Downtown Wedding Archives -

23Dec

Ultimate Skybox

By True Photography, December 23, 2017 Venue Guide

Highlights of The Ultimate Skybox

Located high above the city on the top floor of East Village’s DiamondView Tower, the Ultimate Skybox (aka the Skybox at DiamondView Tower) is a stunning showcase for some of San Diego’s most breathtaking views. Overlooking Petco Park, the venue sits in the heart of Downtown, within walking distance to many of the area’s popular destinations. When planning your Ultimate Skybox wedding, we suggest reserving time for portraits during the wedding day. This way, we can take incorporate a blend of city and nature landscapes by visiting the Gaslamp District, or cross the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge for waterfront views of the San Diego Bay.

As the day transitions to night, guests can party late into the evening while admiring the venue’s mesmerizing 180-degree view of the glowing Downtown cityscape. The venue’s diverse range of unforgettable views, Metropolitan aesthetic, and proximity to the water make it a fun, unique location for any modern downtown wedding.

Night photo of bride and groom overlooking Petco Park and kissing

Known for its iconic view of Petco Park, the rooftop at the Ultimate Skybox is an intimate location that offers a wide variety of possibilities.

Bride and Groom on rooftop during sunset at the ultimate skybox

For a completely different look, we took Justine and Danny out during sunset to capture the beautiful city, and Point Loma in the distance.

Night portrait of bride and groom looking out over city during wedding reception

Facing north provides a view of the Skybox itself.

Solo portrait of bride and groom alone at the Ultimate Skybox

When photographing, we love utilizing the modern design of the Skybox and often look for ways to incorporate the building itself into images.

Black and white portrait of wedding couple with bridal party in lobby of ultimate skybox

Portrait of wedding couples outside lobby of ultimate skybox in downtown

The building's exterior also offers a dramatic option for photos. For the images above, we used the same location but created two completely different looks by switching focal lengths and shifting our angle.

Stylish black and white portrait of groomsmen walking in garage at the Ultimate Skybox in Downtown

Even on a rainy day, the Skybox has a number of locations to get creative with.

Aerial photo of Petco Park and Downtown San Diego

From the park, we like to head over to Petco Park on days without games. Within walking distance, the park provides lots of natural foliage as a contrast to the Downtown urban landscape in addition to an up close and personal view of Petco.

Bride and groom pretend to play baseball outside field at petco park

Bride and groom surrounded by flowers at Petco Park

Wedding couple pose with bridal party under brick opening at petco park

For a classic dose of San Diego culture, Petco Park is a great location for incorporating your love of the Padres and Downtown. The park within the park also includes a a mix of local restaurants and bars with a cross between modern and classic architecture.

Bride and Groom against wood wall at Petco park

From the park, the streets surrounding the Ultimate Skybox offer a diverse range of colorful backgrounds with a metropolitan feel.

Groom picks up and kisses bride in middle of street by dances in downtown san diego

Wedding couples with modern architecture in downtown san diego

Bride and groom sit laughing on balcony at bar

While walking, we always keep our eyes out for new locations to add a more candid, casual look to things.

Bride and groom embracing in front of grey wall with veil blowing in wind on wedding day

Portrait of bride and groom on their wedding day in downtown san diego

Wide angle photo of two brides embracing on bridge in downtown

Bride kissing groom outside wall at Luce Loft in Downtown San Diego

Individual photo of bride and groom alone on wedding day

With so much condensed into the area, Downtown provides an eclectic mix of classic and modern backdrops for different looks and styles.

Wedding couple with bridal party at sempra energy building

Wedding couple with their bridal party stand outside red doors at fire station in downtown

Bride and Groom kiss in carriage under gaslamp sign in downtown

Just around the corner from the Ultimate Skybox is the iconic Gaslamp Quarter sign and nearby Hilton Gaslamp.

Wide angle photo of bride and groom kissing on bridge at hotel

Bride holds onto Groom in front of petco park at harbor street bridge

Wedding couple with bridal party under arches at the convention center

The nearby sculptures at the Convention Center also provide lots of open space and fun, natural props.

