JD and Audra's Tom Ham's Lighthouse Wedding
I met our beautiful couple in a coffee shop in little Italy, San Diego by courtesy of Wedding Planner extraordinaire Catherine of CBS Lifestyle. I came in while they were in a meeting with a potential photographer and just sat off to the side. I remember how they looked at me carefully, and as soon as they recognized me, I was welcomed with these two big smiles and hugs. I remember thinking how sweet this couple was and how loving this wedding was going to be. I was right …
In the moment that Audra revealed herself in her dress, everyone stood up. I put on Nina Simone’s Feeling good, a personal favorite that i recommend. Audra decides to waits at the entrance until the beat drops…”it’s a new dawn….it’s a new day…it’s a new life for me…..and….I’m feeling good – instant chills. The crowd begins tearing up; JD has a smile that’s ear to ear.
When the ceremony was over, our photographer Sergey of Red Trolley Studio kept our couple and their immediate families for photos. The rest of the crowd went inside where I had R&B music playing and our bartenders were serving drinks.
When it was time for our grand entrance, I put our bridal party in order outside while I warmed up the crowd. I then called the bridal party in couples to come inside with our brides being announced last. After everyone’s introduction, I asked everyone to find their seats and began our brides first dance song. It was a slow song, with JD and Audra rocking back and forth, until I mixed in some Salsa as planned. Our couple immediately went into their surprise choreographed dance and it went without a hitch. We then continued with dinner, speeches, and our parent dances.
The night was not over though, as we had a very special Dance-Off which was the highlight of the wedding. As always, 5 Couples who do not know they will be chosen battled it out for a prize. This Dance-off was one of the most competitive dance-offs I’ve ever experienced.
And here’s our winner..who went above and beyond to make the best of his situation.
We ended the night with dancing music from the 70s through the 2000s. It was a night to remember and one of my very favorite weddings from one of the sweetest couples. I left that night with another hug from them.
As always, a big thank you to my team. We had Catherine of CBSLifestylist who is an amazing wedding coordinator, our photographer, Sergey of Red Trolley Studio, who had the eye to capture these incredible moments, Tina of TinaQPhotography for assisting with the wedding and working the photobooth, and our friends at Tom Ham’s Light House. If you want to checkout the photobooth photos, click here!