Six months later they set a date, and I booked a plane ticket from Alaska for five wonderful days in California in late June to see two of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing gettin’ hitched in the heart of LA–where they fell in love. Okay, it was mostly wonderful. The stress of being a bridesmaid AND the wedding photographer is no easy feat. In fact, I bit off more than I could chew in between helping out with my bridesmaid duties, working a full time job 2,000 miles away, and acquiring enough gear in time to make sense of it all for one short day. Luckily I had help–BUCKETS of it–in the form of a few honorary interns: my eternal muse Kim Burly, her karaoke soul mate Cho, my long-time friend and flip-flop connoisseur Elisa, and the most badass team of punditry and hybrid car-wielding, Kim’s parents Carol and Kenny. If it wasn’t for them and a much needed Hanson karaoke break with Kim, I may have lost it.

As to be expected, the wedding was a hit! There was a beautiful ceremony at the Lummis Home in Mt. Washington and the reception was hosted at Montrose Bowl where the bride and groom shared their first karaoke song together instead of the traditional first dance (though there was PLENTY of dancing to be had, let me tell you!). Seriously, how could you NOT have fun with that kind of setup?! You’d be a fool. The bowling was non-stop, the interns helped me run the photobooth and the guests ate catered Indian food as well as some of the five beautiful cakes that Ben’s mom made. I even managed to bowl ONCE! And do a costume change, gaga-style.

Words fail me when I try to explain how happy I am for Ben and Aurora to have found each other, and how honored I feel to have been a part of their wedding day. I’ll probably cry just thinking about it, because nothing brings me more joy than to see my best friends in love (besides Cho wearing a boy band necklace, of course). Congratulations, Ben + Aurora! I miss you more than you know. <3

Everyone had always told me that the South Island was a lot like Southeast Alaska, but I was surprised to find out that it actually is much more similar to the central coast of California. Fjordland and the west side do have some resemblance to SE Alaska as far as the temperate rainforest and glaciers go, but the vegetation was strikingly different. What surprised me the most, however, was that all of the places we never knew about or read about before the trip–such as the Otaga Peninsula and Southern Scenic Route–ended up being the most beautiful places we visited. My father and I agreed that there are only three types of roads in New Zealand: pretty, beautiful, and gorgeous.

These are a few vacation photos I took over the 10 days we were down there. I didn’t really capture anything that one might consider “iconic” in New Zealand, because like I said, the surprises along the way were what really called to me. In any case, getting to see this beautiful country was the best birthday present I’ve ever received, and I can’t wait to go back someday. Thanks, dad <3

(click for larger version)