19Dec

Grand Tradition

By, December 19, 2017

Highlights of Grand Tradition

One of our favorite spots just outside San Diego is the all-inclusive Grand Tradition. We have photographed many weddings at Grand Tradition over the years, and have likely covered every corner :) Located in Fallbrook, CA, the property’s 30 acres of rolling green hills and tropical gardens has something for everyone, including two main venue options onsite. Here are examples of each:

Arbor Terrace

For those seeking a more laid-back, paradise vibe to their day, we recommend the property’s Arbor Terrace and Pavilion. Inspired by the aesthetics of Hana, Hawaii, the Terrace is set against a gorgeous waterfall backdrop, and decorated with paths covered in beautiful flowers. The Pavilion, where receptions are held, offers features such as the Hospitality Fountain, which is great for photos. There is also a cozy outdoor fireplace, which is a nice comfortable spot to enjoy a relaxing moment with guests.

Bride and groom enjoy the flowers
Groom embraces Bride for a kiss in jungle environment
Colorful wedding Ceremony at Arbor Terrace
Couples tying the knot at the Arbor Terrace have the option of exchanging vows in front of the property's main waterfall feature
Arbor terrace ceremony site surrounded by lush garden
Bride and groom kiss at end of aisle after wedding ceremony
Bride and groom surrounded by waterfalls and greenery
Grooms picks up his bride in front of waterfalls
Come nightfall, the waterfalls at Arbor Terrace take on a different appearance once illuminated by the area's uplighting.
A romantic kiss on the bridge with the bride and groom
Bridal party on the bridge at Grand Tradition
During Tracy and Ryan's wedding, we wanted to showcase the abundance of greenery surrounding the couple and their bridal party. By placing everyone on a bridge across the waterfall and using a telephoto lens, we were able to zoom in on the bridal party while also showing the expanse of space.
Bride and groom on a verandah surrounded by foliage
Groomsmen pick up the groom for a fun groomsmen shot
The various bridges around Arbor Terrace not only offer great views of the site's multiple ponds and waterfalls but also serve as a unique prop. For Naomi and Luke's wedding (above), we let the guys have a little bit of fun pretending to throw Luke overboard for a hilarious, candid shot.
Wedding dress hung in bamboo to feature the dress
While navigating the many winding paths at Arbor Terrace, couples can get lost in their own private jungle along the way.
A tender moment between the Bride and groom
Following Silvia and Edwin's wedding ceremony, we wanted to capture the warm glow of Sunset coming in through the trees during Golden Hour. By placing the Bride and Groom in the midst of everything and using a zoom lens, we were able to focus on the intimacy of their embrace and create a romantic feeling.
Bride and groom pose by a fountain at arbor terrace
Heading back to the wedding reception, we like to take couples by the Hospitality Fountain which can be used in a variety of creative ways.
Creative portrait of wedding couple kissing by fountain
With Jaclyn and Charlie, we had the couple sit on a bench in front of the fountain while photographing from behind. Shooting through the cascading water we were able to capture a creative bokeh effect and add to the emotion of the moment.
Bride and Groom embrace by water fountain at Grand Tradition
Rain shot in the gardens of Arbor Terrace
Bride and groom pose in front of lush tropical trees
Bride and groom explore grand tradtion at night
Colorful outdoor tented wedding reception
Once ready to party the night away, guests will be invited to the tented reception at the Pavilion.
Arbor Terrace set up for a beautiful reception
Bride and groom enjoy their first dance
Fun candid photo of guests dancing during wedding reception
Evening shot by the fireplace with the Bride and Groom
Directly behind the pavilion's tented reception lies an intimate brick fireplace where guests can relax and chat throughout the night.
Romantic night shot by the fireplace
Bride and groom pose for a beautiful evening rain shot
Creative long exposure night photo with the wedding couple and bridal party

Beverly Mansion

If your style is a bit more traditional and classical, our suggestion is the Beverly Mansion, a classic Victorian estate that overlooks the property’s idyllic heart-shaped lake. Ceremonies at the Beverly Mansion are held outdoors by the gazebo, where couples have the option of being brought out by horse and carriage. It definitely has a storybook feel!

