Westgate Hotel | A History Buckle up, this lavish Westgate Hotel wedding in San Diego is absolutely gorgeous! The Westgate Hotel was built in 1970 as a chic recreation of France’s Palace of Versailles. The Westgate Hotel is within easy walking distance of The San Diego Opera and Symphony. Furthermore, it’s located near The Museum […]
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Westgate Hotel | A History
Buckle up, this lavish Westgate Hotel wedding in San Diego is absolutely gorgeous! The Westgate Hotel was built in 1970 as a chic recreation of France’s Palace of Versailles. The Westgate Hotel is within easy walking distance of The San Diego Opera and Symphony. Furthermore, it’s located near The Museum of Contemporary Art and the historic vibrancy of San Diego’s Gaslamp quarter.
Vendors:
Photographer: @mandyfordphotography
Planning & Design: @grace_kandgevents
Venue: @westgatehotel
Floral Design: @greenflorals
Hair & Makeup: @beautybystaceymua
Men’s Hair: @misterbrowns
Gown & Veil: @ritavinieris
Rentals: @aprboutiqueevent
Floor: @conceptseventdesign
DJ: @the_new_ivy_league
Calligraphy: @fourthingspaper
Cake: @heytherecupcake
Video: @currentfilms
The Westgate Hotel, A San Diego Downtown Wedding Venue
One thing that makes the Westgate Hotel In San Diego one of my top venue choices for San Diego weddings is that the entire experience is customizable. In addition to the gorgeous fountain terrace, the Versailles Ballroom provides the most stunning space to hold your wedding day. Choose multiple spaces for a one of a kind feel. Not to mention, The Westgate Hotel Wedding staff goes above and beyond for their clients and vendors. I highly suggest the Westgate Hotel for your downtown San Diego wedding venue.
Fountain Terrace | Westgate Hotel Wedding Ceremony
The Fountain Terrace at the Westgate Hotel is a lovely spot for an urban, downtown San Diego wedding. Sara and Brandon worked with Grace, of K&G Designs, to craft the most lovely ceremony site. Coupled with ghost chairs and dripping orchids, the clear chuppah was a beautiful focal point. Because of the ghost chairs, the ceremony decor was able to be viewed from all angles.
Sara and Brandon
Sara and Brandon are two of the sweetest people I’ve had the joy of photographing. They have a true, genuine vibe, and they’re so caring of others. Sara is a little more outgoing, whereas Brandon is a bit more reserved. They both don’t love being the center of attention, and I loved watching them flourish outside of their comfort zone. Equally, I loved catching them off in a corner, alone together, soaking in the day.
While this wedding was a dream to photograph, visually, their ceremony was sweet and personal. My favorite part about the ceremony was seeing Sara and Brandon’s body language change once they linked arms at the chuppah. I oftentimes see this on a wedding day and once the bride and groom get to be near one another, their stress and nerves from the hustle and bustle of the day melt away. They spent no time snuggling into one another after the ceremony was over, and it made our formal photos a breeze. Thank you both for having such a relaxed demeanor and for making my job so easy! You are so kindhearted.
Versailles Ballroom | Westgate Hotel Wedding Reception
Sara and Brandon’s wedding reception at the Westgate Hotel in the Versailles Ballroom was lavish and beautiful. Chandeliers reflected light from hundreds of white candles glowing on the tables as well as onto the shimmering place settings. Furthermore, gold reflective chairs picked up flickering candlelight and multiplied its beauty. Their ghost sweetheart table, framed in front of the most beautiful fireplace, was the perfect modern touch. K&G Events pulled together the couple’s dream beautifully to create a warm, inviting Parisian vibe for this stunning wedding reception!
Sara and Brandon, it has been such a joy getting to know you both! Thank you for choosing me to document your big day! I’m so grateful to you both, and I’m looking forward to following along and keeping in touch!
San Diego Wedding Photographer – Mandy Ford Photography
If you like what you’ve seen and you’re interested in booking a wedding photographer, please contact Mandy to learn more. Mandy specializes in fine-art film hybrid photography. With this in mind, she aims to produce bright and airy, timeless images in a relaxed setting. Presently, Mandy resides in San Diego, California, and documents love stories nationwide.
Did you like this Westgate Hotel wedding and want to see similar work?
You can view the wedding below and more recent work by clicking here to view this Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Wedding in San Diego, California!
Just South of Carmel-By-The-Sea, Jamie and Ryan’s Carmel Mission Wedding in Monterey was absolutely stunning. Monterey and Carmel are iconic Central California sleepy beach towns with small-town charm. Vendors: Photographer: Mandy Ford Photography Planner: Jody Rodriguez Ceremony: Carmel Mission Wedding Reception: Club Del Monte At The Naval Postgraduate School Wedding Hair: Hair By Breanna Guerrero […]
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Just South of Carmel-By-The-Sea, Jamie and Ryan’s Carmel Mission Wedding in Monterey was absolutely stunning. Monterey and Carmel are iconic Central California sleepy beach towns with small-town charm.
