The Riker Wedding this past weekend was only my third wedding that was local here in SoCal – and it was awesome.

Joel and Jenny got married on Saturday on a yacht in Marina Del Rey. And surprisingly there were no “I’m on a boat!” jokes – at least none that I heard.
So I met Joel 12 years ago. We also both worked at DisneyWorld (like Ryan who’s wedding I shot last week). And even though Ryan, Joel and me all worked at the same place, Joel and I were in different social circles. He told me last summer he always thought I was quiet. I’m actually far from quiet, but Joel was in a supervisor/coordinator role when I worked there. So.. that’s my reason for never really talking to him. HE was the quiet one doing manager-ish stuff back at Base at the water park we worked at. So we never really got to know each other.

Last summer at some point I was referred to him by our mutual friend Theresa. Theresa was a lifeguard, too, and even though I was a guest at her wedding years ago I took some photos for her while in Washington for her and Scott.

So somewhere along the line in planning Theresa referred me to Jenny and Joel, I met them very briefly last summer, and they later got in touch with me about shooting their wedding.

And here we are now.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Riker are married, and I have 450 images of the whole celebration to share with you!

Click past the break for a ton of images of Jenny and Joel’s weekend. I saved more comments for the captions as usual. So I hope you have some time to kill, because there are a lot of fun moments to enjoy below!

Erin, the wedding coordinator getting things started off for the rehearsal on Friday afternoon.

Everyone was burning up since it was the mid 90s outside. An unseasonably long heatwave had hit SoCal and stayed long enough for the wedding.

A large wedding party meant a little organization was needed up front

The guys were laughing that they felt like a barbershop quartet the way they were standing

 

Gotta remember to tell the audience to sit down..

Group shot before heading out

Heading back to the hotel before the rehearsal dinner later that evening

Joel and Jenny had prepared an amazing rehearsal dinner party on the beach for everyone

Jaylynne was smiling pretty much every time she saw me with my camera up. Seriously, almost ever time. Just wait and see

Had to get that sunset photo before it was gone!

Everyone getting shots of the sun

Jenny’s god parents welcomed everyone and said a few words that night

As the sun finally went down everyone started in on the food and spend the rest of the night laughing and talking.

 

_______________________________________

The next afternoon I headed to the hotel where all the girls were getting ready

Time to start makeup for the bride

The girls were all busy between watching the football game, checking scores on their phones, and helping coordinate other details that morning between everyone for the wedding later

 

Brianna and Lain really wanted a nice shot of their glasses! haha! They were gifts from Jenny

 

Hair is dry and Jaylynne is ready to get styled!

Jenny’s “Something Blue”

Took a photo so Jaylynne could see her hair style

And then it was Jenny’s turn

Meanwhile the girls were busy steaming the bottom of the dress

Jaylynne came over to see what Jenny was having done to her nails

Then she had her nails done, too

Jenny-Jaylynne dance party!

Took about a minute for Jenny to finish getting ready

A few hair touchups

The girls gathered their things and everyone was pretty much ready to head out

As the girls headed downstairs I went over to Joel’s room. He had just started to get ready

Rockin his UM socks! Go Blue!

Some help from dad with the top-button

Mr. Riker Sr. was laughing that he didn’t have a shirt. But hey, it was 95 degrees out and they had all just got back to shower and change. I’d probably be dressed the same. haha!

Downstairs the girls were waiting for me so we headed outside to get shots of everyone

Go Gators!

As Jenny headed to the shuttle to go to the marina, we all headed out on foot.

It was a quick walk, but she’s the bride so the girls almost forced her to take the air conditioned van it sounded like. haha!

Well look at that… Their love of sports AND a hidden Mickey reflection. Hahaha!

Joel and the guys arriving on the boat

Had to get a shot of Joel lookin sharp

And then of course one of the bride after sending Joel upstairs and out of sight

Still quiet as the guests are justtt starting to arrive

Despite the heat it was an absolutely gorgeous day

Back in the bridal room the girls were getting ready to toast

Group shot of the ladies!

To the bride and groom!

it was water everyone, don’t panic :P

Things are about to get started, so I had to get a selfie with the bride before she walked the aisle!

