It was love at first sight for Ella & Matt. After catching a glance of one another from across the basketball game in eighth grade the two would begin a love story that brought them all the way to Cordiano Winery on December eighth to vow their lives to one another.

Ryan and I began our days separately. He showed up to The Westin to photograph Ella getting bridal hair and makeup done with her bridesmaids. Meanwhile I travelled to the soon to be newlyweds apartment in San Diego to photograph the groom and groomsmen. Per usual the boys still had to shower and iron their suits before heading out the door for the couples first look. So I took that time to capture some of the groom and groomsmen’s details. From the burgundy bow ties to the matching navy and burgundy socks these guys were styling. They all had matching Vans along with the groom to change into for the wedding reception. The atmosphere was happy and chill. Music playing in the background as they fumbled with the iron, hand crafted some sandwiches to fuel up for the day and of course made sure the cooler was properly stocked with beer. I took Matt outside to a courtyard at the couple’s apartment for some groom portraits. The shadows and light alternating between stone archways had me photography giddy.

Meanwhile Ryan was at the Westin capturing Ella’s first look with her father. He waited at the bottom of the stairwell in the two-story hotel room. Ella slowly walked down the stairs as her breathtaking Enzoani wedding dress cascaded down from stair to stair. We love when our couples decide to do a first look on their wedding day with their parents, it makes for such a beautiful moment and we are all about moments on the wedding day.

After bringing Ella and Matt’s wedding photos from the day into Lightroom and time syncing them we realized that as I was photographing Matt opening his letter from Ella she was opening hers from Matt. After a decade together these two are truly in sync with one another.

We all headed over to Sunset Cliffs for the bride and groom’s first look. And we must say that as far as location goes this has to be one of the most epic first looks we have photographed as wedding photographers. Matt stood at the end of the rocky alcove his back turned waiting to feel Ella’s touch. She came from behind him stretching her arms up against his chest and they held each other for a moment or two until he turned around. His reaction was priceless, eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and mouth dropped to the floor.

We took a few couples portraits before hitting the party bus and heading to Cordiano Winery for the couple to get married! The wedding ceremony was beautiful. Some of our favorite candid’s from a wedding ceremony ever. Ella and Matt were just so emotive and the sweet tears that Ella shed as she read her handwritten vows to matt had everyone tearing up. Just take a look at that photo of the bridesmaids and your eyes will be watering too. Joyful tears are contagious, you know.

Post ceremony we stole the couple away for some wedding portraits now that they were officially newlyweds! Our love for Ella’s train is clearly evident in every bridal portrait we took. The sunsets at Cordiano Winery always give us some of our favorite couples portraits. And this night was no different the golden hour settled over Cordiano Winery as we explored the vines making for some incredible golden light.

We are always in love with everything Sisti Co. creates. This wedding was minimally floral but lacked absolutely nothing in décor thanks to Kim’s artistic eye. Greens danced their way through the center of the long tables mixed in with the scattering of warm candlelight. The mercury glass candleholders gave a warm metallic touch. Delicate olive branches rested upon crisp white plates. The tablecloths had a beautiful transparency adding to the warm romantic feel of the reception. DJ Monkey’s Banana’s had the newlyweds welcomed into their wedding reception with napkins and drinks in the air. The party continued well into the night. We were dying laughing between the most hilarious wedding toasts we’ve heard and the dirty dancing lift Ella got towards the end of the night. Oh and make sure you peek at the couples faces as wedding guests lifted them up in their chairs at the wedding reception, just priceless.

We are wishing these two all of the happiness and laughter in the world. Cheers to knowing what you want at whatever tender age you are in the eighth grade, that in itself is worth celebrating!!

Venue: Cordiano Winery| Wedding Dress: Enzoani from Here Comes The Bride| Design, Planning, Flowers & Cake (uhhh, superwoman?) Kim owner of Sisti & Co.| Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie| Hair & Makeup: Emily Momand| DJ: DJ Monkey’s Bananas| Wedding Favors: Custom Wine Stoppers from Lifetime Creations|