Michele & Rachael

One of the things I love about being a professional photographer is that it’s not just a gig. It’s an opportunity to be a part of someone’s life. To, even briefly, share in their most memorable moments and capture it. And sometimes, those same folks keep in contact and reach out for more photos of their next milestone.

I initially met Michele and Rachael in San Diego for a family shoot years ago. As a blended family, this couple wanted pictures of the two of them, their daughter, two dogs, and two cats as the whole troop hiked the mountains of Ramona, CA. If that sounds like a lot to handle, Michele and Rachael managed everything so well—which allowed me to snap some amazing pictures.

Fast forward to their wedding day. Michele and Rachael originally wanted to elope in the traditional sense, but their friends and family were down for a party. So, the two decided on a wedding at San Onofre Beach on the Camp Pendleton campus. For context, Michele serves in the Navy, so I was excited to see my first military wedding.

Pride Wedding on a Navy Base

Having your chosen family be a part of your wedding day can be such a beautiful experience. I find weddings like this so full of meaning and heart. You know the people there are your people, and that’s beautiful.

That’s just how the day turned out, with a mix of fellow Navy people, performers our couple knows, lots of kiddos, and friends who were down to help run the day. That level of cooperation, where everyone is willing to chip in to make your wedding a reality, makes everything all the more amazing.

It was pride weekend when I met up with Michele and Rachel for their wedding day. The big, blue sky illuminated Camp Pendleton. Ideal weather for a San Diego wedding. Gotta love it!

I snapped pictures while the soon-to-be newlyweds got ready together. Having their friends, daughter, and friends’ kids in the room made for a lively atmosphere. Laughter and smiles everywhere—perfect for candids!

After our couple got dressed (with Michele in her military best and Rachel in a white dress), they walked the aisle together. To make it even more them, our couple was accompanied by their pets and daughter. You gotta get the whole family in on the festivities, right?

The pageantry of the day was unique and lovely. From the service members who raised their swords to salute the couple to the handfasting ceremony, everything was so eye-catching and meaningful. Another cute detail is that someone grabbed a box for Michele to stand on during the ceremony since she is shorter than Rachel. It’s the little things that can add a lot of personality to the day.

Wedding Day Drag Show

After the ceremony, the festivities began. For the kids, this meant bouncing on an inflatable castle and a crafts table outside. It’s always nice to see how people consider activities for the little ones.

Inside, the adults were treated to a drag show put on by Michele and Rachael’s friends. The performers had some incredible outfits. The show was fun and lively. But even more than that, it also highlighted the necessity of pride weekend and highlighted the importance of the fight for people to love and marry who they want.

With a wedding day as big as this, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So I stole the couple away from some quiet time. While I snapped photos, I let Michele and Rachael bask in the moment—soaking up the sunset over San Onofre Beach.

How to Get Married in San Diego

Considering your own San Diego wedding or elopement? It’s easy to understand why. San Diego has some incredible beaches and wonderful venues. For expert elopement photography and assistance planning, contact Love & Latitudes!