I am so excited to finally post the much over due but fabulous wedding of Alec & Jackie at the beautiful Rincon Beach Club in Carpenteria!  This wedding was a blast from start to finish filled with good friends family and lots of good times.  Alec and Jackie are two of the sweetest and most genuine people you will ever meet.  Both have hearts of gold and are the kind that instantly make you feel at home and like you have been life long friends.  This vibe of closeness and love was felt through the entire day from the ceremony and toasts to the way everyone worked together throughout the day helping here and there.   This kind of bond is something that can’t be faked and really made taking photographs a pleasure.  There were so many sweet details at this wedding.  A few of my favorites were the centerpieces made of vintage cigar boxes filled with beautiful Roses and Dahlias along with the ring bear towing the adorable baby filled red wagon(see photos). This was such a beautiful day and I hope you all enjoy the images!

Alec and Jackie, thanks so much for allowing Dan and I to be a part of your wedding.  It was truly a pleasure to meet you both and I wish you live closer so we could hang out.  You will just have to visit us in Costa Rica.  :)  Blessings to you both and enjoy!

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing my first  ”Chinexican” wedding (for all of you who are feeling a bit confused Chinese + Mexican = Chinexican).  Dan and I had such a wonderful time meeting and photographing Tim and Virginia!  They are such a fun loving couple with creative genius as they so perfectly blended thier families and friends together at this multi cultural celebration.  From Photo booth’s and Mariachi’s, to Chinese sweet breads and silk dresses it was quite the eclectic soiree which made everyone feel right at home.  I personally felt even more at home with them as the maid of honor was my college roomie and bridesmaid Jennette.  It was truly such a treat to spend the day with her and to meet all her Southern California friends with the added bonus of seeing the Ballas family.   Special thanks to Caroline and her wonderful team of ladies from Serenity Events who so fabulously coordinated and bedazzled this beautiful wedding.  I would also like to give a shout out to the Florists (name coming soon) who’s bouquets and centerpieces were just breathtaking.  Tim and Virginia thanks so much for allowing Dan and I to be a part of you beautiful wedding it was such a fun and wonderful day to be a part of.  Enjoy!

Wedding ingreedents:

Venue:  Huntington Beach Hilton

Coordinator: Serenity Events

Last weekend I had the wonderful joy of photographing the beautiful wedding of my dear friend and college roommate Kelly to the love of her life Scott Lighty.  This wedding was so captivating and charming with every little detail thought through.  Kelly and her amazing group of gals did such a fabulous job of accenting the colorful and eclectic Flying Caballos Ranch.  I have so much to say and will give more info later but for now I will leave it at this and let the photos speak for themselves. Kelly & Scott enjoy!

Wedding Ingredients:

Venue: Flying Caballos

Photography: Chloe Murdoch Photography

Video: The Cana Family

Catering: Two Cooks Catering

DJ & Photo Booth: Kramer Djs

I love simple and beautiful weddings.  Weddings can very easily get overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of the event but Derick and Amy’s Costa Rica Elopement was just the opposite it was calm, peaceful and oh so intimate.  They chose Alma Del Pacifico Hotel in the quaint and local town of Playa Esterillos Costa Rica which was a perfect fit for a relaxing & romantic beach ceremony.   The ceremony was simple and beautiful with linnen and Orchid draped Arbor and petal scattered floor.  Following the ceremony and epic sunset photo session, the couple enjoyed a beautiful private dinner served by the fabulous staff at the Pavillon Restaurant.  This private wedding was coordinated by the wonderful ladies of Tropical Occasions who no mater what the size of an event make everything just perfect for their couples.  Amy & Derick, Dan and I had a wonderful time meeting you both and being a part of photographing your beautiful wedding.  We wish you both the best and hope the photos bring back many happy memories to share with your friends and family back home!