After exchanging vows, guests can dance the night away under massive Swarovski crystal chandeliers. And to end the evening, nothing beats a fun and impressive sparkler grand exit, which is sure to leave your guests in awe :)

Bride and Groom hold hands and kiss during sunset outside the grand tradition
The lawn behind the Beverly Mansion is a great way to feature both the mansion as well as a stunning sunset.
Groom and Bride embrace by wall at the Beverly Mansion
Groom kisses Bride on cheek while standing on stairs at Beverly Mansion
With so many nooks and crannies, we love finding new ways to highlight the classical architecture of the mansion into photos.
Fun portrait of Bride with Bridesmaids at Beverly Mansion
Bride and groom pose for a photo in the lattice garden
In this photo, we adjusted our lens towards the roof to accentuate the leading lines and draw your eye towards Gina and Brandon for a creative, stylized portrait.
Beverly Mansion is one of the locations private events are held
Bride with Bridesmaids getting ready for wedding ceremony
The bridal suite at Beverly Mansion continues the venue's overall Victorian aesthetic with regal furniture and intricate windows.
Bride getting ready at the Grand Tradition
Bridesmaids help the bride get ready in her suite
Groom plays pool in his suite
The groom's suite offers the guys a moment to kick back and relax before the ceremony with a good ol' fashioned game of pool.
Ceremony by the water in the fall
One of the mansions most unique features is the horse-drawn carriage that couples can be transported in during their outdoor wedding ceremony, overlooking the property's serene heart-shaped lake.
Outdoor wedding ceremony by pond
Bride rides with father in horse drawn carriage before wedding ceremony
Bride and Groom kiss in aisle after wedding ceremony concludes
Bride and Groom pose with two white horses and carriage before wedding ceremony
Wedding couples tying the knot at the Grand Tradition
Bride and groom kiss by the carriage
For a creative angle, we placed the carriage in our foreground and posed the bride and groom in the center as they leaned in for a kiss. To add an extra flair, we placed our flash just above the couple's shoulders to create a starburst effect.
Creative back-lit portrait of Bride and Groom embracing in garden
Solo portrait of Bride and Groom by themselves
Groom embraces bride while standing on bridge next to pond at Grand Tradition
Just beyond the Beverly Mansion is the venue's picturesque heart-shaped pond which overlooks the ceremony site.
Bride and groom pose on a bridge at Grand Tradition
Bridal party fun shot
Photographing across the pond from the gazebo provides a more wide angle perspective of the water that features the waterfall and garden in the background.
Romantic portrait of bride and groom kissing by pond
Bride and groom walking by a field
Just feet away from the Beverly Mansion is the Compass Garden which can be used to host cocktail hours or wedding ceremonies, as well as being a beautiful background for portraits.
Cocktail Hour at Compass Garden
Wedding couple with bridal party at Compass Garde
Bride and groom pose at the bar
Conveniently located between the Beverly Mansion and Arbor Terrace, the Compass Garden offers a variety of textured doors and backgrounds to offset the rest of the property's tropical and classic aesthetic.
Bride an groom pose along a wooden gate
Bride and Groom kiss by metal gate during sunset
Exterior portrait of Beverly Mansion at Sunset
As night approaches, the lights of the Beverly Mansion illuminate the sky, and add a beautiful glow to balance the evening sunset.
Night photo of Bride and Groom kissing by Fountain
We love taking couples around the mansion at night for a different look that what the daytime provides.
Creative night portrait of bride and groom embracing and overlooking pond at Beverly Mansion
Bride and groom pose for an evening shot
Bride and Groom cheer during Grand sparkler exit after their reception
Grand Tradition is also one of the few venues in San Diego that allows couples the option of a Sparkler Grand Exit to wrap up their day of celebration.

Grand Tradition Wedding Photography

As preferred photographers of Grand Tradition, we photograph weddings here frequently :) If you are considering a wedding at this venue, we are happy to talk over specific photography questions. We also suggest checking out more of our Grand Tradition wedding photos.

30May

Memorial Day | Love and Valor

By, May 30, 2016

The military presence runs deep here in San Diego, and many of us come from families with military backgrounds. We greatly appreciate all the hard work and sacrifice made by the brave men and women who serve our country, and love photographing weddings for active and retired service members. To pay tribute to our local servicemen from the Army, Airforce, Navy and Marines, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite moments from military weddings throughout the year.

Military Groom and Bride pose with classic Ford car after wedding in Julian, California Military Groomsmen in uniform pose with classic cars and american flag

During Boo and Michael’s wedding at The Westin San Diego (above left), our photographers arrived early, and discovered this American flag mural on a nearby building. We were amazed by the striking visual of Michael’s clean white uniform set against the patriotic hues of the flag.

Groom with Navy military Groomsmen dressed in Blues Military Wedding Couples get ready for the Wedding Day and pose for portraits in Hotel Bride looks at camera while hugging military groomMilitary Groom poses with group of Bridesmaids before wedding ceremony

You have to love a guy in uniform (above). Before Ashley and Andrew tied the knot at Founder’s Chapel at USD, the bridesmaids pulled Andrew in for one last photo. By having two photographers documenting the day, we were able to capture this moment while Ashley remained hidden from guests.

