A San Diego Garden Wedding

I have known Nick and Sarah for a number of years, and when they asked me to be the one to capture their wedding day, my heart exploded with pure joy. Anyone that has met Sarah, knows that she is probably THE most genuine, kind, and beautiful person you will ever have the privilege of knowing. She is just the best kind of person, and Nick is the perfect compliment to her. I had the pleasure of shooting their engagement session  last year and just couldn’t wait for their wedding day to come.

As fate would have it, everything down to the very last detail was perfect on the big day, and even the rain forecast was hilariously wrong, with blue skies and puffy white clouds as far as the eye could see. Sarah was STUNNING in her Free People dress, and each bridesmaid was in a different shade of pure pastel bliss. Nick and his entourage were sporting blue suits (chosen by none other than Nick himself), and don’t even get me started on the venue. HOLY STUNNING. Buried within the Cuyamaca Community College in San Diego, is a gorgeous botanical garden complete with stadium seating and a butterfly pavilion. Every place I turned was a picture perfect photo op, and the entire wedding party looked like a dream.

Even more beautiful than the location, or the bride, was the LOVE circulating the garden that day. Not only was the love between Nick and Sarah SO apparent, but the love of friends and family lifting them up on their big day was tangible. I could feel it in the air. The ceremony took place beneath gorgeous canvas sails and handmade arbor adorned with garden flowers, and joyous laughter filled the stadium. Nick and Sarah’s unique personalities shone through not only the ceremony, but every piece of the reception as well. From their entrances, to the father daughter dance, not a single thing was ordinary. 

When I think about my “perfect” wedding day (as a photographer), I would have to say this was it. And not because Sarah looks like she belongs on the cover of a magazine (although that did help), and not because the venue, florals, makeup, and coordination was all perfection, but because it was absolutely and 100% authentic. Not a single person was trying to be something they were not, and everyone was having SO much fun. I didn’t stop smiling the whole day, and was reminded constantly why I love my job. I love capturing unique beauty, authentic love, and irreplaceable moments.

Thank you Nick and Sarah for trusting me to capture one of the most important days of your life. It is an honor every time someone entrusts me with that responsibility, and it is not something I take lightly.

These shots were taken inside of a butterfly pavilion that was in the botanical gardens. HOW AMAZING is that?!!?!