LDS Mormon Temple, La Jolla Wedding: Sage & Tad

Sage and Tad, both students at Brigham Young University, shared classes and lived in the same apartment complex before realizing they wanted to be more than classmates and neighbors. Attending school in Utah brought them together, so it was only appropriate that a hike up Angels Landing at Zion National Park would set the stage for their engagement.  Sage knew Tad was going to propose because she could see the ring box through a hole in his pocket, but she admitted that she was happy to have a heads up or she would have fallen off of the mountain from excitement and joy!

Sage's family is based in San Diego so the couple opted to have their sealing, or Temple marriage, at the San Diego California Temple in La Jolla, followed by portraits at Marian Bear Park and a reception at Sage's parent's home.

Sage and Tad, I absolutely enjoyed documenting your special day. The sweet interactions between you two make it quite evident how much in love you are, and I hope your New York City honeymoon was amazing! -E

After their grand exit from the Temple, Sage wanted bridal portraits to be at a nature-filled location, and Marian Bear Park was the perfect answer to her request!

Tad is quite the chivalrous guy: throughout our entire photo session, he ensured to always carry the end of Sage's wedding dress to avoid it getting dirty. I loved that he knew this was important to Sage and gladly helped.

I mean, look at him graciously helping his bride down the hill! Tad: an example gentleman! Sage: the sweetest bride! 

To wrap up the day, friends and family gathered at Sage's parents house to celebrate and share in the cutting of this wedding cake topped with a mini-replica of La Jolla's LDS Mormon Temple.

Once again, congratulations Sage and Tad! 

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.

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.

Pala Mesa Resort Wedding: Erica and Mike, Part I

Erica and Mike met online, and on their second date is when Mike knew Erica was the one: for a guy who admits that he isn't much of a talker, he felt at extreme ease in conversation with her. Fast forward to a lovely day in May, perfect for a San Diego wedding, where lead photographer Megan and I photographed Erica and Mike wed at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook.

Before the ceremony, Erica surprised Mike with something more than just her wedding dress...

Erica surprised Mike with a bag full of gifts, including a heart felt card, a cupcake, bride and groom glasses, and a bottle of champagne that they popped immediately after their first look. Bubbly for the win!

These two say they are the ying to the other's yang, but they stood as one solid, so-in-love couple during their bride and groom portrait session.

Cheers! Their first glass of champagne as husband and wife! Stayed tuned for Part 2 of Erica and Mike's wedding on the blog tomorrow!

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