Gianna & Marcus- I honestly feel like I will NEVER get sick of sharing images from this wedding. Held at Galway Downs in Temecula, Ca, truly a venue of DREAMS. I was lucky enough to shoot twice there in two weeks, and I have never been more impressed with a venue as I was there. The staff is fantastic, the food DELICIOUS, and the setting is like something straight out of my very own bridal dreams. Everything about the whole day was SO SMOOTH, it really was fantastic.
It has a huge and well decorated bridal suite, and a roomy groom suite on the other end of the property. The ceremony site is surrounded by white rosebushes, streams and little waterfalls, wooden bridges, ponds, and centuries old oak trees. The reception area is a giant modern barn able to be dressed up and decorated to suit your style.
Gianna and Marcus chose to have a modern mixed with classic elegance, and a hint of rustic flare. Flowing greenery garlands, white lanterns with black tablecloths, tons of gold accents and candles and a perfect three tiered cake. Gianna’s dress and hair was vintage glam inspired, with glam makeup and a cathedral lace trimmed veil. Gianna really loves the dark, warm and moody style of editing, which is think is perfect to add a little extra dramatic emotion to all the images!
They opted to not have a first look, but instead exchanged letters to get them extra excited to meet at the altar in front of all their family and friends. We were able to take all the bridesmaids and groomsmen photos ahead of time, so cocktail hour was a breeze with family photos first, the entire bridal party all together, which left me some time with the bride and groom alone to roam all about the amazing property that is Galway Downs.
It is so easy to see the adoration and love these two share, and it was truly my honor to be such an integral part of their wedding day! You can also find their video Instagram teaser trailer HERE (Videographer, Chris Zeltner, my handsome husband) !!! Enjoy some of my favorite images from this truly perfect wedding.
***UPDATE! You can now view their extended wedding highlight film Here!! Or just watch below!!
Joie de Vivre!
Stefanie
because every groom needs their dogs face on their wedding socks, amirite?finishing touches!One of Gianna’s only photo requests, was inspired by a shot she saw on Pinterest with her bridesmaids tossing up the veil with a slight silhouette. I love how it turned out!isn’t she just stunning?Gianna did a sweet daddy daughter first look, and she gave him custom made cufflinks that said, “I’ll always be your little girl”. Insert teary eyes here!!This wedding was chock full of sweet remembrances and tokens of family and friends who had passed on. Giannas mother had passed away, and this was her watch, adorning the bridal bouquet, surrounding Gianna with love.The grooms face as he sees his bride for the first time. A proud father walking his little girl down the aisle.See what I mean about the ceremony site being perfection??? Hows THAT for some perfect lighting?Their first kiss as husband and wife.Copyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyCopyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyYou guys, I seriously don’t even know what to do with ALL these unreal images. They look like models, right??Copyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyI love the timelessness of black and white images.Dog socks!!Copyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyCopyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyY’all know I’m a sucker for under the veil shots- might be my favorite thing I do at every wedding. I couldn’t choose just one to share! So you get to see four. And I STILL can’t decide which is my favorite. But it might be this one.A beautiful bridal portrait.Copyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyCopyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyTime for detail shots!! Copyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyCopyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyGrand entrance, straight into their first dance.All smiles and snuggles.Copyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyAfter dinner, we snuck out for some quick sunset shots near the pond. A huge shout out to Gianna, who climbed up the log in her heels and dress!!! Anything for “THE” shot, right Gianna???Copyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyCopyright Joie de Vivre PhotographyCopyright Joie de Vivre Photographyring shot! An upside down votive, backlit with soft candlelight made for a dramatic ring shot!Marcus and his mom one wild and crazy, and everyone loved it!!Party time!! Love the fun dancing shots!A grand finale dip towards the end of the night.
I sure hope you love these images as much as I do! A truly beautiful and heartfelt wedding, and it was my pleasure to turn those moments and etch them into forever, never to be forgotten.
Joie de Vivre!
Stefanie
2 comments
Nicole Messina
Beautiful!!! What lens do you shoot with ? Also do you use a flash ? ReplyCancel
Beautiful!!! What lens do you shoot with ? Also do you use a flash ?
hi! I shoot with a lot of different lenses! mostly my 24-70, 70-200, 35 art, 50 art and the 16-35 for the party shots!