Scotty and Ari reached out to me after they had to cancel their 2020 elopement plans in Croatia. They decided they didn’t want to wait to get married (who can blame them!?) So they planned a date to get married at the San Diego Downtown Administration Building. Funny enough, Scotty and Ari live only blocks away from the administration building and have always joked about just walking down the street to go get married. That’s exactly what they did. It was so much fun to be a part of this sweet celebration and memory.

One of Ari’s closest friends, Kylie (one of my favorite hair queens in SD), did Ari’s hair. Lindsey Jones did the make-up (UGH her talent *insert cry face emoji*). To top it all off, the bouquet was put together by Bethany from Tiny Victories. The ultimate dream team situation.

We started the day meeting at their apartment where they got ready, popped champagne, then cruised around downtown and walked to the admin building. There is this little building right outside the main county building called the marriage hut, which is where they do a lot of the elopements now. When the ceremony was over we headed to the Andaz, a place super special to them, to take some photos at the hotel. When some of the staff at the hotel and previous co-workers of A+S found out they were doing photos there after getting married they planned a little surprise. Nothing like getting iced on your wedding day. They also had a cake made too which was super sweet and lead to an impromptu cake cutting.

After the hotel, we did a quick trip to Coronado to snag some photos in another super special place to A + S. Popped some more champagne (because, YES!) and then I left those cuties to continue their little party and eat and do all the things for the first time officially as husband and wife.

AH, elopements are so cool. I would shoot one every single day of the week. I love how intimate and personal they can be. I love how they can be casual and mellow, boujee and bold, or a fun little combination of it all. They give so much space to prioritize and do what you want to do the day you get married. For the couples that decided to elope instead, elope now and do a big party later, or hold off altogether and have a big wedding when it' feels right, you do exactly what feels best for you. There is no right or wrong way of doing it, just going for it and celebrating the insanely cool union that marriage is.

SO much love remembering this fun little celebration. Congrats Ari + Scotty!

VENDORS + WHERE TO FIND THEM

and trust me, you want to find them

HAIR: Kylie Wadsworth
MAKEUP: Lindsey Jones
FLORAL: Tiny Victories
CEREMONY DRESS: AMAZON (Nope, not kidding! Dress is linked.)
Special thank you to Andaz for permission shooting in the hotel