San Diego Wedding Photography Destination Wedding Photography – Acqua Photo

Acqua Photo San Diego Wedding Photography Blog
Posts Tagged ‘romantic portraits’

Scripps Seaside Forum Wedding, La Jolla

The Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla is such a beautiful place to get married, especially if you want to have your wedding right on the beach!  Its modern architecture, incredible textures, and unobstructed ocean views make it the perfect spot for a San Diego Destination Wedding.  This was definitely the case for Lindsay & Luke, who actually live in the bay area, but wanted to have their wedding in San Diego where Lindsay grew up! We really loved the bright colors of the bouquets paired with perfect pink bridesmaids dresses.  Luke’s khaki suit really made him stand out among his groomsmen.

We started out with getting ready shots at the Empress Hotel in La Jolla Cove before heading over to the Scripps Seaside Forum.  This is the kind of inspiring location that we could photograph a hundred times and still have new options for portraits!  The grassy ceremony area overlooks the ocean and is backed by a row of giant palm trees, all of which gave it a perfect relaxed San Diego feel.

After the ceremony, we had the opportunity to take them down the beach to the Scripps Pier, which is famous among landscape photographers for it’s clean, symmetrical concrete columns that seem to disappear into an infinity of white over the ocean.  We love shooting romantic portraits with couples like Lindsay & Luke… it was so easy to tell that the rest of the world just drops away when they look into each other’s eyes!

One of our favorite wedding trends is when couples incorporate elements from their culture into the details of the day.  To celebrate Lindsay’s Japanese heritage, they had 1000 colorful origami cranes (for good luck) hanging on a tree, a Banzai to represent her brother who was there in spirit,  and an awesome authentic japanese steel drum performance.

Location: Scripps Seaside Forum

Coordinator: Bliss Events

Catering: Crown Point Catering

Officiant: Bethel Nathan

Ceremony Musician/Reception DJ: Michael Tiernan

Hair & Makeup: Flora Wade

Limo: LJ Transportation

 

Catamaran Resort Wedding, Bahia Belle Reception

We love being able to give the gift of gorgeous images to our clients, especially when our clients also happen to be friends!  Kevin and I have known each other since the very first day we moved into “Camp Snoopy” as freshman at UCSD.  We were instant friends and he quickly became someone that I could rely on to help me study, make me laugh, and be there as a shoulder to cry on.  When he called me up to say that he had met the woman of his dreams, I was so happy!  Ashley is absolutely beautiful, incredibly sweet, and they compliment each other perfectly.

Kevin & Ashley put a lot of hard work wedding, planning the whole thing together and finding ways to compromise along the way.  They wanted to stay true to their personalities– classic, and elegant with a casual feel.  at the Catamaran couldn’t have been more picture perfect.  The morning clouds broke to reveal stunning turquoise skies and azul water, making Ashley’s colorful bouquet even more vibrant.  Every detail radiated a sense of carefree elegance – Ashley looked lovely as she tiptoed barefoot down the steps to the ceremony, her lace train trailing behind.  After the ceremony and taking photos around the Catamaran, we all boarded the Bahia Belle for a romantic reception on the water!

For these guys, the past year was not what you would expect a typical first year for newlyweds to be like.  Kevin was deployed to Iraq while Ashley has been pregnant!  They have had to rely on email, skype, and phone calls to be together.  We want to thank them and all of our service men/women who sacrifice so much everyday so that we can enjoy our liberties and freedom!  We hope to see Kevin come home safely, and can’t wait to meet their baby when the little one arrives!

Dress – Alfred Angelo
Bridesmaid dresses – J crew
Ceremony flowers – Jennifer Bennett My Fair Lady’s Flowers
Cake – Sweet Cheeks
Reception – Bahia Belle
Ceremony – Catamaran Resort
Hair & Make-up – Flora Wade

 

 

Featured on Style Me Pretty: Old Town San Diego Wedding, Marina Village Reception


We are so thrilled to have Heather and Nick’s gorgeous vintage-Italian inspired wedding featured on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book Blog!  With incredible attention to detail, Heather and the “moms” painstakingly designed and hand crafted nearly all of the decor and special touches.  It was such a treat for us to photograph this incredibly unique wedding!  Of course, having a very good looking, fun loving couple (and bridal party) who were totally into getting beautiful photos around Old Town, San Diego, was pretty fabulous, as well!  We would like to give a special thanks to Melissa from I Do…Weddings! for helping Heather achieve her amazing vision and also for making the day incredibly smooth and stress free!  To see even more images from the day, visit Style Me Pretty’s Gallery.

