When Cassie first reached out to me to shoot her wedding, I was pleasantly surprised and honored. Her family was from my hometown, but had since moved away. If you’ve ever been, you how homey of a city it is, so it is something sweet to have been able to reconnect years later.

Cassie & Daniel’s wedding had a very special and sacred atmosphere. They flew in to get married aboard the Mojo on Newport Beach, which was an experience in itself! They were surrounded by a close group of family celebrating their marriage, people who I could sense truly loved them and were a part of their lives. Even in such an intimate space, they lit up the dance floor with such contagious joy & fun!

The guys and gals got ready in separate areas in the cutest Airbnb overlooking the waters. The house was bustling with excitement and energy, as family came to help and soak in the moments of the new day. I love these captures of Daniel, having a few quiet moments full of anticipation to himself, and the look on Cassie’s beautiful mom and grandmother’s face as they were getting ready with Cassie.

At one point, Cassie’s dad came in to see how things were going and to give his own bride of many years a “second first look.” One of the cutest moments I have yet to witness!

Right before we had everyone get ready we were scouting the area for a first look spot. Eventually, with the help of all the strong men in the family, we moved all the chairs and tables to the side of the patio to make room for the first look.

Before the wedding, I asked Cassie and Daniel what they wanted to remember most about the day. Daniel wanted to remember the look in Cassie’s eyes and Cassie wanted to remember “all of us together and so, so happy.” I hope that the photos to come show just that.

After the first look, we made our way to the dock and boarded the Mojo. Guests started arriving and left their notes and words of love on heart-shaped wooden pieces and polaroid pictures for the bride and groom to remember them by.

Cassie and Daniel told me that they were friends first when Daniel started attending the same church as Cassie. They were best friends before they started dating. They described the process as “a little bit of everything,” as life often is, full of different seasons, experiences, and emotions. Daniel eventually proposed when they were at the dog park with his dog. Cassie said “The ring was wrapped around her leash and I didn’t even notice it was there haha!  I was so ecstatic. He was scared I would never see it.”

Together, they describe their relationship as being “goofy, full, joyful".” I could definitely sense that throughout the day, as they felt free to crack jokes and be silly with each other as well as their guests.

I asked the two what they were most excited about for their wedding day. Daniel was most excited for In-n-Out afterwards (I mean, who isn’t?!) being from out of state. Cassie said she was “so so so excited to celebrate with and get to see all of the family! I thrive being around family and friends.” It truly was a day full of genuine celebration and lots and lots and lots of love!

In the words of Cassie, about Daniel “He’s very easy going and likes to laugh…I love that he is always trying to be the best man he can for me and that he is always finding new ways to cheer me up.”

In the words of Daniel about Cassie “She is the most caring person ever. The people that she loves the most she will defend with every breath that she takes. She will fight for you when everyone else has given up on them…[What] I love most about her is her personality and her smile that she shows just for me. There is nothing better than seeing her smile just for me. She saves it just for me. I cannot explain how she smiles just for me but I know that there is a difference between the smile she gives other people and me.”

Probably one of the most fun parts of the day was grooving it out on the dance floor right after dinner. DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING! I love it.

Thank you for allowing me in on the fun. Here’s to a lifetime of enduring love C & D!

With love,

Anna

VENDORS:

Second shooter: Benson Wu // Venue: Hornblower Cruises & Events: Mojo Yacht // Florals: Flowers Too Laguna // Dress: David’s Bridal // Wedding Cake: Cinderella Cakes