Stranded by the sea, lost in love…
STORMY LOVE
Only nature could provide us with this breathtaking backdrop of crashing waves, silky sand, billowing clouds, and geometric rock formations. So when we started thinking about a summer shoot, we naturally leaned towards the gorgeous beaches scattered along the California coastline. This picturesque seascape was found at the Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach.
However, California beach weddings can be underwhelmingly casual. Flip-flops, khakis, short-sleeved shirts are all great when considering comfort on such a big day, but they tend to take away from the beautiful natural setting that these places provide. This is why we aimed for a shipwreck theme that would help us create magical images, which would transform the way people think about Southern California beach weddings.
SHIPWRECKED
Jewel tones, beach glass, and sunken treasure all served as inspiration, setting the stage for this unique vow exchange. From the ocean’s surf emerged nature’s own materials: driftwood, distressed rope, and rare containers, all wonderfully incorporated into everything floral: bouquets, centerpieces, and accessories. To counter the dreary weather encountered occasionally–fall and winter come to mind–on our otherwise sunny beaches, we decided to add a pop of the aforementioned jewel tones into the floral pieces, something reminiscent of the contents of a treasure chest.
With ships in the near distance under a canopy of storm clouds, this view painted an ideal canvas to frame the wedding details: the impeccable and captivating makeup, the elegant up-do and flowing curls, the one-of-a-kind exquisite beach glass jewelry, magnificent and luxurious bridal gowns with exemplary detailing, a polished and classic groom’s suit, as well as a whimsical attire for the little one, all completing this creative and mystical wedding day.
BANDING TOGETHER
Putting together the elements was a lot of work, but nothing compared to the actual shoot. We had envisioned an overcast sky when coordinating this project, but little did we know what lay ahead. As soon as we started setting up on that perfectly overcast afternoon, the rain started pouring. But rain hasn’t quite stopped us before. We decided to put the couple under an umbrella, but the wind started blowing so hard that the umbrellas were struggling. Consulting with the team, they all wanted to push ahead with us, so we did. And as we made it down to the beach, the rain had stopped and the wind had calmed down, enough to shoot without umbrellas, but still quite challenging when photographing hair and gowns. While you can see these effects of the wind throughout the photos, it simply added a dramatic flair to every capture. Likewise, the rain made each of the floral arrangements come alive with natural raindrops. We couldn’t have planned a better shoot if we had tried. But that’s the beauty of shooting an outdoor wedding. You never know what you’ll end up with, so you ought to be prepared.
We hope you enjoy navigating your way through the ambiance of this intimate venue alongside a display of exclusive furniture, encompassing treasure chests, candelabras, and lighted lanterns, all positioned perfectly just steps from the ocean’s edge.
