Kim and Odessa met and fell in love at their 10 year High School reunion. It wasn’t long before they started to live life together, decided to get married, and hired me as their photographer. 
Look at this wedding day, no detail was overlooked. Everything was seamless, it flowed, and in the air was a sense of love. I wish all weddings could be this wonderful…
Check out these flowers. Ridiculously beautiful. Odessa sewed the ribbons and sent them to Flanders, her florist, to attach to her bouquet. I absolutely LOVE the flowers! Event the boutonniere’s were killer. Flanders Setchel is brilliant. Hire her, she won’t disappoint! (By the way, I know the link goes to her real estate website but I couldn’t find her site for her flowers… don’t hesitate though, she’s a genius when it comes to floral arrangements.)
By the way, did you see that hankie? That was Odessa’s grandmother’s hankie. Something old. Gorgeous.
Odessa’s dress was stunning. Seriously beautiful. She got it from Priscilla of Boston. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s creamy elegance suited Odessa to the T. When Odessa put it on, I’m not joking, she took on a princess persona. Her hands would move like Giselle’s in the movie Enchanted. Really, truly, it was magical.
Odessa got her hair and makeup done at the coolest salon on the main street of Nevada City. {Have I mentioned how charming, rustic, and amazingly beautiful Nevada City is yet?!} Tamara at Bel Capelli Salon did a brilliant job highlighting Odessa’s natural beauty. I didn’t get to have my hair or makeup done while working but if I were to be anywhere near Nevada City, I’d definitely stop in there to get all primped and beautified.
Odessa and her mom spent countless hours sewing over 800 fabric flowers for the centerpieces and pins that sat on the napkins for the guests to pin on, take home, and remember the amazing day spent celebrating the Shekar’s. Not only did Odessa sew each flower but her personal touches were seen throughout the wedding from the ribbon backdrop to ribbon that were framed and held the escort cards on the barn. Plus she sewed these darling handbags for her bridesmaids!
Odessa ordered these beautiful Dupioni silk handmade flowers. One for her hair as well as one for each bridesmaid who fastened it to the ribbon around their waste. Such a lovely little detail. You can find these flowers (and other amazing accessories on Etsy. These specific flowers were made by JMG Jewelry Design.
Five years ago Kim’s mother passed away from cancer. At the wedding bracelets that his mom owned were worn by family and close friends so that her spirit could be there celebrating her son’s union. Odessa’s ring was Kim’s moms wedding ring. So meaningful.
Let me share with you the meaning of this chest. First off, Odessa’s brother designed and built it. Look at that woodwork! It’s gorgeous! This chest contains letters from family as well as letters the couple wrote to each other. It also houses other mementos from their lives and on their 25th wedding anniversary Kim and Odessa will open the chest, read the letters, and relive the memories of why they fell in love. If rocky times fall in their path before their 25th anniversary is reached, they will open the chest and be taken back to the happiest time of their life; to be reminded why they fell in love, why they chose one another, in hopes of finding their roots once again.
Oh, did you see the ribbon backdrop that Odessa and Kim created? It was perfect.
Before and after the ceremony the guests enjoyed cocktails in the Rose Garden. Hanging from the trees and shrubs were pictures from Kim and Odessa’s lives before and after meeting one another. It was here, in the Rose Garden that the couple were introduced and enjoyed their first dance before moving the party to the reception.
Kim and Odessa stayed at Our Sweet Retreat in Nevada City. The morning of the wedding family and close friends came out and enjoyed some Yoga on the lawn. The groomsmen stuck around and made an amazing breakfast then got ready for the big day. The wedding party then met up in the early afternoon and so began the picture taking and the main event!
First, check out how charming this place was!
The Roth Estate was amazing! Kim and Odessa used three separate areas for their wedding day. The main lawn was where they had the ceremony, the cocktail parties were in The Rose Garden, and finally the reception was in The Party Pad. It was ridiculously beautiful!