Jaylynne wanted in on the selfie action, too

Boat was on the move and everyone was finding seats

This lighting could get tricky really quick I realized

Joel walking with his mother down the aisle

Mr Riker and Mrs Novak

Jaylynne waited with her dad while the rest of the wedding party came in

Joel’s first look at his bride as Jenny started down the aisle

Big hug from dad

And then handing off to Joel

Chris gets everything started and welcomes everyone to the ceremony

Chris went to say that marriage is about supporting one another… there were laughs, some small cheers, even a gator chomp

Exchanging of vows

Joel was so quick to repeat, Chris barely got a chance to say everything!

As soon as Chris, Jenny’s brother, stood up to speak a boat horn sounded right after his introduction.
Timing was perfect! hahaha!

Everyone was laughing, it was great

During his reading Chris shared and spoke of love..

..love and football

Next was the exchanging of rings

And of words. With Joel’s promise to Jenny

And next was a ring for Joel

 

And Jenny’s promises to him

Just a few last words…

And they’re married!

A hug for Jaylynne, too

Hugs for mom and dad as they left

Same for Joel, but he didn’t let go of Jenny!

We all headed up to the top level after the ceremony

There were lots of hugs and congratulations for the bride and groom

Time to start wrangling everyone together for photos!

Managed to even get the big group shot with everyone up top!

And then we started with all the other various combos of photos we needed

As the sun set AND the boat kept turning, it was making lighting realllllly interesting since it changed with every group. haha!

Team socks for everyone!

I had to get a shot with the bride and groom as usual, too

Inside things were already flipped and in place for dinner service to start soon

I headed back up top and did a few more photos for of the friends and guests!

The dining area is set and everyone is asked to take their seats

Jenny and Joel and are introduced, for the second time, as Mr. and Mrs!

Jenny’s uncle, if I recall correctly, was the one to give the prayer before dinner was started

Downstairs the buffet style dinner was ready and waiting

A bit later after everyone had a chance to get food, speeches were started with the Matron of Honor

Next up, the Best Man. Wes.

That smirk when you’re about to drop some funny stories about the bride and groom and everyone knows it’s coming…

Wes’ speech had some funny stories and jokes, and also some serious and emotional parts as well

Next up was Mr. Novak, along with his brother

Mr. Novak joked it was to wipe his tears and help him manage to get through everything

But he couldn’t help but get a little emotional, which is when the sunglasses came out – to hide the tears

I didn’t have a chance to get ring photos earlier in the day

And then it was back to socializing for a bit

The staff brought out the cake table for the cutting

Jenny and Joel were laughing as they tried to cut it without dropping the slice

Joel immediatelyyy asked the crowd if he should smear the frosting on Jenny

She surprisingly, and laughingly, let him!

Next up it was his turn..

And Joel quickly took several steps backward!!

Jenny was quick to tell him to get back over there

Eyes closed expecting the worst I’m guessing!

But Jenny instead was nice about it and immediately followed with a kiss for her husband

Trying to figure out the arm-cross thing

Another kiss

First dance as husband and wife was next after the cake was cleared

All the girls watching and taking a few photos

And after a few minutes they pulled their parents on the dance floor for the Mother-Son and Daddy-Daughter dances

Mr. Novak dancing with daughter! I always love the Daddy-Daughter dances

Not to be left out, Mr. Riker Sr. pulled Mrs. Novak onto the dance floor to join everyone!

Mother-Son dance

Helping out Mr. Novak with those sunglasses again!

And soon everyone else joined the group on the dance floor

A bit later we took a quick break to head down and sign the marriage license

Chris finalizes everything with his signature

And the rest of the night was spent dancing and enjoying the party!

 

 

 

I forget the song that was playing, but Joel’s reaction is “wait! Can’t! I’m married now!” which is why he’s holding up his ring! haha!

Our last attempted photo of the night… let’s see how many people we can fit in one shot!

Almost everyone! Nice work guys!
And that was the night! An awesome end to a very busy, very fun, and very hot weekend! But the hot weather didn’t seem to bother anyone too terribly much and everyone seemed to have a great time.
I had a blast being part of Jenny and Joel’s wedding celebration and am so glad they asked me to be a part of it all.

I also hope that all of you enjoyed this look at their weekend and for those who couldn’t be there, hopefully this helped make you feel like a part of it all!