Sarah Mahen Photographers

Oh Ruth and Darin! I love you! I love how much you love each other, and I love your willingness to be awesome at any time. I can’t even begin to say how much fun we had doing this Day After session. We drove around Monterey, worked the full morning sun like no one’s business, ate a yummy lunch and then worked it some more! It was a joy to spend the day with Ruth and Darin and just adoring them even more. We were able to get some seriously sweet images that again, just would NOT be possible on a wedding day. We got a little wet (not too much), a little dirty (and sexy), and were able to see some marine life. All in all, the perfect day.

Thanks again to Ruth and Darin for being so blasted cool and for making time to make some seriously rockin’ images. We love you guys, and hope you love these pictures as much as we do! HUGS!

click the image below to start the slideshow

Oh Sarah Friend,
We absolutely LOVE, let me say it again La-La-LOVE the pictures! We drooled over them last night and today at work I can’t stop sneaking peeks. UH-MAY-ZEENG! Definitely what we expected from your wicked awesome skills! We are so happy we had you come and do that for us. We both keep talking about how much fun we had, and how comfortable we felt with you, so we thank you for being so freakin’ cool. More than anything, thank you for having and using such a wonderful gift. You have an eye for rock star images, and we just love ya. You’re awesome!

I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this one. Ruth and Darin are some of the most amazing and wonderful people I’ve ever met. They were a joy to be around, and I have never felt more like a member of the family than I did with these two. It was such a pleasure photographing their wedding! I had a blast, and I think the pictures prove it.

As always, I started the day off with our bride. She and her bridesmaids and sisters and mom and auntie all got their hair and makeup done together at Salon Blu in Monterey, California. Ruth is absolutely stunning! She made such a beautiful, graceful bride because she’s just beautiful and graceful every day! Once the hair and makeup were done it was off to the hotel to get ready. Ruth had so many little details! It was awesome becuase I LOVE photographing details. The shot of her shoes in the window is one of my favorite shoe shots ever!

Then it was off to San Juan Baptista Mission for the beautiful ceremony. Ruth and Darin waited to see each other and it was something else. Dustin was in the perfect shot to get Darin’s reaction shots as Ruth came in the door. I am so proud of him for nailing these shots. (I even called him when I was editing to tell him what a great job he did I was so impressed!) I seriously got chills when I saw the tears in Darin’s eyes. And he wasn’t the only one! Their ceremony was beautiful (and all spoken in Spanish!) and there was seriously not a dry eye. Once the vows were said and ring exchanged, Darin and Ruth were ready to PARTY!

We headed next door to the mission at Casa Maria for their amazing reception. Despite the breezy weather, dinner was served on the patio and a good time was definitely had by all. From the tasty food supplied by A Moveable Feast to the Tequila/Sake toast (as Ruth is Hispanic, and Darin is Japanese)to the dancing that went on into the night it was non-stop fun from beginning to end, and I was thrilled Dusty and I got to be a part of it.

I also have to give a BIG thank you to my beloved Jenny and Drew. I photographed their wedding in February of 2007 and they have seriously set the tone for all the great things that have happened around here over the last couple years. Jenny and Ruth were college roommates and I was so excited to see them again at the wedding. Jenny was even a bridesmaid! Jenny has referred loads of her classmates from UC Fullerton’s Optometry school to me and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people because of her and Drew. HUGS to you both!

Thanks again to Ruth, Darin and their wonderful group of family and friends. Thank you for letting Dustin and I into your lives on your big day and not holding back. It was a joy to share your wedding day! You are an incredible couple and we simply adore you!! Check out the slideshow for images of this wonderful couple! And check back for their Day After session slideshow later this week.

Click the image below to start the slideshow