Picture this Monterey Wedding. A bride and groom getting ready in separate rooms. Both wedding parties are getting ready with them, and hyping the couple up. The bride is with her girls doing hair and makeup, with Taylor Swift playing in the background. There are donuts, drinks, and sweet laughter filling the air. The bride is making fun videos with her girls, while her mom sits there and enjoys the view of her beautiful daughter getting ready. The bride is doing her happy foot taps because she is just so excited the day is finally here!
The guys are in the hotel lobby down the street, recovering from a morning run but freshly showered, dressed, and ready for photos. They are making sure the important things like the rings and the license are in hand and ready to go. They are messing around and excited for not only the wedding, but for the party after. You can tell even collected, the groom is nervous. Not only for the first touch that is soon to come, but because he will get to see his bride walk down the aisle to her forever in just an hour.
This is how the morning started, and a great representation of how the day went. There was nothing but support, love, and joy from every single one of their guests during the whole wedding day. One that I am sure people will be talking about for years to come.
Monterey Wedding
The moment I arrived at the St Carlos Cathedral in Monterey, I saw nothing but guests smiling and chatting about how excited they are. The kiddos were dressed up running around, ready to walk down the aisle, take photos with the families, and enjoying play time. The guests were dressed to impress, with many beautiful looks. The church was filling up, even after everyone piling in the seats.
The bride arrived last to the cathedral, ensuring no one saw her with her family. I noticed her taking it all in, smiling ear to ear. Her dad by her side, holding onto his baby girl as he is walking her down the aisle.
Karen and Nate’s Monterey Wedding was a full catholic mass, lasting over and hour. It ended with a second “first” kiss, cheers, and church bells ringing as Karen and Nate walk down together as husband and wife. The most loving part of the day was over in a blink but was so memorable for all, no one will forget it.
Karen and Nate
One of the many things I loved about this wedding day was that there was enough scheduled time to capture and create some really great bride and groom portraits. We started by taking a few at the church once everyone left from family formals. The sun was out which we were all happy about, because it was raining the day before and had a chance of rain all day. So, sunny skies were blessing us, making the moments and the images so warm.
The idea of eating a cheeseburger was talked about a few days before, so we went to In N Out next! So many customers walked up and congratulated the couple. And, nothing like a little photo shoot outside with some fun hats, and yummy burgers.
Finally, we finished the afternoon with images at The Barns. The wedding cocktail party still had not started yet, so aside from wedding party images, we had some time to take beautiful images at The Barns in Monterey, where their reception was. These are some of my favorites taking there!
Wedding Party Images
Speaking of wedding party, I had to dedicate a whole section to the wedding party. I truly believe that a wedding day experience first begins with who you surround yourself with. Nate and Karen did an excellent job picking who were going to be the groomsman and the bridesmaid and made of honor. Every one I had met and talked to on both sides were a joy to chat with, very positive, there for the couple for what ever they needed, giving great hype, and were there for a good time. There was not a complaint or a side eye shown all day. Each were fun to photograph, up for any idea, and did a great job at being in front of the camera, at being guests, and being truly awesome wedding party hosts. So, here is some of my favorites captured by myself and my second photographer, Sophia!
Monterey Wedding Reception
This Monterey wedding day ended with an epic reception that might be one of my favorites I ever photographed. I love when guests stay on the dance floor all night long. Even more when the couple does as well. The DJ played all the best songs from many genres, that made everyone at any age feel belonged.
For the speeches, I love when they are personal and get people to laugh and cry. The mom of the groom gave hands down one of the best speeches I ever heard. A letter to a teach that Nate wrote when he was a kid after getting in trouble. It was simply perfect and funny and was tied together really nice when a great ending.
I also took the liberty to ask a few guests what advice they had for Karen and Nate.
Diane quoted “always do things together to keep things interesting, and always be honest with each other”.
I asked a much younger Zack, and he shared some great words of advice for the couple as well.
“Keep prioritizing each other and working on your marriage even when things get busy”
Such great advice!
Of course you cannot forget about the Irish dancing songs for Karen and her family, hype songs that got everyone jumping so much the place was shaking, a great last song that got everyone involved, and a super fun bubble exit that brought out the kid in all of us!
This wedding was my last of the 2024 season and I could not have asked for a better way to end it!
Destinations with Dana
Since 2018, I have had the pleasure of photographing so many incredible weddings all over the U.S and now, select parts of Europe. It brings me happiness getting to photograph weddings for amazing and joyful couples. Some of my best weddings are based in Monterey, a town I love so much. If you or anyone you know is getting married in Monterey or Carmel, love light and joyful images, I would love to have a conversation with them! They can learn more about my business here! Thank you! xo, Dana.
