About a month ago I received an email from Amanda asking if I was available “for a photo shoot the last week of July.” Kind of a cryptic email… Having already shot their engagement session last year, I knew it wasn’t for that. So I had no clue what she was talking about. In a second email she revealed that she and Viet were planning to get married at the courthouse– just the two of them — and wanted me to come along to document their very intimate wedding day. I was so surprised! They made the decision that after eight years of being together, they didn’t want to wait any longer to be husband and wife and decided that on July 27th, their eight-year anniversary, they would make it official. It would be just the two of them making their commitment and celebrating their love for one another.

Because we all have quite a few mutual friends, keeping this a secret was a little bit of a challenge for me– I can’t imagine how difficult it was for them not to tell anyone. I am posting these images tonight as I know Amanda and Viet will be sharing their story with their families and I want them to be able to see the images of the day right away.

The day was simple, joyous, emotional and very special, and I hope I was able to capture all of that in these images so that everyone can celebrate these moments through the photographs. Here are my favorites that I think tell the story of an exceptionally amazing Monday morning marriage.

We met a few minutes before their appointment at the courthouse and did some simple portraits.

I LOVE this image of Amanda… those eyes are amazing! Plus… check out that fun, colorful dress!! Amanda said she wanted the opposite of what a traditional wedding dress is… I think she got exactly that. It was fabulous.

Loved this spot.

About to sign the marriage license! I actually had to sign as the witness! My first time being an official witness.

The simply lovely ceremony… Amanda got pretty teary-eyed, which made me get teary-eyed. It was so sweetly intimate…

My favorite of the bride and groom during the ceremony.

MARRIED!!!

They were so ecstatic.

Coming out of the courthouse…

Showing off their new bling.

Then we roamed around downtown Fullerton to take some more special portraits. I love these two images… they make me feel good.

LOVE!

All of the fun accessory details: Amanda wore her mother’s necklace and grandmother’s ring to have them both close on her wedding day. Plus, check out Amanda and Viet’s wedding bands! Very modern and so them.

We walked by the Wahoo’s Fish Tacos where they ate the day they got engaged, so I thought it would be fun to stop in for a few photos on their wedding day as well. LOVE the textures and colors of the walls in Wahoo’s.

When Amanda and Viet told me they have a tandem bike that they love to ride around, I knew we had to go to their house to get it for some photos. So fun!

A favorite.

These giant power towers were just calling to me begging to be used in some of the photos…

I saved this image for last because I think it sums up the overall feeling of the day…. pure happiness!

Here’s a photo of the three of us after they treated me to some awesome sushi at the end of the shoot. Thanks you guys!

Congratulations, Amanda and Viet! I am so very happy and am so honored to have been able to witness and document your wedding for you, your family and friends. It was such a beautiful and vibrant day. Muah!

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