i hate that i have to write this.
no, not because it’s late and i’m working. if i hated that i’d have to choose a different profession.
i’ve actually been looking forward to this for 2 years, but now that it’s here part of me wishes it wasn’t.
i hate that i have to write this because it means that marissa and paolo’s wedding day is over, and i don’t want it to be.
about 2 years ago, during julia and patrick’s wedding at Scripps Seaside Forum, kim and i fell in love with this family. of course, we already knew by then how awesome julia and pat were, but meeting everyone that is related to them by birth, marriage, or friendship really made us understand how very special this group of people are. no matter what is going on in your life, it’s better when they’re around you.
marissa and paolo contacted us shortly after julia and patrick’s wedding. their smiling faces gave nothing away.
were we being punk’d, or were they just smiling like they always do? they always smile. we couldn’t tell what was going on!!!
as it turned out, there were no hidden cameras, no pranks. they got down on one knee and asked us to photograph their wedding. we were blown away.
why?
because they hadn’t actually gotten down on one knee?
no. i just made that part up for dramatic effect.
it was because they booked us like 1 1/2 years before their wedding. that had never happened before.
after numerous toddler-like squeals and 18 consecutive cartwheels (a new personal best), kim and i sat down and realized just how humbling their decision was. we hadn’t known them long, but in that short time powerful bonds of mutual admiration, trust, and happiness had formed. we were, and always will be, thrilled that they chose us to share this day with them, their families, and their closest friends.
as you may already know, our whole family is… how does julia say it?… hella-big Disney fans! we watch his movies, go to his theme parks every chance we get, wait in stupid long lines for dole whips, and we even put a daughter to work in the disney artist salt mines. soooo, when marissa and paolo told us they were having an UP themed wedding we nearly popped. we were all in!
first up was marissa and paolo’s Disneyland engagement session.
next was part two of their engagement session at the Disney Concert Hall.
anyone that is lucky enough to know marissa and paolo knows that two days is not nearly enough time to hang out with them. lucky for us, they like our two favorite places (san diego and disneyland) as much as we do, so we got to see lots of them while we counted down the days to their wedding together. in fact, we spent so much time together that by the time their wedding day rolled around i felt like i was their slightly whiter than average brother and kim was their… well… kim was their sister that doesn’t speak tagalog.
marissa and paolo, we LOVE you two like family. maybe more than family because we’ve never fought with you.
i feel confident that everyone you know will say with me that you have brought more joy into our hearts than we could ever possibly return. we’ve looked everywhere, from here to paradise falls, but there is no other couple quite like you.
every time we hear about what you are doing, you inspire us.
every time we see you, we smile.
every time we think of you…
we get hungry! Â you’ve spoiled us with too much good food.
while i hate to write this, knowing that your wedding day is over, i am happy that you two get to start filling your adventure book together. we can’t wait to see what’s next for you two. whatever it is, i know you will both have a smile on your face, and so will everyone that knows you.
we love this face with, or without, makeup.
team bride rules!
love Leica, almost as much as these Choos.
just the sight of paolo’s letter to marissa caused audible gasps in the room. we all knew what was coming. tears of joy.
after drying the tears away, marissa made all the girls smile when she busted out these super cute personalized name necklaces from Rona Los Angeles. they are sooo fetch!
we love when hot girls aren’t afraid to make funny faces. clearly marlene has been practicing her church face with marissa. nailed it! Â 
we love this part!
wait for it…
when marissa came through that door everyone was either smiling, crying, or cryling. it was an awesome moment. 
hidden mickey!
who has two thumbs and just got married?
this is what pure happiness looks like. LOVE these smiles!
party time U.S.A.!
after a shot like this, you know marissa and paolo’s bridal party ranks in the top 3 of all time! it’s no wonder they were a part of this wedding. they were so much fun to be around! they kept us smiling all day!
paolo hooked all his boys up with NIKEiD shoes (custom socks not included).
the ellie badge!Â
seeing paolo with his brothers made us smile big smiles. you know these three had to be big time trouble when they were kids (or last week). they just have shenanigans written all over them.
#selfie-not-selfie
marissa and paolo hired april to do a little UP inspired artwork for them. we love it, and their mini wolf, kicks!
lovin all the UP stuff!
loveEmsweet cupcakes were bomb! especially the ube ones… (plural). as rain would say, #filipinoweddingsdoitright
bottoms up, bottoms up, throw your hands up, tell security we bout to tear this club up
i have to say that the speeches given at marissa and paolo’s wedding were some of the most heartfelt we have ever heard. good thing paolo’s dad was on tissue duty because every speech had people crying, including the people giving the speeches. patrick, p-jay, kirstie, marlene, and nicole, you all did an amazing job. we really loved all of your speeches. how could we not? you were talking about marissa and paolo.
these two look familiar. oh yeah. now i remember where i’ve seen them before. here. here,  and here. it was so good to see you guys again. thank yo so much for the doggie treats for Kodak, Toby, and Bosco the Labradummy. i’m not gonna lie, they smelled so good we had to sample one.
once again, russell john films was by our side to get all the awesome moments from marissa and paolo’s wedding on video. we LOVE working with them! just like the video he did for julia and patrick’s wedding, russell knocked another one out of the park for marissa and paolo. their love story was an UP themed wedding video and it had everyone at the reception bawling. lucky for us, we had cameras to hide behind so nobody saw us crying. russell was kind enough to let us share it with you. grab some tissues from paolo’s dad and check it out.
Marissa & Paolo-UP Love Story from Russell John Films on Vimeo.
the time paolo surprised marissa at the airport and asked her to marry him in front of everyone. classic paolo.
marissa surprised paolo with a little song, then paolo flipped the script and surprised marissa with a little dance. these two are so perfect for each other!
dj p-jay on the ones and twos! thanks for giving him the night off power 106. note to future couples, if you want to keep your dance floor jumpin all night long, hire this man. we gotta give big props to dj ren and mc eljay andal also. they held it down while p-jay was walking around getting everyone hammered on patron.
the p in p-jay stands for photobomber.
the world’s most dangerous group
#babymakingtime 
for some reason i feel like i haven’t said everything i want to say to you marissa and paolo. it’s late and i’m beat. brain no work right now. i’ll just have to tell you in person next time we see you. just know that we love you both to pieces. you have touched our hearts and we feel hella-blessed to have you in our life. now that we’re family, we’re going to start with the full-court press to get you down here. you need to move to san diego… stat! patrick and julia know what’s up. tell em guys. you too rachelle and phoenix. lets do this!
love you all! see you soon!
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we want to send out a big thank you to all the vendors that helped make marissa and paolo’s wedding awesome.
Church – Holy Family Catholic Church
Venue – Pandora on Green
Photographer – Ohana Photographers
Videographer – Russell John Films
DJ – DJ P-Jay /  DJ Ren /  MC Eljay Andal
Photobooth- Photocube
Cake/Dessert –loveEmsweet
Flowers – Flowerblush
Wedding Dress & Bridesmaids Dresses – Alfred Angelo
Bridesmaid Necklaces – Rona Los Angeles
Bride’s Shoes – Jimmy Choo
Groomsmen’s Shoes – NIKEiD
Hair – Arlyn Aquino
Make up – Nancy Deluna
Wedding Coordinator –Fab Four
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She’s gorgeous and these photos made her (and him) look even more so. So much love in their eyes in these pics. You made some wonderful art here.
P.S I loved their engagement pics and that art drawing of them is phenomenal! I would LOVE art like that!