Downtown Wedding Archives

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.