Jamie Grant Photography

Alissa & Caleb.  Their wedding was just sweet.  In every single sense of the term.  Alissa is bubbly and kind, a friend to all.   And Caleb is a strong leader who is thoughtful but determined.  They had been friends for a long time before even dating romantically.  They both were waiting for the right one.  Caleb though, began to pursue Alissa, and through a series of events in which he showed his integrity and pure intentions – they began dating.  Congratulations Alissa & Caleb.  It was wonderful working with you guys!!

I loved all their little details!

Look at all these gorgeous bridesmaids!

Caleb & Alissa got married at Mountain Hawk Park in Chula Vista.  There’s nothing like a mountain backdrop.  Caleb washed Alissa’s feet and Alissa washed his to represent their desire to serve one another.  Such a beautiful representation of what is necessary to make a marriage last.

One of my favorite moments after the recessional is the first minutes they have together – in private – as husband and wife.  I love the bottom right image of the two of them stealing a kiss before everyone comes to congratulate them. 

And just a few of those who contributed to their beautiful wedding day….

Wedding Day Coordinator: Cassie Olgin
Dress Designer & Store: Brides by Demetrios
Veil, Hairpieces:  Brides by Demetrios
Rings: Somewhere In Time vintage jewelry
Ceremony venue: Mountain Hawk Park
Florist: Luann Miller
Reception venue: The Woods Clubhouse
Catering: Martin Macias-The Taco Guy
Dj: Matt Allman

Jillian & James have a beautiful love story.  James waited for his bride.  Never settling.  Trusting that God would provide him a wife in His time.  Meanwhile, while waiting, he became a man this potential bride would want.  He worked hard, served hard, and loved Jesus.  Little did he know his wife was doing the same.  Once they met through a mutual friend, they didn’t need to wait long.  Both knew immediately.  They were married only a few short months later!

When I talked to Jillian the first time, it gave me goosebumps to hear how God had brought them together.  I love how they just knew.  And I could hear it in her voice.  The anticipation.  Desire.  Selfless, committed love.  It melted my heart.  I just know these two are going to be amazing together.  Congratulations Jillian & James.  I loved getting to know you both!

They had a little putting green right outside the “man cave” as they called it.  This little guy was working on his game 🙂

I love that little bit of bling in Jillian’s bouquet tucked behind the roses!

I brought along portrait photographer Rhonda Morgan to help document Jillian’s wedding.  She captured the below image of Jillian’s gorgeous detailed lace in her veil.  You can view more of Rhonda’s fantastic photography here!

These girls were hilarious!!  They would get going and just laugh laugh laugh.  I could tell their friendships were genuine, lifelong and just a blast.  They can’t blame me for their cheeks hurting at the end of the day – they were just having too much fun 🙂

They chose Paradise Falls in Oceanside to host their celebration.  Beautiful.

And onto the reception!

While the bride and groom were having a great time dancing, the groomsmen and bridesmaids snuck off to some secret project.  My second shooter was able to capture their plan.  From my understanding this is a prank that has been long lasting in the brides family.  Seran Wrap.  Rumor has it the brother of the bride has even been known to seran wrap houses.  WHAT?!

They gifted James with the empty tube and I love his confused expression and sweet Jillian’s inward giggle she was dying to let out.  She knew what was up.

Congratulations Jillian & James.  Thank you for allowing me to be apart of your beautiful day!

Here’s some more of all who made their day extra special!

Nick & Sarah have those contagious personalities.  Fun loving.  Just awesome people.  I love when I just know the quality of people I’m photographing by how much their friends love them.  Support them.  And are excited for them.  They had an entourage that you could tell just adored them individually and as a couple.

Nick & Sarah got married at the beautiful Marina Village.  It was a warm San Diego day, but everyone was so excited for these two!

Oh, and a mad props goes out to my second photographer for the day, Paige, from Forever Young Photography.  Check her out here!

Sarah’s mom broke down after she had gotten fully dressed.  Such a sweet moment.

This groom had taste.  Love the grays.

We brought Nick over so the two could spend a couple minutes praying before the ceremony.  The minute she saw her groom, she lost it and needed a minute to recover before they had their moment.

Nick and Sarah opted not to see each other before the ceremony.  Since Sarah had gotten her tears out earlier,  she floated down the aisle with smiles and Nick fought back his tears this time.

It was a gorgeous venue.  Marina Village overlooks the water of Mission Bay.

They just couldn’t stop smiling at each other.

The photo below is one of my favorites from the day!   They RAN down the aisle.  Pretty pumped to be husband and wife.

I think we scratched the surface of all the beautiful locations for photographs by the waterfront.  I love this next photo.  I feel like their choice of shoes on their wedding day is a great depiction of their personalities.  Classy with a little bit of sass.

I normally don’t blog much of receptions, but just in case you were wondering about the rest of the night…  the party just got better and better.

Congratulations Nick & Sarah!!  I loved getting to document your sweet and uncontrollable love.

The following are those who made their day as beautiful as it was!

Ceremony location: Marina Village (North Lawn)
Reception location: Marina Village (Sunset Room)
Tux rental: Men’s Warehouse
Dress Designer & Store: Oleg Cassini and at David’s Bridal
Shoe Designer: Converse
Hair Stylist: Tori Samuelson
Florist: Four Seasons Flowers
Catering: San Diego Taco Company
Cake: It’s A Piece of Cake
Dj: DJ Earl from MY DJS

This wedding is near and dear to my heart.

I began shooting weddings in Illinois.  Even with all it’s cornfields and unpredictability, I love it.  That’s why I was so excited when Hannah & her fiancé chose me to photograph their open air, farmhouse wedding in central Illinois.