Last week I had the wonderful pleasure of photographing Ryan and Lori’s beautiful Tropical wedding in Manuel Antonio at the ever impressing Los Altos Resort.  Ryan and Lori were so wonderful to photograph as they were both were super fun, mellow, easy going and even enjoyed having their pictures taken which makes my job such a pleasure!  Upon my arrival Lori had the bed covered in beautiful DIY items she had made to adorn herself, the groom, and bridal party.  She made beautiful peacock fans, necklaces, and corsages for each of her ladies, and custom boutonnieres and ring pillow for the men.  My favorite of her creations was her stunning white and peacock feather fan she made for herself!  It added such a big WOW factor to the photos throughout the entier day.  Aside from Lori’s personal peacock feather touches, the wedding was photographic eye candy as it was so beautifully designed and coordinated by Aimee Monihan & Karen Ogden of Tropical Occasions.  Aimee, Karen and their group of wonderful gals made this day come together like clock work.  They were so professional and constantly on top of every little detail, from the fabulous table settings to the coordination of shuttle busses and timelines etc. In addition to working with the ladies at Tropical Occasions I also had the pleasure of meeting and working with Videographer Jonathan Yonkers who added a really cool twist to the day that I have never seen before.  Jonathan had spent the last few days following the group around on their zipline, fishing tours etc. and had captured them spontaneously bursting into song all over Costa Rica which will then will be all compiled together to make what I am sure will be an amazing music video!  I just can’t wait to see it Jonathan.

To top off the day Dan and I also had the pleasure of debuting of the “Chloe Murdoch Photobooth” which was tons of fun for everyone (us included)!  We brought all kinds of props and a cute guestbook for the guests to sign next to the printed phootbooth photos.  This type of guestbook is really fun for the guests and I think even more fun for the couple to keep showing the guests having a blast at their wedding!

This whole event was such a pleasure to be a part of so thanks to everyone who put time and effort into making Ryan and Lori’s day so wonderful to photograph!  Ryan and Lori, Dan and I wish you both the best and we hope that these images will always bring to mind the wonderful memories of your wedding day here in Costa Rica.  Blessings and enjoy!

Venue: Las Mariposas and Los Altos Resort

Coordination: Karen Ogden of Tropical Occasions

Video: Jonathan Yonkers

Floral:

Last week I had the wonderful joy of photographing the beautiful wedding of Doug & Michelle Hodges in Playa Flamingo Costa Rica. The wedding was a two part event starting at the beautiful Villa Martita then ending in a wonderful beach walk where the guests got a chance to feel the sand between their toes and through a stone full of well wishes in to the sea for the newly weds!  It was such a family centered intimate beach wedding full of creative twists one of my favorites was the beach “Shoe Valet” where guests got to take off their shoes in style.  The reception was also at the Villa and was just beautiful as the sun set perfectly over the pool making the ambiance postcard worthy!!!  The dinner was prepared and served by the amazing Chef Jean-Luc and his fabulous staff from Mar y Sol Restaurant and Catering.  The food was some of the best I have had from the succulent and savory Angus Beef to the to die for Lava Volcano Chocolate Cake!  It was a dinner made in heaven.  Dan and I had such a wonderful time getting to know these two over the weekend and we were so stoked as they had us do a stylized day after shoot on Sunday to get some classic Costa Rica style shots.  Day after shoots are my favorite as we have tons of time to relax and just have fun together to really get some beautiful photos.  Thanks again Doug and Michelle for letting us be a part of you wedding and we hope you love the images!  Blessings

Chloe, Dan & Kai

My last wedding of 2011 with Chris and Katie was such a blast.  The wedding was held at the fun, artsy and Historic Casino San Clemente.  Katie did such a wonderful job decorating and planning all the little details from the cute flag centerpieces and “Feed your Meter” vintage suitcase quarter holder (such a great and cute idea)!!  On a personal note working with Katie and Chris was like being with old friends as we all have a mutual love for our alma matter Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where we photographed their engagement session a few months back!  The entire day was so relaxed, fun and candid and I feel so blessed to have been a part of this wonderful event!  Katie and Chris I hope you enjoy these images!  Blessings!

Ryan & Kathryn’s wedding was truly one of beauty, serenity, and unity.  This beautiful wedding took place at Still Water Vineyard which perfectly set the event as it is private and nestled in the hills of Paso Robles. This wedding was truly photographer eye candy from start to finish designed by the amazingly detailed Kathryn and executed by the lovely ladies of Joyful Weddings and Events.  From the unique walk down the isle into into the intimate ring of succulents to the beautiful family style long tables with perfectly paired table tops by April Flowers nothing was left to be improved!  The day had such a beautiful spirit as the vows and commitments made were spoken so clearly and directly that I felt as though I had known them well for years.  Dan and I had such a wonderful time getting to know Ryan and Kathryn and hope that you all enjoy the images and can feel the beauty and love of that wonderful day. Blessings.

Vendors to thank:

Venue: Kelsey @ Still Waters Vineyard

Coordinator: Bre @ Joyful Weddings & Events

Florist: April @ April Flowers

Catering: Russ and Heather @ Two Cooks Catering