When I heard about our bride, Jessica Edwards Skinner, writing a book, anticipation filled my heart.  Numerous messages throughout our experience with Jessica and her husband, Jesse, led me to believe that God was using them in powerful ways to administer His grace.  A few weeks ago I ran into Jessica's parents', Patti and Jim at church, and they had a copy of the book in their car.  Patti told me that even some men were reading it more than once.  It didn't surprise me at all.  I knew that God had turned Jessica's past into a powerful message even for men.  That night I began reading it and was so blessed by Jessica's transparency and willingness to be a conduit of God's grace and power.  Hungry is a treasure of wisdom for all who read it, and a MUST-read for every parent and teen.

"Hungry recounts Jessica’s vivid story of battling and eventually beating anorexia and bulimia. In recovery she learned that what she really longed for was to feel close to God and the people around her - to be completely loved and to love completely. Journey back with her into her childhood, where the enemy's lies were planted. Walk by her side as she leads you through the details of her victorious battle and learn how you too can be set free."  ~taken from Burning One Books' website

We met Jessica and her husband, Jesse, through their wedding of which many have called "Miracles at the Montage."  In my 20 years of wedding experience, I have yet to see such powerful affects of pure grace manifested in a couple. When I try to describe it, I can't.  Inside Weddings Magazine wrote an eloquent story of the day or you can read our version here. Those who were present got the best story and left that day with a deeper understanding of God's love.  Many were miraculously changed.

There was power in this kiss....it was the first time Jessica and Jesse had kissed each other.  It lasted longer than most kisses as you might have expected!  

Annie captured so well the joy and energy that radiate between them; my favorite image as well as the one used on the cover of their album.

You can get your copy of Hungry by clicking here or going to www.burningonebooks.com.  

Thank you, Jessica, for revealing the Truth that answers all of life's questions and the healing that rescue's every starved soul.  We are so honored to have taken a small part in God's victorious debut of "Jesse and Jessica Skinner's Love Story" and are anticipating with great expectations the next chapters still to come!  

~Annette Biggers

Saturday morning at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, the bride, Chelsea and her family were getting ready for the big day.  Chelsea and her groom, Omid, decided to honor both of their family traditions by participating in double marriage ceremonies.  This meant that lucky Chelsea had two gorgeous gowns complete with designer shoes and jewelry for each.  She wore silvery bow-tie Ferragamos for the Persian Sofreh and switched to studded Louboutins for her American-style ceremony.  

Everything was perfectly in place and running smoothly thanks to the oversight of Jeannie Savage from Details, Details.  Sunny at White Lilac designed the event with inspiration from Chelsea's favorite crystal chandelier.  I love how this simple concept evolved into the romantic, opulent, and modern look.Here are some more of Chelsea's lovely details including her elegant stationary by Nichelle Luc.  The invitations were printed on a transparent jewel-top with hand applied crystals: beyond gorgeous and completely unique!

Meanwhile, the guys were having fun too.

The Sofreh was so beautiful.  All the details had been prepared and the guests were buzzing with good wishes for Chelsea and Omid.  I loved the tradition of bride and groom feeding each other a little bite of honey!  It's so celebratory and reminds us to enjoy each other and sweeten the lives of our beloved.

The guests and bridal party transitioned to the Rotunda to see the couple tie the knot again.

Chelsea and Omid are fortunate to both have incredible parents and families!

The evening party began in the ballroom as the couple danced the night away.

Chelsea and Omid,

Photographing your story was a complete honor.  We were so inspired by the kindness of your guests, the warmth of your family traditions, and the life that you are building together.

Blessings and happiness,

Annette, Colin, and Annie

Last month we had the pleasure of photographing YWD's issue release party.  It was fun to see the creativity of this fabulous magazine at work while catching up with some of our friends in the industry.

A good YWD issue release party (and every wedding for that matter) never ends without some yummy yummy desserts! That's why YWD partnered with their favorite wedding dessert vendors in the business. First up, the amazing Hansen's Cakes designed our exclusive and celebratory 3 tiered masterpiece!

The evening ended with an amazing display by celebrity candy bar designer extroardinaire and resident "Candy Girl" Jackie Sorkin from the Custom Candy Buffet Bars! Yummy!

YWD's Creative Director Cathryn chose gowns from her Tea for Two, Cherry Blossom and Rock and Roll Collections. The idea was to use gowns that felt dreamlike, as if the models themselves had awoken mid-sleep in Claire's gorgeous gowns to find themselves transported to a turn-of-the-century, slightly backwards-enchanted garden

Two of our favorite people, Thea Lignos-Hargrove and Nicole Kurrasch

Location and food: InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, intercontinentallosangeles.com.310.284.6500 Original Concept Co-developer: Kristin Banta of Kristin Banta Events, kristinbanta.com. 818.505.8971  Beverage: Red Diamond wine, reddiamondwine.com. info@reddiamondwine.com Event Design & Rentals: Rrivre Works, Inc., rrivreworks.com. 323.985.4229 Floral: Tic-Tock Couture Floral, tictock.com. 800.893.6688 Lighting: Bella Vista Designs, bellavistadesigns.com. 805.966.9616 Linen: Wildflower Linen, wildflowerlinens.com. 714.522.2777 Dresses: Claire Pettibone, clairepettibone.com. Beverly Hills Flagship store, 310.360.6268 Hats: Louise Green Millinery,louisegreen.com. 888.321.HATS(4287) Hair Styling: ArchiTexture, architexturesalon.com. 805.641.3900 Makeup Styling: The Studio Agency, thestudioagency.com. 310.495.0585 Nail Styling: Tracy Clemens, tracyclemens.com. 310.621.0018 Event Photography: TripleCord Photography, triplecord.com. 949.481.1345Entertainment & Music: 11H Entertainment, 11hentertainment.com. 888.378.9911 Cake: Hansen's Cakes,hansenscakes.com. 310.273.3759 Candy Bar: Custom Candy Buffet Bars,customcandybuffetbars.com. 714.837.7119 Video Booth: Storybank Productions,  storybankproductions.com. 310.614.6786 General Videography: Keving Wyn Photography, kevinwynn.com. 818.530.3148 PR:Purry Communications, purry.com. 310.410.0300 Giftbag Sponsors: Doshacare Cosmetics, The Bridal Bar, Hotel InterContinental Los Angeles, Century City, Hansen’s cakes, Claire Pettibone

Jack and Vanessa's big day started at their alma mater, Loyola Marymount University.  The skies were bright blue and the gorgeous chapel welcomed the bridal party to the event.  But I'm getting ahead of myself!  First check out these SHOES!!!

And the girl's not bad either :)  Vanessa, you are so beautiful!

I love these portraits that Andrew took of Jack.  

What a fun crowd!

Romance...

And then the evening continued at the beautiful California Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey.  Gorgeous florals by Enchanted, of course.

After a night full of dancing, the couple pulled a high-style exit as they departed for their fabulous honeymoon.  

Jack and Vanessa,

Thank you for a gorgeous day full of fun, and for being so totally inspirational!

Annie and Andrew