“Are you having fun?!” she asked us. All. Day. Long. You see, that’s Jena. From the moment we sat down with her and Chris over coffee almost one year ago to talk about her Montelucia wedding, we could see that she lived fun inside and out. She’s got a zest for life that’s contagious. A joyfulness that runs rampant everywhere she goes. She’s energetic and positive, outgoing and hilarious. She’s Greek, and it’s obvious.
And Chris? He’s the ballast. The flip side of the coin. Calm, cool, and collected. And kind. So kind. The kind of kind that bumps into another groom at the same venue just minutes before they’re supposed to see their brides for the first time and says, “Hey, man, have you seen your ceremony setup yet? It looks great! Come check it out!” It was a pretty cool sight to see, two grooms seeing each other before seeing their brides, congratulating each other on an awesome occasion, not knowing each other moments before and unlikely to ever meet or cross paths again. Chris is that kind of kind.
Also, Jena and Chris have a cat. That they walk. On a leash. Together. Just another reason we love them.
We laughed so hard during their engagement session last year that we’re surprised we still have a gut, because it got busted. Over and over. The wedding day was no different. From them finding out (during portraits!) that we named our shooting step stool Julio the Stoolio and refer to him strictly as “Julio” on the wedding day (Jordan, can you bring me Julio!) to us finding out that Jena makes pterodactyl noises sometimes when she wakes up in the morning (that came our in the toasts), we laughed, and laughed, and laughed some more. How could we not?! They’re our kind of people! Mostly because Jordan also occasionally runs around the house like a raptor-dactyl (his version of a raptor and pterodactyl), naturally. And we wish we were making that up.
But do you know why else we connect so well with these two? Because they two love each other and their family and friends as much as they laugh about life. A lot. Jena and Chris, looking at your two is like looking in those really good mirrors. The ones that makes us look skinnier. And brightens our teeth. But, most important of all, the reflection that reminds us to live in the moment and make every minute count, like you to always seem to do. That’s the Greek in you both. Because, after all, the word opa! means stop. Celebrate. You’re right where you’re supposed to be.
We love you both tons and tons. Here are a few of our favorite highlights from you big fat wedding day! Opa!
the WEDDING TEAM…
Planner: Ashley Gain
Photographers: Amy & Jordan
Bride’s Dress: Lian Carlo from Destiny’s Bride
Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman from Nordstrom
Bridesmaids Dresses: J. Crew
Catering: Omni Montelucia
Ceremony Location: Omni Montelucia
Dessert: Paula Jacqueline
DJ: Desert House Productions
Floral Design: Carte Blanche Design
Getting Ready Location: Omni Montelucia
Hair Stylist: Chelsea Sprinkle
Invitations/Paper Products: Delightful Ink
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linens
Makeup Artist: Angelica Warwick
Officiant: Judge Michael Reagan
Reception Location: Omni Montelucia
Videographer: Everly Films
the GEAR USED for this WEDDING…
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 50 1.2
Canon 70-200 2.8
Canon 100 2.8
Canon 24-70 2.8
Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT
Entire Gear List
If you liked Jena & Chris’s wedding, you might also love Kathleen & Aaron’s El Chorro Wedding.