Warning: Lots of puppets incoming!

In a high-end city like Los Angeles that’s often known for glamour and over the top extravagant celebrity weddings, there is something revolutionary about a wedding that prioritizes simple joy and human connection over "the shot." For Xanthe and Dexter, their Los Angeles celebration was about truly participating in their own wedding day, including watching their own curated puppet show as guests. They wanted to throw a party that felt like a fun night out in Highland Park rather than a ballgown gala, and it was achieved at this historic Los Angeles landmark theater.

As a documentary film wedding photographer, my goal is to capture the pulse of the day without interfering. This "Anti-Wedding" was the perfect canvas for what I do best—a celebration of unscripted moments, mid-century kitsch, and a "go with the flow" energy that resonates with my own style of photography. My motto to my couples is always “If at the end of the day you ended up legally married, then everything went exactly right.” I'm all about getting my couples married and capturing how their day truly went!

Huge asterisk- if you want or need help, I am also there. I have over 10 years of experience in the wedding industry and I'm happy to pose you, place you, or guide you. Documentary wedding photography is a specific style that is not for everyone. Weddings and experiences are vastly different and extremely personal! If you're hoping for a little bit more hands-on posing from your photographer, it's important that you communicate that up front.

The Rise of the “Anti-Wedding”

You’ve maybe heard the term “Anti-Bride,” or "Anti-Wedding" but what does it actually mean? It’s not a rejection of marriage or romance, or even a large wedding event! Instead, it’s a rebellion against the wedding industry's pressure to be "perfect." It’s for the couple who looks at a 20-page wedding planning guide and thinks, “None of this feels like us.”

Some examples of an Anti-Wedding hallmarks:

Presence over Performance: Maybe it’s ditching the sunset portrait session to actually eat tacos with your friends at cocktail hour.

Unconventional Attire: Maybe it’s trading the heavy ballgown for a silken pantsuit set or sneakers.

Documentary Focus: Maybe it’s choosing a photographer who captures the feeling of the day—like a popped floral bubble bouquet or a shared beer—rather than solely staging "perfect" moments.

The Aesthetic: Silken Sets and White Birkenstocks

Xanthe leaned fully into the Anti-Bride aesthetic, choosing a cream silken two-piece that looked bridal while also looking comfortable enough to sleep in. Paired with white Birkenstocks, she moved through the theater with an ease that a ballgown could never provide literally. Dexter mirrored this relaxed elegance in a maroon suit and classic New Balance sneakers. He told me he hardly ever wore suits, but that the day was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. I loved that.

Xanthe also carried one of the coolest trends in the Los Angeles floral scene: a bouquet in a bubble balloon. But in true Anti-Bride fashion, the bubble didn't stay a museum piece the whole night. When she gave it to her nieces and nephews to play with during the ceremony, it inevitably popped. Xanthe didn't flinch later on, simply saying: "I gave it to children to play with, that was clearly going to happen." 

A Night of Puppets, Blessings, and Sawdust

The timeline of the day was as unique as the couple. They started with a full-on marionette performance by the legendary Bob Baker Marionettes, curated to numbers that the couple was familiar with and had special meaning to them. Following the show, they held their ceremony on the iconic red stage, incorporating the 7 Jewish blessings shared by friends and family, and a traditional smashing of the glass by both the bride and groom. After the official "I do's," Caleb from Bob Baker Theater suggested a location for the marriage license signing that felt truly special: the theater’s workshop. Tucked away behind the stage among tools, puppet strings, and decades of history, they made it officially official. It was especially cool to see puppets being made, some half formed, some decades old and some brand new! I feel so honored as a photographer to get to witness these moments and locations that most people don't get to see.

Tacos, Beer, and Highland Park Vibes

After some family photos, the whole party migrated down the street to The Hermosillo, a beloved Highland Park bar. There were no assigned seats or formal toasts—just tacos, craft beer, and sheet wedding cake. This is where candid film photography shines; in the grainy, unposed moments of a crowded outside bar where everyone is having fun, chatting, playing, and eating tacos!

Why Documentary Film?

Capturing an unconventional Los Angeles wedding like this requires a light touch and a "fly on the wall" way of working. Being too in the way of guests or obvious about being "the professional photographer" can make people act unnaturally. Since the whole point of documentary wedding photography is to capture things as they actually happened, having people tense up around a camera or paste on a cheesy smile really defeats the point.

Using a film camera is an incredible tool for these candid environments. Beyond the iconic grain, rich color, and vintage aesthetic that only real physical film provides, it changes the psychology of the room. With film, there is no “looking at the back of the LCD.” Because I can’t show guests their photos in real-time, the perfectionism fades away. It allows everyone—myself included—to stay present in the moment instead of obsessing over if I got the exact shot I wanted or not. There’s no reviewing, no over-analyzing, and no "can we retake that?" Film photography and documentary focused photography really go hand in hand.

Unique Los Angeles Wedding Venues to Consider

If the Bob Baker Marionette Theater is booked, or if you’re looking for a venue with a similar "alternative" soul, here are a few spots I’m currently scouting:

• The Velaslavasay Panorama: A 1910 theater and secret tropical garden that feels lost in time.
• Huron Substation: A historic 1906 power station with massive arched windows and industrial charm.
• Highland Park Bowl: A 1927 bowling alley with a moody, dark-wood aesthetic—perfect for flash photography on film.
• Heritage Square Museum: A collection of Victorian mansions for a surreal, beautiful "old LA" garden party.

Planning a weird, wonderful, or totally unconventional LA wedding? I’d love to bring my film cameras along!