Engagement Photography – Cynthia Zatkin Events

La Jolla Love: Heart of La Jolla Wedding

Since Sara and David were planning a wedding in La Jolla, CA, where Sara grew up, they decided to start off their planning by a fun engagement photo shoot all over the village of La Jolla (or what we locals call the heart of La Jolla)! Look at some of the cute La Jolla landmarks they used for their backdrops! Since the photos were going to be used on the save-the-date, Sara and David also wanted the pictures to set the tone for their wedding. They give off a beachy-fun feel and Sara’s shirt is in one of the wedding colors. The bridesmaid dresses (below) match it almost perfectly!

The wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all took place at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, right in the heart of the village. Sara grew up at the church and her parents still attend so it is a very important place for her. The church also has a large hall AND a liquor license for beer, wine, and champagne so it is great place for both a ceremony AND a reception! Her color scheme, blended beautifully with the So Cal atmosphere. Sara wanted a beachy feel but still classy and a little formal. We chose hues of peach, ivory, and seafoam to create this look. We accented it with sand dollars and star fish, added a simple shell decor to the cake (created by CAKE–love them!) and created custom day-of products that tied in the theme beautifully. This is a great way to pull your wedding together without spending too much money. Custom programs, menus, and seating cards aren’t necessarily expensive.

My theory is that well placed details–rather than over the top decor–are what make an event look classy. I had one guest remark to me, on the side, that the client must have spent a fortune. In truth, they didn’t! They did choose a really good photographer (Sara France–one of my favorites!), they worked with a VERY good and reasonably priced florist (Indulge Flowers–another favorite!), they created custom day of products (thanks to Pink Star Design) that were simple and elegant but not expensive, and we chose simple but lovely linens and got the chivari chairs from a very inexpensive vendor I know out of OC. Our choices were specific, beautiful, and lending towards simplicity and I think you’ll agree with me that the overall effect is gorgeous! Sara gave me a budget and a vision and let me design based on that. It was a true joy to work with them and I always love making an event look truly beautiful and truly fit the client, no matter what the budget is! Thanks to Sara of Sara France Photography for the photos!

Fantastic Engagement Shoot!

Engagement Photography for San Diego weddings used to be a simple affair. When I got engaged here six years ago, I headed to the beach with my sweetheart, a great photographer, and about 45 minutes until sunset. That’s when photo shoots for engaged couples were very simple. No longer do a few pictures on the beach at sunset do. Engagement photography has truly become fine art. A couple of hours is now the minimum amount of time set aside by my brides and grooms. Most shoots involve multiple locations, a beautiful wardrobe of outfit changes, and whimsical props. We’ve seen this trend develop as wedding photography, itself, has evolved. Once considered second-rate, wedding photographers are now highly esteemed as some of the greatest photographic talent out there. Sara of Sara France Photography worked with my clients Jessica and Andrew to create a number of looks they had personally designed. Check out the amazing photos below. These will truly be treasured!

Engagement photos have truly become art. They are the portraits that will hang on walls for years (even decades!) to come–and often decorate part of the wedding itself. They capture the love of the couple at one of its sweetest times…and capture us girls at probably one of the seasons that we look our best (I hang my 30-year-old engagement, wedding, and honeymoon photos all over my house!) And they serve as time pieces that will be highly valued for years and years. I am completely in love with this trend!

Steal this idea:

First of all, set aside time! Photography like this can’t happen in an hour. Think of locations that showcase the two of you as a couple and clothes that show your personalities. And please don’t perfectly match! Being in the same color scheme but in different pieces (and even patterns and textures) is much more visually interesting. Then add props that feel fun and very you! Scour the internet to see what other couples have done for fun ideas. And even if you’re already married, consider doing this same concept with your family. For our Christmas cards this year, I again headed to the beach with my sweetheart and now my 2-year-old son and we brought our surfboards, a volleyball, sand toys, and yes, two different outfits and hung out as long as said 2-year-old would let us. And yes, those photos are now hanging on my wall in our surf-inspired decor (and I can still wear short shorts at 36, so why not?). Regular time pieces like these are an invaluable treasure! I highly recommend it!