Destination Wedding Photographer

Cabo San Lucas Wedding | Hacienda Beach Club

admin — Tue, 17 May 2011 08:42:44 +0000

Michael and Stephanie had their wedding at one of the great original beach resorts in Cabo San Lucas. The Hacienda Resort has been around in various forms since 1963 and has recently been remodeled again taking the name of The Hacienda Beach Club & Residences. Hey, if you are looking for a one bedroom place on the sand in Cabo they only start at $600K! They are located in the downtown Cabo/Marina area on the widest stretch of Cabo sand. From their website, “. . . intimate views of the Sea of Cortez, to its luxuriously appointed Resort, Veranda, Penthouse and Villa residences, and resort-style amenities including complete spa and fitness facilities, concierge, and gourmet restaurant, Hacienda is your own private hideaway in the midst of everything.” Needless to say, a nice play to hang out and an even better place to get married.

Michael and Stephanie graciously reserved me a room for the weekend in the neghboring Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa AND this is the view from my room!! Pretty awesome!!!

Anyhow, enough about me and lets get back to the beautiful Hacienda Resort . . .

This is what I mean when I say the widest stretch of beach in Cabo . . . white sand all the way . . .

Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa
Blvd. La Marina
Lotes 37 y 38
Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., 23410

Hacienda Beach Club and Residenes
Calle Gomez Farias S/N
Int. Hacienda
Fracc. El Medano
C.P. 23453
Los Cabos Baja California Sur, Mexico

Punta Cana Wedding | Tortuga Bay Resort

admin — Fri, 13 May 2011 07:48:55 +0000

If you are going to get married in paradise, what would that look like? Would there be white beaches, turquoise water, palm trees jetting up out of the sand, a spa, maybe a couple golf courses, drinks made with rum?? I’m just sayin’, that would be paradise for me. Well you might consider the 2nd largest country in the Caribbean to fulfill those requirements – the Dominican Republic. With an average year round temperature of 77F, it’s time to start planning your destination wedding in the Dom Rep! Woooo!!

This wedding took me to the Tortuga Bay Resort. From the website: “We invite you to have your dream wedding at our stunning Dominican paradise. The exclusive AAA Five Diamond awarded Tortuga Bay Hotel designed by Oscar de la Renta offers an intimate setting within a Villa environment.” This resort is all of the above mentioned “paradise qualifications” and more. It definitely has a feeling of exclusivity and relaxation, one of the nicest places I have ever been.

Our bride got ready in the neighboring Punta Cana Hotel, which is on the same 15,000 acre resort as the Tortuga Bay. All together the entire property is known as the Punta Cana Resort and Club . . . chess anyone?

A short walk down the beach brings us to the Tortuga Bay Resort where we’ll have the wedding. That is also where we find our groom just chilaxing and holding up a palm tree. This guy was all smiles all day, a genuinely happy man . . .

You see what I am talking about?!?!? Come on!!

This dock was right out of a movie, I loved it so much and it gave us a chance to havea backdrop like nowhere else.

Poolside reception with lots of great details. Overall a really wonderful time was had by all the guests, including myself.

After the wedding I stopped by the honeymoon suite and dropped off a couple other items that the Dominican Republic is known for: rum and cigars. . .

From the website, “Spend your first night as husband and wife in a luxurious room at PUNTACANA Hotel or an Oscar de la Renta designed suite at Tortuga Bay overlooking the Caribbean Sea. We will sprinkle your room with rose petals, and provide chilled Champagne, truffles and strawberries for your enjoyment.” It is going to be a good night!!

Related posts from Hoffmann Photographer:

Cabo San Lucas Wedding

Cabo San Lucas Wedding | Jennifer and Mark

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:09:11 +0000

I will NEVER tire of going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It is SO BEAUTIFUL! Cabo is such a great destination wedding location for so many reasons – white sand, deep blue oceans, incredible resorts, excellent food choices, and endless amounts of fun. Cabo is also central to tons of peninsula recreation – surfing, SCUBA, off-road recreation, deep sea fishing, world calss golf, etc. It is really a great time. If you feel like having an even more relaxing time you can stay in neighboring San Jose del Cabo which has more of an old Mexico feel, but you are only a few driving minutes away from vibrant Cabo.

