For anyone who has planned a wedding before – you know that the planning process can often stretch over the course of one year (or more). Vendors get booked up wayyyyyyyyy in advance so it’s pretty industry standard to book them 9-12 months in advance. But every once in a while – luck is on a couple’s side and that’s exactly what happened for Mary and Thomas. A date happened to become available at Franciscan Gardens so they jumped on the opportunity to book it for their wedding! Typically, having just a few weeks to plan such a day would cause a lot of craze – but Mary and Thomas are handling it like rock stars. We even managed to fit in their San Juan Capistrano engagement session before they tie the knot this Saturday!

San Juan Capistrano Engagement Session

I’m so thankful for the one-on-one time an engagement session provides to give me the opportunity to get to know a couple before their wedding day. It’s always a joy to spend time with a couple in love, but also a valuable asset as a photographer to learn more about their personalities likes and dislikes before the big day.

On that note, I’ll hop on my soapbox for a moment and deliver you this PSA. Couples: Make sure you take the time to get to know your photographer and build trust with them before the wedding day. Natural, candid and authentic photos can’t happen when a couple isn’t comfortable with the person behind the lens. So whether it’s a sit-down meeting or a full engagement session before the wedding day – make the time for it. You won’t regret it.

Ok, off my soapbox and back to this lovely San Juan Capistrano engagement session. One thing that was noticeable to me right off the bat you’ll see in the photographs – Mary and Thomas are so comfortable with each other. Their ease and the way they move around each other cannot be manufactured and I cannot wait to see what lovely wedding day photographs this produces!