Rancho Bernardo Inn Wedding Photos | Jen + Lance

January 12, 2020

As a San Diego wedding photographer, I get to shoot at so many different San Diego wedding venues. I was happy to return to Rancho Bernardo Inn to shoot another wedding! It’s such a beautiful venue, with LUSH greenery everywhere! Jen + Lance are avid golf players so the venue was well suited for them.

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Rancho Bernardo Inn has great spaces for getting ready photos! The bride got ready in the room, I had asked her to request a room that faces the 9th/10th golf hole because it had the view of this huge tree that I had chosen for their first look location. Adrian, our contact at the venue and the bride’s wonderful wedding coordinator, Henry from Events by Decor, made sure that this happened. The groom got ready at the groom suite. The room itself didn’t have that much natural light, but just outside of it, in the hallway were some amazing lounge chairs and shelving that was perfect for the photos!

Within two weeks of your wedding day, I like to have a wedding walk thru with you and your partner at your wedding venue. I do this to finalize timelines, get your family shot list, review locations onsite for your portraits and family portraits. Since we prepare as much as we can, this allows for a smoother wedding day. As I always mention to my wedding couples, your wedding day goes by very quickly. So the more we can prepare, the more you can enjoy your day! While we were having our wedding walk thru, we were talking about golf clubs and balls and then we thought wouldn’t it be cool to have golf balls with their wedding date on it. We hadn’t even finished discussing and right away, the groom Lance, was already looking up to purchase golf balls. What a keeper! They were delivered on time!!

The bride and groom had decided to do a first look. Most people decide to do a first look so they can enjoy their cocktail hour. Traditionally, the cocktail hour was when the family and formal portraits took place. This is something I always let the couple decide on what they prefer. I always accommodate the timeline for whatever they choose. We did the family portraits right after the first look and then we went off to shoot their formal portraits.

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Do these two look amazing or what!?! It’s the love they have for one another that really shines. They just adore one another! They are the cutest. The bride’s beautiful dress is by Rosa Clará that she purchased at HKLES Bridal Store. Her hair was done by the talented Parker and her beautiful makeup by Meg. The groom’s suit is by the Men’s Wearhouse. After the portraits, it was time for the ceremony. For those of you having doubts about doing a first look because you think your partner will not be as “excited” or won’t have that “emotional” moment, Lance’s face proves that they will still have that emotional reaction you are wanting. When they see you walk down the aisle, it’s the first time they are seeing you walk down the aisle, so they will be very reactive! See below 🙂

The beautiful flowers were provided by Bridget’s Blooms. Cocktail hour followed the ceremony and ended with the reception. The whole day went smoothly and was super fun to document!