Photographing a Bernardus Lodge Wedding has been a dream of mine as a wedding photographer for a few years. Getting to not only live that dream but also serve an incredible couple and their closest loved ones was truly a blessing! I loved getting to photograph this wedding at Bernardus Lodge for Taylor and Michael and I am excited to share the story and the look from the wedding day!
Destinations with Dana
Welcome to my blog where I share with you real weddings, wedding day inspiration, travels, and more. My name is Dana and I am a Monterey based wedding photographer. Since 2018, I have been photographing beautiful weddings like Taylor and Michael’s all around the country. As cheesy as this sounds, weddings and serving the couples and their loved ones really does make my heart happy. Getting to be part of their wedding day and seeing two families become one puts a smile on my face.
For this blog post, I wanted to share this Bernardus Lodge Wedding for Michael and Taylor. They flew in from Texas, and their guests were from all over. Carmel and Monterey always brought them together and pulled them in with their charm. So, they decided to have a destination wedding here!
Bernardus Lodge Wedding
Taylor and Michael met through a dating app, but their story differs. Because not only did they match on Hinge, but they also matched on Bumble. So, they took this as a sign and decided to meet in person and connect! After a beautiful proposal in Dallas that surprised Taylor, it was time to plan their wedding, and it led to them deciding on Carmel because they are just so drawn to the charm. Which brings us to this wedding at Bernardus Lodge
The weather that day was calling for some rain, but thankfully, it held off until the very end of the wedding. We had perfect weather all day from the time they were getting ready throughout the portraits and lunch service.
I had a vision for this wedding day, starting with the bridal party in robes eating donuts on a tub, to their first look with Harper (their pup), and bride and groom portraits in the Lavender field area. This wedding day was one I have been eager to photograph because of how excited I was! The cake was placed on a barrel with the most fantastic backdrop of Carmel Valley (we love that view), and their reception was held under the floral arches. Although not in bloom, the greenery was made from a beautiful drop and decor for this Bernardus Lodge Wedding.
Carmel Valley Wedding
Carmel Valley has become a location for many couples who want a charming wedding. Those who live locally and even couples who live as far as the East Coast come to Carmel for their destination wedding for many reasons. So, I loved seeing Taylor, Michael, and their close friends and family come together for this intimate wedding and celebrate these two. Bonus that Harper flew private with Taylor and Michael so that she could be part of their special wedding day at Bernardus.
If you are planning to get married at Bernardus, or the valley, I hope you find inspiration from this wedding!
Taylor and Michael, thank you for letting me be part of this wedding day. I absolutely loved being your wedding photographer, and I am so excited to follow along on your journey!
Wedding Vendors
This Bernardus Lodge wedding day can only happen with the incredible wedding vendors’ help and teamwork. When you have a great planner, an excellent florist, a live artist, and more… come together to create magic for the couples and guests, it is so great to see! Here are the vendors who made this day happen!
- Venue: Bernardus Lodge
- Florals: Expressions Floral Designs
- Photographer: Destinations with Dana
- Hair and Makeup: MUAH
- Planner: Golden Coast Planning
- Cake: Layers Sensational Cake
- Rentals: Chic Event Rentals
- Stationary: Our Bride
- Musicians: Kelly Productions and Johan Sotelo at Monterey Strings
- Live Illustrations: Inanna Jessup
