04May

San Diego Air & Space Museum Wedding| Heather and Chris

By, May 04, 2016

Heather and Chris tied the knot at San Diego’s Air and Space Museum, located in Balboa Park. This couple is admittedly obsessed with Star Wars and all things vintage, so the location was a perfect fit. With its focus on flight and space travel, and its historical collection dating back to 1901, the museum made for a fun and eclectic wedding venue.

Black-and-white photo of bride and groom by airplane propellor

We thought the couple’s classic retro look paired perfectly with this antique Pitts Special plane from the 40’s (see above). By side-lighting the image, and converting it to black and white during post-production, it created a timeless film noir aesthetic.

Bride posing with Wedding Dress and Bouquet of Flowers Bridesmaid helps Bride put on shoe before wedding ceremony

Because we were photographing in such a unique venue, we wanted to highlight the museum’s displays of engines and aircraft. For example, we borrowed Heather’s Dorothy-inspired glitter heels from Irregular Choice, and offset them with the dark metal tones and mechanical texture of this engine (below).

Bride's white glitter wedding shoes with bows by Irregular Choice0014Heather_Chris_pfBridesmaids help bride putting on wedding dress

Heather is also an avid fan of Dr. Who, in addition to Star Wars. Using the show as inspiration, she had a yellow swing wedding dress custom-designed by the ladies at Tailor Love. It definitely created a bold pop of color as she came down the aisle :)

Yellow Tailor Love Wedding Dress hung with PSA stewardessesStar Wars R2D2 Flasks for BridesmaidsGroom and Groomsmen stand in front of blue doors at San Diego Air and Space Museum

After seeing these blue doors (pictured above), we found them to be awfully reminiscent of Dr. Who’s TARDIS police box. We had the fellas hop in front, and show off their best time traveler poses.

Groom punches ground to Hulk Smash Groomsmen into airGrooms waits in anticipation for Bride moments before First Look Bride climbs stairs up to Groom for First Look inside Air and Space Museum

Upon seeing Heather in her yellow dress for the first time, Chris’ reaction was priceless (below). The photo was captured during the First Look, which allowed these two to enjoy a quiet, intimate moment together before seeing guests. We love the candid emotions that can come from moments like this.

Groom has shocked expression after seeing Bride in Wedding Dress for First Look Bride and Groom touch foreheads in Balboa Park To exchange vows, the couple stood under a massive PBY-5A Catalina as Ceremonies by Bethel officiated. With the plane’s broad wingspan overhead, and the pavilion’s intricate roof pattern, it was a sight to behold. To show off the full detail of the scene, we used a wide angle lens, and got down low for a “larger-than-life” vantage point.

Bride and Groom hold hands under big airplane during Star Wars themed wedding ceremony at museum Bridesmaid escorts cute Star Wars Flower Girl and Ringbearer down aisle of wedding at museum

During the ceremony, Heather and Chris kept guests entertained with a few fun surprises up their sleeves. As guests focused on the main doors, the music abruptly switched from a 50’s soundtrack to the familiar chorus of “Imperial March” from Star Wars. Moments later, this mini-Darth Vader and Storm Trooper burst in, ready to ward off would-be ring thieves (above).

Bride and Groom mix pepper and garlic spices during wedding ceremony Playing off of the traditional sand ceremony, Heather and Chris decided to mix spices instead. They selected spices to compliment their personalities, uniting in an artistic fusion of garlic and pepper. The couple that cooks together stays together :)

Bride watches as Groom steps on wine glass during wedding ceremony at museum Bride and Groom's First Kiss during wedding ceremony in museum Wedding Rings in front of yellow and blue bouquet of flowersWith the museum closed off to visitors after-hours, our photographers enjoyed unfiltered access to the grounds after the ceremony. One star of the show was this F/A-18 Blue Angels fighter jet (see below) used by the Navy in the 70’s. We loved matching the blue-and-yellow paint to the Bride’s bouquet of yellow roses and blue hydrangeas.

Bride and Groom stand in front of Blue Angels airplane at museum on wedding day Bride and Groom pose in classic car for 1950's themed photoshoot

The San Diego Air and Space Museum sits on the outskirts of Balboa Park. In the photo below, we couldn’t resist having the bridal party tap into their inner-Trekkies, and give a Vulcan Salute. We know this couple will “live long and prosper” long after the wedding day ;)

Bride and Groom pose with Bridal Party showing Star Trek Vulcan Salute Bride and Groom pose in front of red plane at museum Bride in Yellow Wedding Dress uses Force on Groomsmen By mixing colorful uplighting with projected images of the moon, Heather and Chris continued their Star Wars theme late into the night.

Overall view of wedding reception with colorful uplighting at Plane Museum Stars Wars themed centerpieces during reception at Air and Space museum The couple showed off more craftiness with these Star Wars and Dr. Who centerpieces. Consisting of memorabilia from their own collection, this DIY touch helped showcase the couple’s unique sense of style.

Blue and Yellow checkered reception table with Dr. Who centerpiece Bride and Groom's first dance as married couple Bride holds Groom during romantic first dance as married couple  Later, guests were treated to musical performances by the bluegrass country band Gone Tomorrow, and a surprise guitar tribute from Chris to his new bride.

Bluegrass county band performs with multiple instruments during Star Wars themed wedding Groom plays guitar and performs with guest during Star Wars themed wedding receptionGroom kisses Bride as they cut wedding cake during reception Towards the end of the night, guests treated the couple to an impromptu Hora Dance. Attendees raise the couple above their heads, with a napkin between them, and paraded them in circles. Soaring as high as the planes themselves, Heather’s reaction to the moment says it all!

Guests lift Bride and Groom for Hora Dance during wedding receptionBride holds out flowers for bouquet tossClassic 1950's inspired Bride and Groom with vintage car

Vendors

Venue: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Wedding Dress: Tailor Love (custom-made)
Wedding Shoes: Irregular Choice
Invitation: Wedding Paper Divas
Makeup: Lindsay Ann Makeup
Hair Stylist: Vera Delgado
Florist: Blossoms by the Beach
Bluegrass Band: Gone Tomorrow
Disc Jockey: DJ Tom Parck
Caterer: Bekker’s Catering
Coordinator: Bekker’s Catering
Officiant: Ceremonies by Bethel

Check out more fun moments from Heather and Chris’ creative Star Wars-themed wedding.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,