Nyra & JR’s Sacred Heart and Disneyland Wedding

I don’t think I can describe this wedding as anything less than epic. It was wonderful enough to get to see a college friend finally get married after 11 years, but to be witness to the approach she took made everything that much better.

If Nyra & JR look familiar, it’s because we shot their E-Session in Disneyland earlier this year. Imagine all of the energy and love from that session as a tightly-packed stick of dynamite… their wedding was that dynamite, but having exploded EVERYWHERE. It was obvious how much effort Nyra had put into the details, and they all made for beautiful pictures (thanks for the help, Ny!).

We’d gotten to shoot at Sacred Heart earlier this year, so thankfully it was familiar territory… what wasn’t so familiar, though, was the Disneyland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The room was designed for epic events, and this fit the bill. I loved shooting there, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat… as long as I have the talented crew I had with me this time (Sarah Dawson & Greg Montanio)…!

“Go big or go home.” Nyra said that this was the overall theme of her wedding, but honestly, I really didn’t expect things to be as literal to this phrase as they were. Everything was, in fact, friggin’ huge. With that, I hope you enjoy the beautiful moments I was allowed to capture… congratulations, Ny & JR!!!

May I start with Exhibit A: the bouquet brooch/medallion/I don’t know what the hell to call it. It was HUGE.

Loved this heirloom ring at Nicole’s wedding… so glad Nyra got to use it, too.  :)

The rosettes on these shoes do it for me… as do the massive red hearts on the bottoms…!

Katrina giving Nyra a hand in a temporarily quiet household.

Nyra wasn’t the only one going big – check out JR’s watch! I’m not sure there are enough diamonds…

Rosettes + rings = OMG.

…even the ceremony programs were perfect!

I’ll save you the counting: 12 bridesmaids, 12 groomsmen, 2 jr. bridesmaids, 2 jr. groomsmen, 3 flower girls, and 3 bearers.

I think they could have used a couple more.

Nyra informed me that the waterfalls behind the Disneyland Hotel are going to be torn out soon… having gone there numerous times growing up, the news really got me down… so we got a couple of shots down there (Try walking on those wet walkways in heels…! That portion of the shoot didn’t last long…).

I mean, really – does it get more Epic Disney Reception than this…?

Nyra’s parents surprised the couple with a cameo by Mickey and Minnie during cake cutting.

Nyra showing flowergirl, Charlize, that if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it.

JR put on what is easily the longest pre-garter dance I’ve ever experienced. Not gonna lie, though – the boy can move.

…and they lived happily ever after.