Enough of the sales pitch! Let’s get to the wedding of Jennifer and Mark! Such a fun couple from Los Angeles, CA. They got married at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar which is a great 4 star resort right on the water. They have a private beach on the Sea of Cortez, three pools, big spa, gardens, access to two golf courses, and a place to get married!

If you like lobster and tequila, then Pancho’s Restaurant and Tequila Bar in downtown Cabo San Lucas would be a great location for your reception! This place is great!

Here is what you get when you ask for the ‘dirtiest’ tequila in the bar!! It’s true!! – two rattlesnakes, a plastic 5 gallon jug, and a ladle!

Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar
Corredor Turistico KM 10,
Lote D, Cabo Del Sol
Los Cabos, Baja California Sur
23410 Mexico

Related weddings photographed by Hoffmann:

Cabo Wedding

One and Only Palmilla Wedding | Cabo San Lucas

admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 05:59:11 +0000

Susan and Stephane have two homes – one in Colorado and one in Calgary! Since Colorado and Calgary have cold weather during much of the year, the easiest way to get all their friends to one location for a wedding was to have it in Cabo San Lucas, MX of course! If you haven’t been to Cabo yet, it has great weather year around and is a very short flight from Colorado. Parts of the year are more humid than other times, but there is lots of water in the form of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez and swimming pools everywhere.

Susan and Stephane chose the One and Only Palmilla resort for their destination wedding. I have photographed several events here and it is one of the most exclusive resorts that I have ever experienced. You can read all the details on their website, but it still will not come close to the experience of being there. Just wonderful.

Let’s set the scene with some classic Mexico: a little mariachi and some street vendor jewelry! . . .

Here is Stephane and Susan in one of my favorite pictures from the weekend. It took place at a snorkeling trip the day before the wedding. . .

This is the view from Susan’s suite at the One and Only Palmilla Resort . . . so incredible . . .

Susan looks so comfortable on the beach in her Melissa Sweet gown.

Perfect bouquet for a beach wedding . . . these colors just pop right out . . .

Susan and Stephane chose to get married in the chapel on the grounds of the One and Only. From their website, “Located on a hill overlooking the resort’s tropical grounds and beaches, the chapel is in traditional Mexican style, whitewashed with arched doorways and windows. And, as in the ‘happily ever after’ of fairy tales, the bridal couple may arrive at the chapel by horse-drawn carriage.”

And we’ll leave you with the view from the reception terrace and the spread from the cocktail hour!

I felt very fortunate to be a part of this weekend. Thank you Susan and Stephane for inviting me to your fantastic dream wedding in Cabo San Lucas!

This event was coordinated by Shona at Cabo Bridal.

Shorebreak Hotel Huntington Beach

admin — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 17:39:01 +0000

Angeli and Damon are from Kansas!! Yeah!! Just in case you don’t know where that is, I created the Wikipedia link for you . Hahaha. Staying in Huntington Beach, CA for one chapter of their lives, they got engaged and we found ourselves taking engagement pictures at a beautiful boutique hotel in downtown HB! You’ll really like this hotel – it is loungy, artsy, hip, and along with a great beer selection they also serve gourmet macaroni and cheese. Personally I like to post up on their 2nd floor heated outdoor patio overlooking 5th street and the Pacific ocean.

From their website, “A HIP HUNTINGTON BEACH HOTEL: Shorebreak Hotel® is an upscale lifestyle Huntington Beach hotel centrally located along the alluring California coastline, just north of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, in the original Surf City USA.”

“Huntington Beach’s Shorebreak Hotel draws its inspiration from Southern California’s cultivated yet laid-back surf culture, combining four-star touches with a penchant for fun. ”

These photos were originally published on the popular online wedding blog Style Unveiled. Click here to see the entire photo spread including an interview with Angeli!

