Casa Del Mar Wedding

When Allison reached out about photographing her Los Angeles wedding, I was thrilled to work with the family again. I had photographed her sister Anne’s wedding at Flood Mansion in San Francisco back in 2023, so there was already that wonderful connection and trust established. As a San Francisco wedding photographer, traveling to LA for clients who value that personal connection is always special. Little did we know that their celebration would become a testament to resilience and the power of community when faced with unexpected challenges.

Originally planned for the Bel Air Bay Club, Allison and Dakhil’s wedding took an unexpected turn when the early 2025 LA fires damaged their venue, forcing them to completely replan their celebration in just a couple of months. What could have been a devastating setback instead became a story of determination, with their planner miraculously pulling together a new plan that exceeded everyone’s expectations. Through it all, Allison and Dakhil’s spirits remained high—they understood their fortune in being able to celebrate at all, and that gratitude infused every moment of their weekend.

Their celebration actually began the night before with a welcome party at Roosterfish, where I captured relaxed portraits of the couple. There’s something special about that pre-wedding energy—everyone’s excited, a bit nervous, and completely present in the moment. These moments before the big day often become some of the most treasured images, whether I’m photographing San Francisco weddings or traveling south for Los Angeles celebrations.

Wedding day started with Allison getting ready alongside her closest people: her two sisters, her mom, and her bridesmaids. These getting-ready moments are always precious, but there was an extra layer of emotion knowing everything this family had been through to get to this day. Meanwhile, Dak was getting ready with his father’s help, and I captured some wonderful moments of festive dancing with his family before he and Allison shared their first look.

Hotel Casa Del Mar proved to be the perfect backup venue for this Santa Monica wedding. The ceremony took place in their stunning ballroom, where Celebrate Florals created a breathtaking altar arch in warm coral, peach, and orange tones that perfectly complemented the room’s elegant chandeliers and architectural details. White chiavari chairs from Create Event Design lined the space, with matching floral arrangements marking the aisle. The sophisticated palette felt both romantic and joyful—exactly what you’d want for a celebration born from resilience.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the oceanfront patio while the ballroom underwent its magical transformation. When everyone returned, that same stunning floral arch had been repurposed behind the sweetheart table, with the rest of the florals redistributed throughout the reception space. It was seamless choreography that made the most of every beautiful element.

After sunset portraits outside, we witnessed something spontaneous and beautiful when the crowd of family and friends lifted Allison and Dakhil up in an impromptu dance. It was one of those moments you can’t plan—pure joy expressing itself naturally, and exactly why I love destination wedding photography up and down the California coast.

The reception began with a traditional Zaffa, as Fusion Zaffa led the procession with Allison and Dakhil dancing and drumming their way into their new chapter. Later, during their first dance under those gorgeous chandeliers, with the warm glow of candles and flowers surrounding them, you could see how perfectly everything had come together despite the journey to get there.

Looking back at these images, I’m struck by how this wedding became about so much more than the original plans. Sometimes the best celebrations come from the unexpected detours life throws our way, and this day was proof that love, community, and the right team can create magic anywhere. As a San Francisco-based wedding photographer who loves traveling to beautiful venues like Hotel Casa Del Mar, I’m reminded that the most meaningful weddings aren’t defined by their location—they’re defined by the love and resilience of the people celebrating.