An Intimate San Diego Wedding at Sunrise | Elena + Sam | California Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer
An Intimate San Diego Wedding At Sunrise | Elena + Sam | California Wedding Photographer | San Diego Wedding PhotogRapher | Destination Wedding Photographer
When Elena and Sam told me they wanted their wedding ceremony to be in San Diego at sunrise, I couldn’t have been more excited. There is something so majestic and emotive about the sun rising in the morning, especially when the backdrop is endless curves of the California hilltops and palm trees over a beautiful Lake in northern San Diego. Elena and Sam rented a private home for their whole family to stay. Literally, one of the best ways to have an intimate wedding and the best way to avoid too many logistics of driving around and commuting for everyone on a wedding day. I didn’t photograph this part of the home, but this estate also had a large pool, jacuzzi and rec room with a ping-ping table, literally, that’s the life. (I grew up with a ping-pong table, so always get very excited when seeing them). Anyways, back to this lovely wedding day! I was staying near sunset cliffs in San Diego, and was easily able to Uber up to the estate when it was still completely dark outside, to be there in time for the sunrise.
When I arrived Elena was upstairs getting ready, so of course I went up there first, said hello and took a few photos of her details. Her veil was by the New York designer, Danielle Frankel Studio, and she wore a custom dress that she designed with the help of her friends, dressmakers Blush Fashion and Custom Sewing by Heather. Her modern hairclip was from Lelet NY. Her wedding bouquet was also a work of art that was created with florals from Afloral. After capturing her morning of putting her finishing touches on, I went downstairs to scout out the ceremony site, and when I walked downstairs her sweet mom offered me coffee (which was much appreciated) and I watched the sunrise alongside all of the other family members who were slowly making their way to the backyard terrace overlooking the hilltops. One of my favorite shots I captured from this wedding day, was of Elena’s dad and his mug of coffee, all alone, up before anyone else and just standing at the ceremony site, drinking his coffee and watching the sun slowly rise above the fog over Lake Hodges. Seriously, It was so moving to me, but I can only imagine how moved he must have been feeling on the morning of his daughters wedding day. It was all very emotional and sweet. Once the sun was just over the hills, Elena walked down the aisle towards Sam, with all of their immediate families in support of them. The fog was still hovering from the morning mist and it was a truly beautiful site.
After the ceremony we took a stroll down the cliffside that the rental home was perched upon to take a few couple portraits with the stunning California scenery in the background. We then made our way back to the house for detail images, family portraits and more couple photos. What I loved about this day, is that is all they wanted captured. The wedding day focus for them was the ceremony, and that is the main part they wanted captured. Since the whole family was together in their home, everyone went straight back into casual attire and just enjoyed the rest of their time together as a family. I enjoyed another cup of coffee with everyone before Ubering back to the city center of San Diego and the family went on to have a relaxing day of spending time together. I loved how intimate this wedding day was. Truly, a bride with good taste, a beautiful setting and your closest people are all you need to have a beautiful intimate wedding day. x
Wedding Venue - Private Residence in San Diego | Wedding Veil - Danielle Frankel Studio | Wedding Dress - Custom design by the bride, Elena, alongside dressmakers @blushfashion and @customsewingbyheather | Modern Wedding Hair Accessory - Lelet NY | Custom Tailored Suit - Hartter Manly | Wedding Bouquet - AFloral & Wedding Flower Crown | Wedding Rings - Kasia Jewelry |
In Home Engagement Photos | Intimate Studio Session
Intimate Photography | In Home Photo Session | Engagement Photographer | Home Studio
All her perfect imperfections made her the most beautiful creature. -Atticus
This space. This lighting. These intimate moments at home. These two humans I am so incredibly blessed to call friends. Their joy, laughter, genuineness and sweet spirits you can easily see just by spending any amount of time with them. (It also doesn't hurt that Stumptown Coffee, Bob, Bruce and polaroids are involved).
I truly love capturing the beauty of friendship.
If you’d like to Inquire about me capturing your engagement session or wedding day in 2020 or 2021?
Fill out the form below and I would love to help you create something beautiful together!
I just love capturing in home engagement sessions. Intimate photos inside of your home are probably the sweetest way to capture the season of life that you are in. If you need help with ideas or inspiration for your in home engagement session, I’m happy to help! I usually recommend that couples play their favorite music, whether that means putting on your favorite Bob Dylan song or pulling out your guitar to serenade each other. Having your favorite drink is also another way to feel comfortable during your in home session photos. You can brew your favorite coffee or go straight to a glass of wine or cocktail. Either way, make it something that you love as it will be photographed with you! If you like to shoot film or play board games or even cook in the kitchen, all things are great to do to remember the season of life you are in. Your hobbies can give you an activity to do while your engagement session or in home lifestyle photos are naturally taking place in the background. In home sessions are a way to feel comfortable during your photos as you’ll be surrounded by your intimate space and in your comfort zone. It’s so nice to document the intimate moments of any season of life you are going through. Your home always provides that safe haven and has your most authentic self sprinkled throughout the interior design, the decor and overall feel of your home. All in all, I would highly suggest trying an in home session with a lifestyle photographer to document your special love in a fun and unique way in the comfort of your own home.
Scotland Elopement | A Highland Wedding
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
( These are the kinds of individuals, artists, brides and humans I want to work with, and just live life with. )
You can't beat pure joy, even when it's so cold out!
I can't get enough of shooting the unique details of a wedding day.
If you’d like to Inquire about me capturing your wedding day or see if your date is available for 2020 or 2021?
Fill out the form below and I would love to help you create something beautiful together!
Location // It's a secret says the building owner, but I'll give you a hint...it's in Arrochar.
Planner + Stylist Fin Flükra (Catrina Duthie) // Website Facebook Instagram Pinterest
Wedding Photography Melody Joy Co. // Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
Floristry Posies & Pots // Website Facebook Twitter Instagram
Headpieces + Jewellery Susan Dick Jewellery // Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
Hair + Makeup Bonnie Brides // Facebook Instagram
Model // Natalie Leask
Featured on - Mrs. P & P Wedding Blog
If you are looking for an elopement photographer in Scotland, I would absolutely love to capture your love in the Scottish Highlands! I have traveled all over Scotland, and not only have shot real weddings, but have done so many trips to explore the land for leisure as well as to scout for future brides who are flying into Scotland. It’s so fun to do styled shoots in new areas of Scotland because you get to find the best areas and scout for unique landscapes that haven’t been shot before by other photographers. It’s so nice to try and find different places for every bride that is traveling to Scotland. The main Scottish landscapes are of course excellent venues to elope, but I really love finding places to elope in Scotland that are more off the beaten path and less traveled to. I just really love going on hikes in Scotland. Just being in the fresh air, experiencing new places and being so far away from the rest of the population is one of my favorite places to be. Capturing weddings started as a way to document people in love and I’ve thankfully with the help of trusting couples, have made a create a career out of it, but now I have started the nature aspect of it just as much. There is something about photographing a couple and their raw love amongst the elements of the mountains and sea coastlines, that truly makes their wedding photos have a raw and authentic feel to them. Scottish elopements are such a beautiful thing to capture, and if you choose to elope somewhere with your best friend, I would love suggest traveling to Scotland and finding an elopement photographer to document your love. And if you need any suggestions for places to elope in Scotland, please reach out and ask! I love to help couples plan their elopement anywhere, but especially in all of the beauty that is the Scottish Highlands.