I have to start this post by admitting that this was the first surprise wedding. Amanda and Jeff decided that they didn’t want to make a big deal of their wedding so they had a New Year’s Eve party at their home in South Pasadena, invited their closest friends and family, and then in the middle of the party announced that they were getting married–right then and there. Except for those few folks who knew about it, everyone was blown away when it happened. After the wedding and then celebrating the new year at midnight at their South Pasadena home, everyone took a limo ride to Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena to view the floats lining up for the Rose Parade. You’ll note that we started the day at the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena and then moved to downtown Los Angeles for some photographs at the Disney Concert Hall. Click here to see all of the wedding photographs from Amanda and Jeff’s awesome evening!

Jeff and Amanda wanted to see each other before the wedding so I arranged this
"first look" where Jeff saw Amanda in her wedding dress for the first time.

Amanda rented the marquee at the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena to announce
to the world that the were getting married. And of course it made for a nice photo as well.

After taking just a few photos at the Rialto in South Pasadena, we headed over to
the Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles for more wedding photographs.

I really liked how the dissipating jet contrail in the sky drew a line down to Jeff and Amanda.

The sunset light was really working for us at Disney Hall.

Nice dress. Nice suit. Nice flowers.

As you can see here, sometimes I appreciate more subtle reflections.

My signature wedding bouquet photograph.

Just because …

Smoochy Smoochy

Jeff’s office building wasn’t in sight of Disney Hall so I used some other skyscrapers instead.

Jeff and Amanda’s home in South Pasadena, California

"Hey. Don’t tell anyone but Amanda and Jeff are getting married tonight!"

"Ok folks. This is more than just a swinging New Year’s Eve party. Amanda and I are getting married. Right now."

Some people were more surprised than others …

Jeff’s grandfather, a retired minister, performed the ceremony.

Then Amanda and Jeff enjoyed their cupcakes. Please note that no cupcake smashing was involved.

Happy New Year!

On the way to the floats, we stopped the limo at the Rialto Theatre in
South Pasadena for a few night photographs under the marquee.

The organizers of the Rose Parade set up these HUGE lights above the street that lit up everything
almost bright as day. I used those lights to backlight Jeff and Amanda as they walked up
Orange Grove Boulevard on their way to view the Rose Parade floats.

Amanda and Jeff in silhouette. One of my favorite photos from their wedding day.