San Diego Elopement

Wow, everything about this day and these two feels ✨magical✨. It was one of those days where it felt like the universe really was conspiring to give these two a beautiful experience. So many breathtaking views. Lots of laughter and love. I was so honored to be a part of it all!

Laura and Amie’s wedding day was a true reflection of how they live their life – to the fullest. They are an inspiration for living. Every time I talked to them or saw their posts on instagram, they were always doing something new together – From falconry to Disneyland, to dolphin watching, or trying the latest Instagram restaurant find…they are always doing something fun!

They picked April 7th because their birthdays are on April 5th and April 6th, what an awesome week of celebrations! They get to celebrate each other individually every year then their relationship together!

We crafted an elopement day that was filled with fun and a few different locations. Starting on Coronado Island in a cute little casita, they got ready together with their two cute little poodles. I loved how they helped each other with their makeup and hair. They packed a picnic for the beach. Dressed up their pups. Then put on matching white and gold Aldo sneakers.

From there we went to Sunset Cliffs for the ceremony. The 2023 superbloom of wildflowers after so much rain was absolutely incredible. The topside of the cliffs were covered in yellow and white daisies! We couldn’t believe how many there were! They exchanged vows right on the cliff overlooking the ocean surrounded by wildflowers…I couldn’t dream up a more beautiful and romantic place to get married!

After their vows, they celebrated with a beach picnic down by the ocean. These two daring adventurers trekked along the little cave to get to the perfect celebration spot. They popped some champagne and took in the ocean. Then, Laura and Amie had their first dance as wife and wife along the tide.

We rode off to Seaport Village where Laura and Amie rode the carousel. I mean, these two are the definition of cool. It was a wild ride with some fresh, fun photos to match!

The highlight of the day (to me) was watching the Seaworld Firework show. Laura found this spot that was covered in wildflowers and literally no one else was there!!! It was like their own private wedding show! For free I might add 😉 it was truly so special. We were so close to the fireworks. It was an absolute blast!

We had a bit of time before their dinner reservation at a carousel restaurant so we got some more really chic photos of these two at night. I was able to capture some stars even! Every minute was filled with fun but we never felt stressed, full adventure no brakes! Your elopement day should be exactly what you want it to be, and these two created that!

Coronado Island Elopement Photos

Sunset Cliffs Elopement Photos

A bit of their love story from Laura:

“I love that our love has been fierce since the start. Like fireworks that never end. I love that people constantly tell us we are couples goals and we actually believe them and know what they are talking about. I love that our love is music filling up our ears and souls. I love that I know I will always love her more today than yesterday, and that she makes me so very happy- I’m so glad she came into my life. I love that our love is like a spell cast upon the town when we are around. I love that we open each others eyes and heart’s constantly.”

What she was most excited about on their wedding day is “Seeing Amie light up especially as we exchange vows! I know as the day goes on she will just be glowing from crown to root and that glow is so powerful and beautiful it will light up the world!”

What she is looking forward to in their marriage is “Continuing to fall in love. Continuing to navigate life. Continuing to grow together. We already have 10 years – I cannot wait for an infinite amount more.”

Their love story from Amie

“I love everything about it. I love how we met. It’s my favorite story, it will always be my favorite story.

Laura and I met online on plenty of fish. We were nonstop chatting and made a plan to hangout. [After their first date…] We left the bar around 11:30pm…Turns out we had the same car!!! Turns out we learned in this moment that her bday was April 6 and mine is April 5. We also threw in that we had nose rings on the same side so we laughed about similarities. I drove her back to her car and I’ll never forget it. Laura got out of the car and right before she was about to close the door she said “you know, you’re really cute!” I was sooo shocked that she said this and I replied super fast “I THINK YOU’RE REALLY CUTE!” We agreed we had the best night and we couldn’t wait to plan another “date”

Laura got out of the car and I swear I stared at her in my side mirror and she did the cutest not like happy dance but happy smiley sigh that included her kinda falling back on her car staring at the stars. It was adorable and I thought she was unbelievably magic in that moment.

As I drove away, 10 or so minutes into the drive… I heard a cell phone sound that was not mine. Turns out she left her phone in my car. At this point, I was too far away to go back and maybe she would have left already. I wrote her on Facebook that I had her phone. We affirmed each other was really cute on Facebook and we were going to meet up the next day so I could give her the phone. I remember I couldn’t have been more excited.

She met me at the yoga studio outside where I taught and I can remember she just came from work and she looked absolutely stunning. I remember we stared at each other and smiled for what seemed like forever.”

What Amie was looking forward to on her wedding day “Seeing how gorgeous Laura looks and telling her all the amazing feels I have for her! She knows but I will love to tell her in this setting. Most excited about having so much fun taking photos and having the best day ever!!! I’m excited about absolutely every small activity and it’s always so hard to pick one!”

What she is looking forward to in their marriage is “Continuing to have fun and enjoy each other’s company as we have been in the passed 10 years. I think we are really excited to start calling each other wife and having an absolute blast. Adventures will be even more magical and I am so lucky to have Laura by my side. She’s the best person in the entire galaxy and I’m soooo lucky.”

Sunset Cliffs Elopement Picnic

Carousel Wedding Photos

This was a really fun creative challenge for me. The Seaport Village carousel is indoors and doesn’t take breaks. I was able to take some photos while standing off the carousel while the newlyweds rode around the first time but it was going so fast I felt like I was trying to take photos of a bird in flight. Then I got on with them for a couple of rides and it was even faster than it looked lol. We had a ton of fun and got some really creative photos. I’m glad these two are such models because most of the time I was just trying to get focus and not fall off while dealing with the crazy lighting changes that come from spinning in a circle indoors with windows.

Blank walls always make me giddy!

These beauties collect kaleidoscopes. I knew they love all things funky and colorful so I got a kaleidoscope filter just for them. Love how these photos turned out!

San Diego Wedding Fireworks Show

This was such an incredible addition their wedding day, basically their own private firework show!

I was happy to capture a few stars even though we were in the middle of San Diego! We joked that this looked a bit like the Northern Lights floating around them, just me running around with glow sticks ha.

Can they be any cooler??? Epic!

This is your sign!!!

The San Diego Airport has planes flying so low over the city, it’s quite the experience!

I’m so glad they let us take photos in here! This bar was so crazy cool, it actually spins slowly like a real carousel! I really felt like paparazzi in here and Laura and Amie basically are celebrities anyways 🙂

Advice from the newlyweds “Everybody is different- learn each other. Understand your partner’s likes, dislikes, how they want to be loved and how they don’t. Don’t be afraid to grow together and individually. Adventure together whenever you can.”

I had a blast with you two! Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day. It was amazing! I wish you both all the joy in the world. You deserve it, you amazing human beings you!

If you’re reading this and still need a wedding photographer, please reach out https://kacilou.com/contact