Ceremony at Wedgewood Weddings Rio Hondo
Maria and Anthony’s wedding at Wedgewood Weddings Rio Hondo in Downey, California, was nothing short of magical! Having known Maria for over five years, this day was especially meaningful to me. Our friendship began while working together at Target during the pandemic, where we became friends. Since then, we’ve both moved on to pursue our passions—Maria as a dedicated teacher and myself as a wedding photographer in Southern California. It’s been such an honor to capture their journey, starting with their engagement photos in Laguna Beach last year and culminating in this unforgettable day.
Maria and Anthony’s love story is a testament to the enduring power of young love. As high school sweethearts, their bond has only grown stronger over the years. This wedding wasn’t just a celebration of their union but also of the close-knit community of family and friends who have supported them along the way. Capturing authentic and timeless moments like theirs is why I love being a California wedding photographer.
The day began with capturing the couple’s getting-ready moments. I started at Maria’s home, documenting the intricate details of her wedding day—the gown, jewelry, and those heartfelt moments shared with her mom and bridesmaids. Meanwhile, my second photographer, Natalie, was at Anthony’s house, capturing the excitement as he prepared for the day.
One of the most touching moments was their “first touch” wedding moment. Instead of a first look, Maria and Anthony opted to hold hands around a corner, sharing a quiet and emotional moment together without seeing each other before the ceremony. Moments like these are why documenting real, intimate emotions as a wedding photographer in California is so meaningful to me.
The ceremony took place on the beautiful grounds of Wedgewood Weddings Rio Hondo Golf Club. Maria and Anthony added a playful twist to their wedding party by including beer boys alongside the flower girl, delighting guests as they passed out cold beers down the aisle.
During the ceremony, the couple performed a unity candle lighting ceremony—a beautiful symbolic gesture of their union. Despite the windy conditions making it difficult to keep the flame lit, the love and joy in the air shone brighter than any candle.
Immediately following the ceremony, we rushed to the golf course to take advantage of the golden hour wedding photos. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as the setting sun created a dreamy backdrop for their couple portraits. These moments captured Maria and Anthony’s love in its purest form, with their laughter and happiness radiating in every shot.
If you’re looking for a photographer to capture golden hour moments for your wedding, I’d love to help make those memories unforgettable!
The reception at Wedgewood Weddings Rio Hondo was full of lively energy, heartfelt speeches, and unforgettable moments. The couple shared their first dance as husband and wife, followed by a bouquet toss, garter toss, and a lively money dance. Anthony surprised everyone by emerging from under Maria’s dress during the garter toss wearing a funny mask, leaving the crowd in fits of laughter.
To add an artistic touch to the evening, I used a special prism photography filter during the reception photos, creating unique and whimsical images that reflected the joy of the celebration. As a photographer, I love using creative techniques to capture moments in a way that feels extra magical.
Maria and Anthony’s wedding was a perfect reflection of their personalities—fun, heartfelt, and deeply connected to their loved ones. Being part of their journey and documenting their wedding at Wedgewood Weddings in Southern California was a privilege. It’s couples like Maria and Anthony who remind me why I love being a wedding photographer in Los Angeles and beyond—capturing not just moments but the emotions and stories behind them.
