Rancho Santa Fe Wedding: Morgan and Mario, Part Two

Part I of Morgan and Mario's Rancho Sante Fe wedding began with an afternoon of transformation into a bride and groom and a beautiful ceremony under trees. Post ceremony, Morgan and Mario's bridal party gathered for a few photos as did the bride and groom before joining guests at an epic cocktail hour.

Their outdoor reception was beyond stunning. To start, look at the head table!

This Rancho Sante Fe home has a large lemon grove on property, so it was only appropriate to have lemons incorporated into the table details. Also, please note (and prepare to drool over) the table top menus: guests were treated to a mac and cheese bar, taco station, short ribs and salad! 

As the sun set, casting a gorgeous magic hour, guests settled into their seats to begin the evening's festivities. Once again, congratulations, Morgan and Mario! May this ranch be the home to many more memories to come!

All photos taken as a second shooter for Topher Riley.

Rancho Santa Fe Wedding: Morgan and Mario, Part One

Morgan and Mario's love story is simple: one sunny San Diego day, Mario's friends invited Morgan's friends - Morgan included - all over to hang out at Mario's mother's home in Rancho Sante Fe. Little did they know that the place where they met and laughed all night for the first time would be the same place where they would eventually marry. 

Morgan's choice of wedding day shoes had me looking like the emoji with the two heart eyes: she would walk down the isle wearing her Valentino rockstud metallic sandals and later change into lace Chuck Taylors. Comfort meets major style!

A shout out to Morgan's bridesmaids who also donned majorly stylish footwear!

With help from her Mom and after a mini first look with her Dad, Morgan was wedding ready and stood as a stunning bride.

While Gorda, Morgan and Mario's ten year old English bulldog, happily hung out in the bridal suite, Mario and his groomsmen ensured they were well hydrated before the ceremony.

Morgan's Father happily walked her down the path from the ranch's main building to the outdoor ceremony held under three gorgeous trees and surrounded by all of Morgan and Mario's loved ones.

Mario was ready to make this happen, Gorda was ready to have her parents formally united, and quite evident from Morgan's facial expressions below, she was ecstatic to marry her soulmate.

Congratulations Morgan and Mario! Part II of their wedding is the next featured blog post.

All photos were taken as a second shooter to Topher Riley.

Coronado Family Portraits: The Valles

Alejandro and Suzette Valle, parents to two smart young adults, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary as well as had their daughter in town from New York City: this marriage milestone and full nest created the ideal time to have family photos taken near their home in Coronado, San Diego. We began our session in front of the iconic Hotel del Coronado and moved onto the beach as sunset approached.

I absolutely loved that they wanted to incorporate their 'third child' Bella into the family photos, because pets are absolutely family too!

Thank you Suzette for organizing this shoot for your beautiful family and cheers to another 25 years of marriage!

La Jolla Family Portraits: Jennifer, Nolan, & Daughters

Chill, fun, and amazingly sweet is how I would describe Jennifer, Nolan, and their beautiful daughters, all visiting San Diego for the first time on a summer getaway from Indiana! Windansea Beach in La Jolla made the ideal backdrop for their portraits where I loved bonding with the girls over our mutual adoration of ice cream, playing soccer, and also being one of two sisters. Even post shoot, I cannot get over the girls' adorable boots and dresses: can I please get one of each in size adult? :) 

Pala Mesa Resort Wedding: Erica and Mike, Part II

Part I of Erica and Mike's San Diego Wedding began with champagne and a beautiful ceremony. Here, a showcase of of their gorgeous wedding reception at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook.

Erica and Mike danced the night away with their friends and family. Congratulations you two, and I hope you enjoy your Italian honeymoon!

All images taken as second photographer on behalf of Megan Plenge of Megan Ann Photography.