Ring Shot

Austin & Mikayla’s Wedding | San Diego Photography

The first pictures I ever took of Austin, he was only a few hours old. His mom and I joke that I was in the room when Austin wasn’t born. He was an emergency C-section, and I got kicked out at the last minute, but only after several hours of labor and pushing . . . so many that I missed teaching the first day of school that September of 2001. (The week just got more interesting and memorable from there.)

Well, Austin grew up, fell in love, and spent several years convincing Mikayla to marry him. It’s a great story, and the pastor at the wedding roasted him big time about falling for the first girl who said “Hi” to him. I feel like there’s a lot of truth in that story, and it’s a good thing it was Mikayla who said hello that day in 9th-grade study hall.

Austin and Mikayla got engaged on the beach in Coronado, not far from the location of their first date. I captured that event and was asked to photograph the wedding, as well.

Austin and Mikayla attend The Gathering at Grace Chapel in Mira Mesa. It’s a dynamic church filled with loving people, and it was the perfect launching pad for this new couple . . . aside from the fact that the outdoor space was not conducive to formal wedding portraits. No worries! My friend and second-shooter Janis and I scoped out the church around the corner and marched the wedding party and families over there for formals with a beautifully backlit line of trees behind. I love how the formals turned out, especially since so many of my favorite people were involved!

Dinner, toasts, dancing, and cookies rounded out the evening, with a sparkler exit. I’m so happy for Austin and Mikayla and their families, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this sweet couple.

White and purple bouquet with gold rings attached, close-up detail
Bride's white embellished heels on lace, close-up detail shot
White beaded wedding shoes displaying ring detail, close-up view
White lace and beaded wedding dress fabric, close-up detail
Groom's brown leather dress shoes on stone surface, close-up
Bride's silver earrings and necklace, jewelry close-up detail
Bride's hand displaying engagement and wedding rings, close-up
Groom's white and green boutonniere on black suit jacket lapel
Bride applying jewelry during getting-ready in bridal suite
Bride in white wedding dress applying makeup in bridal suite
Two bridesmaids in matching gray dresses posing together smiling
Bride in white dress with bridesmaid in gray, bridal suite
Groom in black suit with man during getting-ready preparations
Two groomsmen in gray vests adjusting ties during getting-ready
Multiple groomsmen in gray vests during getting-ready prep time
Bride in white dress with groomsman in gray vest getting ready
Bride and groom embracing during their first look at the chapel
Bride in white wedding dress walking down chapel aisle at ceremony
Bride and groom exchanging wedding vows at the chapel altar
Bride and groom's joined hands during ceremony, close-up detail
Bride and groom kissing at the altar in the chapel after vows
Bride and groom walking together up the aisle after ceremony
Bride's father walking her down the aisle at chapel ceremony
Bride and groom formal couple portrait outside chapel, sunlit
Bride and groom couple portrait with chapel background, golden light
Bride and groom intimate close couple portrait outdoors in light
Bride and groom posing together in chapel courtyard, natural light
Bride alone portrait in white wedding dress and veil outdoors
Groom alone formal portrait in black wedding suit outdoors, smiling
Bride and groom portrait with flowers in soft focus foreground
Bride portrait in white dress and veil, natural outdoor light
Bride and groom walking hand in hand near the chapel exterior
Bride and groom formal couple portrait in chapel courtyard setting
Young child in champagne dress as part of the bridal party at chapel
Bride's profile portrait with veil and flowers, soft lighting
Bride, groom and multiple family members group photo at venue
Extended family group photo outdoors at the reception venue
Bride, groom with parents and family members group portrait
Grandparents and extended family members group photo at reception
Multiple generations family photo with bride at reception venue
Groom and extended family members group portrait at reception
Bride and groom with immediate family members formal group photo
Family members and wedding party members indoors group photo
Children in the wedding party posed together outdoors smiling
Bride posing together with child in the wedding party outdoors
Multiple generations family group gathered at reception venue
Bride's close-up detail during getting-ready, hair and makeup
Bride in white wedding dress and veil posed portrait outdoors
Groom in black wedding suit formal portrait outdoors, standing smiling
Bride and groom posed portrait with venue architecture background
Wedding party group with bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen
Bride in strapless white dress formal portrait, golden hour
Groom in black suit formal portrait outdoors, standing smiling
Bride and groom couple portrait with landscape, golden hour
Bride and groom dancing together at reception under lights
Bride and groom first dance at reception in spotlight moment
Bride and groom dancing together at reception, string lights
Bride and groom dancing together at reception with guests watching
Multiple guests dancing together on the reception dance floor
Multiple friends dancing together at the reception venue outdoors
Bride's family members dancing together at the reception venue
Groom dancing together with family member at the reception venue
Guest dancing with joyful motion and expression at reception
Bride dancing together with her friends at the reception venue
Group of wedding guests dancing together at the reception venue
Woman dancing alone at reception with joyful, happy expression
Multiple wedding guests dancing together at the reception venue
Couple dancing at reception with other guests in background
Reception dance floor with wedding guests celebrating together
Woman smiling brightly and dancing at the reception venue outdoors
Bride hugging and dancing together with family member at reception
Groom posing together with groomsmen at the reception venue
Bride posing together with her bridesmaids at the reception
Mixed wedding party members under tent at the reception venue
Bride and groom with their wedding party at the reception venue
Women in the wedding party standing together at the reception
Groomsmen in black suits posing for group photo at reception
Bride laughing together with her bridesmaid at the reception
Groom posing together with groomsman at the reception venue
Couple posing with their family members at reception outdoor venue
Two women posing together smiling brightly under trees outdoors
Large family and friends group photo at reception outdoors together
Bride and groom celebrating on balcony with raised bouquet triumphantly
Bride and groom walking hand in hand at chapel exterior together
Bride and groom portrait with flowering arrangement in soft focus
Young child in champagne dress eating snack at reception table
Man in navy blue suit speaking with microphone at reception
Extended family group photo at reception under tent at night
Woman in champagne colored dress speaking at reception microphone
Man in tan suit speaking at reception microphone, golden hour
Multiple guests dancing together at reception at night outdoors
Group of wedding guests dancing together at reception evening
Two women dancing closely together at reception at night outdoors
Gingerbread wedding cake with couple figurines and red heart topper
Gingerbread cake detail with figurines and red heart, close-up
Four adults smiling and posing together at reception at night
Woman in black dress smiling at reception with string lights
Woman being twirled by man during an energetic reception dance
Bride in white dress surrounded by guests dancing at reception
Man and woman talking together at reception at night outdoors
Reception candid during evening celebration at the chapel venue
Woman in blue striped dress eating pretzel at reception table
Bride and groom cutting the gingerbread cake together at venue
Bride feeding groom a sweet bite from plate during cake cutting
Bride and groom playfully exchanging food during cake cutting
Bride and groom dancing their first dance on stage in chapel
Illuminated JESUS sign on venue marquee displayed brightly at night
Bride and groom walking together through guests at venue at night
Bride hugging a female guest at reception with string lights overhead
Young man in vest holding sparklers outside chapel at night
Two women holding sparklers at reception with guests inside
Bride and groom together looking out from car window on departure

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