Posts Tagged ‘caribbean wedding’

destination: paradise!

May 14, 2010

“O.M.G.”
Hello friends! It’s about 2am in Los Angeles right now and I just about finished packing for my 7am flight to St. Thomas!!!!! Yes I will be out of the office until May 19, 2010 to shoot a beautiful wedding in the Caribbean!!!! I will happily return any messages upon my return.

So this is pretty much all I need for my trip (plus another suitcase of gear). The camera is kinda important but the lucky Lakers shirt is most important! Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals will be on Monday and I will be sipping on a pina colada while cheering for my Lakers!

And yes I am the biggest Twilight fan to have never read the book. Why read when you can see Edward’s beautiful face on the screen???
destination wedding photography by kim le photography

kim & adam: Caribbean wedding

December 16, 2009

“sea of love”

What do you get when you mix a beautiful couple, breathtaking scenery and a private yacht filled with happy guests?!  PARADISE!!!  I’ve been dying to post these pictures from Kim & Adam’s dream wedding!  It was so amazing to be a part of such a wonderful event and I can’t even put into words how unbelievably fun & fabulous their destination wedding was.  When I first spoke to Kim, she told me she wanted to not just have a wedding, but have an event where they could really celebrate with her family and closest friends.  And boy was it ever!!!  Kim & Adam invited 100 special guests to join them on a private 3 day cruise, embarking on the SeaDream Yacht in San Juan, Puerto Rico and then sailing to the lovely islands of St. John, Jost Van Dyke and St. Thomas.  I know, it was soooo incredible!  The yacht itself was just gorgeous and supplied with superb staff, tasty food, and good times :) .  I would sleep late and wake up early just so I could savor the awesome views of the Caribbean from the yacht.  There probably wasn’t a moment that passed where I wasn’t saying to myself, “how lucky am I?!”  Ok enough with my gloating and on with the pics!

Kim & Adam actually brought me on as a secondary shooter for their wedding.  They hired the dynamic duo of Table 4 Photography as the main photographers and I was lucky enough to work with such a wonderful team of vendors.  Be sure to check out Table 4 Photography’s blog for more amazing photographs and the complete list of wedding vendors below.

And you have been warned – a MASSIVE blog post is below! It was just too hard to narrow down my favorites from three days.  Enjoy! I know I did! :)

Day 1 of 3 was the embarkment from San Juan.  Everyone arrived in the late afternoon and spent time getting adjusted to life at sea..sigh…  I knew from the moment boarding and seeing everyone’s smiling faces that this would be some celebration!

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

The wedding rehearsal and dinner were also held that night. Just the beginning of great times on board!

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

The view of San Juan from the yacht:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Day 2 was the BIG DAY!!!  We arrived in St. John and had a little time to explore the beautiful island before the wedding started.  The wedding was actually held on the yacht and everything was perfectly set up for the big day. Here’s a photo of the lovely island. I will definitely have to come back here!

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

And now the fun really begins! Getting ready shots with the beautiful bride:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam had a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony first. Here is her lovely traditional dress:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim’s beautiful mother:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim’s gorgeous Vera Wang gown and lovely bouquet:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Such lovely florals provided by Festivo from Puerto Rico:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

It had rained on Day 1. But when the ceremony started on Day 2, it was just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

I loved the color of the bridesmaids dresses:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Some post-ceremony treats:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Stunning details for the reception:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

The dancing portion of the evening was held on the outside deck whether the weather was wonderful.

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Check out the elaborate cake as provided by the – SeaDream Yacht baker:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

And how about the newlyweds:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

One of the best moments of the night was when EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE (guilty as charged) changed into their swimwear and made it a real boat party! The bride & groom were definitely not afraid to get wet! I on the other hand was just hoping I wouldn’t drown in the pool :(

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

On day 3 after an incredibly fun day on board, we journeyed to the island of Jost Van Dyke for some fun in the sun & sand.  The SeaDream team treated us to caviar & champagne on the beach, followed by a delicious beach BBQ.  Saying bye to the boat for now!