Do you see all this handmade goodness? My word Odessa, you were busy all year long! What you did, all the details, were absolutely gorgeous and so much fun to photograph.
Antonio Ayestaran Custom Catering… three words: yum, Yum, YUM!!! Seriously. They served roasted vegetables (the eggplant was to die for), halibut (my mouth is watering right now), steak (oh goodness it was delicious), and risotto (get out!!!)! And the salad, oh the salad, it was dressed with bananas and strawberries. Who knew?!
Isn’t this cake darling? The cake topper is one of those sweet little toys that when you press the button the couples limbs collapse, when released they pop back up. Such a cute (and tasty) cake! By the way, it was marzipan instead of fondant. I LOVE marzipan! The cake was lovingly baked, decorated, and designed by The Cake Artist.
The band at the reception ROCKED the house! I mean we were dancing to Journey, Lady Gaga, and everything else in between. They were so ridiculously cool and fun. The Hits Band, totally a must have if you want a live band!
Joy of Life Events coordinated this whole shebang. Donna was amazing, simply lovely to be around. She was on top of everything and was always there, unobtrusive, doing her job. Donna, you made this party rock!
Kim and Odessa, thank you! Thank you for becoming my friends. Thank you for hiring me to capture your wedding day. Thank you for making your wedding weekend a blast to be a part of! Enjoy the story that your images tell. Remember those amazing, heartfelt moments and keep serving one another. You guys are so great. Congratulations and I look forward to taking pictures of your children!!!
If you’d like to browse through all of the pictures from Kim & Odessa’s wedding visit my online photo gallery where you can also order your pictures today.
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I am speechless, Jen. Thank you for being a wonderful photographer and friend. You not only captured every moment, but are a part of our memories of our weekend so much more than just the photographer! People were asking if you were a friend or how I found you… yes a friend, but found you online and was inspired by your loving photography instantly. Thank you can’t even begin to say it
big hug hug hug!!!
I am crying!!! Look at these amazing photos!! Jen, you did a spectacular job of capturing the day. We especially appreciate these beautiful pictures and the story you told with them as we could not be there. I really feel like I have a sense of everything now. Also it is really fun to see all the projects O has been working on throughout the year!! It came together beautifully. Congrats Odessa and Kim, we love you. Brava Jen!!!!!
These pictures are insanely beautiful! It was a fabulous event and you captured everything perfectly. I love it!
CRAZY gorgeous. The whole thing. O&K- you two make one hot couple and the pictures are marvelous. Congratulations, you two.
xxx,
Amanda
These are truly some of the most naturally beautiful magical wedding pics I’ve ever seen (so what I’m a little bias!)…AMAZING WORK Jennifer…what a gift to my brother and my new sis Odessa!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Amazing Jen! This was just beautiful! Love it!!!!
These photos are FANTASTIC. They capture the day so perfectly and the photos themselves look so much like your aesthetic, Odessa! Wonderful day and wonderful photos!
Otown and Kim… These pics are absolutely amazing. While I was looking them over at work (please don’t tell my boss) my co-workers came in to see. One comment from the on-lookers: “those pictures look like they could be in a magazine” (obviously a fancy magazine) and the other comment “send me that link – I need to steal ideas from Odessa for my wedding.” A great compliment to Otown’s creativity and Jen’s PHENOMENAL photography abilities! Beautifully done!!!
Gorgeous! I noticed during the wedding how involved you were, nonstop. The photos reflect how engaged you were with Odessa and Kim and their families! I’ll definitely recommend you to others!!! Beautiful!
You know, when I photograph weddings and families I never expect a whole lot of recognition. And right now I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at these wonderful comments. Seriously, thank you guys!
K&O, you guys are some of my favorite people that I’ve ever worked with.
The photos of this wedding are amazing! The detail put into this wedding is also amazing and the photographer did a great job capturing every special moment!
