When it comes to class, the wedding of Nicole & Paul was one that stood far above most. From the suites, to the pocket watches, the details of this incredible wedding were some of the most classy and well thought out.

At La Playa | Pre Ceremony

It was a warm summer day in Carmel, California. My team and I arrived at The La Playa Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea to begin shooting the families getting ready. As I moved down to the groom suite, I noticed immediately the amazing color of the forest green suits that the groom and his party were donning. The details of the pocket watches down to cuff links was stunning and absolutely perfect. Paul had the cigars for the groomsmen laid out on the table and his selection of the cigars was quite impressive. At the ceremony as well, Paul had set up a cigar lounge sporting Rocky Patel's The Edge. A perfect cigar for the occasion.

As I moved from the groom suite to the bridal suite, Nicole and her family were preparing for her big day. Each detail on Nicole was perfect. From the decoration to her hair to the dress, every detail was from a dream. As her siblings helped each other prepare for the day, the smell of hairspray became ever so present as both of her siblings perfected their mo hawk hair styles.

We made our way down to the paddock with Nicole for the first look with her father. The moment couldn't have been more perfect. Of course, being that it was adjacent to the groom suite, one of our team had to go make sure Paul didn't sneak any peaks as he wasn't to see her until her grand entrance to the ceremony! He was good though, no peaking for Paul!

At The Carmel Mission | The Ceremony

The guest arrived, beaming and greeting each other as they entered the massive chapel that is Carmel Mission. As the ceremony approached, Paul greeted their pastor who was a family friend of his family for a number of decades. They shared a moment to reacquaint themselves as it had been some time since they had seen each-other.

Paul stood at the front of the alter as his groomsmen and Nicole's siblings walked down the aisle. And then it happened, the moment everyone was waiting for. Nicole and her father, bathed in the perfect warm light from the summer sun, began their walk into the church and down the center aisle. Their family and friends looked on with pure adoration at the sight of Nicole, adorned with the perfect smile, she made sure to keep her eyes affixed on Paul the entire time. Paul shed a few tears sharing the perfect moment as he saw his bride for the first time on their wedding day.

Their ceremony was perfect. Everything a ceremony should be. As the pastor adorned them both with their crowns he announced them for the first time as husband and wife. They sealed their vows with a kiss and the family and friends filled the church with thunderous applause. As they marched down the aisle for the first time, they had such a look of love on their faces, their walk a sign of victory as they had done it! They officially tied the knot!

At The Perry House | The Reception

Family and friends gathered at their tables and in the common areas. The mood was incredible, you could feel the energy radiating from everyone there. The smell of the incredible food filled the air as the staff grilled salmon and tri tip on the grills. Over fired pizza was made and served as the Hors-d'œuvre and it was delicious! 

As Nicole and Paul made their grand appearance at the reception, they were greeted by the once again thundering applause as their family and friends welcomed the newlyweds into the reception. The night was filled with speeches from the family and dancing and merriment was the theme of the night as all gathered on the dance floor. The perfect ending, to the perfect day that was the wedding of Nicole & Paul.