Suzanna & Justin’s vision for their wedding relied on one very important element: family. Theirs was a union peppered with sweet intimate details—from a bridal party teaming with siblings, to places of honor for their grandmothers, to Suzanna altering her mother’s wedding dress to wear at their rehearsal. Their San Diego villa wedding was absolutely incandescent with happiness. It’s plain to see the warmth in the air had little to do with the California weather, and everything to do with the warmth between these two sweet souls.
From the photographer, Bryan Miller:
“Suzanna and Justin were a dream to work with. They let go, allowed the day to unfold and lived in each moment. My philosophy is to allow my couples to experience their day. I’m present with them, documenting and living each moment with them. I step back and let the magic of the day unfold and allow the chemistry of the Bride and Groom give life to our images. It’s inspiring to work with real couples, committing to each other and surrounded by close friends and family.”
From Suzanna:
“As honoring famiy traditions was the key element of our wedding, we were overjoyed when my aunt offered the antique cake server used to cut many a wedding cake. Apparently with time and honor also comes ceramic decay as the server completely shattered as we dug in to cut the cake, both running the antique item and slicing my finger! Our quick thinking and wonderful wedding coordinator bandaged my finger and we completed the ceremonial cutting with a catering knife. Luckily, the cake escaped unscathed and we laughed off the snafu with the rest of our guests. This completely unplanned moment is now one of our favorites and a story we will tell for years to come!
Certainly marriage is about the major milestones – engagements, weddings, purchasing a home- but it is mostly about the little moments in between. Being married to a Marine who is often gone more than he is home has taught us to appreciate the small things- an impromptu date night on a Tuesday to our local BBQ spot or mimosas on a slow Saturday morning mean that much more when the days are unpredictable. It is in those small, special moments that we remember why we were so eager to marry in the first place and why we can’t wait for fifty more years of merry matrimony!”
photographer: Bryan N. Miller Photography / venue: Darlington House / catering: Wild Thyme Catering / wedding planner: SD Weddings by Gina / music: Greg Douglass Band / cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Co. / florals: Bloom Babes / hair & makeup: Beauty by Stacey / bridal gown: Anne Barge / veil: Toni Federici
Bryan Miller
17 April
Thank you for sharing this wedding! I hope others can be inspired by their love for each other to create intimate and beautiful gatherings.