For this Leo Carillo Ranch wedding the story starts with a couple who I was meeting for the first time on the wedding day. While this is not usual it happens every now and then with out of town couples who have busy schedules and have their coordinator set up everything for them. The contract, the schedule, the photography shot list all was handled by their wedding coordinator so we really did not get a chance to get to know each other during the wedding planning process. All of that is totally fine, but the one thing that it does not allow us to do is to build comfort with each other as we approach the wedding. So on the day of the wedding it’s hard to tell what to expect.
It was exciting to finally meet them on the wedding day. From the moment I met them I could tell that it was going to be a great day. Veronica and Vanessa are awesome, they are the types of girls that I could see my self getting along with. When I walked in to the getting ready rooms I could feel a very happy environment but at the same time very cool, calm and relaxed. I’ve had those same words used to describe me, so it was a total fit.
Their wedding party was also great. I could feel the connections between the wedding party members. They could have just met that weekend like so many wedding parties do when people gather from different times in the couples lives. But I could not tell either way, because they were hanging and interacting with each other like they knew each other forever.
From the start of their wedding day, I knew it was going to be an awesome day.
Lakehouse Hotel Wedding Prep
They chose the Lakehouse Hotel and Resort in San Marcos to get ready at. This was my second time there in a year and I love that place for getting ready photos. The rooms have big windows to let lots of nice light in, white ceilings and grey walls that help with the light and provide a modern looking backdrop. The decor outside is also very cool and it was great to be able to take both dresses and hang them side by side.
One of my favorite times in the wedding day is when they are hanging out in the getting ready rooms. This is when they get to be with those close friends and family members. There are always really sweet moments during prep like the way that they looked at the brides as the dresses went on and they put on those final details. To me these moments can be as important as any other moments during the wedding day. They are the moments that things start to feel real. Take a look at the way Veronica’s maid of honor looked at her when she was in her dress. The look says it all.
Wedding timeline planning was key to keeping them on time. For their wedding, they did not request a second shooter. Having just my self cover the wedding is totally fine, but there have to be some things adjusted in the timeline to make sure that I can cover the things requested. When having two brides with two dresses, this means double the prep time. I am glad that their wedding planner worked the timeline and gave me the the time I needed to get all of those great getting ready moments.
Leo Carillo Ranch Wedding Venue
Their wedding venue was ridiculously beautiful. They chose Leo Carillo Ranch as their ceremony and reception venue. It’s a historic park in the city of Carlsbad that features abobe buildings, windmills, horse stables, lots of trees and even peacocks that roam free and are not shy at all.
The weather could not have been nicer for their ceremony. That day it was warm, but we had a cloud cover that kept the guests cool and comfortable during it. This was specially important since they had an hour long ceremony officiated by Father Thomas Abel. He made sure to include a lot of religious traditions as well as some great story telling. The backdrop of the tree and the peacocks moving freely through the ceremony made for a beautiful background for some emotional moments. I loved the moment that Veronica looked at Vanessa for the first time and she had to cover her eyes as the emotion set in.
There were so many great moments in their wedding day that it was hard to narrow down the photos for this post. One of my favorite unplanned moments was when I had the wedding party walking for a photo and the peacocks decided to get in it as well. I could not have planned that if I had expert animal handlers on site. It’s one of my favorite wedding party photos I’ve ever taken. I also loved to look at the way Veronica and Vanessa were together. I think you can really feel their connection by just taking a look at how they interacted in their wedding portraits.
I could not have been happier to be there for their wedding. It was such a happy and beautiful day. I am so glad that they chose me as their photographer and that I was able to be there to capture those moments.
Vendors that made their wedding day a success include:
Wedding Planning: Amy June Weddings and Events
Florist: Tessfresh Flowers
Catering: I Love Tacos Catering
Cake: Edelweiss European Bakery
Hair and Makeup: Jaime Lake Weddings
Rentals: Affairs Party Rentals
Transportation: Uber
Wedding Prep Venue: Lakehouse Hotel and Resort
Wedding Ceremony and Reception Venue: Leo Carillo Ranch
DJ: Sage Productions
Officiant: Father Thomas Abel
