~ WEDDING TIPS 101 ~ San Diego Wedding Planning

Ok my friends, here are some tips from Michael Coy Photography on having an awesome beach wedding in San Diego, California.




1) LOCATION: San Diego has many beautiful beaches, however some beaches are suited better for small weddings(40 people or less) and intimate ceremonies. Problably two of the most popular locations would be Coronado Beach on Coronado Island and The Wedding Bowl (Cuvier Park) in La Jolla. Both locations can offer spectacular panoramic ocean views for some incredible wedding or engagement photos. Most of the beach/ocean themed photos you see on the Michael Coy website are shot at these two locations. Also the parking and space needed for your ceremony at these spots is pretty good at most times. As far as Coronado Beach is concerened, I know of a pretty reliable and convienent street to park on...It's close to the beach and free! :) Hit me up anytime and I'll get you the info.




2) WHAT TO WEAR: Keep in mind alot of beach ceremonies are on the sand and sometimes by the water where its cooler for you and your guests. Do you want an expensive silk garment exposed to these elements? The great thing about a beach ceremony is that casualwear done right can work really well. Either way, if you decide to do formal or casual, flowing light material (veil, dress, etc) for the bride always provdides incredible photographs with the beach breeze. Also, let your guests know it's a good idea to have a jacket or something warm handy.When the San Diego marine layer rolls in( fog) during certain months of the year it can cool things down pretty quickly.




3) THEME: A beach theme is always effective. Over the years I have seen alot of sea shell themed invitations, flip flops(called slippahz in Hawaii) floral lei's,etc. A simple but well thought out beach themed wedding done right can provide just as much beauty and drama as a multi million dollar winery or resort...minus the expense.




4) SAND CEREMONY: Alot of couples decide to add a little flare to their ceremonies by having a candle ceremony. As beautiful and significant that a candle ceremony can be, they can also be a problem outdoors with the breeze or wind. I've witnessed many brides and grooms slightly panic over trying to light a candle that just wont cooperate with the wind as their guests look on in agony. Trust me this is something you dont want on your wedding day. A sand ceremony is always a great option. It's basically where the bride and groom take turns filling up a tall glass vessel from two smaller one's. The sand from the two smaller vessels contains different color sand, like blue and white for example. Also another cool thing about the sand ceremony is that you can place it somewhere special in your home, as opposed to a candle that blows out alot of times before the ceremony is even over. Check with your officiant for the sand ceremony details, some of them will provide what you need usually for a nominal fee.




5) PHOTOGRAPHER: Choose a photographer that is a proffesional at photographing weddings on San Diego beaches. Along with dealing with natural lighting challenges and the beach elements. Make sure to check out their portfolio/gallery, you want to love their beach pictures, not just like them. Remember these are once in a lifetime photographs we are talking about. Your photographer should have a vast knowledge of beach enviroment photography to provide you with a quick and efficent photography session. As much as brides and grooms love incredible wedding pictures, they don't love spending alot of unecessary time capturing them. Afterall you just got married...it's time to go celebrate and have fun!


Contact Michael Coy and make your wedding photography dreams come true... PH # 858-342-9281

The Perfect Fabric for a Beautiful Beach Wedding

Ok Brides, here's a couple tips on wedding beach attire provided by Pamlton put together to help you get the most out of your beach wedding ceremony. It's pretty basic stuff , but may give some insight on something you missed for your perfect beach ceremony...goodluck! ~Michael Coy Photography

A beach wedding dress can be as casual or as formal as you choose.
Your beach wedding can be formal and quite elegant even though it's outdoors in a serene environment.

Consider the natural scenery as it will be at the time of the wedding:
The colors in the sky and the sun on the water are different in the morning than at sunset. Keeping colors in tune with the natural surroundings adds to the ambience of a beach wedding.

Why spend hundreds of dollars on flowers to create the backdrop when nature provides all of that splendor free? And you can weave the colors of Mother Nature into your wedding apparel using a brightly colored wedding sarong or one that resembles a traditional wedding dress.

The beach bride who wants an actual wedding dress may want to avoid traditional local wedding dress shops. Instead, choose a flowing slip dress, an eyelet sundress or a silk wedding sarong wrap.


Rhinestone sandals and flowers or a jeweled clip in the hair makes a chic look for a beach wedding.


For more wedding tips from Pamlton, click her squidoo link...

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmasters/Pamlton

CONGRATULATIONS, CATHERINE AND MAX !

Congratulations Catherine and Max on your new journey together! Catherine and Max, Drove out to San Diego from Colorado with their two best friend...their doggies.

They held a small wedding ceremony with family that came out across the country as well. The ceremony was held at the beautiful Coronado Beach on Coronado Island here in San Diego, California. It was a great time for all, including Max the groom's little brother and sister, whom have never seen the Ocean in person before.

Thank you Catherine and Max for allowing Michael Coy Photography to be a part of your special day, blessings on your future together..hope you guys love your pictures!

~Michael Coy

Toes, Rings and a Silver Dollar ( It's a type of sea shell )

Catherine and Man's best friend :)

And their other baby smilling away and in the beautiful California sun!

Catherine in the same boots her Mom got married in!

Kind of looks like James Bond weds the country girl on the beach.

Max, looking sharp and tallllllll. I could barely fit the big guy in my frame.

A little black and white farewell picture...congrats again to you both! :)

JULIE and JUSTIN ~ CEREMONY AT THE SEA!!

With a wild rainstorm hitting Southern California (actually the entire West Coast) a couple weeks back. I was summoned to capture Julie and Justins seaside ceremony in beautiful Coronado California. It was pouring rain on my way to Coronado, it stopped for their 15 minute ceremony, then started pouring again. As Julie and Justin were in their pink caddilac getting ready to go to their ceremony, I grrabbed them for a couple quick shots at the beach...below is one of them.





An incredible premium edited fantasy shot! The story I wanted to create was our creator blessing the newly married couple in all of it's glory...in my opinion it worked.


Congratulations Julie and Justin on your new life together...many blessings!


~Michael Coy

ANIA AND HECTOR TIE THE KNOT! * SPECIAL VINTAGE PHOTO EDITING

I have a great love for vintage photographs, which is shown below in the images from Ania and Hectors San Diego Hotel Del Coronado wedding. It was a mid-day ceremony, so the sun was high and bright. The sun combined with a strong coastal haze made for a great opportunity to do some vintage editing on a handful of their pictures.

Ania was a very beautiful bride as was her wedding dress.. and Hector complemented his gorgeous bride very well. They were the definition of class and beauty that sunny San Diego day.



Above is a compliation piece of Ania and Hector just after their ceremony sharing a special moment, very vintage indeed...timeless and I love it.

This one reminds me of how some photographs fade out from my childhood era...the 70's and 80's. Ania and Hector look great and they are ready to pop off the computer screen!



Ania the Goddess from another time.

Another 70's-80's feel in front of The Hotel Del Coronado.

Nothing really vintage about this picture besides some basic toning. I just like the shot because Ania and Hector look so natural and happy in it...congratulations to you both and your new family!



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