San Diego Weddings

La Jolla's Historic Darlington House

2009-07-02T17:02:00.001-07:00

La Jolla has many beautiful locations for weddings, including the La Valencia Hotel, The Grand Colonial Hotel, the La Jolla Woman's Club, The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Beach and Tennis Club, and The La Jolla Country Club. Couples who want to hire their own caterers will want to consider the lovely an historic Darlington House. A historical landmark,the Darlington House was built by a railroad tycoon in 1928. Located at 7441 Olivetas, La Jolla, CA 92037.

I love working as a photographer at the Darlington House. The staff kindly reserves me a parking space, which is convenient because parking is tight in the neighborhood. The environment is interesting and diverse. And the beach is only two blocks away so if the weather is good I can walk my clients down there for some romantic shots.

Most couples choose to have both their ceremony and reception there, which means that there's no need to drive between locations, so my time is better spent taking photos. The Alhambra "Moorish" decor is very hip and provides a nice ambiance. Plus the volunteers who manage the estate are very sweet. For more information regarding having a wedding or other event at the Darlington House, please call Terri Sparks at (858) 454-7625

A Spectacular Grand Del Mar Wedding

2009-07-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

On August 8th I was thrilled to photograph the wedding of two of Del Mar's top financial planners - Chris Franke and Marly Merenda. For their special day Chris and Marla chose Southern California's newest landmark - Doug Manchester's Grand Del Mar Resort. Elegant and spacious - The Grand Del Mar looks like a monarch's palace from the renaissance. With croquet lawns and its own chapel, the Grand Del Mar cannot be overlooked. In terms of opulence it can be compared to the Ritz Carlton or the St. Regis Hotel, in Laguna.

Chris and Marly invited 125 of their best friends, clients, and family to celebrate with them. The weather was spectacular and the hosts served both ice tea and lemonaid before their ceremony on the croquet lawn. The couple had asked Mike McClenahan, the handsome minister from Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, to officiate. After the ceremony guests enjoyed cocktails on the balcony of the grand ballroom while I led the wedding party and family around the estate shooting formal portraits. The reception was fabulous, the guests enjoying martinis and a dinner of filet mignon.

Beautiful Beach Weddings in San Diego

2008-03-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

It should be no surprise that San Diego offers some of the world's most beautiful wedding locations. But what is surprising is that many of these locations, in parks, plazas, and on beaches, can cost less than $100 to use. True there are downsides, but for the price of a permit San Diego has dozens of great wedding locations. This article will discuss my experience, both positive and negative, with San Diego's outdoor (public) locations.

A quick visit to the City of San Diego's website:
http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/general-info/bestsites.shtml#weddings gives a truckload of information for anyone planning a wedding within the city limits. This includes Balboa Park and all of the cities beaches. Permits for weddings in Balboa Park are only $49. However there are other costs associated with outdoor weddings.

The first is seating. You'll need to rent a seat for each of your guests - provided they're going to sit down during the service. Pay close attention to the direction that your seats will face. You may want the ocean behind you as you exchange your vows, but at 5pm it's possible that the setting sun will completely blind your guests. Many couples angle their seating towards the southwest or northwest to minimize this problem.Classic Party Rentals is one of the most popular rental companies. Call them at (858) 496-9700.

Another often overlooked necessity is a reliable PA system. Depending on the size of your wedding most ceremonies will need a good PA system so that your guests can hear whats going on. This is especially true at the beach, because the wind and waves pretty much drown out all conversation. I recommend hiring a DJ who already owns a portable PA system and speakers, and who will be responsible for its operation.

I have photographed several beautiful beach weddings in Coronado which were impacted negatively by the military aircraft flying overhead, on approach to North Island Naval Air Station. The jet engines are ear piercing, and to make matters worse the radio communications between the jets and the tower often interfere with the PA systems used during the wedding. For this reason I highly recommend using a professional DJ who uses SHIELDED wiring in his system. The audio/visual staff at the Hotel Del Coronado use this type of wire and they have no problems.

A tent is often an intelligent thing to set up for outdoor weddings - even if it's not cloudy or raining. The sun can be quite powerful and a tent or shelter can shield your guests from its power. A podium will greatly help your minister, and it also establishes the "altar" area where you and your fiance will exchange vows.

Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Wedding

2007-11-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

My clients Casey Brush and Matt Sousa recently tied the knot at one of San Diego's hidden treasures, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Built in 1924, the Inn is rich in history and tradition and is an excellent example of Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture. The lush, twenty-three-acre property has winding pathways dotted with Spanish-tiled cottages and is anchored by an original historic main building with a richly appointed living room and cozy bar.

I started photographing the girls as they prepared themselves in the Croquet Cottage, which is right next to the Croquet Lawn where the wedding ceremony was being held. It was great hanging out with Casey, her young bridesmaids, and both mothers, as they helped Casey get into her wedding dress. It's always more fun to photograph women getting dressed than men. Men do not help each other while they're dressing. But for women it's like a party. I recently arrived at a bride's suite at the Hotel Del, and the bride and her friends were drinking Champagne and watching Spongebob Squarepants on a wall-sized flatscreen TV. Men would never do that!

At 5 pm Mr. Brush escorted his lovely daughter down the aisle. The 100 or so guests whipped out their digital cameras, cellphone cameras, video cameras, iPods, tripods, monopods, sauropods, and every type of disposable camera. Then they jumped up to capture the bride being walked down the aisle. But I was prepared for all of that. Every successful wedding photographer has to cope with other people taking pictures. Every guest with a new photo gadget has to try them out at their friend's weddings. I once had a bus load of Japanese tourists run over and surround my bride and groom while I was shooting their portraits. The Japanese were thrilled with this big opportunity. They smiled, bowed, and then took hundreds of photos of the lucky couple. I grabbed a couple of them and had them pose with the bride and groom. It was hilarious.

Anyway Casey and Matt's ceremony was under a giant tree on the Croquet Lawn. It was a very religious affair, with both the minister, the groom's father, and grandfather delivering sermons. It was great that the family participated in the proceedings. An artist had been hired and he was busily sketching on his canvas, the oils to be added during the reception.

Afterwards the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed cocktails on the Azalea Lawn. The dinner was served in the Azalea Ballroom, which was beautifully appointed. The artist's large canvas was displayed and everyone loved it, since it showed the couple being married beneath the Inn's beautiful tree.

• Contact the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe at (858) 756-1131
• Contact photographer Robert Marcos at (760) 504-4787

Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church

2007-10-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

Founded in 1906, Mary Star of the Sea is La Jolla's most charming Catholic church. Located at the corner of Girard Avenue and Kline, the church is right downtown and is conveniently accessed. The sanctuary feels light and welcoming. An interesting abstract of the virgin Mary dominates the altar and overhead an array of large wooden beams crisscross the ceiling.

Photographers are happy to find that the church has more relaxed photography regulations than other churches. However the priest performing the ceremony always has the final say in such matters. As an experienced wedding photographer I have photographed a dozen or more weddings at Mary Star of the Sea. The church and its staff are lovely and accommodating. After the ceremony it's a short walk to La Jolla's most popular reception sites; the La Jolla Womans Club, the La Valencia Hotel, the Grand Colonial Hotel, the La Jolla Cove Suites, the La Jolla Country Club, and the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art.

Mary Star Of The Sea Catholic Church
Pastor: Msgr. Edward Lyng
Address: 7669 Girard Avenue, La Jolla 92037-4480

Phone: (858) 454-2631
Website : www.marystarlajolla.org
Email: marystarlajolla.org

Daily Mass: M-F 8 am
Sunday Mass: Sat. 5, 6:30 pm (in Spanish)

A La Quinta Resort Wedding

2007-10-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

La Quinta is a cute desert community about 30 minutes to the east of Palm Springs. Surrounded on three sides by the Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta is the home of the La Quinta Resort and Club, PGA West, Traditions, and other exclusive clubs. I know a lot about the area because I bought a house there three years ago when real estate prices had skyrocketed on the coast.

I found the La Quinta Resort and Club to be more of a sanctuary than a golf club. It is tranquil and serene. They have private bungalows similar to those found at the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles. The resort is sprawling, and includes a five-star hotel, condominiums, timeshares, and private homes. I would guess that it's about three miles square. And it backs up into the mountains on two sides so it enjoys a high level of privacy.

I was hired last year by Ron and Linda Cohn, restauranteurs from San Diego, to photograph their son Jeremy's wedding. The Cohns are a lovely and generous family who could have chosen any location in the world for their son's wedding, but they chose the La Quinta Resort. They brought some of San Diego's best talent out, including Kathy Wright of Kathy Wright & Company florals, and Randy Stubbs of Silver Star Video. About 150 black-tied wedding guests attended the traditional Jewish ceremony, which according to Jewish tradition couldn't begin until the sun had set behind the mountains. The reception was held in the Frank Capra ballroom, which was lavishly decorated by Kathy Wright. I was almost overwhelmed by the rich colors. Each table had a big "tree" of flowers coming out of a three-foot square patch of trimmed wheatgrass. The live band played until midnight, and the guests enjoyed a 5-star dinner prepared by the catering staff of the La Quinta Resort.

