Renee and Joe – Southern California Wedding Photography

Renee and Joe were married in the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California, this November. Renee’s brother, Doug is one of my best buddies, so this was the perfect occasion to end ‘paternity leave’ a month after Easton was born!

We started with the getting ready photos at Renee’s parents house before heading over to the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Usually, I am positioned in the very front of the ceremony to capture guests entering before the ceremony starts and my 2nd photographer captures this moment..but I LOVE the moment just before the bride and groom walks down the aisle. The bride and her parents are usually anxious, excited and emotional, and the groom is typically getting last minute advice from his groomsmen, like ‘the car’s still running’, or ‘don’t trip!’:

The mission was founded 1n 1775 to expand the territorial boundaries of Spain! And the ceremony took place in ‘Father Serra’s Church’, with a 300 year old alter from Spain! It’s the oldest building in California…so cool!

The rain started coming down in heaps during the ceremony, but the Mission had lots of great overhangs, and Renee had purchased awesome rain umbrellas!

Up for my prestigious flower girl of the year award (no prizes, just bragging rights):

Conveniently, the reception was walking distance from the Mission in the heart of San Juan Capistrano at an Italian Restaurant called Ciao Pasta Trattoria. They rented out the entire place and tented the patio: