Rachel & Mike’s Scripps Seaside Forum Wedding~ La Jolla Beach San Diego

We met Rachel and Mike a few years ago at their friends Liza and Eric’s wedding.  I remembered them because I was impressed by how well they danced together with such a height difference!  I guess these are the things wedding photographers notice!  Fast forward a few years later, we moved to California and Rachel and Mike were moving back to California!!  They were also planning a San Diego wedding!

We were thrilled to be chosen for the honor and I was even more thrilled when I realized that Rachel is one of the most organized brides ever, seriously EVER! Then add the fact that these two are gorgeous, creative, kind and a blast to be around and our first California wedding couldn’t have been any better!

Some couples meet in bars, some online, some through friends or family.  But not these two! Rachel’s first encounter with Mike was as his Residential Adviser at Occidental College when she told him he had to get rid of his snake!

I was in awe of Rachel’s beautiful dress created by Kathy Ireland by 2Be with its amazing details, but my heart melted for her childhood stuffed animal that watched from the bed!

The girls buzzed about doing their final touches!  Rachel got the girls custom tote bags to hold all their stuff from The New Mrs Shoppe via Etsy! Rachel’s Mom did the honors of getting Rachel into her dress while her bridesmaids and Mike’s Mom stood by oohhing and ahhing which us girls love to do!  Navi, Rachel’s go-to hair and makeup friend added the last touches.

Finally Rachel was ready – one quick playful glamour pose for me and then….

Ta Daaaaaaa!!!  Rachel displays herself to the ladies and the room is overjoyed! I just loved Rachel’s hair done by Erin Lucce Hair Design.  Her makeup artist Pam Sirivong of Love Struck did a perfect job of making her camera ready but not overdone!

Back at Mike’s parents’ beach house, the guys were doing the guy thing! You know, getting ready in 10 minutes flat.

Mike shows off the cufflinks Rachel gave to him for the wedding, custom made by Fawn via Etsy!Well maybe the guys getting ready took longer than 10 minutes flat… Eric, one of Mike’s groomsmen was giving step by step instructions on how to tie a Windsor knot with their new ties that Mike just gave them all!After all that hard work getting ready the guys needed a cool down!Scripps Seaside Forum, the incredibly beautiful and unique location chosen by Rachel & Mike for their wedding!!Rachel and Mike’s invitation created by the talented Bobbi Beito, who also created all other written details and the burlap flags you will see.Rachel and Mike decided to do a first look. We love shooting first looks, its a modern twist on a wedding day and we think it’s such a romantic way to see the person you’re going to marry for the first time that day. We picked a spot that would give Rachel and Mike some intimacy but also allow for their loved ones to watch!  We instructed Mike to just stand and watch the ocean. Easy for Mike who is an avid surfer but hard when he is dying to see his bride!The loved ones perched high above with big smiles!

A giddy Rachel starts walking towards Mike…

After lots of kisses and hugs Rachel shows off her dress. Mike was floored by Rachel in her dress and I heard him say that she looked like a mermaid.  From a California surfer boy that is of the highest compliments!The happy couple looked up and was greeted with cheers and kisses from their family and friends!  The dynamic bridal party!  They walked, they jumped- they were amazing!Florals created by Melissa Barrad, the owner of I Do…Weddings were just stunning.  Rachel, Mike and their bridal party hid away while their guests arrived for the wedding.  As they entered Scripts, the guests were amazed by the creative details of the wedding. The welcome table showcased a poem about Rachel and Mike and gave them a place to write their best wishes to the couple!Cool drinks on a sunny day such a nice added touch!Inside, a table boasting “Love is Sweet” displays the delicious treats for later!

Further inside was something that we haven’t ever seen before!  Rachel and Mike with friends’ help, took two ladders to display images from their childhood and relationship.

One side of the ladder held images from the weddings of Rachel’s side of the family.

The other, Mike’s side. So clever, so creative!There wasn’t a detail left untouched, even the placement cards were set up in such a unique way!Everywhere you looked there was something of visual interest.One of my favorite details was a framed poem for all to read from Rachel and Mike expressing their gratitude to those that loved them and encouraged them along the way!The guests took their seats and were entertained by the ocean views and the talented musician Bill Hartwell, a family friend.    Bridal Party!The parents! The Bride!

