Rachel & Dallas, San Diego Temple Wedding & Beach Bridal Session

Rachel and Dallas!! I don’t even know what to say about these two. Dallas is a towering 6’5″, and she is a petite maybe 5’3″? Which, of course, can make doing a sweet, intimate, romantic bridal session just a little bit harder due to their height difference! The good news? They were absolutely crazy for each other, and were nothing but smiles and giggles and snuggles and cuddles and even a few high fives for good measure!

We did a romantic bridal/couples session with a first look at South Ponte Beach in Carlsbad, Ca, the week before their wedding, so they could order some prints to have on display at their reception, as well as helping the actual wedding day at the temple run a little smoother, and more low key.

The first look was done at the top of the cliff, where we did a few of my very favorite EPIC wide angle shots- such a dramatic landscape and all. I did what I’ve been starting to do more often- having my subjects FACING the light instead of turning away from it! I am a big fan of that soft beautiful backlight you see so often. But when you FACE the light, there is so much more contrast, deeper colors, more of that moody/dark emotional look- so we did a few on the cliffs shooting into the light!

We made it down onto the shore, stopped by a little rustic wooden fence (I wish I had a BTS pic- I am literally leaning on top of a stinky trash can to get to the right angle!), before heading down to the sand. A few snuggly shots, some walking shots, some vogue- inspired artsy shots. And then for the Piece’de’resistance??? She brought her mothers wedding veil, a cathedral length with a custom crown headpiece for my trusty ‘under the veil shot’! Some gorgeous clouds rolled in right at before sunset, for a gorgeous silhouette shot. So lucky!!

The wedding was held at the San Diego Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in La Jolla. The big grand moment for LDS weddings is when they exit the temple as husband and wife (since there is no photography inside the temple during the ceremony itself)! After, group shots in front of the temple, family shots, bridal party, and a few bride and groom shots on the stunning temple grounds.

Since everyone, of course, worked up an appetite, who wouldn’t go for a quick Chik-fil-a stop on the way to the reception? We took a few cute photos inside, since the groom is a HUGE FAN! I think maybe I should instagram these ones and tag chik-fil-a, and maybe I can go viral, what do you think?

The reception was held at the brides parents home, who completely re-did their from yard to be a STUNNING venue for a ring ceremony, Italian food truck (yum!!), dessert and dancing. With a sparkler send-off to end the night, it was a happy day the bride and groom will never forget! Enjoy a few of my favorite images from Rachel & Dallas’s wedding!!

Also, if you want to see a wedding with a similar classic glam with a touch of rustic, check out Marcus & Gianna’s wedding, HERE!