Photography: Acqua Photo / Cinematography: Jeff Hendler / Flowers: I Do…Weddings! / Event Design & Planning: I Do…Weddings! / Ceremony Location: Immaculate Conception Church / Reception Location:Marina Village / Invitations & Stationery: Mother of the Bride / Shoes: Demetrios / Dress: Demetrios / Lighting & Reception Music: DJ Daniel Peterson

Encinitas Engagement Session

From the first moment we sat down to coffee with Heather and Nick, we just clicked.  It felt like we were hanging out with long time friends who totally got our photography style, love for funky Leucadia (turns out they lived a few blocks away from us), and even were planning their wedding to be on the same day that Shane and I got married!

Heather envisioned a sun-washed, anthropologie style e-session to compliment the vintage theme of their upcoming wedding.  I especially loved when she surprised Nick with a page from her diary that she wrote the night after their first date…No doubt in my mind that these two are soul mates.

Watch for pics from their amazing vintage Italian inspired wedding coming very soon!


































La Quinta Resort, Palm Desert Destination Wedding

In the foothills of the picture perfect Santa Rosa mountains outside of Palm Springs is a a hideaway resort called La Quinta.  Perfectly manicured gardens, lush palm trees, and a hacienda-style charm welcome visitors as an oasis in the middle of the arid, desert landscape.  Famed as a refuge for Old Hollywood luminaries for decades past, the resort is at the same time luxurious as it is utterly charming and relaxing.

With their impeccable style and steamy chemistry, it’s easy to imagine Michelle and Joe as silver screen stars escaping to the desert for a weekend getaway!

 

 

Thank you to the amazing vendors we worked with!

Dress: Matthew Christopher
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Jewelry & Accessories: Custom designed by Seattle Diamond
Hair and Makeup: The A List Makeup Studio
Bridesmaid Gowns: Bill Levkoff
Tuxedos: La Strada
Caterer: La Quinta Resort & Club
Linens/Decor: Arrangements Floral Designs
Cocktail Entertainment: Mike O’Bryan
Reception Entertainment: A Musical Affair
Videographer: Moonstone Pictures
Wedding Cake: Juliette’s Bakery
Rentals: Signature Party Rentals
Limousine: Phat Daddy’z Limousine Service
Wedding Ceremony: Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church
Reception: La Quinta Resort & Club – La Casa

 

Torrey Pines Gliderport Engagement Session

We love shooting engagement sessions in new or different places, so we decided to go to a somewhat hidden spot called Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla.  It’s an excellent alternative to shooting at the much more popular (read: crowded) Torrey Pines State Reserve, especially on weekends.  There is a really cute grassy hill behind the glider launch that overlooks the cliffs and is perfect for photos with lots of blue skies and simple green grass… it reminds me of warm summer days, flying a kite, or running through the sprinklers as a child.   After shooting some playful photos on the hill, we made our way down the path to the beach for more romantic images as the sun set.

Rachel is a fantastic wedding coordinator with AR Affairs, and we’ve had the pleasure of working with her on quite a few weddings.  She is always hard-working, very professional, and extremely organized.  We quickly realized that she was head over heels in love with Tyler, as he definitely brings out a whole new side of her!  She was constantly giggling, smiling ear to ear, and couldn’t take her hands of that tall, dark, and handsome man of hers!  Although being a male model wasn’t exactly on Tyler’s list of hobbies, he totally worked it for the camera!!!

Keep an eye out for the upcoming blog post about their beautiful wedding at the Catamaran Resort in Mission Bay!