Rachel waving to the crowd- I love it!Mike’s Aunt and cousins, the Lewis family are a singing group!  They got up and performed and left everyone with a smile on their face!  Amazing to have so much talent in one family!

Rachel’s childhood friend Taara says a reading. Rachel and Mike listen to each other with huge smiles as they say their wedding vows. I just love this image of Rachel with a big old tear of joy rolling down here cheek! So beautiful!And then all sorts of tears and sniffles started!  I think Mike’s fingers had grown as Rachel laughs trying to get the ring on!Kiss the bride!!!  Kiss the groom!!! Rachel and Mike give each other one big smile……before they literally dance up the aisle parading their extreme happiness to all!With a setting sun, tasty hors d’oeuvres and signature drinks, the cocktail hour was thoroughly enjoyed by all. This little one was such a pip!  She hid from my camera, but who can hide when they are sailing through the air!  How adorable are her band aids!?  I hope her “owie” wasn’t that big, I’m hoping it was her little fashion statement!It got to be that time, what photographers call the “golden hour”!  I was so happy that Rachel and Mike were willing to skip out on the last 20 minutes of their cocktail hour to go down to the beach and take some pictures!I can’t look at this image of these two and not smile!  Stunning!Rachel and Mike you earned this image! The pier was way down the beach and the clock was ticking on our already short time to take pictures before the reception started. It was far…. Mike looked at me, the pier, then Rachel and then he picked her up and walked her there!!!!!!!!Mr. and Mrs. Heffner!We made it back in time.  As Rachel and Mike were waiting to be announced in, the sun was setting and suddenly they were completely silhouetted! Such a beautiful quiet moment for these two before they are about to start one incredible party!!!First dance!Rachel and Mike are joined by all!The tables were decorated to perfection. With driftwood, succulents and tiny little touches of flowers.

The best man, Mike’s little brother Nick, brought smiles to everyone’s faces!The maid of honor, Rachel’s little sister Sarah, made her speech recalling funny and sweet tales of growing up and sharing a room with Rachel!Then Rachel’s parents started off by saying that they were going to go over the “3 minutes” that Rachel strictly allotted to their speech!Rachels’ Grandpa enjoyed hearing the speeches and the stories.Finally it was time to eat the delicious food created by Coast Catering.  Rachel and Mike were seated facing all their guest and had their chairs decorated accordingly!The view of the guests enjoying dinner from outside. One of the great features about Scripps is how it offers open air accommodations. Rachel and Mike dance again bringing all the couples out onto the dance floor! Kids were flying everywhere!Although it was almost a shame to cut into their perfect little cake created by Sweet Cheeks it had to be done! Their personalized cake cutter and forks were created by Trinkets818 via Etsy.               Greg was able to get this cool shot from being outside and shooting through the window!

I’m head over heels for this idea!  Rachel’s Father is really into gardening, especially unique fruit trees! Her Mother is an excellent baker.  Put those together with a ton of love and hard work and you get jars of Kay Family jam as a wedding favor!Rachel and Mike added a few elements of DIY to their wedding and one of them was creating their own photo booth!  Guests took pictures of themselves and then left a copy of the picture along with answering the question “love is….”. What a great way to look back on the wedding day! DJ Effren of Tim Altbaum Productions knew exactly which song to play at which moment- he had the dance floor going all night from first to last song!Rachel had all the moves!And then the boys went wild!Then let’s just say there were less props at the photo booth!Even with all the dance floor shenanigans, this guy took the best dance move prize!!!!!

Oh Mike!  Here she comes…She’s got ya!What an amazing way to end a SENSATIONAL wedding!!  The love, the joy, the dance moves, the happiness!!!!

We would also like to add that the reception ran so smoothly without a hitch thanks to the detailed planning and attention of wedding coordinator Lindsay Cross of I do…Weddings. Thank you Lindsay for all your help!

To see more of the lovely Rachel and Mike check out their La Jolla engagement photowalk here!