Thank you to Angeli and Damon for all the fun, I am really looking forward to photographing your wedding in Kansas City, MO this fall!!

Shorebreak Hotel
500 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 861-4470

Pelican Hill Wedding | Newport Coast, CA

admin — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:35:37 +0000

You may have never seen a wedding like Pierre and Jody’s. Just beyond beautiful. The amount of time and attention that goes into an event like this is more than most people could imagine. This all begins with the first item on the wedding checklist – the venue. Pierre and Jody chose the exclusive 5-star Pelican Hill resort in Newport Coast, CA.

“From the moment of arrival, you’ll experience a place like no other. The relaxed comfort of Pelican Hill takes inspiration from the work of 16th century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, best known for his grand homes across the Venetian countryside. Like the Mediterranean, the sun-drenched climate of Southern California allows for indoor spaces to open up to the outdoors and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.”

“At first, you’ll be captivated by the century-old olive trees, rows of lavender and 180-degree views of the Pacific as golden light sparkles across its surface. But it is our unequaled service that defines the Pelican Hill Wedding.”

“There are two special areas set aside for the bride, one in the hotel and one in Mar Vista. Both offer a private place to enjoy moments together with family and friends before the ceremony. The soft color palette allows the bride to take center stage and makes a rich backdrop for photography.”

“The majesty of the natural surroundings, gentle ocean breezes and the feeling that the whole world has taken pause for this special moment ~ this is the outdoor space that every bride dreams of for her special day. A manicured oval lawn spills out to the end of the ridge, where a timeless, iconic Italian rotunda is perched 300 feet above the ocean.”

There is only one wedding per day at the Pelican Hill Mar Vista. This ensures the exclusivity of the wedding and an unique experience that can only be attained by that kind of attention. “Mar Vista is designed to offer total privacy, standing separate from the hotel and its guests. Ideally located, it consists of the elegant Mar Vista Ballroom, La Cappella and the Event Lawn with a Palladian-inspired rotunda. A separate entrance and dedicated valet staff ensure complete exclusivity.”

Coordinator: Jeannie Savage, Details Details
Hair and Makeup: Sherry, On Location Beauty
Ceremony and Cocktail Strings: Angelica Strings, String Quartet 714-317-6995
Reception Band: Cowling Band, West Coast Music
Videographer: Russell Fowler Studios
Draping: Finishing Touch Wedding Design
Floral/Décor/Linen/Dance Floor/Chairs/Lounge furniture: White Lilac Inc.
Cake: Pelican Hill Pastry

Hoffmann has photographed several events at the Pelican Hill resort in Newport Beach, CA, including anniversaries, birthday party, and weddings.

Pelican Hill Wedding

One and Only Palmilla Wedding | Cabo San Lucas

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:22:39 +0000

I have yet to experience a more pleasant and peaceful 5-star resort in Cabo San Lucas then the One and Only Palmilla. I seriously had no idea that resorts like this existed. From their website, “Tasteful in every detail and appointed with modern amenities, guestrooms are sensuously elegant and comfortably spacious. Featuring handcrafted Mexican accents, each guestroom faces towards the sea, offering expansive views of the Pacific Ocean or Sea of Cortez from a private patio or balcony.”

For weddings you can imagine they go above and beyond. “Nestled amidst swaying palms and other tropical bloom, One&Only Palmilla is an ideal location for weddings, both legal and ceremonial. With its historic chapel exuding an aura of romance and enchantment, One&Only Palmilla is a heavenly location for a wedding. Located on a hill overlooking the resort’s tropical grounds and beaches, the chapel is in traditional Mexican style, whitewashed with arched doorways and windows. And, as in the “happily ever after” of fairy tales, the bridal couple may arrive at the chapel by horse-drawn carriage.”

Enjoy the photos from the wedding of Bryce and Ian

“The pampering : At the tranquil One&Only Spa, the Wedding Delight package treats brides to a manicure and pedicure, hair styling and make-up by a professional stylist. A special VIP salon is also available for wedding parties to prepare, with a customised lunch menu if desired.”