 

Wayfarer’s Chapel Wedding, Rancho Palos Verdes & Hotel Portofino Yacht Club

As you drive toward Rancho Palos Verdes, the tension of the larger cities gives way to a relaxed, almost magically natural environment.  Thanks to Lillian & Mike, we were able to discover the beauty that exists at the Wayfarer’s Chapel by the sea.  It was designed in the early 1970′s by Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright’s son) to be a natural sanctuary in the midst of a beautiful forest, allowing visitors to be closely connected to the trees, sky, and surrounding environment.  What a perfect location to hold a wedding for such a down-to-earth couple!

From the moment that Mike first saw Lillian, he was head-over-heels in love with her.  He was totally blown away by how gorgeous she was!!!  They had originally planned to hang out for a couple hours on their first date, but it turned into an all-day event and they couldn’t get enough of one another! From that day forward, they’ve been completely inseparable.  It is so cool to see a couple that is always on the same wave-length, and so lovingly supportive of one another.  We really look forward to hanging out with them as both our families grow! ;)

On the wedding day, Lillian just glowed– the sunlight illuminated her bird cage veil as she posed for bridal photos in the lush gardens outside the Chapel.  Mike was nervous, but that gave way to pure joy the moment he saw Lillian arrive and walk down the aisle toward him!  We especially love the zen-like feel of the trees rising above the altar, framed perfectly by the glass windows of the chapel.  The dappled light coming through the trees made exposures very contrasty, but the shadows served to make our wide shots even more dramatic.  It would be so fun to shoot weddings here at various times of day, as there would be a completely different feel depending on where the sun/moon are!  One of my very favorite shots was the moment after they were married when Mike stopped to wipe is forehead as if to say “whew, I am glad that is over!” Classic.

We wish Lillian & Mike our best as they embark on adventures in parenthood with their new little boy!

Locations:

Wayfarer’s Chapel

Hotel Portofino Yacht Club

Tulum, Mexico Destination Wedding – Traditional Mayan Ceremony

We first met Ashley and Travis while shooting their engagement session here in San Diego.  They hadn’t decided on a location for their destination wedding yet, but really loved their engagement photos and wanted us to photograph it wherever they decided to go.  Fortunately for us, they chose Tulum, Mexico!

Tulum is a short 2 hr drive south of Cancun, but worlds away from the crazy Spring Break vibe found there.  Beyond the tropical foliage that lines the coast are stunning warm turquoise waters, white sand beaches dappled with occasional sunbathers, surfers, yoga retreats and the breathtakingly beautiful Tulum ruins.  The whole area evokes a calming peacefulness and spiritual draw that makes it stand out as one of our favorite places in the world.

Ashley and Travis scored a gorgeous private villa large enough to house all of their closest friends and family in one location!  They embraced the local culture and traditions of the Mayan Riviera by having an actual Shaman marry them in a traditional Mayan ceremony, emphasizing harmonious interaction with mother nature.  Our favorite part of the ceremony was when everyone raised their hands over the couple to signify their support and blessings as the Shaman blew a conch shell invoking the gods to bear witness to the couple’s eternal union.  The ceremony built to a crescendo as strong winds mysteriously rose around us.  Our senses were overwhelmed by the touch of sand, wind, and waves crashing as we watched the couple seal their union with a kiss punctuated by the resounding call of the conch shell.  SUPER-ROMANTIC, right?!?

Following the ceremony was an awesome outdoor reception that featured some of the most incredible entertainment we have ever seen at a wedding!  A local world-beat fusion band played an eclectic mix of exotic instruments and songs so energetic that everyone (including grandma) couldn’t resist dancing their butts off!  As they played, various band members jumped out on the dance floor to perform… at one point the lead singer (a dutch expatriate) rocked a traditional African dance to perfection. It was WILD!  The crowd parted as fire dancers, stilt walkers, and capoeira dancers emerged to perform… it was like being on stage at a private showing of Cirque du Soleil!  I remember walking over to Jen and saying “Can you believe we are getting to photograph THIS?!?”

Special thanks to Ashley & Travis for planning such an incredibly unique wedding and having us come along to capture all the fun!