Vendors:
Photographer: Mandy Ford Photography
Planner: Jody Rodriguez
Ceremony: Carmel Mission Wedding
Reception: Club Del Monte At The Naval Postgraduate School Wedding
Hair: Hair By Breanna Guerrero
Makeup: Stephanie Hernandez
Shoes: Jimmy Choo Bridal Shoes
Dress Designer: Pronovias
Boutique: Epiphany Boutique Carmel
Rentals: Chic Event Rentals
DJ: One And Done Events
Stationary: Minted
Florist: The Garden House KB
Videographer: Anchor Cinema
Carmel Mission Wedding
Father Junipero Serra founded the Carmel Mission in 1770. The beautiful church, constructed of sandstone and stucco still stands today. We also know the Carmel Mission as the Mission San Carlos Borroméo del rÃo Carmelo. The Carmel Mission Basilica is a gorgeous and historic location for a wedding ceremony in Monterey, California.
Club Del Monte At The Naval Postgraduate School Wedding Reception
According to an overview on Here Comes The Guide, wedding planning website service: Club Del Monte is an Art Deco jewel set amongst 25 acres of sprawling lawns dotted with oak, cypress, and pine. Constructed in 1926 as an elegant hotel, the building resembles a Spanish-Moorish citadel and has a gently commanding air. Frequented for decades by celebrities and socialites, the Club Del Monte Hotel was finally acquired in 1951 by the Navy for its Postgraduate School. Today, this illustrious landmark is once again making an impression, this time as a standout Monterey Wedding venue.
Quarterdeck Lounge At The Naval Postgraduate School
Your guests will feel like royalty when welcomed with cocktails in the Quarterdeck Lounge. The Club Del Monte hotel’s majestic lobby was built on a palatial scale. It features soaring 30-foot ceilings, crosshatched with hand-painted wooden beams. Furthermore, two rows of stone columns grace both sides of the room, framing a towering floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the estate-like grounds.
Barbara McNitt Ballroom | Club Del Monte
Inside of the Barbara McNitt Ballroom, guests can attend wedding receptions, and be transported back to the era when movie stars danced inside these very walls. Then as now, the room’s main attraction was an ornately tiled wall fountain with cascading water. Elaborate tilework bordering floor-to-ceiling arched windows at either end of the room brought the Moorish influence inside. Other Art Deco details include the lacy plasterwork ceiling, huge wrought-iron chandeliers and matching wall sconces in the background.
The Ballroom opens onto a Veranda that overlooks European-inspired rose gardens and the Peacock Lawn. This is definitely a favorite site for wedding ceremonies. Stretches of grass offer spacious seating, while manicured hedges, an occasional peacock and the stately building form a handsome backdrop for exchanging vows.
La Novia Terrace
Smaller gatherings might celebrate on La Novia Terrace, a sun-splashed venue that’s wonderful for an open-air ceremony or cocktail hour. This terrace adjoins La Novia Room, similar in elegance to the Ballroom but on a more intimate scale. Its rich wood trim and hand-painted wooden ceiling beams are distinctively vintage touches. Finally, the mid-sized El Prado Banquet Room has a grand, historic feel, enhanced by the cherrywood dance floor, dark wood beams and arches that surround your event in high style. Beautiful chandeliers and coordinating sconces bathe the space in a soft, warm luster.
Jamie & Ryan | Monterey Wedding
Jamie and Ryan chose the most beautiful venue to fit their personalities. To sum it up, their kind demeanor and huge hearts are very apparent. They greeted every guest with open arms and genuine conversation, myself included. Deanne has been chatting with me, and she greeted me with a huge hug upon arrival! I truly felt welcomed by Jamie and Ryan’s entire family.
Jamie has amazing taste. She immediately made me so excited when I saw her plans for her big day. She chose dove gray-blue tones for her wedding with pops of gold and simple greenery. In other words, I was in heaven! Jamie’s Jimmy Choo shoes were show stoppers and I can’t get over how pretty they were – in the perfect shade of gold! 😉 Ryan wore a crisp blue suit with a white tie to balance out the lighter blue tones of the day. Furthermore, Jamie’s bridesmaids chose tonal blue gowns. Jamie and Ryan, thank you for choosing me to capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments! I felt like family with you, and I wish you the best in the future!
San Diego Wedding Photographer – Mandy Ford Photography
Please contact Mandy if you’re interested in booking a San Diego wedding photographer. Mandy specializes in fine-art film hybrid photography. With this in mind, she aims to produce bright and airy, timeless images in a relaxed setting. Presently, Mandy resides in San Diego, California, and documents love stories nationwide.
Did you like this Monterey Wedding At The Naval Postgraduate School Club Del Monte & Carmel Mission?
You can view a similar wedding below and more recent work by clicking below to view this Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Wedding in San Diego, California!
June weddings in San Diego can be hit or miss. Jolene and Ross really lucked out with beautiful weather for their Ranch House At Del Sur wedding, because the June Gloom lifted just a few days prior. I don’t know what it is about the Southern California light, but it’s so beautiful, even at high […]
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June weddings in San Diego can be hit or miss. Jolene and Ross really lucked out with beautiful weather for their Ranch House At Del Sur wedding, because the June Gloom lifted just a few days prior. I don’t know what it is about the Southern California light, but it’s so beautiful, even at high noon!