• For more information please contact the resort's catering staff at (760) 564-5773 (or) by email: weddings@laquintaresort.com

• Photographer Robert Marcos (760) 504-4787

• Florist Kathy Wright at (619) 299-2520

Mark & Kim's La Valencia Wedding

2007-07-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I photographed a terrific wedding at La Jolla's crown jewel, the La Valencia Hotel. Since their lavish opening in 1928, the hotel has attracted the wealthy and celebrated. Many of their autographed pictures hang to this day in a alcove just off the main lobby. But famous or not, present day visitors to the hotel enter as guests, and leave as devotees.

The wedding of Mark Colton and Kim Salicos (a Jennifer Aniston look-alike), was stylishly coordinated by Diane Kern. It was a midday affair, so I arrived in the bride's suite at 10:00 am. I met everyone and I went right to work photographing the girls having their makeup and hair done. Historically I've been terrible with morning shoots, but the girls were having so much fun, watching cartoons and drinking champagne, that I couldn't help but get charged up from their energy, (not to mention Kim running around the room naked).

Kim had told me during our consultation that she hates having to smile, or rather, she hates her smile. Although tremendously attractive she maintains a "poker" face at all times - except when she's laughing. We talked about this and I told her that I would encourage her to relax by taking deep breaths. I also knew from experience that she would be better off photographed spontaneously, in other words not posed. This turned out to be the case.

Although it was foggy all day long, the hotel's garden was blooming with geraniums and bouganvilla. So there was no lack of color. David Cannon, the videographer and I were grateful for the cloudy weather, because it provided soft diffused light and kept the temperature down. At weddings, men are always hot and women are always cold. It's the attire we have to wear, women in light silky things and men in heavy black tuxedos.

At 11:00 am Mark and Kim met to exchange gifts. Mark gave Kim a diamond necklace. Kim gave Mark silver cufflinks - something he desperately needed since his shirtsleeves were dangling outside of his tuxedo jacket. We took few romantic pictures then I ran down to the garden to prepare for the 11:30 ceremony. I love the La Valencia for it's charm and old world charisma. The hotel garden was packed when I arrived. It was a struggle but I managed to shoot some dramatic panoramas of the ceremony from the restaurant's overhead balcony, (something I knew about from experience). However I was not able to shoot the couple straight-on since the minister had them turned towards him, and there wasn't an inch of space for me to reposition myself, (without disturbing the ceremony). So I settled for long telephoto shots of the sides of my client's heads as the recited their vows.

This illustrates a common problem. "Should the photographer disrupt the ceremony in order to capture a once-in-a-lifetime photograph"? Many photographers do, and they are blacklisted from many churches because of it. I do not, but I understand and agree with the motives of those that do. It's my opinion that nothing should disrupt the sanctity of a wedding ceremony, and my opinion has been tempered by many negative experiences. Nothing ever goes perfectly but I feel that's it's my job to help things flow as smoothly as possible, and to help the ceremony by shooting as silently as possible.

After Mark and Kim's kiss we gathered the relatively few relatives and shot some group formals. As quickly as I could I moved to a more intimate spot on a terracotta walkway, under a long palm branch. I let the palm arch across the top of each shot, to add a little asymmetry. The other nice thing about walkways is that they're narrow, so the people in the shots really have to get into tight groups.

Since it was lunchtime my clients nixed the traditional cocktail reception and had their guests walk directly into the Veranda Room where the buffet would be served. Spencer our DJ was set up and he was playing the Rolling Stones - apparently our client's choice since a DJ would NEVER plays rock music during lunch.

At 3pm the affair ended and Kim, Mark, and I walked down to the La Jolla Cove for some romantic shots at the beach. It was my favorite time of the day because we were free of the crowd and I was able to choreograph some spectacular shots of the couple on the rocks above the ocean. They were a handsome couple and very much in love. They reminded me of why I love being a wedding photographer.