Estancia Hotel, La Jolla Wedding

Estancia La Jolla is definitely one of our favorite locations to photograph a wedding in San Diego.  It has a timeless feel that reflects casual elegance in such a seemingly effortless way that you can’t help but get caught up in its beauty.  The grounds are perfectly designed with weddings in mind, as there are many hallways with columns that create dramatic natural light, wonderfully landscaped gardens, and beautiful mission styled architecture.  In short, it is a photographer’s dream!

Not that any of this was necessary to make our awesome couple Ala & Uly look good- they certainly do that all on their own!  They really worked it for the camera and had a great sense of humor, too.  With help from their very talented wedding planner/coordinator Alexandra (from AR Affairs), they created a unique nature theme with bird’s nest accents, moss and twig center pieces, and excellent uplighting.  They were able to turn what would have been a somewhat non-descript wall into a stunning backdrop that created a very romantic ambiance for their reception.  Another fun detail that really stood out to us was the ice cream bar – JUST LIKE COLD STONE (!) – where guests picked their flavor and toppings and had their tasty treat blended on a stone slab as they watched.  We’d also like to give a shout out to Pink Star Design for their perfectly elegant menus and place cards which added a very stylish touch!

It truly was a pleasure to shoot for Ala & Uly and to work with all of their excellent vendors!!!

Coordinator: AR Affairs

Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Company

Menus/Place Cards: Pink Star Design

Flowers: Artistic Florals

DJ: DJ Cito C

Linens: Concept Event Design

Catering & Venue: Estancia Hotel, La Jolla

 

 

 

The Westgate Hotel, El Cortez Reception, and Grace Lutheran

If you’ve spent any amount of time in San Diego, you will have heard about what locals call “June Gloom.” Basically there is a time period right around June when you would think that the weather would be absolutely perfect in San Diego… however, it actually tends to be overcast and cloudy!  This was the case for Katie & Tim’s wedding, but with good planning, we were able to shoot in locations that worked really well with the weather.

We started out at The Westgate Hotel for getting ready, bridal party photos, and romantic portraits.  The Westgate is a luxurious hotel decorated in 18th century style — it has a refined elegance that is perfectly suited for weddings!  Shane took the guys down to the USS  Midway for groomsmen portraits (the guys are almost all in the Navy- thanks for your service!).   After that, we all met up at Grace Lutheran Church for the beautiful ceremony.  One of the things we love about shooting with the Canon 5D MKII in conjunction with fast L-series Canon prime lenses is that we were able to shoot 90% of the ceremony with no flash at all!

The reception was held at the El Cortez Hotel.  I absolutely love the intricate ceiling detail and polished black floors in the Don Room.  The light was just gorgeous coming in through the windows, creating reflections across the floor for the first dance.  It’s a very beautiful venue at night, but we really loved how the light filled the room in the afternoon, creating a truly romantic ambiance.


Hotel Del Coronado & Breakers Beach San Diego Wedding

You know that feeling when you first dating someone that you really like?  You get butterflies in your stomach, you light up when you hear their voice on the phone, and you just can’t wait see them again… Well, that is what Tiffany & Alan are like ALL THE TIME!  They have this fresh, sweet, joyful way about their affection toward one another… you can’t help but get caught up in the romance of it!

We started out at the Hotel Del Coronado for getting ready, family, and romantic portraits.  After that, the bridal party hopped in a classic Old Town Wedding Trolley and rode over to Breaker’s Beach for the ceremony and reception.  We loved how (instead of holding the ceremony on the deck) they invited guests to kick off their shoes and relax so-cal style for the gorgeous beach ceremony– now that’s how we do it in San Diego!  Subtle details like the seashell lined aisle, beautiful candy bar, and bright color palette all came together so well to perfectly match the light breeze coming off the ocean.

Special thanks to all the vendors who made this beautiful wedding happen:

Here is our list of vendors:

 

 

Acqua Photo has award winning image in international contest!!!

We are happy to announce that Shane received 6th place in the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers winter 2010 contest for engagement portraits!  Click here to check out the gallery: ISPWP Engagement Category

The award winning image was taken here in San Diego at the Cabrillio National Monument in Point Loma.  We absolutely loved how Dustin & Kristen (the adorable couple in the photograph) wore vintage attire to perfectly match the style of the lighthouse.  It took a few minutes to get the pose right so that the viewer could see them from head to toe even with such a limited perspective, but we got it!  We just love how the light and the spiral staircase draw you in, keeping the focus on their passionate kiss.  Thanks Kristen & Dustin for having a total make-out session in the stairs for us ;)

Rock the Dress at Huntington Botanical Gardens & Leo Carrillo State Park

In the last ten or so years, there has been an awesome phenomenon in wedding photography called a “trash the dress” photo shoot.  Brides all over the world have donned their wedding dress for a second time and modeled for a photographer while literally destroying their dresses.  The theory behind this type of a shoot is that the wedding is over and the bride won’t ever wear the dress again. So why not trash it while making beautiful images instead of letting it collect moths in a closet?  We think it is a fantastic idea, but what about all the brides who aren’t so eager to part with their most cherished of keepsakes?!?

We present to you: the Rock the Dress session!  Rather than going for the shock value of a trash the dress session, give your (likely expensive) dress the respect it deserves by modeling it in a full-fledged fashion shoot.  This is your opportunity to get breath-taking shots in incredible locations that would otherwise be difficult to achieve within the constraints of a wedding day.  Afterward, you might need to get the dress dry-cleaned, which you should plan on doing after the wedding anyway!  Who says you can’t have your wedding cake and eat it too?

This Rock the Dress session was sooooo much fun!  We started out at the historic Huntington Botanical Gardens, where a kind groundskeeper drove us around on a golf cart so we could shoot in all of the best spots.  For the second location, we drove out to Leo Carillo State Park (where the groom originally proposed to the bride), and were able to capture some really romantic moments during sunset.

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Banyon Court Wedding & Regatta Pavillion Reception

We had so much fun shooting Jen & Brian’s wedding!!!  These guys have great style and weren’t afraid to break a couple “rules” at their wedding! Brian and his groomsmen wore teal and purple Nike kicks along with their tuxes to match the wedding colors while Jen’s wedding dress was downright glamorous.  They knew when to keep it simple, and when to add a little something extra.  For example, they kept the bridesmaids’ dresses a chic gun-metal gray while having the girls wear bright purple heels– elegant, yet sassy! Throughout the wedding decor, they incorporated a mix of modern luxury with a hint of casual fun to compliment their personalities.

We were amazed at the sheer number of friends and family who absolutely adore Jen & Brian.  How on earth anyone can make the time to be such good friends with so many people is somewhat mind boggling, and very inspiring to see!

The Mission Bay Hyatt is a great location to have your wedding, especially if you have a lot of people arriving from out of town. They have beautiful rooms, pristine grounds, and the location on Mission Bay couldn’t be better. We loved how the sunset light came through the trees at the Banyon Court during the ceremony, and the luxurious white fabric ceiling & lighting in the Regatta Pavillion created a romantic setting for the reception.

We also had the pleasure of working with the guys from 4120 Weddings… they are very professional and super-creative!

Anyway, thanks to Jen & Brian for being such wonderful clients!  You can add us to the long list of people who adore you ;)

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Location & Catering: Hyatt Regency Mission Bay
Videographers: 4120 Weddings
Officiant: Jelynn Rodriguez (check out her new music video!)
Dress: St. Patrick Babieca from Bridal and Veil Mission Valley
Hair: Erin Fong
Make-Up: Jenny Cortez
Cake: The French Gourmet Wedding Cakes

Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Destination Wedding – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

There are some weddings when everything simply comes together – perfect weather, a gorgeous location, and an incredibly fun-loving couple.

This summer we were very fortunate to escape San Diego’s unseasonably poor weather by flying to Cabo San Lucas and shooting Megan & Justin’s beach wedding at the world renowned Pueblo Bonito Resort.  With a five diamond rating and distinction by Travel & Leisure as one of the five best spas in Mexico, Pueblo Bonito was an awesome choice for their ocean side celebration!

So many little things made this day perfect for us: Megan’s fabulous, thousand watt smile and the way her sisters giggled in delight as they walked her down the aisle…The endless blue sky and wispy clouds straight out of a movie…How intimate a wedding can be when friends and family have travelled together to celebrate…And the light in Justin’s eyes when he saw his bride walk down the aisle in that jaw-dropping dress.

