Lori Wong Photography

I have known the Massey Family for a number of years. They are a ton of fun and I enjoy being around them. Kali was always one of those amazing friends that no matter how little or long time it has been since we’ve seen each other, we are just able to pick up where we left off. The thing is, Kali is that way with everyone, she is friends with everyone she meets. You can’t help but love Kali after meeting her.

When I received a Facebook message from Kali just sorta kinda asking after possible dates that I am available to shoot her wedding, I actually jumped a little bit in my chair. I was so excited for her. We did a little catching up through email and I was so excited to hear about her marriage to Mike.

I met Mike and his family for the first time at the St. George Utah LDS Temple. The Evans’ family is hilarious. They were very warm, kind and found ways to always sneak in a good laugh. As we took pictures around the grounds, I could see why Kali and Mike were a perfect match. Kali has an amazing laugh. You can’t help but laugh when Kali laughs. And Mike is funny. So you could only imagine the kind of fun we were having as we took photos and through the reception.

Here are a few shots from the day! Let’s start with my favorite from the whole day. They were beaming and this only proved it!

This is what I mean about both families being a hoot! I yelled out “it’s time for a goofy picture  before I let you all go!” and they all kinda looked at each other, whispered a few things, and basically all turned around at once. I was cracking up!

Kali’s glam squad! (:

Second favorite of the day. Love how the light is touches their faces. Awe, so cute! (; haha!

Heellllloooooo gorgeous!! Someone is looking AAAAAAmazing!

love. Love. LOVED. Kali’s flowers. So pretty and fresh.

More pictures from the reception on the slideshow. Here is the link! Or watch below. Enjoy!

In the back of my head there are always thoughts running around.

Did I call this person? Have I ordered that set of photos? I am thinking about the current wedding I’m editing, or the family session coming up this week, or the wedding I’m shooting in two weeks. Did I buy those tickets for that concert next month? Did I finish emailing this person or that person. I still need to work on that one thing for taxes. Oh wait, this week I also have that family obligation, so I need to change this in my schedule. I need to start prepping the spring campaign. I need to start working on the new set of business cards.

I’ve been called a “worrier” more than once in my life. hahaha!

One thing though, that I’m always thinking about, that is always able to make it’s way through the mess is, “how do I connect better with those that read my blog? How do I let my internet pals know what kind of person I am through my website, blog, Facebook, and basically any of the things that are my online persona?” I am a publicly private person. I don’t mean I let you all know publicly that I’m private, but I am not a completely open book. It’s a vulnerability that I have a hard time letting go of.

I try hard not to complain in a Facebook status. I will always try to mention moments of gratitude. I will occasionally post pictures of trips I’ve taken or me with my family on my blog (more on my old blog). There is still a privacy that I have. Which isn’t always a bad thing, in my opinion. But it still makes me feel like you have no idea who I am.

So here in an attempt to let you get to know me a little. I found this online. I thought the questions were random enough.

Were you named after anyone?
My paternal grandmother. A version of her name.

When was the last time you cried?
Yesterday. My mom can make me cry on a dime. I’m a ridiculously emotional person. hahaha! It was a good cry. She was saying she was proud of me. Who wouldn’t cry if your mom told you that, right?

Do you like your handwriting?
Yeah. I doodled the alphabet upper case, lower case in different writing until I found what writing I liked best.

What is your favorite lunch meat?
Ham.

Do you have kids?
Nope. I have 3 nieces that I adore though.

If you were another person, would you be friends with you?
Sure. I can be pretty awesome. hahahaha! Kidding. But yeah, sure I would be.

Do you use sarcasm a lot?
I don’t know. Do YOOOU use sarcasm a lot?

Do you still have your tonsils?
Nope. Got them out as a kid. I remember having to travel to St. George, UT (about an hour and a half from Vegas) to get them out. I am not sure why we went there to get it done though. I got a handmade Miss Piggy doll (my mom made for me) right before I the trip.

Would you bungee jump?
Uh, I’m not sure. If it was somewhere unique that I got to travel to, then probably yes.

What is your favorite cereal?
As an adult, Life or Apple Jacks. But I rarely eat cereal anymore. As a kid the big treat was Cookie Crisp.

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Nope. I tie them once and make it loose enough to take on and off.

Do you think you are strong?
Emotionally, I’m a lot stronger as I get older. Physically, I get a lot weaker as I get older. But both can be improved on, for sure. (:

What is your favorite ice cream?
Thrifty brand mint ‘n’ chip and chocolate chip

What is the first thing you notice about people?
Their eyes and their smile/teeth

Red or Pink?
Neither. But I look better in pink than red.