The Skybox's proximity to the water also makes it a great location for couples looking for a balance of city and waterfront views.

Bride and bridesmaid overlook balcony and cheer at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Exterior photo of wedding reception at the Ultimate Skybox

At night, the Skybox provides a completely different look with new colors and energy.

Night photo of bride and groom on balcony of Ultimate Skybox

Beyond the city lights, the rooftop's balcony features a fireplace which acts asu00a0a fun prop with multiple ways of photographing creatively.

Bride and Groom kiss under fireplace at the Ultimate Skybox

Stylized night portraits of wedding couple at Petco Park in San Diego

Night photo of Bride and Groom walking in rain with umbrella in downtown

Candid portrait of bride and groom with cotton candy

Bride and groom kiss on pedestrian bridge next to petco park

Environmental portrait of bride and groom kissing on stairs at modern library in downtown

same sex wedding couple hold hands and walk on grass at Petco Park

Stylized portrait of bride and groom kissing by blue door in downtown

Outdoor roof ceremony at the Ultimate Skybox

The Ultimate Skybox Wedding Photography

As preferred photographers of The Ultimate Skybox, we photograph weddings here frequently :) If you are considering a wedding at this venue, we are happy to talk over specific photography questions. We also suggest checking out more of our Ultimate Skybox wedding photos.

15Dec

U.S. Grant

By True Photography, December 15, 2017 Venue Guide

Highlights of the U.S. Grant

The U.S. Grant is a San Diego icon that ties together the aesthetics of past and future. A national landmark located in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, the hotel was built in 1910 by the son of Ulysses S. Grant. The venue’s architecture possesses a Gatsby-esque, Art Deco-style rejuvenated with a modern charm. For weddings, the U.S. Grant offers many options, with couples being able to tie the knot in the venue’s most requested ceremony venue, the Crystal Ballroom. From there, the reception is often held in the Bivouac Ballroom, a known speakeasy during the time of Prohibition.

The building’s interior also exudes a larger-than-life presence with its luxurious crystal chandeliers, empire-style furnishings and regal marble floors decorating the property throughout. With its ornate architecture and bold facade, the US Grant building offers a number of different backgrounds for a classic look.

Bridal party throwing confetti while bride and groom kiss

Solo portrait of bride and groom before wedding ceremony

During Kamisha and Cecil's wedding day (above left) we used the iconic corner of the building to feature the hotel's sign. Framed in between the signs and the lamp posts, we loved the symmetry at play for a fun, stylized portraitu00a0of this duo.

Bride and Groom portraits outside the US Grant Hotel

Bride and groom sit on lounge furniture during wedding reception

Bride and Groom walk across city street in Downtown San Diego

Funny portrait of groom jumping while bride looks on and laughs

Candid portrait of wedding couples walking down streets of Downtown San Diego

Bride and Groom drinking champagne at bar in Downtown San Diego

Bride and Groom lie on checkered tile and smile at one another

Bride putting on shoe before wedding ceremony

Bride looking out over balcony while getting ready for wedding ceremony

Groom and groomsmen sit in modern furniture at US Grant

Wedding couple and bridal party jump in middle of Downtown street

Bride poses for stylish portrait with bridesmaids at the US Grant

Wedding Ceremony at the Crystal Ballroom in the US Grant

Bride and Groom portraits in Downtown San Diego

bride and groom embracing on balcony overlooking US Grant Hotel

Candid portrait of bride and groom laughing by stairway

Bride and groom hold hands and kiss in front of water fountain outside the US Grant Hotel

Groomsmen standing outside the US Grant Hotel in Downtown San Diego

Wedding couple with Bridal party at the US Grant Hotel

Groom with groomsmen in front of brick wall in downtown San Diego

bride with bridesmaids in downtown san diego california

bride and bridesmaids sitting after getting ready for ceremony

Dramatic, back-lit portrait of bride and groom at the us grant

Noticing an empty boardroom near the ceremony site, we wanted to take advantage of the US Grant's interior architecture on Janna and Nika's wedding day. To separate the couple from the dark walls and create a pop of contrast, we placed a light placed behind them and pointed it upwards to illuminate the rest of the room.