Related weddings photographed by Hoffmann:

Cabo wedding

Las Vegas Wedding | TPC Summerlin

admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:13:31 +0000

Las Vegas brings to mind images of poolside cabanas, dry desert heat, air condition, and free vodka drinks! Well, if you have ever been to Vegas in December you will get a new vision! Daily temps like 30F will have you trading the vodka drinks for coffee/tea and the poolside cabanas for the spa. Believe me though, it is still alot of fun because everything else about Las Vegas is still the same – gambling, shopping, food, spas, late night parties and WEDDINGS!! Yeah!!

Our bride and groom actually met at a bar in Denver, lived in separate states for awhile, got engaged in Cabo San Lucas, lived together in southern California and Oregon, and now reside in Virginia. Pretty fly!! Since they both grew up in different states, the only family friendly option was a neutral wedding location like Las Vegas, Nevada! hahaha. Good choice.

I only live about 280 miles from Las Vegas so I drove for this event. The famous drive into Vegas . . .

Our couple got ready at the Mirage Resort and Casino on the strip. They got BIG fun rooms for getting ready with everything you would need for a wedding party – “flat screen TV in the bathrooms, hydrotherapy tubs, built-in desks, lighted vanities, a sound bar with DVD/CD/mp3 player, PLUS upgraded wet bars and personal fridges with the necessary icemaker.”

Our bride’s gown by designer Reem Acra . . .

I caught up with the groom back at the Mirage, strutting through the casino . . .

Good looking group . . .

The ceremony and reception was held at the beautiful TPC Summerlin, which is also a PGA tour stop! Unfortunately it was too frozen and wet outside to have an outdoor ceremony so the golf club put together their first ever indoor wedding. They were great at TPC Summerlin, and everyone was extremely happy to be inside.

The wedding party . . .

First dance . . .

The Mirage Las Vegas
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 791-7111

TPC Summerlin
1700 Village Center Cir
Las Vegas, NV 89134
(702) 256-0111

Catalina Island Wedding | Catalina Country Club

admin — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 08:16:13 +0000

Off the southern coast of California is a chain of islands called the Channel Islands. The most famous of those islands, called Santa Catalina Island, is about 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles and is actually included in Los Angeles County! Most people around southern Cali just refer to it as “Catalina.” This island is known mostly for the wild herd of buffalo that roam there (about 150), but the island also has a long history with the movie industry and also the Chicago Cubs (who had spring training camp there for 30 years). It’s a pretty cool place and no trip to Los Angeles would be complete without having spent at least 1/2 day at Catalina Island doing some snorkeling, glass bottom boat riding, laying on a beach or just hanging out in a few bars.

Catalina limits the number of motor vehicles that are allowed on the island, so there is actually a 10 year waiting list to bring a car over. The population has adapted fine though . . . the main mode of transportation there is the golf cart. There are 100s of them . . .

You can imagine, it also happens to be a fun place to get married! Betsy and Charles invited about 30 of their closest friends to stay for the weekend and enjoy their wedding. They got ready at the Vista del Mar Hotel, the cermeony at the historic Avalon Communitu Church, and then the reception in the “boardroom” of the beautiful Catalina Country Club.

Betsy and Charles all gussied up and ready for a wedding!! . . .

Meanwhile, back at the country club . . .

The histroic “boardroom” at the Catalina Country Club . . .

Hotel Vista Del Mar
417 Crescent Avenue
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-1452

Avalon Community Church
236 Metropole Avenue
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-1889

Catalina Country Club
1 Country Club Dr # 1
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-7404

Mexico Wedding | Jenny and Anthony

admin — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:42:32 +0000

Just south of the California border near Rosarito, Mexico is a little town called Calafia – dirts roads, old churches, pottery, jewelry, street tacos, Pacifico and all the other good stuff. The town has been around since 1773 so it has some character.

Perched on a cliff in Calafia overlooking the deep blue Pacific Ocean is the Hotel Calafia. Coming all the way from New York, Jenny and Anthony had their destination wedding in Mexico! Congratulations!