Kim and Odessa – the photos are beautiful. Sheila shared with me. Kim, it was fun to see you the week before, hard to believe you could be happier now than you seemed that evening! –Cack
These pictures are stunning!!! Odessa and Kim’s lovely and beautiful style and creativity are exquisitely captured. I was so disappointed to have had to miss the wedding but these photos make me feel like I was there.
-Aimee
Wow. Amazing photography. Odessa, you should really think about event planning.
I had no idea you were so crafty! Those purses and invitations were amazing!
Great pics! Can’t wait to see the rest. And again, I must admit your wedding was the most loving and meaningful wedding I’ve been too
Congrats to you both!
Outstanding work Jen I just had a moment. I never comment on stuff like this but as a photographer I have to sAy do not ever stop!
Jen,
You captured the magic and the love! It was a tender, beautiful and fun celebration and your pictures tell the story, one that is now captured for the future.Martha Stewart is eating her heart out Odessa!
Congratulations Odessa & Kim,
These are just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing!
These photos are luscious! They are so vibrant and really capture the sentiment and energy present at this most beautiful and heartfelt wedding! Thank you for your work!
Jennifer – I can’t thank you enough for recreating the magic that was…your pictures are sheer poetry, and I’m so happy I can show them to my dad who could not make it to the wedding. You put your soul into your photography – and that shows. Kim and Odessa – keep the magic flowing…love you!
<3
Absolutely beautiful. I love how you capture the story with your pictures, they are definitely much more than mere wedding photos!
So so beautiful – you have managed to recreate the fairytale magic of the wedding as well as all the fun, joy and love! I must say I have never seen such beautiful pictures!
Thank you Jen for capturing the moments of warmth, love, joy and poignancy at the wedding, Jennifer. My heart is full for my son and my beautiful daughter-in-law. You have done an exquisite job with these pictures!
Congrats again Kim and Odessa! I love you both like crazy!
Congrats Jen on a beautiful job and we have so much appreciation for how personally you committed yourself to this.
Dear Shekar,
Congratulations. This is lovely.
Wishing the young couple the very best,
Abha
Congratulations to all!
Odessa and Kim
I enjoyed looking through your wedding photos. They are beautiful and truly captured your day. Every touch was unique and stunning and personal. Congratulations to you both.
Deanne
As a friend to Slim – it was a pure joy to see these beautiful images of such a sacred time in his son and daughter in law’s life!
Beautiful photos of a beautiful family!
Kelli
Dear Jen, here is an email note from a close friend of Kim’s mom who visited this blog:
Slim,
This is the most amazing wedding portfolio I have ever seen. You must be thrilled by the manner in which this momentous event was captured as well as the beauty of your son’s great happiness. I am so pleased for your family. I loved seeing every photo and I so enjoyed the “story line”. I felt Steffi’s presence everywhere.
XO Trish
Blessings, and thank you again,
Slim
These are ridiculously fantastic photos. I’m coming to you for lessons. And I was really touched by how connected you seemed to the whole affair. Everyone really did think you were a friend of the family. Good stuff!
Congratulations, Kim and Odessa! These photos are terrific. It looks like it was a truly wonderful day. Hope to see you two newlyweds soon!
Your photos tell the story better than words can. I am soo touched.
I almost feel like I was there with you at this beautiful event.
Lots of happiness to both of you AND congratulaltions to ALL.
Helga
Please give our warmest greetings and wishes to Kim and his wife. In lovable memory of Kim’s mother Steffi whom we know so well as well as Kim when he was a small kid.
Karin, Udo, Alex and Daniel
Wow, what a spectacular setting and wedding! The attention to small details was truly amazing. The pictures tell a story of a dream of a lifetime. Best wishes to Odessa and Kim . May they find joy in each other for a lifetime. Melisa and Mark
I’m looking up “blue and orange” weddings for inspiration – I love her bouquet and your photography is awesome!!
Thank you Katie! I can say that their wedding was a DREAM to photograph… I love when my brides inspire me to be a better photographer.
OMG…this is so amazing…such a fabulous wedding…i love it
Thank you Elaine! It was such a fabulous wedding.