What is the least favorite thing about yourself?
Oh geez, um…right off the bat, I think of my feet. hahaha! I have what you call luau feet. They are big and ugly. I hide them as much as possible.

Who do you miss the most?
My dog growing up, Pilikia (which is Hawaiian for trouble). She was a sweetheart.

What is the last thing you ate?
7 layer dip and chips.

What are you listening to right now?
The Super Bowl.

Favorite smells?
Wow, I gotta think about this. I am not sure. Cookies. Fresh bread. Basically food.

Who is the last person you talked to on the phone?
My oldest sister, last night.

Mountain Hideway or Beach House?
Either. I love and dislike both for different reasons but they are about even on the scale.

Favorite sports to watch?
I love volleyball, grew up playing it. But I don’t get to watch it that much. So my next favorite is basketball. College more than NBA.

Hair color?
Brown

Eye color?
Brown/Green. Long story short, I had a police officer tell me I have hazel eyes. I’m pretty sure he was hitting on me.

Do you wear contacts?
Yep. I’ve been wearing them for over 15 years.

Favorite food?
Mexican. Italian comes in a close second.

Scary movies or happy endings?
I H-A-T-E being scared. Happy endings. I’ll even take lame cheesy ones over scary.

Last movie you watched?
The Ides of March (on dvd), Serious, Gosling and Clooney in the same movie…movie dream come true. (:

What color shirt are you wearing?
Blue

Summer or winter?
Spring. Which in Vegas lasts for about 3 weeks. But I’m not a cold person, so summer.

Hugs or kisses?
I’m a hugger.

Favorite dessert?
I’m an equal opportunity dessert eater. No favorites.

Strength training or cardio?
Cardio. I laugh when I’m in that kind of physical pain when I do strength training, which is embarrassing.

Computer or television?
How is that a fair comparison? I love tv, but I use a computer for work.

What book are you reading right now?
Mindy Kaling “Is Everyone Hangout Without Me?”

What is on your mouse pad?
I don’t use one.

Favorite sound?
My nieces laughing. I love laughter of all sorts, actually.

Rolling Stones or Beatles?
Beatles.

What is the farthest you’ve been from home?
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (I can’t wait to go further. I want to go to Italy really, really, really bad)

Do you have a special talent?
I can draw cartoons, not like a professional, but well enough to entertain kids.

What color is your car?
Black.

One of my goals this year is share more about myself on my blog. It will be a challenge for me. I will work on it. Call me out on it if it’s been a while since I’ve shared something about me! (:

Bryan and Rachel are amazing. They both have great jobs and love to travel and are charming and funny and…well, you get it. Like I said, amazing! I was so jealous of their awesomeness that I pretty much wanted to hang out with them all day and hope some of their greatness would rub off on me. But unfortunately they had to catch a plane later that day, so shucks for me.

A few years back, Bryan was in England for work. Rachel lives in England. They happen to be at the same party. They got to talking and after a great evening getting to know each other, exchanged information figuring they’d just be pen pals. Funny thing happened though…they eventually became more than pals. They both decided to take some time off working and travel together. You know what they say, you really learn about the person you are dating once you travel with them! So obviously, traveling worked out for them and here we are…Bryan and Rachel getting married!

Bryan and Rachel decided to elope to Las Vegas and I was the lucky girl to help them remember this unforgettable trip! Our first stop was to the Neon Boneyard with some balloons requested by the bride (well done, Rachel). I haven’t shot there since the renovations, and let me tell you…it is awesome! It was a bright day, but there was so awesome overcast that made the light just perfect for shooting in a place like the Neon Boneyard. Unfortunately, Bryan was having some horrible dry eye problems, which cause a lot of light sensitivity (and I felt horrible I didn’t have any drops on me to help him out). He was a major trooper and kept apologizing to his new wife and to me. Poor guy. He was so worried we didn’t get any shots and that it was all his fault…I assured him that we got some great ones…take a look.

Look closely at the sign. It says: in love!! (:

Seriously…the natural light, the sky…AMAZING!

Rachel’s wedding dress is her mom’s…ahem, I mean mum’s wedding dress!

Below is my favorite shot for the Neon Boneyard location. Above shot was a close second.

We hit up the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign of course…

And then we headed over to the Wynn where the newlyweds stayed while they were here. Bryan was so sweet, while figuring out the next pose, he took a hold of Rachel’s hand and kissed it. (collective ‘aaaawwe’, all together now!)

Went for a little vintage look…whatta think?! (:

And this has to be my favorite shot of the day.

Slideshow has a ton more shots!! Check it out below or click here for music.