• The La Valencia Hotel is located at 1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla, California, 92037. Telephone (858) 454-0771

• Diane Kern of Exclusive Designs and Events may be reached at (858) 485-6843

• Photographer Robert Marcos can be reached at (760) 504-4787

A Founder's Chapel Ceremony and Estancia La Jolla Reception

2007-06-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

Newlyweds Hope Wilson and Dave Cronkhite recently tied the knot at one of San Diego's most revered churches, Founder's Chapel on the University of San Diego campus. In 1954 the chapel was completed and the altar was consecrated. The beautiful chapel features a white Botticino marble altar and matching altar rail from Italy, gold leaf on the ornamental wall – the reredos – behind the altar, 14 stained-glass nave windows and a rose-white Tennessee marble floor. It is quite breathtaking, and it conveys an strong sense of religious sanctity.

My clients asked me to shoot a combination of spontaneous and traditional styles. And since Hope had majored in cinematography, she asked me to shoot with film cameras instead of digital. It was fortunate that I still had some film cameras so it wasn't much of a problem. Afterwards however I spent a lot of time and money having the negatives scanned so that I could create the magazine style album the couple wanted. I also found that scanning the negatives exaggerated the film grain, which I found unattractive. Although I only crossed over to digital two years ago, I am now quite enamored with it.

After a moving ceremony and full mass, the couple jumped into Hope's dad's restored 1965 Mustang and drove to Estancia La Jolla, for their cocktail reception and dinner. The Estancia is a new ranch-style hotel just west of UCSD on Torrey Pines Road. It's high-end and stylish in a western dude-ranch kind of way. I think the hotel's designers knew that the Blackhorse stables had originally occupied the land that the hotel was built upon.

After a delicious dinner the band The Pelicans entertained everyone. Coordinator Kristin Garuba from Pink Papaya did a fabulous job of organizing, almost invisibly behind-the-scenes. Kristin can be reached at (858) 842-1202. For information regarding weddings at Founder's Chapel please contact Darlene Polak at (619)260-2229 or mpolak@sandiego.edu. For information regarding having a wedding at Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa please call (858) 550-1000

A Contemporary Wedding at the Prado

2007-06-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to have photographed the wedding of Julie Delahunt and Olin Lewin at San Diego's historic Prado. All wedding photographers love the Prado. Situated in the middle of San Diego's Balboa Park, A model of Spanish architecture, the Prado has a relaxed environment and ample parking - two rarities in our modern metropolis. In the courtyard a fountain dribbles. Candles lit at dusk enhance the atmosphere--reminding you of the time you and your fiancée sipped sangria at a romantic spot in Madrid.

Wedding ceremonies are typically held in the Casa De Rey Morro Garden, more popularly known as the Wishing Well. This area is adjacent to the main building on the south side. There is seating for about 200 guests on two levels. Smaller weddings can simply use the lower area and still maintain a sense of intimacy. My clients had 120 guests. They put their family members close by on the lower level and friends on the top. Ministers familiar with the Prado will stop talking long enough for the airplanes landing at Lindbergh Field to pass by. Having a major airport nearby is both a blessing and a curse.

After their ceremony, my clients and their wedding party walked to the Organ Pavilion for formal portraits. We returned in time to enjoy the cocktail reception, which was already underway in the romantic courtyard. San Diego’s Prado boasts an impressive main ballroom. Spacious and richly appointed, it can seat as many as 300 guests. They also have two smaller ballrooms available. The Alhambra Room on the south side of the building, and the quaint and lovely Loggia Room on the west.

• Contact the Prado’s Catering Sales staff at (619) 557-9441

• Photographer Robert Marcos may be reached at (760) 504-4787

A Stylish Reception at The El Cortez

2007-06-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

After a very private wedding ceremony at the LDS Temple in La Jolla, newlyweds Mandy Circuit and Ryan Murphy met several hundred of their guests at San Diego's famous El Cortez. Built at as hotel in 1927, the El Cortez was not only San Diego's tallest building, it also had the world's first outdoor glass elevator. As a child growing up in the 1960's I remember watching Navy officers and their dates rising up in the elevator on their way to swanky cocktail parties in the hotel's top floors. The El Cortez can accommodate from 20 to 375 persons, in stylish ambiance. The outdoor “urban” Terrace with wood-burning fireplace is the perfect spot for guests to mingle over a cocktail, and seasoned party-goers delight with our mild San Diego weather under a canopy in front of the fireplace to later join in the Don Room and dance the night away.

