Island Palms Marina Wedding Photography in San Diego for Darcie and Rick

Darcie and Rick Best Western Island Palms Wedding Beside the Marina and Bay by San Diego Wedding Photographers Andrew Abouna

Wedding photography in San Diego, California has so many beautiful waterfront wedding venues, like this one at the Island Palms for Darcie and Rick.

San Diego, California’s beautiful waterfront has many fantastic wedding locations. One really nice wedding venue, which Darcie and Rick chose for their wedding ceremony and reception, is the Best Western Island Palms. Located on Shelter Island, an area near downtown that’s rich with marinas, resorts and situated right on San Diego Bay, the Island Palms offered many great wedding amenities. I’d say these features also enhanced the couples wedding photography, as you’ll see by looking through some of these photos from Darcie and Rick’s Island Palms marina wedding photography in San Diego.

Darcie and Rick Best Western Island Palms Wedding Beside the Marina and Bay by San Diego Wedding Photographers Andrew Abouna

This day of wedding photography in San Diego began with photos of the groom Rick and his groomsmen at the Island Palms. The photography also of course also included some getting ready photos of bride Darcie and her bridesmaids. This portion of the getting ready wedding photography in San Diego included shots of Darcie’s lovely wedding dress hanging in a doorway, with the backdrop of tropical landscaping. And most importantly, I captured lots of great shots of Darcie looking radiant in her wedding dress.

Darcie and Rick Best Western Island Palms Wedding Beside the Marina and Bay by San Diego Wedding Photographers Andrew Abouna

We made time for a wedding first look, so next in our afternoon of wedding photography in San Diego was for me to stage Rick so that I could capture his happiness at seeing his bride Darcie for the first time in her wedding dress. Using the beauty of the Island Palms landscaping and marina as a backdrop, it was time for a great sequence of shots. This montage of photos are just a few of the shots that shows Rick waiting on Darcie, her coming up to him to get his attention, then Rick’s genuine joy with seeing her.

Lovely bridesmaid dresses, each a different color by San Diego Wedding Photographers Andrew Abouna

First look wedding photography in San Diego is always such fun to capture for couples. And you can see by the look on the couple’s faces that it was a great moment of happiness for them, too. The same kind of happiness was captured on the faces of the bridesmaids, which you can see in the photos of the bridesmaids’ colorful dresses.

Like most weddings we had our schedule to keep on track with. This and the organization for the wedding day was managed expertly and smoothly by LV Manalo of Odineva Events and Designs, and she really ensured everything looked great, including the sweets table and reception venue was well!

With the schedule in mind, it was now time to proceed to the area of the Island Palms where the ceremony would be held. The chairs for guests and a beautiful wedding arch, ordained with fantastic flowers – like the bouquets created by Penn Bryant of Flowers of Point Loma – were all set up and waiting for us. And as the guests began to fill the seats, the ceremony and its photography soon began.

in Jewish tradition, at the end of the ceremony a glass was placed at the foot of the groom, and Rick crushed it with his foot, and the guests shouted "Mazel tov!" ("Congratulations")! by San Diego Wedding Photographers Andrew Abouna

Minister James W. Rury officiated the couple’s wedding ceremony, which included Darcie and Rick each taking alternate turns to recite their vows to one another. This was a nice variation on each saying all of their vows first. And in Jewish tradition, at the end of the ceremony a glass was placed at the foot of the groom, and when Rick crushed it with his foot the guests shouted “Mazel tov!” (“Congratulations“)!

Following the wedding ceremony at the Island Palms we spent a little time capturing some photos of Darcie and Rick together and with the family. But since we had shot many of the posed and creative photos before the ceremony, this meant the was more time for the couple to spend with their guests.

I like this style of wedding photography in San Diego, of getting many of the required combinations of photos taken care of before the ceremony, that way I don’t have to steal away the couple from enjoying time with their guests. After all, guests sometimes come from far away, and a wedding is meant to be shared and enjoyed with family and friends. With proper planning and good photography style and philosophy, the best of everything can be had in wedding photography in San Diego.

Blue wedding cake with sea shell topper by Flour Power - San Diego Wedding Photographers Andrew Abouna
Cake by Flour Power

That said, to really have the best in wedding photography it’s so important to be able to have a way to see, touch and share wedding photos. With so many great wedding photography photos created for Darcie and Rick, the very best way for them to really enjoy them is going to be in a custom-made, beautiful, Italian-made wedding album.

From the lovely album covers, though the personalized photo story that the books contain, these heirloom keepsake excite the senses with each turn of the page. The wedding book is the most timeless, commemorative and best investment in wedding photography that will last a lifetime.

A really fun reception followed the couple’s ceremony, with fantastic service was provided by the Best Western Island Palms staff from start to finish! And a terrific selection of music and quality of sound was played by by DJ Mike Thomas of Sound Prodigy, too! Many great candid photos were captured this part of the couple’s wedding photography in San Diego, with no details or moments being missed. Again, more great ideas for including in the couple’s wedding photo book.

In addition to the selection of photos featured on this page of San Diego wedding photographer favorites of the couple’s wedding, you can see their complete collection by visiting my San Diego Wedding Photographer Client Galleries (password required).

For more information about San Diego Wedding Photography or wedding venues, please contact me.