Vendors:
Photography: @mandyfordphotography
Planning & Design: Ivory And Grace
Venue: The Ranch House at Del Sur
Flowers: Honeysuckle Floral
Hair & Makeup: Beauty Bespoken
Dress: Casablanca Bridal
Shoes:
Accessories: BHLDN
Groomsmen Suits: TheBlackTux
Stationery: Minted
Catering: Bekkers Catering
Bartending: Snake Oil Cocktail
Desserts: VG Donut
Band: Holly Street Stompers
DJ: Dancing DJ Productions
Rentals: Adore Folklore
Jolene and Ross rented a beach house in Encinitas and the views were for the record books! This home was full of beautiful light, and even had a rooftop deck where Jolene and Ross shared their first look and a few private moments before the day began. It’s important to carve out time to be alone together on your day, and what better place to do so than a gorgeous deck like theirs!
The Ranch House At Del Sur Wedding | San Diego
Nestled in the heart of San Diego’s Del Sur neighborhood lies the gorgeous Ranch House At Del Sur wedding venue. This Clubhouse is truly one of a kind.
Ceremony On The Lawn
Jolene and Ross chose to exchange vows under a beautiful tree with friends and family gathered around in a cocktail-hour ceremony. I loved their idea to strip down everything but the real, raw vows that they spoke to one another. At the end of the ceremony, they asked both sets of parents to come up and say a prayer for the newlyweds. This was incredibly heartfelt and the perfect unique touch to solidify their union.
Del Sur Ranch House Reception
Can we stop and stare at the design Annie, from Ivory and Grace events crafted? Alongside Maggie of Honeysuckle Floral, the two captured Jolene’s vision perfectly. I loved the abundance of greenery – our girl loves some greens! – and soft accenting blush and cappuccino tones sprinkled throughout the venue.
Holly Street Stompers were brought in to perform, and if this wasn’t the hint of Gatsby flair Jolene and Ross were shooting for, I don’t know what was. This band was EVERYTHING! Their music speaks for itself, and they’re even locals at Downtown Disney! I loved that they showed up looking like they walked right out of a Long Island Jay Gatsby summer party!
Jolene and Ross
How They Met
Jolene and Ross met on their very first day of college! Ross was a Junior and living across the hall. He saw the cute new girl and decided to help her move in (smart move, Ross)! They became great friends and just friends at first. They spent their days walking in the arboretum, hanging out in the dorms, learning studio art, climbing together at the rock wall, and visiting Disneyland together. When they finally started dating three years later their first official act as a couple was a two-week backpacking adventure along the Appalachian Trail. – What?! Seriously how cool are they!
How Did Ross Propose? Jolene’s Take:
Last July we had just uprooted our lives in upstate New York to get ready to move back to Jolene’s hometown of San Diego, where Ross would start a new position at a naval hospital. We were spending a few days on vacation in North Carolina with Ross’ family before Ross went to naval officer training and Jolene flew to Fiji to lead a high school summer program abroad. On our last night in North Carolina, Ross gave Jolene a book he had made (literally! We both learned bookbinding in college) with photos of us from over the seven years we had been dating. When Jolene reached the end of the book, Ross got down on one knee and proposed. 🙂
Ranch House At Del Sur | Toasts
After toasts ended, I felt like I had a deeper understanding of who Jolene and Ross truly are. Which is interesting, since they filled out a very detailed questionnaire prior to their wedding. It turns out, what I thought I knew of these two barely scrapes the surface. And that’s something to be said about their character. I learned through their friend’s and family’s speeches that Ross traveled the world to help give medical aid in other countries. Meanwhile, Jolene has spent a serious amount of time in Ukraine teaching young children.
Furthermore, I learned that Jolene is a role model to many around her, especially after hearing a heartfelt speech from her younger sister, Jeanine. Maybe the most important lesson though is to never begin a competitive game with Ross – like, ever. I knew that they might be doing a swing dance as their first dance, but soon learned they’re basically professional. (I’m convinced swing dancing was a prerequisite to even get on the guest list!) 😉 Everyone knew how to move! These two are surrounded by love, and they’ve got a magnetic, selfless energy that I admire!
This Ranch House At Del Sur wedding was truly one for the record books. Jolene and Ross, thank you for allowing me to get to know you both better. I loved documenting your day! Thank you for making me feel like part of your family and congratulations!
San Diego Wedding Photographer – Mandy Ford Photography
If you like what you’ve seen and you’re interested in booking a wedding photographer, please contact Mandy to learn more. Mandy specializes in fine-art film hybrid photography. With this in mind, she aims to produce bright and airy, timeless images in a relaxed setting. Presently, Mandy resides in San Diego, California, and documents love stories nationwide.
Did you like this styled shoot in San Diego?
You can view the wedding below and more recent work by clicking below to view this Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Wedding in San Diego, California!
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I'm Mandy - A San Diego wedding photographer specializing in fine-art wedding photography. When I'm not photographing my amazing clients, I'm busy as an overly obsessive dog mom, capturing life’s beautiful moments with my husband, Chris, and reveling in Teddy antics.
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