Jane and Robert are a match made in heaven. Their friends and family expressed that they couldn’t believe what a perfect match they were and were so happy they found each other. They both work in law enforcement, are career-driven, family-oriented, and have the biggest smiles, and absolutely radiate joy and gratitude. They’ve been together a little under two years but, as Jane told me on the day of, “When you know, you know”.
The weather was perfect for a perfect fall wedding. Maya and I started our day at the gorgeous Inn at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano. It’s a stunning hotel to have as a backdrop for getting ready photos. I love anything mission-inspired; the warm tones and natural elements are always a classic backdrop for wedding photographs. They also perfectly complimented the Mexican theme of the wedding. Jane got dressed and ready in her room and we started photographing details in the lobby. We then photographed her getting ready in her gorgeous, slinky yet elegant, satin and lace wedding gown. Jane also wanted photos of her and Robert reading their vows to each other so we did a first touch, not a first look, just the first touch where they exchanged their vows in privacy and were able to be in the moment of their emotion without having to read their vows publicly. I found a beautiful pillar at the Mission Inn where they could hold hands without seeing each other. Since their wedding was a large affair in a big beautiful basilica they were not going to be able to read their vows. After their first touch, we headed straight to the Basilica at the Mission to photograph the ceremony.
For anyone who has visited the mission in San Juan Capistrano, you know that the Basilica is absolutely stunning. The large arches are a beautiful and classic backdrop to a wedding. Their ceremony was beautiful and although there were many people there it felt intimate and cozy. After the ceremony, we headed straight to the mission at San Juan Capistrano to photograph the formals. We started with the family and then followed up with the pictures of the bridesmaids and groomsmen at the mission. Afterward, we ended with photos of just Jane and Robert.
Although I could have easily photographed there for at least two more hours we still got a beautiful amount of varied photos in the small amount of time that we had. We got to walk all around the mission, one of my favorite locations, and got some gorgeous photos. It is a beautiful site full of history and it was even decorated for the upcoming Christmas season. Following the ceremony and the photos we went to San Juan Hills Golf Club for the reception.
The golf club was absolutely gorgeous I loved all the twinkly lights in the background. There was a lake with a little waterfall and the service was spectacular. The reception again had that Mission feel with twinkle lights in the backdrop. We got there a little after sunset but still managed in just a few more photographs. We got to ride around in the golf carts to get to the perfect photo spots and even had someone from the golf club personally assist us which was amazing.
The sun was practically set (photographers’ around the country mourn daylight savings time) so the lighting wasn’t the best but we made it work and set up multiple flashes. I mean how can you go wrong with such a gorgeous couple?! The details were unique and colorful full of the couple’s personality. Everything was well thought out. They DIY’d their colorful terracotta guest gifts and added cork underneath the boutique tiles to make them coasters. The cake was super adorable with their two Frenchies taking a bite from the cake. The florals were spectacular from the bride’s bouquet to the bridesmaid’s bouquet to the centerpieces. The colors were explosive yet elegant and fall-inspired. They even had an entire pan-dulce setup with coffee for an after-dinner treat and Maya confirmed that it was super tasty. The cake was vanilla and raspberry and chocolate and raspberry and it was the best cake Maya claims to have had in a long time lol.
The reception was particularly fun for me because two of the couples in attendance were past brides and grooms of mine which made it particularly fun. I’m also friends with the bride’s family and so I got to see some old friends of mine that I hadn’t seen in a while. It felt like a whole square-eye family reunion lol!
The bride’s matron of honor was Lupita Infante who is a Latin Grammy-winning artist and a descendant of the very famous icon Pedro Infante. She performed along with mariachi for the bride and groom and it was so beautiful. What an icon. Everybody danced the night away and had so much fun. It all took place from getting ready to the reception in the same 5-minute radius which was crazy and super convenient. The DJ went off and had everyone dance all night by playing Pitbull and regaton and Latin classics all night as well as some ’90s throwbacks which I love.
The bride had a beautiful blue pair of Jimmy Choo heels that she planned to change into for the reception but the night went by so quickly that they never saw the light of day and she got to change into her sneakers. She had diamond ring socks the bride got as a bridal party gift and her sparkly sneakers for the end of the day. They wanted a picture with their welcome sign because they were very proud of making it with their cricket at home they said it was their little home project and it came out super cute. Everyone was coming up to the bride and groom all night and wanted pictures and wanted to talk to them so much that you could just tell how much everyone loved Jane and Robert. Multiple times throughout the night and in their speeches everyone said that they were perfect for each other and that they were the most genuine and kind and amazing people they knew and from what I know of them that seems about right. Jane and Robert have been nothing but gracious kind and loving towards me and my team. I appreciate them so much and I’m so grateful that they let me be a part of their big day.
As you can tell, there were many many speeches. I love weddings that are centered around love and community and it was a beautiful affair.
Like anything, it takes a village to make a day like this come together as flawlessly as it did and we want to take a moment to thank not only Robert and Jane for being an amazing couple and trotting with us through all the locations and being such troopers. I also want to thank all of the vendors that made this day happen, the following is a list of everyone who made this day go off flawlessly. Everyone at this wedding was spectacular, and I highly recommend any of the vendors on this list.
Venue and Catering – San Juan Hills Golf Club
Wedding Planner: Ashley Monge – Monge Amore Events
Videography- Alex and Isaac – Alvis Pham Photography
D and photobooth j- Excellence Entertainment Djs
Florist- Malorie Swift – Collected With Love
Cake – It’s All About the Cake
Hair: Roya Falahi – Salon by Riri
Makeup – Maggie Lopez MUA
Mariachi- Mariachi Nuevo Capistrano
