Sarah & DJ

Downtown San Diego Wedding at Flora The Venue

Love and ROCK AND ROLL!!

There’s something I love about weddings that start out quiet and end in full-on celebration. Sarah & DJ’s day was like exactly that — calm in the beginning, wildly rocking by the end. It started at The Courtyard San Diego Downtown, where Sarah slipped into a stunning a-line dress in soft morning light, and DJ got ready in the cleanest black tux.

A first look in the vault

They chose to do their first look in the building’s original bank vault, and it gave the moment a feeling you can’t replicate — dramatic, sexy, a little cinematic. Sarah walked in with a nervous smile, full of breath and sparkle, and DJ turned around with that immediate look of “there you are.” Not a lot of words, just presence. I kept a soft distance and let them feel it. That vault swallowed sound in the best way — you could hear the fabric, the shoes, the breath. They got completely immersed in their first look.

Ceremony under the glass ceiling at Flora

Their ceremony took place at Flora The Venue, a tucked-away downtown greenhouse that feels like an urban garden — lush vines, soft light, and a team of coordinators who truly care (they ran the day so smoothly, I wanted to hug them). Sarah walked down the aisle with tears ready to go, DJ held his breath until she was right in front of him.

The vows were sweet and quiet. Guests wiped their eyes in the greenery. And when they kissed — there was this burst of applause and whoops from everyone that felt like a release. Like we were all breathing with them.

Espresso martinis & black-tie romance

They served espresso martinis during cocktail hour and they were a HIT. I loved photographing the little ripples in the foam, the way guests clinked glasses over candlelight, napkins tucked under cuffs, lipstick on the rim. These are the moments people forget to plan for but always remember later. They capture the feeling of the day in the little details.

Their details had this balance of moody & modern — black accents, long white tapers, a velvet lounge setup that caught the late sun so you just wanted to soak it in. Everything felt styled without feeling stiff.

A reception that moved

The band was incredible. The second the first dance ended, the party picked up and never slowed down. DJ twirled Sarah in her floor-length gown (a move they definitely practiced), and later, she changed into a sparkly fringe dress that caught every single stage light.

People were on their feet all night — no one sat down for longer than a song or two. It was the kind of night that felt like it could go on forever. The dance floor was loud, but the love was uproarious.

The downtown wedding energy

Downtown San Diego weddings like this one give you everything — architectural contrast, quiet corners, glowing receptions that feel a little elevated, a little edgy. Sarah & DJ weren’t trying to put on a show — they just wanted a day that felt like them. And they got it.

Their wedding wasn’t for the cover of a magazine (though, let’s be honest, it could’ve been). It was the kind that deserves to be printed & passed down. Hung on the wall. Talked about for years.

If that’s the kind of wedding you’re planning — stylish but grounded, beautiful but honest — I’d love to photograph it for you.