This past weekend, I got to photograph a beautiful Military wedding in Monterey California for Sarah and Lucian. It wasn’t long after they moved here that they put on one memorable wedding ceremony and reception.
Destinations with Dana
Hi! Welcome to this blog post. My name is Dana and I am a destination wedding photographer currently based out of California. I love photographing weddings for couples who admire love, laugher, and the phrase happily ever after. Whether getting married here in Europe, or the U.S, I want to be the one to serve you. Adventure couples who love to laugh and tell a story from their wedding day are my favorite kind of people and why I do what I do.
Sarah and Lucian
When Sarah’s dad sent her to an all girls High School, he thought he had avoided her meeting any boys. The joke was on him because the parking lot was shared with an all boy’s school. In the parking lot one day, Sarah spotted Lucian and thought he was really cute. To ask him out to the school dance, she walked up to him, gave him a cupcake, and with good intentions, Lucian said yes. If you ask me, that was the best ‘yes’ he had ever given. Now, Sarah and Lucian are married.
I remember their inquiry as if it was last month. In November, I got a message about their wedding being in Monterey. They both were moving to California and Lucian was going to attend Naval Post Graduate School. So, they decided to have their wedding here in Monterey! Months had gone by and finally, their engagement session was happening! We photographed at Ribera Beach and their favorite moment was when they got in the water. In fact, the moment was turned into an Instagram Reel that went viral in minutes.
When I book weddings, there are things that I look for in my couples. Such as how they treat others, how they make you feel, what their personalities are like, etc. Why? I want to be able to serve couples who are kind and loving. Who want to surround themselves with good intentions. That is what I found in these two, and thus, I knew this was going to be a great relationship, and an incredible wedding.
Military Wedding in Monterey California
The week of the wedding, many had flown in from all over the country. It was a time to celebrate, come together, and be with the two newly weds!
Sarah and her girls got ready at a beach house in Pacific Grove, and the guys got ready at a rental in Carmel-By-The-Sea. Both homes are so beautiful and were perfect for getting-ready photos. I mean, just check out how wonderful they look! So sharp!
Their ceremony took place at San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey and in my opinion, is my favorite in the area. I love how beautiful the interior looks. The exterior is just as wonderful, with many photo options. Here we took photos of the wedding party, the families, and a few of the bride and groom.
Now, comes the party and what a party it was at Monterey Beach House. Sarah and Lucian had a wonderful dance together. Then, came Sarah and her parents where they had by far the best choreographed dance I have ever seen.
Following was the classic cake cutting, bouquet toss, s’more’ pit, sunset photos, and more dancing to songs like the YMCA and Dancing Queen.
Sarah and Lucian, thank you both so much for choosing me to be your wedding photographer. From the beginning, you had made this so enjoyable and made me feel so welcomed. I loved getting to serve you both, and your friends and family as well! I wish you both the best and can’t wait to see where life takes you in your marriage, and in the military!
