On December 14, 2022, I received an inquiry from Samantha stating that she and her fiancé are LDS (Latter Day Saints) and will be getting married in the San Diego California Temple in San Diego, California. In her inquiry, she added that she loved to play soccer, loves science, is a nursing major, loves the sun, and loves the beach… all of which made my jaw drop.
For those who don’t know, I played soccer for 17 years, I used to be an ER nurse, and I obviously love the sun and beach more than almost anything else in the world, besides my husband and pup!
After realizing all our similarities, Samantha went on to tell me that I was her “dream wedding photographer.” To hear that from anyone is amazing, but to hear it from someone quite literally across the country was extra special! I had never even been to California, or to a temple for that matter, and now I was flying out to shoot their wedding. What a dream!
The evening before the big day
The evening before their wedding, I was able to meet Samantha and Carter for their engagement session at Scripps Memorial Pier. Immediately it felt like we had all been friends for years. We had a blast at their engagement session, getting soaked by the waves as we watched the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Do I hear wedding bells?!
Saturday morning arrived and I was up at 6:00, ready to rock and roll. I patiently waited at the hotel until it was time to leave for their first look at the temple. During which, Carter cried and then screamed, “You’re so fricken beautiful!” It was such a sweet moment for them both.
After the first look, they went inside the temple with their family and friends for the temple sealing. No photographs are allowed inside the temple, and only members of the LDS Church are allowed inside to witness the sealing, so unfortunately I had to hang behind. But the big moment for their magical day was when the couple walked out of the temple for the first time after the temple sealing. The videographer (Jake and Julia Film) and I waited patiently outside in anticipation of this moment!
After the temple photos, Samantha and Carter headed to In and Out Burger (might I add that I was finally able to try it while I was there and it is worth all the hype!) The reception took place at a family friend’s home in the California hills. A beautiful mountain in the distance and rolling hills were the backdrop of their massive backyard, which was adorned with strung patio lights. It was magical! The reception was filled with laughs, a mini cake fight, and lots of dancing.
A note of love and gratitude
Having the opportunity to go to California for the first time to shoot a wedding was a dream. And being able to capture Samantha and Carter’s wedding day was a memory I’ll remember for a lifetime. These two were so full of love and joy and the care they have for each other was so evident from the moment I met them at their engagement session. Cheers to the Tolman’s love and new life together!