For anyone thinking of planning their wedding in a fantastic far off location, our advice is to go for it!  We’d be more than happy to come along and take pictures for you ;)

Special thanks to Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort!

Pismo Beach Engagement Session

“Playful”  is the first word that comes to my mind when I think of Rachel & Omar. The joy they have when they are together is just so infectious!!!

For anyone who feels a little camera shy, or unsure how to pose during their engagement session, I think this is such a perfect example of what we strive to capture: Couples just being themselves and having fun together as if the whole world around them has disappeared. Kick off your shoes and run barefoot in the waves. Be silly, get a little dirty, roll around in the grass. Flirt. Laugh. Enjoy each other’s company. Play like today is the first day you fell in love!

We would like to thank Rachel & Omar for inviting us to shoot at their home in Pismo Beach, a beautiful little haven by the sea.  We wish you the very best with your elopement and can’t wait for the Rock the Dress Session!

San Diego Wedding Photography

Live It Up! Acqua Photo featured in Latter Day Bride Magazine 2010

We are excited to be included in the 2010 Latter Day Bride Magazine, in bookstores now!  The theme of this year’s magazine is “Live It Up! Celebrate For Life” and our images were chosen as the main feature to help illustrate the overall spirit throughout the issue.  We couldn’t think of a better couple to embody the joy and excitement of marriage than Jen & Rhett Walker.  We had such an amazing time shooting their Rock the Dress session in La Jolla.  To see more images from the session, click here.  See below for tear sheets!

Special thanks to Jennifer Oldroyd & Emma Freeman at Latter Day Bride Magazine .

Colorado Destination Wedding – Beaver Creek

There are few places as beautiful as the Colorado Rockies in the fall. The brilliant bursts of yellow aspens and long sweeps of technicolor blue sky are a feast for the eyes. Fall has an extra special meaning for us, because it’s the season when Shane and I visited Colorado for the very first time and he asked me to marry him at a viewpoint in the foothills!

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to shoot a wedding in Beaver Creek during that same, magical time of year this past October. To take advantage of the window of perfect weather, Mary and Michael decided to do a “First Look” Session and see each other for romantic portraits before the ceremony. We had one breathtaking hour to capture the best sites in town, and then we headed to Saddle Ridge Lodge for the ceremony and celebration. The lodge was decorated with a mix of Ralph Lauren furnishings and an incredible collection of authentic western artifacts. We loved the rustic charm it exuded and the delicate details that Mary incorporated to give it a relaxed elegance.

As we drove down to Boulder the day after the wedding, a huge storm blew in, blanketing the area in snow. I love looking back on these photos and thinking of how lucky we were to be there for that perfect, transient moment in time.

Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors!

Planner: Emily DeDionisio  Beaver Creek Resorts www.BeaverCreek.com

Location & Catering: Saddle Ridge Lodge

Florist: Delilah’s of Denver  FlowersofDenver.com

Cake: Rimini Beaver Creek www.riminichocolate.com

DJ: Jeff D’Amico A Great Time DJ www.agreattimedj.com

San Diego Wedding Photography

San Francisco Destination Wedding Part 2- Dunsmuir Estate

After a fun filled morning of shooting in San Francisco, we rode with Christina & Brian out to the Dunsmuir Estate.  This historic house was built in 1878 and is a gorgeous example of Neoclassical-Revival architecture.  It felt like a fairy tale walking down the long dirt road lined with lush trees and gardens to the ceremony site overlooking the pond.

Christina’s Chinese heritage is very special to her and she incorporated the traditional Chinese wedding color, red, beautifully into the attire and decor.  We loved all of the fantastic details; the red and orange parasols available to guests, her beautiful bright red shoes, and the elegant, whimsical red and orange cake!   As the sun went down, their guests listened to the live blue grass band, played croquet on the lawn, and sipped wine beneath the stars.  In the darkness, the tent glowed with the view of the mansion in the distance.  A perfect ending to a perfect day.

