Stephanie & Lontez · Wedding at Botanica, Oceanside CA
Hidden in Oceanside, Botanica feels less like a venue and more like a secret garden. Lush foliage, tall palms, winding paths and pockets of light create a setting that feels almost like a jungle clearing, with wooden furniture and natural textures adding a soft rustic touch.
For this celebration, Stephanie & Lontez chose a FIVE-HOUR LITE PACKAGE WITH ONE PHOTOGRAPHER AND ONE VIDEOGRAPHER. That meant an intentionally fast-paced day for us: moving quickly, reading the light in real time, and telling a complete story without ever breaking the mood of the wedding itself.
Stone, Sunlight & The First Details
We began the day with Stephanie in the bridal cottage, a small wooden house tucked into the greenery. While makeup was still in progress, we stepped outside and created a flat lay on a large stone near the entrance. The natural texture of the rock, soft daylight, and the warm tones of the cottage became the perfect backdrop for her invitation suite, rings, perfume, and accessories.
Stephanie’s dress was also photographed outdoors, hanging beside the cottage door where the light was clean and flattering. Every detail — from fabric movement to the surrounding foliage — came together organically, allowing the story to begin in a calm, natural atmosphere before the pace of the day accelerated.
Groom’s Cottage, Mini Golf & Easy Energy
While the final touches of Stephanie’s makeup were underway, we crossed the property to the groom’s cottage to photograph Lontez. His getting ready was relaxed and fun: a few detail frames, buttoning the jacket, straightening the tie, and then an impromptu round of mini golf with his friends.
These moments set the tone for the day — natural, light-hearted, and full of movement. From a storytelling perspective, they balanced the quieter bridal prep with genuine laughter and camaraderie on his side.
Bridesmaids Reveal & A Garden Path to “I Do”
Once Stephanie was ready, we stepped outside for a bridesmaids reveal. Her bridesmaids waited outdoors with their backs turned to the cottage, and when she walked out in her gown and they turned around, the reactions were instant — hands over mouths, wide smiles, and that joyful disbelief that this moment was finally here.
Meanwhile, the ceremony space was already prepared: a lush floral arch and a fully decorated aisle, framed by greenery, a small pond with a fountain and cascading water, and tall plants on both sides. Everything felt abundant yet tasteful, perfectly in tune with Botanica’s garden setting.
A Garden Ceremony Framed by Doors, Water & Greenery
For the processional, freestanding doors were placed at the start of the aisle. Stephanie’s parents opened them together, revealing their daughter before walking her toward the arch. There were no ring bearers or flower girls here — just a very personal, emotion–driven entrance.
During the ceremony we worked mostly with natural light, focusing on expressions and connection: parents’ faces, exchanged glances, and the way the couple held hands. After the vows and the first kiss, Lontez pulled Stephanie into a dip — a bold, romantic moment that became one of the signature frames of their day.
Backlit Portraits in the Garden Light
Right after the ceremony, while the last rays of sun filtered through the leaves, we moved with Stephanie & Lontez into the greenery for portraits. Here we worked very intentionally: guiding their poses, finding the best angles in backlight, and using the sun streaming through the foliage to create that soft, glowing edge around them.
The portraits were fully posed, yet never stiff — gentle direction, small adjustments in hands and posture, and a focus on how they looked at each other. A few frames with the wedding party rounded out this part of the story before we returned them to their guests.
Rustic Tables, Warm Lights & Thoughtful Speeches
As the sun dropped lower, guests gathered around the wooden tables for reception. The space felt organic and cohesive: rustic chairs, greenery all around, and string lights with warm bulbs hanging overhead.
For speeches we avoided flash, using warm continuous lights instead. We matched their color to the ambient glow of the string lights so the atmosphere stayed soft and intimate, while still giving both the videographer and photographer clean, flattering light on Stephanie, Lontez and the people speaking. Friends and family shared stories that moved effortlessly between humor and emotion, keeping everyone completely present in the moment.
Cake, Circle Dances & A Night That Ended Too Soon
Cake cutting came before the dance floor opened. Here we switched to direct flash, giving the moment a slightly editorial feel — crisp highlights, laughter, and frosting on fingertips captured in a very real, unpolished way.
As soon as the music started, the celebration turned into a full–on party. There were no formal parent dances — instead, guests formed a circle, cheering and clapping as different people stepped into the middle to dance for a few seconds before the next person took their place. We alternated between clean frames and slight motion blur to translate the energy: movement, rhythm, and the feeling that no one wanted the night to end. When our five hours were over, the party was still going — the perfect sign of a wedding that felt alive from beginning to end.
