Cherry Blossom Anniversary Session - Elizabeth + Kyle

Right on the cusp of the world changing from the COVID-19 pandemic February was one of the most beautiful months filled with blooming cherry and almond blossom trees. This lovely anniversary session was inspired by fantasy and fairytales. Below you will find a romantic escape into a grove of never ending white flowers.

Styling/ Makeup / Photo: Sam Rae MUA Photo

Willow Creek Ranch Wedding - Marian + Chris

Marian and Chris are some of the kindest and most beautiful couples I have had the pleasure of photographing! Take a look at their beautiful rustic yet classy wedding in the hills of Valley Center, CA.

Vendors:

Planning/venue: Willow Creek Ranch Valley Center

Makeup: Bride Paint

Dress: Kora Brides

Florist: Floral Designs by Bethany

Banff Anniversary Session - Louise + Robin

Louise and Robin are Banff locals and adventure seekers worldwide! They have been married for a few years but decided to celebrate their anniversary in style. We headed to some of their favorite spots and despite the rain misting around us we got some beautiful photos. Theses two special souls are some of the most kind people I have ever had the pleasure of capturing. Please see below for a super scenic and touching anniversary session in Gods country.

Vendors:

Planning/ Styling- Martin Ngo Photography

Makeup / Photo- Sam Rae Makeup & Photography

Florist- Flowers by Jerry

Dress #2 - Rue De Seine Bridal


Twin Oaks Wedding - Rosy + Matthew

Matthew and Rosy had a very sweet a romantic wedding at the Twin Oaks Golf Course near San Diego. Even though it was a small wedding it was so meaningful and filled with so much sincerity. Every moment they shared together seemed so special I was so blessed to capture them on their big day. When I first arrived it was raining and I was a little concerned but right when the ceremony was about to begin the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was such a beautiful miracle and the scenery was gorgeous. See below for a magical wedding that I couldn’t help but swoon over.

Vendors-

Venue: Twin Oaks Golf Course

Rustic Wedding at The White Sparrow

The White Sparrow is a stunning barn located in Texas just a few hours away from Dallas. It offers some of the most beautiful features with its high ceilings and perfectly white wooden walls. The outside is just as picturesque with a simple rope swing attached to a tree right in the front. This was the perfect place for our rustic styled shoot and we had so much fun shooting the entire property. We went with a little bit of a moodier vibe with darker tones and textures. All the vendors who participated in this shoot were amazing! Take a look at this super rustic yet classy wedding shoot!

Vendors:

Venue: @thewhitesparrow White Sparrow Barn

Dresses: @cesttoibridal C’est Toi Bridal Atelier & @mckinleybridal McKinley Bridal

Headpiece: @mckinleybridal McKinley

Bridal MUA / Photographer: @samraegenido Samantha Genido

Hair / Bridesmaid MUA: @stylesbyvero Styles by Vero

Cake: @priscila.leboreiro The Baking Suite

Florist: @flowershackblooms Flower Shack Blooms

Furniture rentals: @golddustvintage Gold Dust Vintage

Decor rentals: @5starrental 5 Star Rental

Dessert table: @DandelionCheesecakes Dandelion Cheesecakes

Ribbons: @heyitsohsopretty Hey It's Oh So Pretty

Almond Blossom Couples Session

There are two special weeks out of the year where the beautiful trees north of LA bloom. This small window is an amazing time to take some of the most fantastical photos. I wish we could have flowers like this all year for my couples. This couple celebrated their engagement in the most beautiful way possible. We had so much fun frolicking through the lines of trees finding spots where they could be framed perfectly by the cascading branches. The floor was so covered in petals that from a distance it looked like fresh snow. See below for a fairytale like engagement session!

Planning: Martin Ngo Photography

Wild Sand Dune Elopement

Sand dunes are one of my favorite places in the world to take photos, the natural textures and the neutral tones are just a dream. I was so lucky to be apart of this couples wild elopement in Glamis, CA. They got to say their vows to one another and enjoy their moments alone without distraction. I was also super lucky to do this brides makeup as well. I used warm tones and some hints of gold to go along with the feel of the location. If you love super intimate elopements then this one is for you.