To see part 1 of this blog click here: Romance in The City

Special thanks to the amazing vendors:

San Diego Wedding Photography

Wedding Coordinator: Grace Lee Gleevents.com

Florist: Spiral Hand  SpiralHand.com

Catering: Miraglia Catering  CateringandMore.com

Musicians: Angel Mountain Strings

DJ: AEC Marin AECMarin.com

Makeup & Hair: WowPretty.com

Officiant: Gerry Murphy

Canopy & Rentals: WineCountryParty.com

San Francisco Destination Wedding – Romance in The City

In August, we had the opportunity to go to San Francisco and shoot an absolutely gorgeous wedding with some of our very favorite clients.  Christina & Brian are an amazing couple that would be any photographer’s dream – elegant, fun loving, and totally into doing whatever it takes to get great images!  They had the wonderful idea of taking a few hours before the wedding ceremony to do a photo tour with us showcasing their favorite parts of San Francisco.

All we can say is that if you are comfortable with seeing each other ahead of time , we really recommend doing this!

We met at their house by the Bay Bridge to capture the stunning view that they wake up to each day.  After that, we all piled into a friend’s car to hit the town!  Shane and I haven’t spent a lot of time in SF, and we couldn’t think of a better way to get an introduction to the city that Christina & Brian love.

To see part 2 of this blog click here: San Francisco Destination Wedding

San Diego Wedding Photography
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Breakers Beach Destination Wedding – Coronado, CA

On this cold and stormy winter day, it’s fun to revisit one of our favorite summer time weddings from this past season.  Looking at these images, I can almost hear the ocean waves and feel the sun on my face – San Diego in the summer is truly paradise!

Sunshine & Eric were married at Breaker’s Beach on Coronado last August.  The inspiration for their laid back beach wedding was a blending between ocean inspired colors and textures with a Zen feel.  We fell in love with the bright turquoise ties, bamboo trimmed cake, and white parasols that shaded their guests.

True to her name, Sunshine is one of those rare people who can literally light up a room with her smile.  One of the funniest moments of the day happened as Sunni began her walk down the aisle. Just as she rounded the corner and came into view of the audience (and her future husband!), someone accidentally stepped on her veil from behind, unexpectedly yanking her head back.  Sunshine burst out laughing as she spun back to see what had happened, and Eric said this was the best thing that could’ve happened.  He had felt himself suddenly overcome with emotion and beginning to tear up as he first saw her…as she laughed his face broke into a huge grin. He knew then and there that nothing could be more perfect- and that his fiance not only had a good sense of humor, but could handle all life’s little “accidents” in stride, with a beaming smile and a laugh. Apparently their guests agreed, as roaring laughs and cheers emitted from the entire crowd!

San Diego Wedding Photography

San Clemente Wedding at the Ole Hanson Beach Club

There are very few beach towns in Southern California that are even comparable to the quaint and beautiful San Clemente.  We had the pleasure of photographing Lindsay & Chad’s wedding at the Ole Hanson Beach Club, a historical building that was originally built in 1928 by the city’s founder.  With blue skies, a gentle breeze and the sound of waves breaking on the beach – conditions were perfect :)

We’ve had such a great time working with Lindsay & Chad that we’ve all become friends!  One of the all time funniest wedding moments that we have witnessed was when Lindsay’s father and one of their best friends put on a surprise performance of “Business Time” by Flight of the Conchords.  Our favorite improvised line was “there is a race for grandchildren, and we’re in last place…” ROFL

Lindsay and Chad are awesome together and we wish them the best in their new life!

Shane & Jen

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San Diego Wedding Photography

Ashley & Travis – Sunset on the Beach

Days like this make us love our life even more! What could be better then spending the afternoon playing on the beach with two of the sweetest people you could ever hope to meet?!

Ashley and Travis love the ocean and they made a special trip to come and shoot their Engagement session here in San Diego. From the get go, they were up for anything and happily ran, played, and even laid in the waves for us! I love their genuine warmth and how when they look at each other, their smiles just shine.

Congrats you guys!!! We are so happy for you and can’t wait for the wedding!

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San Diego Wedding Photography