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

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

I have not met a couple more comfortable with each other than Jill and Mike.

You know that it’s forever when a couple is able to laugh together and have fun in such…synchrony.

His unabashed sense of humor. Her infectious laughter. Jill has that kind of mirth you can’t help but bask in and let bathe over you. It’s that magical joyful glow that manages to elicit a giggle one day even years later, while sorting a sock drawer or drafting world peace. Add to that Mike’s witty comebacks and self-effacing antics and this photographer was finding it hard not to throw my head back in giggles every few minutes.

And what fabulous sense of style! Check out that fun teal and yellow combo, and Mike’s dapper fedora. Love it!

Suffice to say we had a blast. Jill and Mike, you are a dream to shoot. And now I can’t wait for your wedding at Lake Chelan next summer!

Got those valises today at Tuxedo’s in Duvall, my favorite antique shop in the Valley!

We even got a dog to walk for a bit from a kindly couple who thought he might make a good prop

One of my favorite shots.

Signature JTPA engagement pose

Can’t get over how cute that outfit – and fedora – is.

What did I tell you? These two were laughing like this in between all the more serious faces I had them put on. Hilarious!

See you guys 6.18.11!

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!

Carla and Colt got married at the delicious Blue Ribbon Cooking School at Eastgate.

We got a paddle board and everything. Here’s a sneak peek!

Thanks for indulging in my fantasy of photographing a couple in a romantic paddle boat scene. I’m glad nobody got wet!

4.23.2010
Venue: Salish Lodge and Spa, Snoqualmie Falls
Wedding planner: Events Extraordinare of Seattle (www.eeseattle.com)
Music (acoustic duo): 2buckchuck (I love them!)
Officiant: Judge Carolyn Hayek
Cake: Mike’s Amazing Cakes
Flowers: An Occasion Flowers

There were two doctors from Ohio
Who came to Snoqualmie to get married-O
He decided to go hiking
At 3pm we were panicking
But came back in time and they were wed-O

Thanks for coming all the way, for bringing your friends and family to this part of the world and for letting me make pictures of you

We’d wanted to catch, one more time, the beautiful cherry blossoms at the UW Quad.

Sadly, they had mostly been washed away by the rains the last few days before our shoot.

Still, it was pretty and we were thankful for the morning sun!

The lovely Thy. Isn’t that dress cute?

To cheer Thy up (because the cherry blossoms had gone), her fiance Thuan caught a falling bloom for her. Isn’t that sweet?

And put it on her hair for her? Awww. I swear, not prompted AT all

That cheered her up considerably

“This is why I’m marrying this guy,” she seems to say

Thuan and Thy met in school and have been dating since then. UW is Thuan’s alma mater.

One of my faves. Thuan was trying to keep Thy warm

Gosh, love!

That dress is cute, I’ll say it again! And perhaps only because Thy is tiny!

Thy in a tree! She was such a sport, eager to get that shot despite having to hike up her skirt and go tree climbing. Love this shot, taken right after she made it up. She looks so happy up there!

Thuan looks relieved to be up there with his love. All for the sake of a good picture

They could’ve stayed up there forever and nobody would know

Still pretty despite not being in full bloom.

See you in guys for your wedding in July!

Jan 31st 2010, bright and early at the KL Hilton.

Pretty blue and red bangles to match Li-Hsian’s aqua blue wedding saree.

Rakesh working his magic again.

It is customary for Li-Hsian’s sister to help her put on her bangles.

The beautiful temple where the wedding was held, the Sri Raja Rajeswari Temple in Ulu Kelang.

Heralding the arrival of the bride.

Beginning the swing ceremony.

The tying of the “tali”.

Married!

Congrats, Hsian and Srihari!

Next: The Dinner Reception

So January this year, I made a mega trip back to my home country, Malaysia, to shoot my friend Li-Hsian’s wedding to Srihari. And what a trip it was. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed home. The blue skies, the sizzling hot weather, Chinese New Year, the FOOD! Oh, the glorious food.

But enough about me for now and feast your eyes on some pictures of Li-Hsian and Srihari’s wedding, starting with their wedding portraits and tea ceremony.

This was the view today from the bridal suite at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur. Beautiful blue skies!

Intricate henna tattoos drawn freehand. I am awed each time I look at these!

Professional saree tier Rakesh doing his magic.

Every single fold is hand creased.

A quick change of clothes to some traditional Chinese cheongsam and samfoo for the bride and groom.

Time for tea! The Chinese custom of a tea ceremony, that is, to welcome the groom’s family to the bride’s.

Venue: The Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Next: The Brahmin temple ceremony.