It’s been just a couple weeks since the Forsberg Wedding here in Southern California.. So it’s about time for me to sit and put together a selection of images from Chris and Elizabeth’s weekend in Dana Point!

I’m 100% positive I could put together a huge writeup with tons of fun stories and photos to share about these two with very little effort – but I’ll save everyone from a post that long…

 

And I will do my best to refrain from oversharing past photography as well..

Save to say, that Elizabeth is one of my oldest friends. We’re both from the Bay Area. We went to high school together. We’ve worked together on so many different projects, photoshoots, and jobs over the years. She has been one of my go-to models when I need to test new gear, lights, or lenses. She would immediately volunteer herself if I had a project and needed help in any way. And she was always there to chat, grab a coffee, boba, or lunch.
Any of you who have followed my work over the years have seen Liz across my photography many, many times.

Me and Liz, sometime around 2010 or so, being incredibly stylish

Going through the million photos I have on my backup drives was surprisingly difficult to easily find an old photo of us to share – so here’s a not-as-old-as-could-be photo of us being super fashionable one of the times we were hanging out with other friends (that we no longer are in touch with cuz life is like that sometimes, haha). I would have loved to find something from high school, but I don’t know if there are any from the ol’ film days of past.

And Chris I’ve known since 2009 – he was among the very first professional racers that I met after moving to SoCal and starting work at K&N Engineering (K&N Filters / AEM Intakes). It was at Formula Drift Long Beach, and it was Chris and Vaughn that were the first two drifters I was introduced to. Over the next decade it was the occasional crossing-paths when I had to swing by his pit at a race, get a quick headshot for a sponsor, and that was mostly it and the rest of the photography was on the track itself.

Ok… I HAD to take this opportunity to go back into my old race photos. Here’s what I found: 

This is the FIRST photo I ever shot of Formula Drift – Chris and Vaughn. April 10, 2009. Street of Long Beach. Driver’s Meeting. (And Justin and Dai sitting behind them I worked with extensively over the following years with Falken Tire)

So, turns out the first photo I ever shot at a FD event, was of Chris and Vaughn, as they were two of the sponsored drivers I was there to meet and photograph that weekend. I’m fairly certain the introduction was before the drivers meeting and that is likely why I took this photo first. But still funny to me now, looking back, that Chris was one of the first people I met and literal first photo I shot in the sport.

And the rest of that weekend was me figuring out how to shoot drift, which I had never done prior to that event… but how hard could it be? I’m good with a camera. I shot plenty of actions sports all during college… lol. Plus Chris’ 350Z popped off in the photos with his NOS livery.

…ok enough reminiscing and going through old pictures.. 

So last several years that he and Liz have been together, I’ve gotten to know Chris as a friend. From hanging out at his shop, to knockin’ out various photos and projects together, attending Formula Drift events as a guest of his team in the pit instead of running around working like I did in the past. Or simply being invited over to hang out and catch up over dinner with him and Liz.

But as a long time friend of Liz, and more recent friend of Chris’, being asked to shoot their wedding was truly special for me.
I already knew how much these two meant to each other – anyone who has spent time around them can tell. I know how much they value their friendships, too. And that they would be wonderful hosts to their friends and family at their wedding. I was very excited to do my best to capture that in photos.

Now, as I said, I could go on and on about the Forsbergs and how great they are as individuals, and as a couple. But instead I’ll just share that through my photos below.

Their wedding was in Dana Point, overlooking the ocean. A mix of their closest friends and family.
A beautiful day. Lots of laughter, happiness, amazing food, dancing, and singing.

So I hope you guys all enjoy the images below as much as I enjoyed capturing them.

I’ll save some of the other details for the captions. But read on, and share in a small piece of Chris and Liz’s wedding below!

 

Saturday afternoon, The Rehearsal

It was a cooler, blustery afternoon in Dana Point after some of the rainy weather earlier in the week

But everyone was ready for the walk through and instruction on the how the ceremony was going to run, and what the setup at Chart House was going to be like

The guys were all having a great time just laughing and joking among themselves

A little instruction on placement, who stands where, etc

I’m thinkinggg this was the guy looking up something they were referencing and laughing about during the first rehearsal walk through

But shortly afterward the guys had to finish a few setup projects for the next day – which included building the arch for the ceremony

So, we were down in the underground parking lot in the dark with some wood and a few power tools. haha!

A few quick photos of the bride and groom during cocktails!

