Krista and John

Besides being a photogenic pair, Krista and John were a true delight on their wedding day. Adi had never met the groom before the big day, but he and John became fast friends due to their mutual love of football. No not that kind, the soccer kind. While Adi is an avid watcher and study of the game, John is a pro. He plays for the Chicago Fire! John was the youngest American to ever sign with a team in the English Premiership after joining club Manchester United in 1997. We won’t hold that part against him (Go Gunners!) And, Krista is just one of the sweetest brides we’ve had the pleasure of working with.
Wedding Planner Kathy Recchia from Save the Date was so organized and kind!! Hope to work with you again very soon!

With magnificent second photografication by Next Exit Associate: Stephanie Williams!

Here are a few of their memorable vendors and details galore.
Ceremony: First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes
Reception and Catering: Ayres Hotel Manhattan Beach
Videographer: dvArtistry with a link to a day-of cut! (see Adi and Steph in action on the dancefloor, woohoo!)
Photo booth: Cheesy Photobooths
Flowers: Flowers by Laurel
DJ and Lighting: Steve Wemmer
Cake: Torrance Bakery wth a vintage cake topper from Ebay
Transportation: The Big Red Bus Company and a Rolls Royce from Classy Chassis
Makeup: Sherry McAnelly Hair: Ali Ash
Bridal Gown: La Sposa Bride’s Shoes: JCrew
Veil: Crowning Glory Designs, Candi Merle Ties: The Tie Bar Monogrammed Hanger Cover: Etsy Twisted Sisters
Fleur de Sel Caramels: Boule
Invitations: Where’s the Party Programs/Menus: Document and Designs Cocktail Napkins: For Your Party Custom Wedding Logo: Delovely Designs

Happy New Year from Next Exit Photography!

It’s that time of the year again when we all reflect on the past wedding season and admire all of the exquisite events that we were a part of at Next Exit Photography.
We just completed our SIXTH wedding season. Ah!
Adi, Nicole, Stephanie, Isaac and I are truly blessed to have photographed nearly 70 gorgeous and unforgettable weddings this year. (a few of them we can’t show due to confidentiality agreements, darn!!)
Every single couple has made an impact on our lives…the toasts, the dance, the kiss, the friendships, the first look, the laughter, the tears, and the love. So much love that we get to share with each and every one of our amazing clients.

2009 is going to be another stellar year for us, I know. We will continue to provide our clients with the very best images and the very best service in the wedding photography market.
We already have weddings booked all over Southern California, Cabo San Lucas, Puerta Vallarta, New York and New Jersey! I am so excited for the coming season.
Yes, we still have lots of openings, so make sure to schedule a consultation sooner than later if you are considering booking with our studio.

And, to our portrait clients, we love you, too!
I haven’t done a specific count, but I know that we have had the pleasure and honor of photographing about 100 gorgeous families this year.
(yes, we’re VERY behind on our blog) but we hope to be able to start catching up in the new year when wedding season is a bit slower.

Also, I know that many of you keep emailing me for some Clara pics…I’ll have Adi put toegther a few for the blog very soon. She is so munchkie!

xoxo cat

Best of Project Wedding 2008 Award!

Yay for awesome awards! Next Exit Photography was so excited to receive their most recent accolade from one of their favorite wedding vendor resources, Project Wedding. It’s a place where you (our radistist brides and grooms) can go to review all of your wedding vendors after it’s all over.
Next Exit made the top THREE of all wedding photographers in Southern California due to their amazing client raves. How can we ever thank you????

Tamar and Murat

Tamar and Murat rock! I met them for the first time on their wedding day…but we became fast friends.
Tamar said that she wanted something a little different than what she was used to seeing from her immediate circle. I wanted to give them something fresh and a tad edgier then the traditional Armenian photography, but I also didn’t want to leave their parents high and dry. I think we nailed it. A little bit of this (gorgeous family group shots, beautiful foliage & amazing romantic moments) and a little bit of that (cool florescent lit hallways & KFC windows.) And, of course, a dash of Next Exit humor, sarcasm and fun.

I love you guys. Even if you (Marat) did ruin the score of the USC/CAL game moments before I left the wedding.  Have fun in South America.

…With brilliant second shooting by Next Exit associate photographer, Stephanie Williams.






























