Jennifer and Matt are married! The Reception San Diego, Ramona, Mt. Woodson Castle Wedding Photographer

Well, I mentioned that originally the ceremony and the reception were going to be outside and that the rain forced a change of plans....

So after the ceremony, the guests were invited to wander about the castle, enjoying cocktail hour while the crew changed over the main hall from ceremony seating to this beautiful reception.




The black and red theme is so elegant don't you think?



With glittery centerpieces and candles everywhere!
The cake was amazing too!







So many beautiful details filling a room already filled with so much love!









“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.” Nicole Krauss

Jennifer and Matt are married! The Romantics San Diego, Ramona, Mt. Woodson Castle Wedding Photographer

One of my favorite times of the day is the Romantics - the bride and groom are always relaxed and just enjoying the day and more importantly each other.  It's a kind of quiet time for them....




Jennifer and Matt had sent me a few poses they saw on the internet and wanted us to try.  (I love that and always welcome new ideas!)

They wanted a ROCK STAR feel to their portraits...and I think we definitely rocked the session!



Their ideas, paired with my own creativity gave them an amazing assortment of romantic portraits.






Wanted to show you these next two portraits so you could see how important it is to always have a second photographer at a wedding.  Not only is my second photographer capturing the back of the church, while I'm at the front, she is also capturing portraits from a different perspective.

Here's my portrait of our beautiful couple:



And at the very same moment, my amazing second photographer captured this one:



So  next time you are planning a wedding, make sure you hire a professional with a second photographer.

Actually, strike that.  Make sure you hire ME - and I will always bring my amazing second photographer -- you'll be all set!  ;-)



"You are my best friend as well as my lover, and I do not know which side of you I enjoy the most. I treasure each side, just as I have treasured our life together.” 
― Nicholas Sparks

Jennifer and Matt are married! Saying I Do! San Diego, Ramona, Mt. Woodson Castle Wedding Photographer

Originally, Jennifer and Matt had planned a garden wedding and reception.  The storm cancelled that, so everything was moved inside.

But it's just as beautiful, don't you think?

And then at last, the long awaited ceremony was ready to begin...





Time for the beautiful little flowers girls to take their positions...



And time for the bride and her father to enter...








And then, husband and wife exit to the cheers of their friends and family!







I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.”
― Pablo Neruda

Jennifer and Matt are married! The First Look San Diego, Ramona, Mt. Woodson Castle Wedding Photographer

Since it was raining, Jennifer and Matt decided to have a "First Look" before the ceremony so we could capture some Romantic Portraits before guests arrived and filled the castle.



While Matt waited at the bottom of the staircase, Jennifer walked up behind him, and at the signal, Matt turned around to see his beautiful bride....





Having a "First Look" gives more time for portraits (without the guests having to wait) and also keeps that beautiful first moment as a private time for just the bride and groom.

And some couples have told me they felt more relaxed during the ceremony....





And lastly, one of my favorite portraits of the day because it tells the story of the rain, but more importantly the real story that the bride and groom didn't care a bit about the rain - they were in love, having the most perfect wedding day ever - the rain just added to the excitement and beauty of the day...

....sigh....



"We love the things we love for what they are.” 
― Robert Frost

Jennifer and Matt are married! The Groom San Diego, Ramona, Mt. Woodson Castle Wedding Photographer

We happened to also have a groom.  An AMAZING and fun groom!



With a fun bunch of guys to attend to his every need....



...um...yep...EVERY need...  :P



Lookin' mighty fine!













“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” 
― Dr. Seuss

Jennifer and Matt are married! The Bride San Diego, Ramona, Mt. Woodson Castle Wedding Photographer

Jennifer is just the sweetest!  And fun.  And Thoughtful.  And Kind.  And Gorgeous.  And Helpful.

In a word: Perfect.





The wedding and reception were at Mt. Woodson Castle, and everywhere you looked was a gorgeous backdrop and another amazing detail - we had so much fun exploring all the nooks and crannies as we enjoyed portrait time!









 "Paradise is always where love dwells." Jean Richter

Jennifer and Matt are married! Getting Ready! San Diego, Ramona, Mt. Woodson Castle Wedding Photographer

Did you know it's good luck to have rain on your wedding day?  Well it is.  So Jennifer and Matt are going to have buckets, and BUCKETS of good luck because it poured pretty much their entire wedding day!





But the venue was so incredible - no one cared!

Jennifer's gown was to die for!  Beaded and beautiful with the most incredible embroidered red sash - just amazing!







So beautiful, wouldn't you agree?







And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. G.K.Chesterton