And of course one with the boys

And the girls

That evening instead of anything overly formal, they went with a super chill Pizza & Drinks gathering back at the hotel. The Marriott was great, too, and opened up one of the private party rooms short notice for Chris and Liz to host everyone that evening

Jenn, telling stories about growing up with Liz

And then they guys were all questioned on “why have you been friends with Chris for so long?”

“Well!…. you seeee….”

But really though, it ended up being great stories about how caring both Chris and Liz are in their friendships and relationships.

Sunday – Wedding Day

As usual, I arrived in the morning to hangout with the bridal party as everyone got ready for the day

The weather had completely cleared up and it was gorgeous out

Plus you’re greeted by this guy outside the building, haha!

Inside Liz had the room ready for the girls to arrive and start their busy morning of hair and makeup

First up was Mom

Victoria arrived and immediately had wardrobe issues, which we had to give her a hard time about. She would be doing video, while I was taking care of photography

gifts!

Time to start on hair

Down the hall the guys were gettin’ cleaned up as well

Anissa getting ready for her turn in the chair
This is the part of the morning I’m going back and forth between rooms since there is typically a lot going on.

Meanwhile the guys were mostly just chillin

Dad getting a trim, too!

Groomsmen gifts from Chris

And a gift and note to Chris, from Liz

Chris and Liz had custom bottles made with #ForeverForsberg

And then it was time for the guys to get dressed

Everyone had new suits for the weekend, and were all lookin sharp

A little teamwork makes the dream work

At this point the guys were all ready

The ladies were only slightly behind in terms of being ready, but not by too much ;)

Dress time!

And it was no surprise that Liz chose a gorgeous form fitting dress in which she looked amazing

figuring out the back clasps

 

Stunning, as always

A few quick shots before we head outside for First Look

Some help with the veil from Jenn

Chris was waitin on us to tell him what to do…

but had no problem posin and workin it for the cameras when Victoria starting rollin, haha!

3, 2, 1..

They both looked amazing

A few quick photos before we had to head out

Arriving at the venue everything was ready and decorated

Runnin around to get a few photos before the ceremony starts

Quick selfie with Liz before things start!
I’m laughing because Liz’s mom kept jumping in the photo, so this was the third attempt

Dad was mostlyyy holding it together <3

Welcoming everyone to the ceremony

Exchanging of vows

Liz’s vows to Chris

“Wait, do I have the rings?”

I’m pretty sure this “John, you’re getting these tears right?”

Exchange of rings

Chris and Liz also exchanged roses

Husband and Wife!

Mr. and Mrs. Forsberg!

We were starting to lose light pretttty quickly at this pointso we had to gather everyone for some quick photos

So, when you have to take group photos in an area with busy backgrounds and things like poles/lighting are in the way and you know you’re going to do editing work on them anyway, simply having those things intersect peoples heads/shoulders is actually pretty easy to remove compared to if it was behind someones arm, flowers, etc

That way you can get cleaner group photos

And of course I had to make sure to get a photo with the bride and groom, as always!

Back inside the candles were lit and mood was set for dinner

But first, cocktails and spending time with the guests!

So this was actually pretty funny cuz it ended with “Tuerck, get out of the photo!”

..at which point Vaughn ran in next… and was promptly told to get out, too. Haha!

First dance

And next up was the handoff for the Daddy-Daughter dance

which is also so sweet to watch

Chris was invited back

And then so was Mom

Shortly after it was time for dinner

But first, speeches!

First up was Dad

Then Jess

Wrapping up was Jarod

Who made sure to warn everyone he’s uncomfortable with public speaking and did not come prepared, hahaha

After dinner it was back outside for more dancing, photobooth-ing, and drinks

I made sure to get a few more details of things

The cake was moved outside to the dance floor

These were great. Custom cake utensils was an awesome idea. Forever Forsberg, and the rose/stained glass from Disney’s Beauty & Beast

“Be Our Guest”

Pretty certain about half the dancing including singing by all

I’m also pretty sure that the photobooth had tons of fun shots of everyone

Time to cut the cake

Liz was ready to just go for it

Chris looked wayyy less confident with balancing the size of that slice!

they were very nice to each other though, no silly cake smashing or anything

Just all smiles

and a kiss

Anddd Chris going back for a second bite!

And the rest of the evening was pretty much all spent on the dance floor

And if you can’t wrap up the night with EVERYONE singing along together… then what kind of wedding did you even have??

Last Dance. Last Song.

Last Kiss on the dance floor!

 

A beautiful night, gorgeous wedding, and all around wonderful day. Wrapped.