Classic Hotel Del Coronado weddings are what dreams are made of, especially for high-school sweethearts Alexandria and Andrew whose love story was ten years in the making. This iconic San Diego area landmark, “The Del,” as it is fondly called by the locals, perfectly complemented their love story- the couple is from San Diego and both agreed to celebrate at the famous “Hotel Del” was the way to go.  The blend of tropical meets coastal vibes and the timeless elegance of the 1920s Californian atmosphere created a day that was nothing short of a fairytale! Ahead, see the details that made up the stunning components of Andrew and Alexandria’s wedding!

Andrew and Alexandria’s wedding day was the most perfect summer day on the coast. It was the first weekend of June, and it could not have been prettier. Blue skies, happy seagulls, and an incredibly seamless day. The legendary hotel  a marvelous backdrop behind them as they made their vows to each other.

The design concepts of event planning company Caitlyn Jade Events and florist Hartworks Floral were crucial in bringing the couple’s vision to life in a chic, modern way. The green and white color palette with pops of pearl perfectly complemented the classic, timeless look that  Alexandria had envisioned. The choice of colors stayed true to the property’s aesthetic, creating an atmosphere of elegance and grace.

The Wedding Party

The most classic and gorgeous-looking wedding party to grace my camera. I couldn’t get over their chic look!

The Bridal Party 

Alexandria’s bridal party wore a shimmering champagne color that complimented the satin and pearls of their bride just beautifully.

The Floral Design

Hartworks Floral truly brought the whole day to life with their floral creations and designed lush bouquets that mirrored the ceremony and dreamy reception centerpieces. As seen here, Alexandria’s bridal bouquet was a showstopper with white Anthurium flower, Monstera, palm fronds, and Ruscus. What a statement piece it made as she held it against her magnificent silhouette.

The Groomsmen

Andrew and his groomsmen donned timeless black tuxedos that would have given 007 a run for his money.  Their white orchid boutonnieres were reminiscent of the 1920s men’s style staple.

The First Look

This particular moment stood out in my mind, and I just loved the first look between Alexandria and Andrew because of the richness of their love story so far. It was a way to honor all the memories they had made together that had led them to that one emotional moment. 

Andrew and Alexandria decided to add a first look to their timeline ( which is always highly recommended) it was one of the most magical moments of the day. It was an intimate moment that they could share that really helped to ground them and allow them to be in the present moment.

 

The Ceremony

Andrew’s younger brother officiated the ceremony, which was a beautiful ode to these two high school sweethearts.  A floral arch covered with lush greenery and white tropical blooms framed the couple as they exchanged personal vows that they wrote.  

 Couples Portraits

This incredible resort in La Jolla came alive as the sun began to set, and the string lights created a magical glow as far as the eye could see. It doesn’t get much better than when the beach meets a sprawling hotel resort, and gardens and photo options are endless. We stole away from a few minutes of photos when we could, and  I loved capturing Alexandria’s dramatic cathedral veil as it billowed behind her.

Cocktail Hour

The couple embraced wedding day customs, adding a touch of tradition with a Mariachi band during cocktail hour and you could feel the air electric with the sounds of a great party!

Dinner Reception 

I will never forget the magnificent Crown ballroom in all its glory and the 250 guests in the middle of the dance floor living it up! It has a rich history of the glittering art-deco era of the 1920s.

Alexandria discovered my business through Instagram, and quickly, a connection was sparked by the choice of music I chose for a reel. A song that later became the soundtrack to their first dance, “I Love You Always Forever” by Donna Lewis, cemented our connection. It was meant to be! And, of course, I am listening to this again as I type this! It’s a great way to help bring back some beautiful, visceral memories of the day.

I absolutely loved working with these two. I will especially treasure the special connection with Alexandria. Our personalities were so in sync and were pivotal in ensuring a calm and present atmosphere throughout the celebration. It is for this reason that I always emphasize the importance of connecting with your photographer, someone who supports you and brings out the best in you. For Alexandria and Andrew, this connection made all the difference in creating timeless memories of their special day.

Couples Testimonial

I so appreciated their wonderfully kind words when they sent a testimonial because our relationship and communication was truly vital. “Sarah, OMG these photos are amazing!!!!! We are so thankful you were our wedding photographer on our big day! We seriously couldn’t have gotten through all of those photos without you! Everything is stunning and we are so happy with them. We will definitely be contacting you again for future family photos and can’t wait to refer you to all of our friends!

Here is the amazing team of San Diego wedding vendors I had the pleasure of working with at the Hotel Del Coronado:

Creative Team

Wedding Venue: Hotel Del Coronado| Wedding Planner: Caitlyn Jade Events & Creative Affairs | Photography: Sarah Block Photography | Second Shooter: Janet Wheeland  | Glam: Mandy of The Pretty Parlor | Officiant: William Funke, The groom’s younger brother | Floral Design: Ericka Bareto of Hartworks Floral  | DJ: Peter Keisel with Ge Productions DJ’s | Cocktail Hour Entertainment: Mariachi Divinas | Videographer/ Photobooth: Ryan Films Weddings Specialty Lighting & Design: Concepts Event Design