Los Angeles Temple + Royal Vista Country Club Wedding | Ula & Tutasi

Over and over again I find myself saying how grateful I am to have attended the Making Things Happen Intensive in Las Vegas earlier this year — one reason being that I gained a lot of great connections like the one that had me photographing this amazing wedding last Saturday!  One of my new MTH friends, Mapuana, is a photographer from Hawaii.  We got in touch about working together for her cousin’s Los Angles wedding and I couldn’t have been more excited.  Because of a series of medical issues Mapu wasn’t able to come to the mainland to be the lead photographer, so another shooter, Jove of Jovanni Photography, who was also scheduled to be with us that day stepped in {click the link to see his full post on Ula + Tutasi’s big day}.  Jove and his wife Annie were so great to work with, and I got to share the second shooting role with another new friend, Jenn Lebron.  There were 700 guests after all . . . that’s right 700 guests!

Ula and Tutasi’s wedding was both a Mormon and Polynesian celebration.  We began the day at the beautiful Los Angeles Mormon Temple on Sunset Boulevard and greeted the couple as they emerged from their sealing ceremony within.  After portraits there on the Temple grounds we moved along to the reception venue, the Royal Vista Country Club in Walnut.  There we were greeted by countless fragrant floral arrangements and imported Hawaiian orchid leis — the place smelled heavenly.

The bridal party was made up of lots of family and good friends.  There were quite a few characters! :)If you haven’t noticed, I adore bouquet photos.  I am also loving the ring shots with my new macro lens!California the beautiful.  I will miss these hills when we relocate to Colorado Springs at the end of this month.

The cake was made by King’s Hawaiian Bakery :)

On the right is the Polynesian Vai Mango signature drink.Ula’s sisters Virginia and Ruth did a special lei dance for the couple.

Ula and Tutasi danced to “This Very Moment”.Tutasi and her sisters did their own hula as well, it was such a beautiful expression of their culture.The bridesmaids and groomsmen had a competition to determine which group could better act out how Ula and Tutasi first met:The groomsmen had an unfair advantage though, because Ula jumped in on the action and pulled Tutasi in as well!Guests were treated to performances by the Autalavou Youth Dance Troupe:Then the real cultural immersion began, though, when we witnessed the Samoan Cultural Presentation.If you think you’ve seen money dances, you have not until you’ve seen it done Samoan style!The bride’s family and the groom’s family each participated in what seemed like the giving of marriage blessings and offerings to the couple in welcome and acceptance of their new son or daughter.  It was difficult to know for certain since it was all narrated in Samoan!  Near the end, Ula and Tutasi changed back into their traditional wedding attire and cut their wedding cake. 

All in all, it was a wonderful evening full of love between the new Mr. & Mrs. and their family and many friends.  I felt so welcomed and am truly grateful to have been there not only to help capture the day in photos but also to experience such a wonderful cultural celebration.  Thank you Jove and Annie for being such gracious leaders of our little team and for having me!  Jenn, it was so great working next to you–I’m so glad we met :)  Mapuana, you were truly missed, thank you for the opportunity.  And to Ula and Tutasi and your families, thank you so much for allowing us to be part of your special day.  Enjoy your NYC honeymoon!

Talofa!

Gown: Alfred Angelo

Sealing Venue: Los Angeles California Temple

Florals: Lupita’s Flowers (213-622-5655)

Reception Venue: Royal Vista Country Club

Cake: King’s Hawaiian Bakery

Musicians: Common Kings

Dancers: Autalavou Youth Dance Troupe

DJ: DJ Runaway

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