Military Couples celebrate after tying the knotMilitary Groom in Uniform kisses Bride as they hold Thank you Sign Military Wedding Couples celebrate with Arch of Swords after ceremony

After Ayami and Bryan’s ceremony (above left), the new couple made their way through the Arch of Swords. As a comical “welcome to the military” gesture, officers gently swatted at Ayami’s behind. Her candid reaction to the moment speaks volumes! We love freezing moments like these filled with genuine emotion.

Bride and Navy military Groom exit ceremony laughingMilitary Groom and Bride hold hands and lean in for kiss by red paintingMilitary Wedding Couples enjoy intimate moments during wedding day ceremony in San DiegoBride and Military Groom dip for kiss in front of white fence and beach after wedding in Coronado, CaliforniaClose-up of military bride's yellow bouquetBride poses with wedding guests as they laugh while wearing navy military hats

To show our respect and give back in a small way, our studio offers an ongoing 10% discount for all active and retired military couples. To inquire about your own wedding, please visit our Package Customizer for details, and be sure to contact us with any questions.

Military Groom picks up Bride for fun wedding couple portrait under white gazebo

Check out more inspiration from recent San Diego military weddings :)

03May

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! | Bridesmaid Inspiration

By, May 03, 2016

Ladies, let’s be honest – the wedding day is a great excuse to hang out with your BFFs. With champagne flowing, music playing, and your girls decked out in their finest, there is nothing left to do but celebrate. It’s a perfect occasion to let loose, share a laugh, and enjoy the results of your planning.

As a bonus, there’s also that whole “getting married” thing :) Right now, though, it’s all about the ladies.

On the wedding day, we suggest starting the photography coverage early, before you change into your wedding dress. It’s fun to have images captured while you are relaxing with your bridal party, with the final touches of make-up being applied. This is a time for us to get creative, shoot details and candids, and capture the excitement in the room. Whether your crew is sophisticated, boisterous, or all-out silly, we’ll be there to create unforgettable images.

We hope you enjoy these recent bride and bridesmaid inspiration photos :)

Bridesmaids and Bride toss wedding bouquets up in air

While getting ready, Courtney’s bridesmaids surprised her with impromptu pillow fight (below), and we captured her priceless reaction.

Bridesmaids have fun pillow fight with bride in room

Before getting dressed up, Jaclyn and her ladies couldn’t resist a little taste of Del Taco (below). Still in her pre-bridal wardrobe, Jaclyn made sure to not get any hot sauce on her dress for her wedding day at Longshadow Ranch Vineyard and Winery.

Bride and bridesmaids grab a bite of del taco before putting on the wedding dressBride and bridesmaids toast with craft beers

During Brooke and Matt’s wedding at Rancho Valencia, we noticed an empty golf cart near Brooke’s room, and had the ladies hop in for a fun cruise around the venue (below). We are constantly keeping an eye out for unique photo opportunities, and ways to to transform everyday items into creative props.

Bride drives her bridesmaids in golf cartBridesmaids throw rose petals around Bride after ceremonyBridesmaids Eat Apples in Old TownBridesmaids share mirror with bride on wedding dayBridesmaids hold up mirror for Bride to reveal herself

Another great benefit to having your ladies helping out before the ceremony are fun moments like the one above, taken during Katie and Gene’s wedding at the Coronado Cays Yacht Club. As Katie stepped into her dress, we had her bridesmaids hold up a mirror for a grand reveal. We love the ecstatic, candid smiles of Katie and her girls, and the genuine reactions all around.

Bridesmaids and Bride show off fun rustic cowboy bootsBridesmaids toast with a shot of tequila before wedding ceremony Bridesmaids blow bubbles at camera before wedding ceremony Bridesmaids pose with bride and show off fun striped socksBridesmaids make it rain as they toss money in the air before wedding ceremonyThings got a little “en fuego” before Rachel and Jason’s wedding at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Spa (above), as the ladies brought out the cash and made it rain dollar bills.

Bridesmaids lay with Bride on bed in circleBridesmaids blow kiss towards brideBride and bridesmaids pose with pink robes before wedding ceremony

Let guests know who your bridesmaids are!  At Mariam and Farhad’s Wedding at Maderas Golf Club, Mariam’s bridesmaids rocked yellow sunglasses, which were gifted to them to match their wedding attire (below). By gifting your ladies with colorful robes or matching glasses, your squad will rule the day in style.

Bridesmaids pose with Bride and wear yellow sunglasses Bride and bridesmaids eat burgers from In N' Out during reception Bridesmaids make fun grand entrance and dance during wedding reception

For their grand entrance during Shannan and Mathias’ wedding at Beverly Mansion (above left), the bridesmaids had a little surprise up their sleeves. Serenading the crowd with air guitar skills, the ladies brought out their inner rock stars, and kicked off the party in high gear.

Bridesmaids pose with Bride as they wear Harry Potter props Bridesmaids pose with props in photobooth

Check out more ways to have fun with your bridesmaid photos :)

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