Southern California Professional Wedding Photographer
As an Orange County Professional Photographer, I just adore the couples we meet, whether it’s to photograph their engagement session, their wedding, various stages of their family life, or any combination of any of those, each one of them is truly great to work with. But perhaps our favorite part is to hear their stories. This is especially true for Kelsey and Brad. A truly wonderful couple that we had the pleasure of photographing at their wedding here in Orange County.
Every little girl dreams about the day she’ll marry her prince charming. Whether it’s the silhouette of the wedding gown she chooses, the color theme, or walking down the aisle, it’s inevitable! This was no exception for Kelsey. She had always dreamed of having her wedding at her family friend’s private estate in Southern California. Understandably so, because every detail of this venue is absolutely gorgeous! With a charming outdoor wedding venue, Kelsey got the wedding of her dreams!
Kelsey and Brad’s love story began during their senior year at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. Kelsey’s friend was neighbors with Brad and invited Kelsey to take Brad’s dog on a walk to the beach. After that day, and a few more times hanging out with other friends, they came to realize they were both from Orange County. So, when winter break came, Brad asked Kelsey out for dinner in downtown Disney and on an adventure to go see Christmas lights. Kelsey was especially nervous and almost tried to cancel. We’re pretty darn sure she’s glad she didn’t!
On their wedding day, Kelsey was glowing in a stunning sweetheart gown. We absolutely love the floral lace details and layering of gorgeous fabric used to craft this dress. Brad and his groomsmen were dressed in all black tuxes, looking dapper with black bow ties to complete their look, while Kelsey’s bride tribe was dressed in elegant baby blue sweetheart dresses.
The gorgeous garden at this private estate created an absolutely amazing backdrop for these two to say, “I do”. Towering arborvitae trees and lush topiary framed the elegant altar which was perfectly decorated with draping white florals and greenery. Dainty white parasols were provided for guests to use during the sunlit ceremony and added even more charm to this European-inspired blue, white, and green wedding!
Next was the reception, and with that- time to celebrate! Bare wooden farm tables were dressed with plenty of blooming florals and greenery, clear plates, blue linens, and vintage blue glass goblets. This tablescape setup was a gorgeous addition to the outdoor reception!
We would really like to thank Kelsey and Brad for allowing Three16 Photography to be part of your special day. We wish you many years of love and happiness.
Check out their love story. We hope you enjoy it, and their photos, as much as we do.
Kelsey and Brad’s Love Story
How did you both meet and who liked who first?
We met in our senior year of college at Point Loma Nazarene University. Brad claims we met outside the cafeteria one day, but I don’t remember. I remember first meeting Brad when my friend was his neighbor and she invited me to join her to take his dog Wiley on a walk to the beach. I was interested in Brad immediately on that day (how responsible, he had a dog!!), but I did not tell my friend for another three months!
Tell us about your first date. Who was more nervous and what did you guys do?
We had hung out a few times with friends before school let out for winter break. We both were from Orange County, so we planned to go to dinner and look at Christmas Lights. Brad drove from Costa Mesa to pick me up in Anaheim Hills, drove back to Downtown Disney for dinner, then to Yorba Linda for Christmas lights, then Anaheim Hills to drop me off. Brad didn’t know that Anaheim and Anaheim Hills were not the same thing but insisted he would pick me up! haha! I was super nervous, I almost canceled and said I had to eat dinner with my parents. I went shopping for new cowboy boots that day to help distract myself from the nerves all day!
What’s the proposal story? Give us all the details and tell us, who cried first?
When I moved to Colorado the first time (three months after we officially started dating), Brad and I road tripped and made a ton of stops on the way. One of them was the Grand Canyon and Brad said I love you for the first time there at sunrise. Fast forward almost four years and we both live in Colorado and we were driving home together for the holidays. We stopped at the Grand Canyon and Brad proposed at sunset! It was perfect. He cried before he even started talking. I wasn’t sure if he was crying because he was going to propose or if he was just being emotional and romantic because we were in that place again! But then he got down on one knee and I said yes! He had it all planned so well. He had a photographer there taking photos of it all and we took our engagement photos after, he made dinner reservations so I wouldn’t be dressed in workout clothes, he had my mom make sure I got my nails done, and he had flown out to California for a day a month before to ask my parents for their blessing! I didn’t cry until the next day on the final car ride to California, but then I balled!
As you approach the wedding day, what have you both enjoyed most about the wedding planning process?
Spending so much time celebrating, talking, and visiting with our friends and family through engagement parties, showers, and more!
What has been the hardest part about planning your wedding?
The details! Especially since we are in Colorado and the wedding is in California. It is hard to keep up with all the details and communicating it to everyone involved in planning.
Why did you choose your particular wedding and reception venue?
I have wanted to get married there since I was a kid. My mom and her best friend talked about their daughters getting married there forever. When Brad proposed and we were taking some photos after he asked me if I had any venues in mind and I immediately said this house! Their gardens are so beautiful, and the layout is perfect to have everything in one place! We love the outdoor garden feels.
Where did you draw some of your inspiration from for your wedding day?
The venue, each other, other weddings we had attended.
Where are you going for your honeymoon? Are you excited and why did you choose that destination?
Maui and Kauai. We are so excited, and we leave the next morning at 8am from LAX because we don’t want to lose a day to travel! We wanted somewhere tropical and relaxing that also provided opportunities for adventures. Hawaii was one of the only tropical places that weren’t in the middle of the rainy season in September, so that helped us choose too! We went on a cruise in April, so this was a good relaxing vacation that was different from what we did earlier this year!
Vendors used for Kelsey and Brad’s gorgeous Orange County Private Estate Wedding:
WEDDING COORDINATOR: Hall Occasions
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY: Three16 Photography
FLORIST: Paul Fenner Floral Design
DJ: Vox DJs
CAKE & CATERING: Canyon Catering
HAIR: Eduardo Sanchez
DRESS: Blush Bridal Couture
Designer: Blush by Hayley Paige
GROOM’S SUIT: Menguin
DECOR
Company: Baker Party Rentals
WEDDING INVITATION: Papel Amor
SHUTTLE SERVICE: BEST-VIP
RESTROOMS: Lady Loo Restrooms
Loved reading about Brad and Kelsey’s Orange County Private Estate Wedding? Show them some love by liking and commenting below! Also check out some of our other recent wedding blogs like this Spanish-inspired Wedding, and this Lush Green Engagement Photography Session in Orange County!
