Tower 23 Wedding : Victoria + Eric

Her laugh echoed down the hallway and she used her hands to talk, almost like she was shooing away oncoming clouds as well as pointing where her sister could find her garter. Music played, champagne popped, but no one stated the obvious: it was raining. Victoria and Eric planned their destination wedding to be in San Diego, away from their hometown Arizona heat, but the climate change was a little, well, unexpected. Victoria carried on in way that put everyone at ease because she knew nothing would stand in the way of marrying her soul mate.

Not even a flyaway tent.

Undeterred by the rain, the ceremony site was being tented, when the wind and rain reared with vicious ferocity. The coordinators, groomsmen, groom, and a few others tried holding the 1,500-pound tent, but the wind lifted it from the rooftop. Chairs were soaked, the archway toppled, and flowers overturned as Victoria watched from her Tower 23 window. The ceremony was moved inside and through it all, Victoria smiled. As she walked down the aisle into the arms of her future husband, he cried. No amount of wind, nor rain, nor flyaway tents could keep them from celebrating the union of their souls.

Victoria and Eric, I hope you're enjoying Napa and sipping on delicious wine…far away from stormy weather! Thank you for inviting me into your lives and allowing me to document your love. I've never met a couple who's love, dedication, and optimism jumps so clearly from your hearts and onto others. If I didn't like you so much, I might be jealous. 😉 Much Love and Appreciation… j*

The wedding was held at Tower 23 Hotel in San Diego, and I loved modern vibe to decor…it made photographing details a lot of fun because every corner received great window light…

Victoria donned a Priscilla of Boston wedding dress and matched perfectly for her beachside wedding…

The rain came and went all morning, but when these clouds appeared on the horizon, we knew we were in for a legit storm…I've lived in California my entire life and I've never seen it storm the way it did last Friday. The entire hotel staff and the amazing coordinators (Nick and Aleah of Valley and Co) worked tirelessly to make the day flow seamlessly…and their hard work paid off…I was so impressed…

Victoria…you're so fierce…go on with your gorgeous self…

Many thanks to Kristy of Momental Designs for providing hand-painted invitations…

The rain turned to a drizzle and Eric was kind enough to step outside for a photo…he makes the overcast light look even better…

As the rain fell, Victoria waited in the Tower 23 Hotel lobby to walk down to her future husband…

Most of the ceremony details were lost due to the rain, but these adorable petal holders were salvaged and I couldn't be happier…Eric is a cartographer (a map maker) and this personalization to their ceremony made me smile…

All of the family formal photos and the bridal party photos had to take place in the hotel due to the rainy weather and just when I almost lost hope for the bride+groom wedding photos, the rain stopped. Just like that. Raging storm to light drizzle…and I was so happy I almost cried. Okay, I kinda did…I got teary-eyed because this was SUCH an amazing couple and I just wanted them to have wedding photos they loved…being outside really helped capture everything they are…

We had about 15 minutes for wedding photos because of the weather delay, but Victoria and Eric made the best of their time and showcased just how amazingly they view life…

Thank the sweet Lord for sunset…

Many, many (and many more) thanks to Aleah and Nick of Valley and Co for their patience, dilligence, and professionalism planning this wedding…and dealing with all the changes. We went from Plan A to Plan B…to Plan E in a matter of 30 minutes and they were total gems!

JD's view of the First Dance…

My view of the First Dance…

No amount of rain could ruin their big night…

To see more of Victoria and Eric's Tower 23 wedding, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow

Happy Thursday!