Bride and Groom embrace under luxurious chandelier at US Grant

Groom sits with groomsmen at the US Grant

Bride and Groom kiss on streets of Downtown San Diego

Wedding couple and Bridal Party outside the US grant

Wedding Couple's first look at the us grant

Colorful wedding reception at the US Grant

creative, slow-shutter portrait of bride and groom kissing

Outside, the Downtown area has plenty to offer those wanting au00a0more complete metropolitan look to their day.

Bride and Groom kiss in water fountain at Horton Plaza

Adjacent to the US Grant sits Horton Plaza which offers a number of fun, playful backgrounds to offset the urban appeal of Downtown. On Bethlene and Brent's wedding day, we placed the couple at the center of the plaza'su00a0water park and framed our composition to give the illusion of water falling all around them for an artistic portrait.

Night portrait of bride and groom kissing outside us grant hotel

Creative night portrait of bride and groom outside US Grant in Downtown

Stylized night portrait of bride and groom at US Grant

Once the sun sets,u00a0the streets areu00a0transformed into a display of neon as the lights illuminate the cityscape. During this time, the U.S. Grant takes on a completely unique look thanu00a0the daytime with its artistic display of color on the building's facade at night.

U.S. Grant Wedding Photography

The U.S. Grant is a great option for those seeking a classic yet urban feel with a dose of luxury. As preferred photographers of the U.S. Grant, we photograph weddings here frequently :) If you are considering a wedding at this venue, we are happy to talk over specific photography questions. We also suggest checking out more of our U.S. Grant wedding photos.

12Dec

Fun with Strangers | Creative Environmental Photos

By True Photography, December 12, 2016 Be Inspired

Whenever an opportunity presents itself, we love a little crowd participation! By making use of our environment, and getting strangers in on the action, the results can be very fun and spontaneous. Below, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite photos with passers-by who became part of the story, including surfers, Ugly Sweater Gangs, street performers, and Santa Claus himself. Enjoy!

During photos with Jessica and Adrian (above) outside the Ultimate Skybox, we noticed two breakdancers in the distance, getting crafty with their photobombing skills. Rather than shoo them away, we insisted they join in and show off their moves!

While photographing at Balboa Park, our bride Ana Flavia’s smile was contagious, as this unplanned group of women danced around her (above).
By getting creative with a scene, a couple’s natural personalities are able shine through. For example, the force was strong with Yvette and Daniel (above) during their engagement session in Seaport Village! As Daniel protected the galaxy, Yvette’s candid smile was priceless.
Before Sharla and Jeremy’s wedding at the Andaz Hotel, Jeremy and his groomsmen bumped into the Tipsy Elves, sporting their infamous ugly sweaters. We felt a bit of West Side Story vibe, and were inspired to stage a classic snap-off between the crews. Our groom Jeremy stepped it up, and had fun with his new “rivals”.
During Kaitlyn and Maxwell’s engagement session at Scripps Pier, these two paddle-boarders caught our eye (above). We asked them to pause for a quick photo, and framed their boards around the couple. This added a pop of color, and created a classic San Diego beach vibe.As Jessica and Dan exchanged rings during their destination wedding in Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean, a couple of beachgoers positioned themselves perfectly in the background (above). By switching to a telephoto lens, and adjusting our focus, we documented these impromptu wedding participants. True love really does expose the best parts of us all ;)
Love is all about getting through the hard times (above).
With Joshua and his groomsmen dressed sharp in their black and white suits (above), we wanted to add a ‘subtle’ dose of color into the mix ;) As this parade-goer passed by, we knew it was a perfect fit for a fun visual contrast.
For Amanda and Omar’s destination wedding at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, tourists stopped in their tracks to watch Amanda striking her best mannequin pose. Because the couple was outgoing, and willing to try goofy ideas, it allowed us to think outside the box with poses.
While photographing Kelli and Edward at Windansea Beach in La Jolla, we happened across a second photo shoot in the background. Posing the couple far enough away to avoid distraction, we had a good time reacting to the scene unfolding behind.