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Yes, I know, I have a tough job. Do you know how hard to is to balance caviar, champagne and a camera?! Didn’t think so.

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Dear Mr. SeaDream Man: If you are planning to spray EVERYONE with champagne, including the lil’ photographer with the expensive camera, please let her know beforehand! And please don’t let her drown. Thank you. :)

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Yes we used ALL of the bottles of champagne. It was also a long way from Los Angeles, which I was very happy about :) .

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

I just loved this! And I just loved that Adam was totally in on it and Kim was totally cool about it! Aren’t they great?!

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Proof that she wasn’t mad at all:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Now everyone got time to just relax and have some fun. They is when you say “must.be.nice.” :)

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

And then I got a special treat – a private “day after” session with the beautiful bride & groom.  Are these two super lovely or what?!

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Yes the water was really that turquoise!

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

On board the last night on the yacht (sigh), Kim & Adam hosted a friendly poker tournament. I was given the opportunity to put on my p-p-poker face and ended up finishing 2nd! I lost to the beautiful bride (did you really think I was going to try to take her money?!). It was a battle of the Kims as they called it!
Kim’s dad and her having some family fun :)

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

The more serious side:

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

And finally (sigh again) we ended up on the gorgeous island of St. Thomas for dis-embarkment. Not a bad place to end up, eh?

Kim & Adam Caribbean wedding by kim le photography

THANK YOU so much to Kim & Adam for having me be a part of your insanely unique and incredible destination wedding!!! I have no doubt that this is just a fraction of the many more memorable moments you will have in your life together :) .

The wonderful team of vendors:
Caterer – SeaDream Yacht
Photographer (primary) – Table 4 Photography
Videographer – Joe Simon Productions
DJ – DJ Eric Snow
Florist – Festivo from Puerto Rico
Wedding Coordinator Mary Bartolucci of Island Style Weddings

out of the country!

November 22, 2009

“it’s my life”

I just got done a few hours ago shooting Lien & David’s incredible November wedding and now I am about to pack for an incredibly long flight to the motherland! Ever since my first trip to Europe in 2006, I have caught a serious case of the travel bug and now I try to travel as much as I humanly possible. Last year, I went down under to Australia and now I am going somewhere I have been wanting to go my whole life – Vietnam!!! I am the youngest in my Phamily and the only one born in the United States, so I’m eager to meet my relatives who are still over there and see how life started for the Phams. I am ready for my Asia adventure and can’t wait to immerse myself in the history and culture of my people! Well not quite that ready…I still have to pack and my flight is 8 hours away! Actually I still have yet to unpack from my last trip to the Caribbean!

On that note, I will be gone for 3 whole weeks and unfortunately will not be able to return any emails or phone calls until December 10, 2009.

Please check back in soon because I will have SO much to share! Here’s a sneak peek of one of the many wonderful things to come :)

seadream caribbean wedding by kim le photography

gone sea dreamin’!

November 10, 2009

“all at sea”

Somebody pleeaaase pinch me because I feel like I’m in a really amazing dream! I am leaving today for another major trip and this time it has me going to gorgeous San Juan, Puerto Rico! From there, I will be embarking on the beautiful SeaDream Yacht to shoot Kim & Adam’s amaaaazing Caribbean wedding!!!! We will be traveling from San Juan to St. John and then St. Thomas! Seriously, I still can’t believe I’ve been given this incredible opportunity! I guess those swimming lessons might come in handy after all ;) . And no I cannot fully swim yet and so yes I will be paying attention to the life vest lessons on the yacht very closely :) .

Please keep in mind while I would love to be answering your phone calls or checking emails while standing on the sandy beaches of St. Thomas, I will be unable to do so as there is no cell phone or internet service. I know, I was really hoping to do some work instead of work on my golden tan :) . *Sigh*…it’s a tough life but I will live it for all of us :) .  I have always been a team player :) . As such, I will not be able to respond to messages until Monday, November 16, 2009.

And if you are more of a visual person, I will be on board this big beauty:

seadream yacht kim le photography

AND I have an even BIGGER trip planned for this month…stay tuned more more exciting details!