"Ventura Wedding- The Yellow Umbrellas"

May 2010- During a stroll at The Riverwalk Park, as the sun was setting, Ben asked Renee to be his wife, and friend for life. She said yes, they kissed, and then they took in the moment as they sat by the bank of the lake.

May 2011- Ventura, California; During a small wedding ceremony while the sun was high and wind was strong, Ben vowed to Renee to be by her side till the end of time. Renee accepted and promised the same, they kissed, then turned to the crowd, and began their life as husband and wife!

Renee and Ben are an amazing couple. I was in complete awe at how well-planned their wedding was. We first met at the Santa Barbara Sunken Garden's Courthouse for almost an hour and a half of just bride and groom portrait time. It doesn't get much better than that, and really goes to show how important the two of them are to each other. They wanted time to really soak in their special day, and have time to enjoy and cherish the once in a lifetime moment that they will never have again. They both looked absolutely amazing and were so natural in front of the camera. Renee really knows how to work the camera and Ben definitely knows how amazing she is and compliments her perfectly. The time we spent in Santa Barbara really set the day off to be a day they will never forget.

Every wedding has to have a story of some sort, to truly be an unforgetable day, and so far this one tops the charts for me. I have to share only because it really proves some of the best qualities these two share and how much it will help them through all their difficulties throughout their lifetime. You guys truly are forgiving, easy going, and able to take difficult situations in the lightest of hearts, eventhough I am sure you wanted to kill me on Saturday. After our time in Santa Barbara we had one hour to get back to Ventura in time for the ceremony. Andrea and I rushed to our car because we were parked on the complete opposite side of Ben and Renee and were worried that we were going to show up at the ceremony site way later than them. As we drove past where they were parked we couldn't figure out why they were still outside of their car and where Ben was but we figured well at least we will get there before them so we can take a bathroom break since we both were dying to go. As we pulled into the ceremony site Andrea told me that Renee had just text that they were leaving the courthouse. We thought what on earth were they doing the last half hour; they were going to be so late to their own wedding. I was feeling a little panicked, and couldn't figure out why they were cutting things so close.

While we were sitting waiting for them to show I noticed I had a couple voicemails (mind you, my phone was on us the entire time and never once did it ring). I decided I had some time to listen to them. The first message: "Valerie please if you get this, turn around you have our keys!" The second message, "Valerie, this is Renee, could you please turn around we are locked out of our car because you took our keys with you!" This one sounded a little more frantic. My mouth dropped open as I told Andrea. I seriously wanted to run to a dark hole and hide. I have never felt so terrible in my life. I am not all too sure how they managed to get to Ventura, but they made it and the wedding went on, and ended beautifully!

I am proud to announce the ever so forgiving, Mr. & Mrs. Lopez!