Makeup / Photography: Sam Rae Genido

Calligraphy: Chalk N Ink

Florist: Irises Designs

Santorini Elopement

Oia, Santorini is one of the most romantic islands in the world. Santorini is covered in these beautiful white and blue buildings that give each cliff such a beautiful glow. Even the streets seemed to shine as you walked around the city. The high cliffs in Santorini all have amazing views of the perfectly blue ocean. This beautiful couple from Colorado tied the knot in a less traditional way in the early hours of the morning on this Grecian island. The bride wore a stunning blue skirt that complimented the blue water around the island. Even though we had to wake up at the crack of dawn in order to beat the crowd it was so worth it. We got some awesome photos and it felt like we had the entire city of Oia to ourselves. Take a look at this stunning elopement in Santorini Greece!

Photography / Makeup / Design: Samantha Genido (IG: @samraegenido) 
Couple: Michelle & Logan Delacastro (IG: @thedelacastros) 
Florist: Wedding Wish Santorini (IG: @weddingwishsantorini)
Invitation Suit: Veraly & Company (IG: @veralyco)
Jewelry: Desert Daisy Jewelry (IG: @desertdaisyjewelry)

Skirt Owner / Designer: Inge Stalyte - Wardrobe by Dulcinea (IG: @allthingsdulcinea)

James Bond Couples Session

Brittany and Paul both share a love for modeling and acting and have appeared in many commercials, movies, and adds. When they contacted we talked about ideas for their photo shoot we decided it would be fun to do a James Bond inspired shoot so they could feel right at home. Brittany and Paul were so amazing to work with as they posed so naturally with the plane, you would almost think that they would take off in it right after our shoot was over. I had so much fun hanging out with these two and learning more about their other passions like traveling to Canada and Thailand. The travel aspect of this shoot fit so perfectly for them because they are constantly on the go, traveling for different movies and photoshoots for their work. See below for a seriously fun shoot that in my opinion leaves James Bond shaking.

Makeup was done by me.

Beautiful Switzerland Elopement

Is there a place on this earth more beautiful than Switzerland? I honestly don’t think there is. When a couple elopes it becomes such an adventure because without all the strings of a big wedding they can choose anywhere they’d like to tie the knot. The possibilities for elopements are endless. Lauterbrunnen is a gorgeous valley with powerful waterfalls on either side. As you walk down the valley you can see snowcapped mountains and little houses dotting the hillsides. I feel so lucky that I got to capture this amazing couple in a location that is just do die for.

List of vendors:

Photography / Makeup & Hair / Design: Samantha Genido (IG: @samraegenido)

Models: Isha Sulmon & Filip Sulmon (IG: @isha_sulmon @filip_sulmon)

Florist: Evelyn Krebs - Stil Und Stiele (IG: @stilundstiele)

Invitation Suit: Veraly & Company (IG: @veralyco)

Jewelry: Desert Daisy Jewelry (IG: @desertdaisyjewelry)

Dress Owner / Designer: Inge Stalyte - Wardrobe by Dulcinea (IG: @allthingsdulcinea)

Adventurous Elopement at Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is one of those bucket list locations for most photographers. There is nothing like seeing this giant powerful river carve it's way through the earth in such a breathtaking way. About a year ago, before I started focusing on shooting couples and weddings my heart and soul loved landscape photography. There is something so healing and inspiring about the earth God gave us and capturing it became a passion of mine. Being able to mix my past love for landscapes along with the romance of a wedding created the most unforgettable day! Not only was I able to photograph this amazing elopement but I also got to provide this lovely bride with makeup as well. I am still shaking with excitement that I even get to post a blog on this stunning couple at one of the most gorgeous locations in the world! See below for a remarkable elopement that was one for the books!

Makeup & Photography - Sam Rae Genido

Planner / Organizer - Heather Taylor

Dress – Grey Pearl Bridal (Danyelle) [Jaclyn Jordan wrap skirt] 

Top – Forever 21

Suit – Generation Tux

Florals – Elite Floral Events (Jena Waller) 

Jewelry – Desert Daisy Jewelry (Emma Roberts)

Cake– Bleu Moon Bakery (Shayanne) 

Rentals – Dogwood Party Rentals (Becca) 

Stationary/Calligraphy – EG Letters (Liz) 

Hair – Emma Roberts

Bride & Groom

Rachael Koch – www.intstagram.com/rachaelthedinosaur 

Joel Mercier - www.instagram.com/joelsephski 

 

Mint and White Wedding at Muckenthaler Mansion

Muckenthaler Mansion is a stunning estate located in Fullerton, CA. It has some of the prettiest old fashion architecture which made every photo seem so luxurious. This minty green and white inspired wedding was such a breath of fresh air! See below for a really beautiful inspired wedding that I truly feel in love with! I mean how could you not with models as ridiculously stunning as these two?