Mandy, my client, had designed her own wedding dress. She chose not to have bridesmaids, but instead asked her sisters to wear dresses in a limited pallet - only reds, purples, and chocolate colors. Family friend and florist Darice Westwood created floral arrangements using the same pallete for the expansive El Cortez ballroom. With the ballroom's ornate ceiling and Darice's colorful arrangements, the room was breathtaking. Outside the guests sipped pear ciders and enjoyed appetizers of Poke Cucumbers filled with Hawaiian Bluefin tuna, and butternut squash soup shots. Mandy's mother LouAnn put the final touches on a table of favors - a dozen tall glass flutes filled with red M&M's, Red Hots, gumballs, jawbreakers, jellybeans, and chocolate-covered red cherries from Harry & David's in Fashion Valley. The guests filed into the ballroom past a long table covered with dozens of beautifully framed family photos - Mandy and Ryan's way of honoring their families.

A young jazz trio jammed away as the guests entered the ballroom found their seats. Caterer Kathy Koenig of Culinary Concepts had prepared a sumptuous dinner. Guests were served Kentucky Limestone lettuce salad topped with figs and pecans, with artisan rolls and honey butter. And the entree was Mustard-crusted Sea Bass and Black Pepper Herb-crusted steak, mashed potato demi cups topped with sweet potato and carmelized onions, and Haricot Verts (green beans). Instead of coffee the guests enjoyed a hot chocolate station. After such a private ceremony the bride and groom wanted to relax and converse with family and friends. Gone were traditions such as dancing, a garter and bouquet toss, etc., although after dinner toasts were made and the couple cut a handsome chocolate cake. As the romantic evening came to an end, I overheard some guests commenting on what a lovely and special evening it had been. I couldn't have agreed more. Mandy's mother LouAnn also mentioned to me how impressed she was with Kathi Skillman, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Events for the El Cortez, and with Kathi's excellent staff - especially Nicholas the doorman.

If you're interested in having an event at the El Cortez please call Kathi Skillman at (619) 338-8338 x109

• Contact photographer Robert Marcos at (760) 504-4787

• Contact Culinary Concepts catering at (858) 530-1885

A Hotel Del Coronado Wedding

2007-06-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

As a San Diego wedding photographer I'm fortunate to have photographed over twenty weddings at the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Recently I was asked to photograph professional race horse trainer Bob Baffert's wedding to ESPN anchor Jill Moss. The couple met at the Kentucky Derby. (Mr. Baffert's horses has won three). Judging by the quantity of limousines out front the couple knew a lot of wealthy and charismatic people. In fact there were almost 300 guests on hand for the gorgeous ceremony, which was held outside on the beautiful Windsor Lawn.

It was sunny and warm and florist Kathy Wright had spread thousands of red rose petals down the entire length of the aisle, which contrasted richly with the green lawn and white chairs. I've often told people that it's easy to take beautiful wedding pictures - you just put beautiful subjects in front of beautiful backgrounds. But clearly this was a beautiful wedding. The ceremony was performed by Mike Mitschke, and afterwards, as my assistant photographed the cocktail reception the wedding party followed me to the beach. We walked just far enough out into the sand to get the Del's red tower in the background. I had my clients relax, then I used the afternoon sun to light them. I hurried because the Bafferts wanted to meet their guests during their cocktail reception.

I'd like to mention that any couple who's planning a wedding should consider just where and when they'll meet their guests, (obviously more of an issue for larger weddings). But consider for a moment just how far some of your guests have traveled. They've brought some very nice gifts for you. Every invited guest deserves to be acknowledged for at least a few moments. Will you meet them in a receiving line, during cocktails, or during the reception? Your photographer will be keenly interested in knowing if you want to visit each table during dinner, because he won't be able to eat!

The Baffert's reception was in the Hotel Del's Grand Ballroom. It was richly decorated by Kathy Wright, with assistance from the event coordinator Helen Walker and her daughter Victoria Schroeder, of San Diego Coronado Weddings. Each table was named for a famous race horse, (Seabiscuit, Secretariat), and had a pool of light focused directly onto it from the ceiling, (electricians can do this). Helen had replaced the standard chairs with more expensive white chevalets. And Kathy Wright had created mountains of light-colored floral arrangements for the tables, and once again had spread thousands of red rose petals over the entire elevated cake area. Next to the cake were three life-sized race horses made of ice. The Del is also known to have cocktail bars made of ice - perfect for vodka!

After a four-course dinner Mr. Baffert climbed onto the stage. He plugged an electric guitar in and played three AC/DC songs with the band. It was the highlight of the evening and his guests went wild.

