in the world that afternoon.

And luck was the theme of the wedding. Horseshoes decorated the chuppah, bales of hay, the dinner tables and every corner of the ranch. There was luck, love and laughter everywhere, where every detail was intricately planned and executed by mother of the bride Kathy and of course, Tamara herself, with the help of the masterful Lisa Chambers of Chambers-co.com.

I wish you both health, happiness and happy trails. Have a wonderful time in Europe!

So Damn Lucky: Tamara and Jason from Jennifer Tai on Vimeo. Photography by Jennifer Tai Photo Artistry, assisted by Amar Rameshbabu of ANRB. Music: Pretty by Mark Ballas and You & Me by Dave Matthews Band.

Props to the fab team that brought you this beautiful wedding:

Planner: Lisa Chambers and crew from Chambers-co.com
Gown: Pnina Tornai from Kleinfeld’s, New York
Cake and Chow: Landau’s Catering (very yummy!), Molly Moon for the ice cream and Dante’s dogs
Florist: Meghan Stoller with MUM Floral Design and family friends
Invitations: Izzy Girl
Officiant: Rabbi Earl Starr
Band: Left Hand Smoke
Sound: K Berry Associates
Makeup: Jenny Verador
Hair: Kami Wright

Trisha and Ali got married in a civil ceremony one year today. They decided to finally have their reception. A simple dessert dinner with lots of good music – and liquor! My kind of party Congrats and Happy Anniversary Trisha and Ali!

Venue: Embassy Suites, Bellevue

When I met Julie and Luc at a local Starbucks almost a year ago, I knew instantly that these were people I could hang out with. Easygoing, funny, charming and photographers themselves! After the meeting, I remember thinking that if they’d hired me for their wedding, it would be SUCH an honor. A few days later, after a few email exchanges on the details, the deal was done. I could not stop smiling.

Julie and Luc met at an Art Wolfe seminar and their story, as told by various friends and family members at their wedding, is romantic, funny and just warms the heart. From their engagement pictures to their Trash the Dress (below) session, I could not help but feel their deep love for each other.

By the way, Julie has her own photography business and used to be a photo journalist – check her work out at www.fotomura.com).

It has been a privilege to get to know both of you, Julie and Luc. I wish us many years of friendship together!

Venue: Delille Cellars, Redmond WA
Venue for TTD: Pioneer Square
Second shot by Hannah Marie Photography and assisted by Bryce Graff
Wedding makeup by Jena Easton (who also makes cakes by the way!)
Trash the Dress makeup by Samantha Ang of Samantha’s Paintbox

Four hours before they left for Jamaica, Carla and Colt met me at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens for their Trash the Dress session.

Yes, this place is GORGEOUS.

Have fun guys! Play some tin drums for me!