Erika and Edwin’s Sunset Cliffs San Diego intimate wedding was a reimagined vision after opting to cancel their wedding plans in New Jersey where they both grew up. As Erika and Edwin watched the events of the last year unfold, they went through many emotions regarding their own wedding plans. Their wedding date was set for their 12th anniversary of dating and was important for them to keep. Having time to watch things unfold, they started to allow themselves to let go of their original plans and dream up something totally different in California where they currently live. They came up with plans that resulted in a wonderfully intimate and joyful day on Sunset Cliffs in San Diego, California. When they told me of their new plans and asked me if I would be willing to come out, I was delighted. In a year filled with so much loss and stress, it was a pleasant surprise that they wanted to keep me on. My husband joined me to assist and we were welcomed to the west coast with blue skies and warmth from the sun. Perfect weather and a perfect backdrop for a couple that experienced the heartache of letting go of their original plans of celebrating with a large group of family and friends. Right after their ceremony, they were emanating joy and they were so happy with the new plans they had made. Although it came with a big sacrifice of not having family right by their side, they kept their focus on their union and were thrilled with what the results were.
We met up the day before their wedding to scout out the locations for the first look and ceremony. You can check out some of the pics I took of Erika and Edwin while during out scouting meetup here.
(This industry is filled with lots of photoshop magic, adding sun and blue skies and clouds and altering images to create a new reality. I’m a purist when it comes to nature. I loved how Erika and Edwin were bathed in this stream of warm light.)
Erika and Edwin got ready in the same Air BNB. Erika had her bridesmaids on Zoom with her throughout her prep…
I don’t have any opportunities to work in palm trees on New Jersey weddings so it was fun working in the reflection of this palm tree…
… can’t help but work in the palm trees…
That’s my husband, assisting in more ways than one, holding up the phone so Edwin can watch a video on how to tie a bow tie…
Erika and Edwin’s Air BNB had a fantastic view of the San Diego airport…
Erika and Alejandra pose on Zoom for a group photo…
Edwin writing his vows into his vow book…
With blue skies and sunshine… I was given some opportunities to work in some reflections. I’m not into reflections for the sake of following trends. When they present themselves organically, I will certainly take advantage…
Erika’s bridesmaids react as she gets into her dress. Another opportunity with so much sunshine and windows to work in Erika’s reflection- my way of putting them all together for this moment.
Alejandra steps back and takes in all of the reactions…
Edwin FaceTimed his family. It was an emotional moment for him. Of course it was so hard not to have family right there by his side. He expressed to me how much his mom left behind to move to the United States so that he would have more opportunities. I was tearing up hearing his appreciation and realization of what his mother was willing to sacrifice for her children.
Erika kicks up her feet to translate her vows into her vow book…
Hot damn!
Erika dressed up in a Mr. Potato head costume to surprise Edwin for their first look down by the water near the San Diego County Administration building…
Clearly, Edwin was surprised and he loved it!
There’s those palm trees again and I loved the splash effect from the fountain nearby…
I don’t mind when random people doing their thing walk into my photos. I was happy to be somewhere where it was warm enough in January for someone to be shirtless and rolling their luggage along outside…
We headed up to Sunset Cliffs, the location of their intimate wedding ceremony…
When I shared this image social media, Erika said she didn’t even know I took this picture. When she sees the full gallery she will likely piece together when I took this image, but I love when a couple has no idea when I took the image….keeping up with my ninja skills.
German was setting up Zoom just ahead of Erika and Edwin’s Sunset Cliffs San Diego intimate wedding ceremony…
Edwin gives a wave to the guests on Zoom…
Erika gives a wave to the guests on Zoom…
Not a bad spot to be married…
All this joy just warms my heart…
It’s official!
Can you feel that joy emanating off of them? I know that it has been hard for couples to let go of what they thought their wedding was going to be, but look at this joy. They were so happy with their plans. They had a fantastic, beautiful, meaningful day and that is what it is all about. 
Erika and Edwin shared a first dance right after their Sunset Cliffs San Diego intimate wedding ceremony…
I love their expressions when they popped the champagne!
Erika and Edwin sat down and toasted with their guests…Are you seeing this joy and the possibility that weddings don’t have to be the way the industry tells you? Dare to think outside the box.
A little selfie for the newlyweds…
So pretty…
I am so happy that Erika and Edwin found a way to make plans that felt right to them in this ever-changing climate. Working with them for the past year has been such a pleasure. During a time when my industry has experienced so much loss and and threats to our livelihoods, Erika and Edwin reassured me throughout the process that they weren’t going to be coming after me for anything. I’m not sure they really understand how much their reassurance meant to me during a time of so much uncertainty. The fact that they liked me and my work enough to fly me out to California for their new plans seriously warmed my heart. These two are the real deal. They’ve been a light during a dark time in my nearly two decades in this industry. I was so happy to be able to capture their Sunset Cliffs San Diego intimate wedding story for them and to witness the joy that came about on their day after sacrificing their original plans. Thanks to my husband for assisting me throughout the weekend and for being a super hero and changing our flat tire literally in the middle of the desert where even a cell signal couldn’t be found.
