There’s something about overweight asian Elvis trying to score a ticket at the last minute that made me so sad!

This event fills the entire San Diego Convention Center an it’s absolutely massive so it has its own newspaper just to let you know whats going on and when!

I guess even scary star wars creatures (sorry I don’t know what this is!!!) need a break to sight see as well! lol

YES!!! Finally… evil My Little Ponys. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this!

Jack posing in front of his “bread and butter” character. There were several people dressed up as this guy, and Jack was shusshing me all day when I tried to tell people that he designed him! Apparently, Jack likes being just behind the scenes and shys away from his Anime celebrity! haha.

Hard times for everyone….

I think even Domo was overwhelmed!

Some of my favorite things at the convention were the toys… the rows and rows of crazy toys! Here are a few of my favorite things from the merchandise section.. including the great wall of T-shirts that went far beyond what my lens could capture!

Thanks Paul and Jack for the amazing day and for hooking us up!

Jinwei and I couldn’t resist taking a quick self portrait while waiting for the boys to arrive… I smell a new facebook profile pic! lol

After Breakfast we all headed over to Japan town to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival and check out some of the local artists, food vendors and of course people! I think the highlight of wandering around down there was stumbling upon the famed Hotel Tomo which is an anime themed hotel in Japan Town. We HAD to go in and check it out… so we were dorks and messed around in the lobby which came complete with a giant cat, some sort of spongy lounge couch thing that looked like it belonged in a Super Mario video game, and of course in true Japanese style, a vending machine that had just about anything you could imagine in it from t-shirts to lunch!

We finally wandered back to the street fair and found the strangest artist booth who makes these tiny little pieces of jewelry shaped like sushi! Nothing says love quite like a pair of california roll cufflinks!

Before we took off we had to make one more stop into the anime store to browse around for some fun. Paul and Jack are designers and work on all kinds of packaging and design for anime and other toys so of course it was no surprise when Jack walked in and said “Hey! I made that!!!”

He also did the packing design for the Godzilla toys, but we couldn’t quite figure out what the hell this monster was supposed to be because it definitely wasn’t Godzilla!

Is it wrong that I have no idea what this thing is… and that I still want it? Awww how cute!!! a baby rice milk… ummm sure. 

The day was so beautiful that we decided to be uber tourists and head over to China town for some retail therapy including a stop off at American Apparel. I don’t think any of us are all that into American Apparel but we stopped in anyway and sort of wandered around confused and decided to have an impromptu fashion show… check out my stellar move with the batwing sparkly hoodie on! I was mimicking the picture of the model wearing that thing, and I still can’t figure out what was supposed to be happening in that photo! lol

The four of us hamming it up while I let a tourist use my camera!

Thanks so much Jinwei for being the absolute undisputed BEST tour guide I’ve ever had in the city, and to Paul and Jack for making me laugh so hard I almost peed!

We started off with Angelicas prep… and there was a lot of action in that little room.

The day was full of all this anticipation while we all waited for the marine layer to let up so we would have blue skies. It made for very white pictures… but was also an amazing way to showcase what the day actually FELT like… I love this shot of her veil twisting in the wind while she waited for things to begin… she was the first bride in history to be finished getting ready early!

Meanwhile at the Womens Club things were coming together… and Bryan was pacing around anxious to see Angelica too. He kept calling her maid of honor to see how she was holding up…. so sweet.

Since they were both older, it was really fun to have their kids with them as part of the ceremony. You can completely see where her two sons got their good looks from can’t you?

It doesn’t get any better than this…

And then out came the bubbles… I LOVE bubbles at weddings. I hope more couples catch on to this little treat!

And then the sun came out… and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Just in time for portraits and to warm up the reception hall with a surreal heavenly light.

I think this kid was more terrified and less amused at being up so high! The side room has a MUCH lower ceiling and I think he knew it!!! lol

The evening ended with lots of dancing, and even more hugs. I love getting the chance to be a part of such a perfect day, and having a couple like Angelica and Bryan makes it that much better! Thanks again for allowing me to be such an important part of your day!

I have a serious thing for white roses, so being the sweetheart that he is, Shane showed up unexpectedly with the most beautiful bunch of them I’ve ever seen. I’m so spoiled…. so of course I had to take a photo with them! Happy Belated Valentines Day everyone.

Ok so for this next one… I sort of look at it like a rorschach test. I see a tractor for some reason. What do you see?

This is a super emotional process as they are preparing for Aarti’s departure from the family home to move in with her husband, and everyone was back and forth between laughter and tears all morning. Aarti was just lit up, and looked so beautiful despite all of the mixed emotions.

This is one of my favorite images. These are her fathers hands, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when it was his turn.

After a quick shower Aarti was back to finish the prayer process (with only slightly stained cheeks I might add) lol…

This is the look of fear!!! To get this look at home, take one girl who doesn’t wear (or need) makeup, add one very assertive and talented makeup artist, a brand new tube of mascara, mix and serve! 

The end effect was mesmerizing, and I honestly was finding it hard not to stare at her after she was finished getting ready.

Those are my bobby pins! <3  thank goodness I’m SUCH a girly girl and wear LOTS of them at every event I shoot. They really came in handy here.

So onto the wedding procession which is more like a parade with Sunil atop everyones shoulders again and beaming!

At this point in the ceremony they have to walk in circles seven times, the first four the groom leads the bride signifying that he will lead the couple in fulfilling life’s goals, and in the last three she leads him and they compete to see how will be the first to sit down which is supposed to predict who will dominate the marriage! Afterwards Aarti got one last hug from her father and her eyes tell you everything you need to know…

and its official!!!

Thanks so much Aarti and Sunil for inviting me completely into your family and your lives for this week. I think it will be quite some time before I am as moved and awed by a ceremony as I was during this entire process. I’m looking forward to hanging out with you and your new puppy soon!

this little guy was camped out on the dance floor….so cute!

But we eventually had to make room for when the party REALLY got started!

I had some stiff competition, this kid is an awesome photographer already! : )

Towards the end of the night everyone grabbed Sunil and hoisted him up…. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one cracking up at his reaction!