Top San Diego Wedding Photographers 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.

19Mar

A Decadent Wedding Dessert Table by Ditzie Cakes

By Ditzie Cakes, March 19, 2013 Cakes and Catering

Recently, I had the opportunity to work with April and Brad, who were married at the Fairbanks Rancho Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe. What a delight it was to work with such a sweet couple!

Staying within their purple and ivory color scheme, and butterfly theme, I created a beautiful dessert table that guests were sure to remember.

At the country club, the dining room was glowing with elegant gold chandeliers, as well as vibrant up-lights in purple tones. We designed the dessert table to tie in with the look and feel of the day, and ensured that the table was stocked with April and Brad’s favorite treats.

The dessert menu was created around April and Brad’s other loves: Red Velvet, Nutter Butters, Coconut Lime and their must-have, Oreo Cookie! We also added our Ditzie Cakes signatures: Truffle Pops, Ditzie Choco-Spoons, and a Milk Shot Bar. At the center was a beautiful single-tier Oreo Cookie cake, which the bride and groom sliced into for tradition!

To complete this charming display, the table was set with old vintage wine crates, amber bottles with fresh mauve roses, and a chalkboard!

The chalkboard was a fun way to describe what was on the menu. The table towered with playfulness and delicious desserts!

I also designed personalized tags to wrap 165 Truffle Pop Favors, which were handed out to April and Brad’s guests towards the end of the evening. To match the style, I created a personalized cake topper banner!

Having a display of so many desserts definitely calls for a Milk Shot Bar. Even the little ones kept coming back!

Everything was so much fun, and a labor of love to create for this amazing couple! My favorite part was seeing how excited and happy April and Brad were on their wedding day. Hearing that my work was everything they had hoped for was truly the best reward. I thank April and Brad for making this wedding exciting for me as well! Cheers to the happy couple!

Bakery: Ditzie Cakes
Photographer: True Photography
Venue: Fairbanks Ranch Country Club
Coordinator: In The Moment Weddings
Tuxedo: A Better Deal Tuxedo
Makeup: Bridal Rouge
Videographer: Curtiz Nemetz Productions
Musician: Dwight Kennedy Music, Inc.
Transportation: Elite Image
Florist: Marcia L Johnson Floral Artistry
Invitation: The Fabulous Bash
Wedding Dress: The White Dress

30Nov

A Gorgeous Wedding at Rancho Valencia with Details Defined

By Details Defined, November 30, 2012 Design

At Details Defined, every client is our most important client. To prepare for each event, we create customized timelines that are painstakingly detailed around the needs of our client. Our clients are discriminating and selective, and so are we!

AnnaRose and Arturo were referred to Details Defined by a friend of the Bride. Since AnnaRose is busy running her family’s business, she wanted someone she could trust with major and minor details. We consulted with them from step one, starting with the selection of the date and location. We also guided them throughout the vendor selection process.

Our clients say our sense of calm is soothing during the planning, and especially on the wedding day. AnnaRose was relaxed on her wedding day, and was absolutely gorgeous.

AnnaRose’s family are flower growers, and the bride’s father named the rose well known throughout the floral industry as AnnaRose, after his beautiful daughter.

For over a year, we worked with AnnaRose, Arturo and The Father of the Bride Kenny Baca, who were instrumental in all the plans. They respected and trusted me and my team to do our jobs, and the end result was exactly what they wished for.

The elegant programs were designed by Carol Smith of Invitation Factory, and helped to keep the guests cool on a warm day. The escort cards and table names were also created to complement the gold tones throughout the wedding.

These themed “Lopez Libation” lavender whiskey sour signature drinks added a fun detail to the cocktail hour.

A canopy of lights over the croquet lawn at Rancho Valencia Resort was beautiful, from day to night, and the gorgeous desserts from VG Donut and Bakery coordinated nicely with the vibrant colors of the evening.

This couple and their families have left a lasting impression in my life. The sincere love between them, the friends and family who surround them, and the love and respect they all give to one another made this wedding beautiful from the inside out. AnnaRose said she enjoyed the process, and appreciated that she was able to relax and thoroughly enjoy the wedding!

Coordinator: Details Defined
Photography: True Photography
Invitation: Invitation Factory
Florist: Kathy Wright & Co.
Wedding Dress: M Bride
Venue: Rancho Valencia
Disc Jockey: Shammy Dee
Bakery: VG Donut & Bakery

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U.S. Grant

Highlights of the U.S. Grant

U.S. Grant Wedding Photography

A Decadent Wedding Dessert Table by Ditzie Cakes

A Gorgeous Wedding at Rancho Valencia with Details Defined

Navigationemail(800) 608-6845

Highlights of the U.S. Grant

U.S. Grant Wedding Photography

Navigation email (800) 608-6845