It was stunning.

Their farm is out in the country.  Lots of gravel roads and wrong turns before I came across this beautiful acreage, but wow.

They made the preparations in the house.  Full of family frames, character and wood doorways.  Hannah grew up here and you could tell memories packed inside this homes walls.  It was a comforting feel.  They got married on the lawn and the reception was in the back.  It was simple. And beautiful.

Hannah & Jesse’s mothers made all the cake, Pam Dodd and Lynn Kruit.  Carrot and German Chocolate.  I don’t know how they pulled it off, but they were remarkable.

Hannah’s sister, Haley, got married the year before and I got the opportunity to photograph her as well!  You can view her gorgeous wedding here.  Same location.  But very different.  I loved how each sister made it their own.

Since there isn’t a ton of shade on the farm for portraits, we headed out to a neighboring home (about 15 minutes away) to get our pictures.  It was well worth the travel.  Despite the high sun, we had some gorgeous trees and lots of beauty for photos.

I had the privilege of having my friend Laura from Art Photographic along to second shoot.  WHOOO.  She is awesome.

And onto the ceremony!

Jesse is a photographer himself, so he shared my love for light and golden hour.  We snuck off for 15 minutes during the reception to get some of this beautiful golden deliciousness.

I have no doubts these two will have a marriage filled with fierce love, adventure and passion!  Congratulations Hannah & Jesse.  What an honor it was photographing you two!

And just in case you were wondering.  Here is the extraordinary help that made Hannah & Jesse’s day so wonderful!

Bridal Prep location:  Brides home/parents farm

Event coordinator- Pam Dodd/mom

Dress Designer & Store: Stella York dress from Elite Bridal in Champaign, Il

Shoe Designer: UGG (brides)

Hair Stylist: Rod Sickler Salon and Spa, Champaign IL

Florist: Pam Dodd/mom
Reception venue: Backyard of brides home
Catering: LA Gourmet Catering, Champaign, IL
Cake: Made by Bride and Grooms moms, Pam Dodd and Lynn Kruit
Dj: Band, The Midwesterners, Wisconsin
Videographer: Grooms sister, Vanessa Beenenga

Frankie was a bridesmaid in a wedding I did last year.  I love when bridesmaids come back to book, especially because a lot of times I see some of the same faces!  Frankie and I hit it off immediately and literally this girl LIGHTS up a room when she walks into it.  She was wonderful to work with – and it didn’t hurt that she herself is a budding photographer so she valued the light, the location, and the schedule as much as I did!

Frankie and Joe’s story begins with a “short, frizzy haired, green eyed girl who met a tall shy, green eyed boy.”  Those are her words.  They met when they were 12 & 13.  How sweet is that!?  And since then it’s been happily ever after.  No break ups.  Just confidence that they were for each other.  Meant for each other.  Confidence.  They’re still young now.  Barely 20.  But I love that they’ve grown up together and now they get to grow old together.  Congratulations Frankie & Joe.  You both are amazing.

The beautiful blonde in the left photo is the bride I had the privilege of photographing last year!  Check out her gorgeous celebration at this post, here.

The photo on the right…. well, Joe gave Frankie the Dundie award as a fun wedding gift because of her exceptional ability to quote Office lines within everyday conversations.  He makes her smile. And she makes him smile.

We had a first look with her dad.  It took my breath away, their sweetness.

This beautiful image is compliments of my wonderful second shooter, whom I’ve grown to love dearly!  Kellie, of Little Blue Bow Photography, is amazing.

The one above gets me every time I look at it.  Those first couple minutes of husband and wife… well, they’re pretty excited 🙂

Normally I don’t post any of the family photos – but had to share a couple.  The one on the left is Frankie & her mama.  I love a good mother daughter photo and we got lots at this wedding!  She gets her charming and contagious personality from her:)

The image on the right is all her new brothers.  Yes, it’s true.  And those are just the brothers.  Joe comes from a family with 13 siblings!  Several of them adopted… which I think is absolutely amazing.  Frankie will not lack for love.  That is for sure.

The back of her dress was stunning.   And her bouquet…  Breathtaking.  Well done Michael’s Flower Girl!

The charm on her bouquet is from the first necklace Joe ever bought Frankie.  Awwww.

This was completely unplanned.  At least by Frankie.  They swooped her off right after the cake cutting and carried her around like a queen.

And these final two.  I just love ’em.  Everything was gorgeous about this beautiful day in May.  Frankie & Joe. Thank you for allowing me to celebrate with you guys.  I have no doubt you’ll grow old together.  From 12 & 13 years young to husband and wife forever.  You two are the best.

Here are some others that made their day extra special!

Wedding Day Coordinator:  MJ at Barona Events
Decor by: Anne Marie Christenson
Bridal Prep Location: Barona Resort
Groom Prep Location: Barona Resort
Tux Rental: Friar Tux in La Mesa
Dress Designer & Store: Allure at Prevue
Bridesmaids Dress Designer & Store: David’s Bridal
Shoe Purchased at: JCPenny
Hair Stylist: Mary Rodriguez
Makeup Artist: Neechi at Bare Minerals, Fashion Valley
Shoe Designer: Nina
Veil: Prevue
Hairpiece: David’s Bridal
Ceremony Venue: Mapleview Baptist Church
Florist: Michael’s Flower Girl
Reception Venue: Barona Event Center
Catering: Barona
Cake: Debbie Butcher
DJ: Matt Phipps at Choice Entertainment
Videographer: Family Friend