Yup, you read that title right- I had the honor of photographing two weddings for two brides in San Diego, California this year! When Jocelyn and Alexis decided to celebrate their love, they knew that having two weddings in San Diego was the perfect way to honor their marriage. They chose to celebrate  a way that reflected their deep connection to family, tradition, and each other. Their unique two-part nuptials in San Diego perfectly captured their essence, blending intimate moments with a lively, unforgettable party!  

Sunset Cliffs Ceremony 

In February, Jocelyn and Alexis exchanged their vows in an intimate ceremony by the ocean at Sunset Cliffs. Surrounded only by their parents, siblings, partners, and Alexis’s niece and nephew—the ceremony was a private moment highlighting the love and support surrounding them as a couple.  It was all the more special when the two brides shared that they decided to involve every attendee during the celebration! The couple included both a traditional  a tea ceremony and sake ceremony. While sharing the tea and sake with their loved ones, Alexis and Jocelyn took a moment to express gratitude for each person present. They  read personalized letters to each family member, expressing their appreciation and sharing cherished memories. Along with these heartfelt letters, Jocelyn and Alexis gifted each attendee a framed photo collage, a beautiful memento of their shared experiences over the years. 

During the ceremony, their family had a chance to respond and speak words of affirmation, love and encouragement. I’ve never seen a wedding ceremony like this before. I cannot express how unique and special this all was! Watching the couple interact personally with each guest was memorable and really created a space that was unified. At the start of the ceremony, the sky was overcast, but at one point as I captured the sunset and the couple on the cliffs, the sun broke out through the clouds and it casted the most perfect soft pink light on them– it was the icing on the cake of a perfect day. 

San Diego Wedding Celebration 

Several months later, Jocelyn and Alexis hosted a second, summertime celebration at The Lane, a gorgeous waterfront venue in San Diego. This event was a complete contrast to their intimate ceremony, with about 150 guests joining in to celebrate their love. It was a warm and breezy July day, and the couple opted for a more modern and edgy look, both wearing stunning all-white outfits. Such a fun fashion moment for these two! 

Wedding Portraits 

We started the day off with some fun portraits to capture the joy! The ladies sported bridal sunglasses adding a playful touch to the photos. It was super fun to photograph them exploring the venue, chatting and taking in the views. Tucked away inside The Lane, Jocelyn and Alexis relaxed in the pink bridal suite while we waited for everyone to arrive. Then, the family joined and we got some amazing photos of them all together and dressed up. 

The Lane Grand Entrance

As the guests arrived for cocktail hour, they were greeted with custom heart-shaped sunglasses and a playful sign that read “don’t be blinded by our love!” The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Jocelyn and Alexis’s grand entrance. Months before the wedding, they had hired a professional choreographer to create a special dance routine. Their entrance, set to “Finesse” by Bruno Mars, was a real showstopper. The crowd was having a blast and enjoying the lively performance. It was a surprise element that set the tone for the evening, energizing everyone!  Following their dance, guests were invited to join the couple on the dance floor, which was so fantastic!  The evening continued with sunset photos by the water, toasts, cake cutting, and the traditional money dance. The love and support was felt all around the couple!

Jocelyn and Alexis’s Review

“Erin—as both a photographer and as a human being—leads with light, love, and authenticity. From the first video greeting, there was never a moment of discomfort with her. She offered support and guidance from her experience when we needed it most. At times, she even operated as our last-minute therapist over FaceTime!

Her work is uniquely story-driven. The secretly shared looks, the spontaneous reactions, the one moment of courage from your dancing uncle—your immortalized memories will be captured in a way no one would think possible. No need to worry about costs here: her generosity with her photography packages far surpasses your financial investment.

The digitals were absolutely stunning; on the day we received our gallery, we laughed and cried as we relived the night. You can really hear the laughter and music in each frame—without the need for over saturation or heavy editing. And even the film photos we received were beautiful and encapsulated such a modern moment through a classic lens.

Somehow, she was able to find all the spontaneous moments throughout the venue and throughout the night. Going through our own gallery, we were thinking to ourselves: ‘How did she magically teleport from here to there and manage to catch both dad laughing and mom crying at the same time?!’ And how is Erin able to catch the natural light? It’s because her glowing spirit itself emanates the brightness you need—both through the camera and through her positive, passionate energy.

This is our love letter to you, Erin. We can only hope more lovely people find their way to you.”

Career Highlight

One of the most engaging parts of my work is watching the dynamic ways couples choose to celebrate their marriage. Everyone is different, and I find it inspiring when people choose a unique path for their wedding. Two weddings for two brides in San Diego, California was definitely a career highlight. Apart from the creativity Jocelyn and Alexis shared with their loved ones through both of these wedding celebrations, I got a front row seat to the kindness and intentionality these two beautiful humans embody. What a huge blessing to meet this couple and share their story!

Want some more inspo for planning your own unique wedding experience? Check out this recent elegant Orange County Wedding. If you’re looking to hire a unique wedding photographer in San Diego and beyond, I’d LOVE to be a part of making this moment special! Check out my instagram to stay up to date on recent weddings and engagements! xoxo

Vendors:

Choreographer: Marilyn Grace

Venue: The Lane, San Diego

Planner: Serene Events and Design

DJ: Ray on the Mic

Catering: Toast Catering

Florist: Made for You Flowers