(more…)

Jamie and James

Jamie and James are one of the nicest couples ever. Their wedding was so much fun. I have to make a confession. I put on my old school wedding coordinator hat for just a minute towards the end of the afternoon and convinced Jaime to convince the DJ (long story there) to rock some tunes for a little dance floor action. She didn’t think anybody would dance! But, low and behold, within minutes, the projector was cleared and the dance floor was packed. Everybody in the room crowded around to boogie with the adorable new married pair!!
We were a bit worried the rain would spoil the stunning outdoor ceremony at the Hilton Waterfront Hotel in Huntington Beach but the clouds parted just in time. Then, to entertain the kids (big and small) they hired a killer balloon artist and magician from Silly Productions. OMG, so awesome!

Another favorite moment of mine was watching Jaime’s uncle lift up her wedding gown (while she was in it) and drape it over the ironing board for a last minute de-wrinkling. Loved that!

Bridal Gown - La Sposa
Bridesmaids: Two Birds Bridesmaids
Hair and Makeup - Angelina @ All Made Up
Florist - Doli Florist, Van Nuys
Cake - Rossmoor Pastries
























Valerie and Jason

Valerie and Jason had a gorgeous wedding at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica. This place is so killer, Adi and I just loved taking advantage of its picturesque coolnessness. The day was perfect and we started off (for the 2nd time that weekend) at the Wayfarer’s Chapel in Palos Verdes.
Besides it being a fabulous wedding, I had a very strange blast from the past. Almost 15 years ago, my freshman year of college, I became very good “Spring Break Bahamas ‘94” buddies with a group of friends from St. Lawrence University in New York. We kept in touch for 2 or 3 years and then lost contact. As I walked into the getting ready room, one of them called out my name! Two of these buds of mine were closest friends of the bride and had traveled across country to attend the wedding. Yay for a small world!

Hair & Makeup - Chevonne Moore at Goodform Salon
Flowers - Hoot & Heart
Favors - Bakesale
Wedding Gown - Les Habitudes
Groom’s attire - Suit from Theory, Tie from Barney’s
Cake - Torrance Bakery



















my kind of girl








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Shawna and John

 

Shawna and John had a sweet wedding at their new home! They hired us in January and basically spent the entire year getting the backyard ready for the wedding celebration. They kicked off the day with a ceremony at the beautiful Wayfarer’s Chapel in Palos Verdes and then we all headed back to their huge new property in Lomita. Adi and I loved spending the day with the couple’s warm and happy families. Congrats, you two! You totally rocked it~!

 



















(more…)

Happy Thanksgiving

We’re so thankful for family.

1st Cousins: Kallie and Clara (born 10 days apart)

NannersP in da House!!

Nanette is a star. A shining, happy star. And, a Next Exit bride. And, a friend forevs.
She and her husby came by the studio for a few pix of her new gorgeous daughter, EM.

She is a very famous blogger, so make sure to look her up!!





Wendy and Victor

Another blog post made easy by an amazing note from a most amazing couple…(and one of the most fun bridal parties of the year!)

“Dear Cadi (like brangelina or tomkat) cat + adi = cadi
I just want to say many thanks for making us laugh and feel at ease, thank you for controlling the chaos that goes on during a wedding, thank you for the witty banter, thank you for holding my lipstick, thank you for keeping the energy up and thank you most of all for sharing our wedding day with us! I can’t wait to see all the fun photos, too bad we didn’t have a video camera to capture the stench someone left for us in the Langham elevator or the shock on our faces when we found the condom shooting in Old Town!  That was something special…ahh…the memories! We had so much fun with you both! Love you guys.”
Love you, too!! Our new tag line? Next Exit brings you farts and condoms on your wedding day and memories that last a lifetime. What do you think!?

Wedding Coordinator: Frances at Simply Perfect Wedding. Yes, it was simply perfect and Fran is just a gem. Can’t wait to work with her again!
Hair and Makeup: the supreme Sherry McAnelly, On Location Beauty
Ceremony Location: Church of the Good Shepherd
Reception: Cafe Santorini
Bridal Gown and Bridesmaid Dresses: Kirstie Kelly Couture
Cake: King Hawaiian Bakery
DJ: Dean Henderson/Royal Entertainment
Florist: Valley Flower Company