Photography: Sam Rae Genido

Host: Styled Shoots Across America (Instagram:@styledshootsacrossamerica)

Planning & Design: Heather Benge Events (instagram: @heatherbengeevents)

Venue: Muckenthaler Mansion (Instagram: @themuckenthalermansion)

Flowers: Intrigue Teaches (Instagram: @intrigueteaches)

Makeup: Lip Glam Artistry (Instagram: @lipglamartistry)

Hair: Melissa Marichi (Instagram: @mmarichi88)

Stationary: Plume & Fete (Instagram: @plumeandfete)

Linens: Nuage Designs (Instagram @nuagedesignsinc)

Wedding Gown: The Dresser Bridal (instagram: @dresserbridal)

Bridesmaids Gowns: Weddington Way (Instagram: @weddingtonway)

Cake: Nicole Bakes Cakes (Instagram: @nicolebakescakes)

Paper Artist: Sylhouettes by Sylvia (Instagram: @sylhouettesbysylvia)

Dessert Station: Colette's Catering & Events (Instagram: @colettescatering)

Coordination Assistant: Alexi Events (Instagram: @alexieevents_u.s.a)

Bride & Groom: Miranda Harrison & William Arthur (Instagram: @wasthatmina & @wilby_arthur)

Bridesmaids: Alexandra David & Sara Shier (Instagram: @lexie_david & @sarashishi)

Urban Wedding at Luce Loft

Luce Loft, located in downtown San Diego offers some of the most amazing urban features. From it's concrete walls to rod iron staircase and beautiful windows there are so many creative ways to use the space. It was such an inspiring experience getting creative and using the light and shadows from the giant windows to create some beautiful contrast. I also really enjoyed the beautiful white walls outside which create the perfect backdrop. I really had a blast not only shooting at this venue but also providing makeup for our two bridesmaids and our bride! See below for a really trendy inspired wedding at one of the coolest venues in San Diego! 

Vendors:

Snowy Mountain Adventure Session at Convict Lake

Mammoth mountain holds a special place in my heart because everywhere you look is beautiful no matter what the season. Morgan and Andres were visiting mammoth and decided a fun wintery photo session would be a great way to remember their trip. I also had the opportunity to do a really beautiful smokey/silvery makeup look on Morgan to go with the theme of the shoot. I loved how she mixed her black leather jacket with a beautiful lavender colored dress; it really fit the the whole vibe of the wintery shoot. When we headed over the the lake I was a little worried the weather would be too stormy but we lucked out and  had a soft dusting of snow that made each shot feel like a beautiful winter wonderland. These two were so adorable and I loved how they were willing to endure the cold temperatures and still have a good time. See below for a snowy mountain photoshoot that still gives me chills! 

Tropical Hawaiian Wedding at Haiku Mill

Maui offers numerous stunning views of high mountains and white sandy beaches that it's hard to find even one spot on this island that doesn't take your breath away. Haiku Mill is a gorgeous wedding venue tucked in the hills of Maui. This venue just drips with an old time charm and Hawaiian tropical vibes. With the hanging vines and flowers that naturally cover the venue it looks almost unworldly. I have heard weddings that purposefully install flowers to drip from the ceilings in a similar fashion and it costs thousands of dollars to do so. This venue is so special because it offers this beautiful atmosphere in such an organic way. And what is a wedding in Hawaii if you don't take some photos on the beach as well?! For the last hour of sunlight we took some really fun photos on the beach and I was so happy that this fun couple wasn't afraid to get a little dirty! See below for a really fun Hawaiian inspired wedding! 

Vendors:

Photography: Sam Rae Genido (Instagram: @samraegenido) 

Host: Styled Shoots Across America (Instagram: @styledshootsacrossamerica)

Planning & Design: Heather Benge Events (instagram: @heatherbengeevents)

Venue: Haiku Mill (Instagram: @haikumill)

Flowers: Maui Palm Tree Floral (Instagram: @mauipalmtreefloral)

Hair & Makeup: Love & Beauty Maui (Instagram: @loveandbeautymaui)

Stationary: The Simple Flourish (Instagram: @thesimmpleflourish)

Gown: Private Label Wedding Dresses (instagram: @christinenokta)

Cake: Frosted by Pibeny (Instagram: @frostedbypibeny)

Tabletop Rentals: Set Maui (Instagram: @setmaui) 

Shoes: House of Elliot (Instagram: @houseofelliotlaceboots)

Décor & Rentals: Rio Event Design (Instagram: @rioeventdesign)

Models: Carli Callender & Chase