LA! / Annie & Eric's Wedding

So I was supposed to stay at my friend/former headshot client's house when I arrived in LA. But the night before I found out he had just been burglarized. So I was like, hell no I am not staying somewhere where my tens of thousands of dollars of equipment and priceless memories might get stolen...

So I posted on facebook, "Need place to stay in LA., who wants to host a giant?" And soooo many lovely people responded! I ended up staying with Matt and Adrian one night. And then for the rest of my time I stayed with William up in his epic new home in the Hollywood Hills.

Situated behind the legendary Chateau Marmont, the view was siiiick...

I was in LA for AnnieAli's wedding. But happily I also managed to schedule a bunch of headshot shoots as well during the week.

Wedding day came and Miss Ali looked like the most beautiful bride ever. And this was BEFORE hair and makeup!

She had gotten cute robes and parasols for her bridesmaids...

And her sisters/maids of honor wore matching yellow dresses.

So stunning...

Here's when Annie and Eric had their first look. SO cute.

And then after doing some normal boring family photos, we wanted to have a little more fun...

We tried a few various "tough" poses. And then I had an idea and was like, "Tatyana, can you squat down in front and cross your arms all tough-like?" 

And Tatyana was like, "...you mean you want me to do PRISON POSE?!?!?"

LOL, and I was like, "uh...yes...?"

And she NAILED IT.

Boom! Married!!!!

In order to make her wedding ultra fabulous, Annie had invited the gays.

Of course we knew our role!

There were lots of Brown people on hand as well!

And LAKU.

Jesse and I accidentally wore matching ties. Oops!

The entire wedding was stunning and SO fun.

All in the privacy of their own backyard!

Thousands more photos...but honestly, who knows when or if I'll ever get to blogging those...

Sunday night I took the redeye home to NYC. Landed at 6am Monday. Grabbed my car. Booked it back into the city for a 9am wedding consultation. Then did an actor's headshot shoot at 10am. Met up with Conlix for lunch. Then hopped in my car and drove 5 hours down to Delaware where I've been shooting product and model photos for Smathers and Branson the last couple days. Tomorrow is our last shoot day and I'll be heading straight back to NYC for another wedding this weekend. And then taking off for San Francisco for a wedding next week!

Whew! Whirlwind! Can't believe I actually got the time to even post this entry.

Annie's Bachelorette Party!

This. Is the True Story. Of the Bachelorette Party. Of AnastasiaAli.

For Annie's Bachelorette, they rented out the penthouse of the Gansevoort for an afternoon of sushi, daydrinking, and general hilarity.

It began with a game of Project Runway: ToiletPaperBride Edition.

Pretty self-explanatory...

Cases and cases of fancy champagne were on hand. (I'm actually on my way to the hotel now to pick up all the leftovers they couldn't lug back to LA with them, yesssssssssss)

Things got silly quickly.

PENIS BOUQUET!

Toilet paper brought out Aunt Marcia's supermodel alter-ego: Free Spirit.

Annie played Tim Gunn's role, walking back and forth between the three competing groups offering advice, criticism, and general hilarity.

While intermittently showering people (and herself) with rose petals.

Hello Team Brown!

I smell penis bouquet!

Then it was time for a runway walk-off.

It was pee-in-your-pants hilarious. Literally.

We played other random games involving blindfolds and grab-bags....win-lose-or-draw...

And of course there were a ton of the requisite bachelorette penis toys everywhere.

And at the end, Annie gave a beautiful, tearful speech...

It of course ended with funny...

We just LOVES AnnieAli!!!!

There was so much leftover champagne.

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After a two hour nap and a clothing change, we reconvened in meatpacking at Val Bella. An amazing two-story Italian restaurant.

We got a private 20-person room in a beautiful wine cellar thingy...it was pretty swank.

Cocktail shrimps and crab appetizer. HEAVEN.

This prosciutto and mozza was to die for.

And the parmesan arugula salad...it just made you want to siiiiiiing...

My neighbor to my left (Sophie) had the Chicken Wellington. That's not what it was called, but that's basically what it was. Chicken, prosciutto, and spinach in a wellington crust.

My neighbor to the right (BJ) had the scallop and lobster pasta.

I had the Pork Pappardelle. And luckily, EVERYONE wanted to SHARE. I looooove sharers!!!!

The tiramisu also was decadently delicious.

Of course there were speeches. And impromptu sing-alongs.

And sisterly poems...

It was amazing.

And then! (No and then!)

We headed up the street to Number 8. (Formerly known as Bungalow 8, or owned by the same owners. Or something.) Rumored to be "the hardest door in New York City".

We all looked fab though...so it wasn't no thang.

Of course once we got into the club we were escorted to an amazing upstairs VIP area reserved just for us. Popped some bottles of Belvedere. And then upon taking my first picture, I was quickly told. "NO PICTURES ALLOWED. CLUB POLICY."

Probably because of their celebrity clientele. Which of course is ironic because we were with the biggest celebrity there that night. (Is that irony? I've never fully understood irony. I blame Alanis.)

It was an amazing night though, filled with dancing and laughter and love love love for Miss Ali.

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The following morning, we had an incredible Easter Sunday Brunch at ABC Kitchen.

Oh my godddd the menu.

Crab Toast!!!

And the smoked salmon on a potato pancake........I die.

And this side of barley and mushrooms was exquisite.

And crunchy caramel ice cream with fudge for dessert. MmMmMmmmmM...

I love these Alis!

Thank you so much to Tatyana and Kimmy and Mrs Ali for doing an amazing job hosting!!! And for picking up the entire tab!!!! I'm not sure who exactly paid for everything, but we never even had the option of paying. SO generous!!!!!