I got to see firsthand where both Claire and Kyle got all their best qualities from – the calm supportive nature and true unconditional love they received from their family was apparent all day. The closeness I felt from both their family and their friends on their wedding day was incredible. A true testimate to the type of people Claire and Kyle are and the type of couple they will be. We started getting ready at the venue, both Claire and Kyle were keenly aware of each others presence across the hallway. (Nothing a few tree poses couldn’t fix). Excited to get to the first look, we walked quickly to the train tracks where Kyle was waiting and dodging the security guard who was threatening to give us a $500 fine if we did the first look on the train tracks. Of course we totally didn’t listen and risked it. And got away with it too… 🙂 We then walked around beautiful Old San Juan with the wedding party and family, taking photos and enjoying ourselves before they headed back to make it official. The ceremony was simple and sweet, and extremely emotional. It was performed by Kyle’s Dad with a reading by Claire’s Mom. The rest of the night was filled with good food, lots of laughter and a massive outpouring of love. These two are just perfect for each other. They are so easy and comfortable with one another, you get the feeling that they have been together already a lifetime. They really truly are best friends and was an honor to be a witness to their union.
A Franciscan Gardens wedding // Claire and Kyle
I am serious, at Claire and Kyle’s Franciscan Gardens wedding in San Juan Capistrano, my eyes didn’t dry the whole time, and I knew it before we even started their photography. I’m not one of those serial facebook friend collectors. I try to keep my little icon friends to minimum and include only those that I actually like and would actually sit down and have a coffee with. I am lucky enough to say that most of our clients, I feel that way about. After we met Claire and Kyle for their engagement session I realized that they are absolutely people that I would have coffee… and dinner… and a few too many drinks … and a good laugh with! So I facebook friended them both. It’s 6am, the morning of their wedding, and i’m laying in bed. I grab my phone and start browsing Facebook (as you do) and the first thing that pops up is Claire’s smiling face – literally from ear to ear – and a caption that says “I can’t wait to marry my best friend today”…. I started to tear up. It was going to be a rough one for me, and I was right. (Which, on a side note, makes it really hard to take pictures).