From a photographer's perspective the Hotel Del Coronado has a variety of attractive locations. Here are a few of my favorite spots for photographing people:

• The Garden - I love to have the Bouganvilla blurred behind my subjects.
• The Vista Walk - excellent for afternoon portraits with the Del's red tower behind.
• The Windor Lawn - not in direct sun but under the giant coral tree they have there
• The beach – the best time is just after sunset, looking back towards the Del’s tower.

The Hotel Del Coronado has seven terrific ballrooms, in order of capacity; The Grand Ballroom has 650 person capacity. The Crown Room; 420. The Carousel Room; 170. The Coronet Room; 130. The Windsor Cottage; 130. The Garden Room; 80. The Windsor Complex; 70.

• Contact the Hotel Del’s Catering Sales department at (619) 522-8435.
• Coordinator Victoria Schroeder of San Diego Coronado Weddings at (619) 435-1531.
• Florist Kathy Wright of Kathy Wright & Company at (619) 299-2520.
• Photographer Robert Marcos at (760) 504-4787.

A Wedding at the Catalina Casino

2007-06-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

I just returned from photographing a wedding at the historic Casino on Catalina Island. Although I've photographed several weddings in Catalina, this was my first time at the Casino, and it was a very memorable experience.

The Casino in Catalina has been the focal point of Santa Catalina Island entertainment and culture since it opened in 1929. Dominating the Avalon landscape from its regal perch along the harbor, the casino exemplifies the style and romance of Catalina Island. Restored to its original condition, the Art Deco, circular icon is a stunning reminder of Catalina’s glorious past. Completely restored just a few years ago, the ballroom retains its original romantic style--a lavish medley of rose-hued walls, an arching, fifty-foot ceiling with five Tiffany chandeliers, an elevated stage, raised seating areas around the dance floor, and a vintage, full-service bar in back.

My wedding clients were from Manhattan Beach. They loved the classic "roaring twenties" feel of the casino, and the rich historic feel of the place. There's dozens of photographs in a gallery on the Mezzanine level showing celebrities singing, dancing, and generally just having a great time in Catalina - pretty much the same way people feel now. Couples who have their weddings in Catalina get the feeling that they're off somewhere exotic, even though Avalon is just a 90 minute ferryboat ride from the mainland. It's a destination wedding without the trouble of having to fly to another country.

After attending your wedding, your family and friends can can go shopping, hike, look for buffalo, visit the Wrigley Memorial, or skin and scuba dive in the island’s crystal-clear water.

• For more information about weddings or events in Catalina please call Meghan Muat at (310) 510-7497.

• Photographer Robert Marcos can be reached at (760) 504-4787

The Value of a Well-Chosen Wedding Location

2007-06-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

As a photographer, people often ask me if photographing weddings is difficult. I tell them that it's easy to take beautiful pictures when you have beautiful clients in a beautiful setting. Of course that answer assumes that you have beautiful clients and beautiful settings, when in fact many times settings aren't beautiful. Or perhaps the setting is beautiful but it's a nightmare for a photographer, (like a windy, white sandy beach at high noon).

Occasionally my clients will ask for my advice about their ceremony or reception layout. Meaning that they've already selected the locations, but they're looking for input regarding which direction their guests will face during the ceremony. If I'm familiar with the location I'll probably suggest that the chairs be positioned so that the wedding guests aren't facing the sun. This would also benefit the photographer since they don't have to shoot into the sun.

I like to pretend that I understand something about Fung Shui, when in fact I do not. However I do understand how people move into and out of an area. So I'm giving advice about a ceremony or reception room layout I'll always consider the human flow of traffic. Where the guests will enter, where the bride and groom will enter, how the lighting is on the altar area, etc. As a photographer I want my photographs to be attractive, and for that to happen my clients and their guests must be comfortable.

Another very important consideration is how easily can your guests find the ceremony and reception sites, and park? I've had clients who selected a reception site that was an hour from the church. Not at all convenient for their out-of-town family and friends who didn't know the region. My feeling is that considerate couples will take into account all the factors that their guests will encounter, are there nice hotels in the area?, good restaurants? Is the ceremony site in the same general area as the rehersal dinner? Etc. Many couples are now creating websites which provide all the important details their guests can use. Airlines they can book flights with, rental cars agencies, hotels, etc. I think this is very considerate and will help their guests feel more comfortable and welcomed.