I was always the sassy troublemaking staff member at Junior Winter Camp. Alissa was the sweet one whom everyone loved to pieces. Billy Jack was the boss man. Every year Billy Jack’s March birthday fell during Winter Camp season and every year we, as good staff peeps should, threw him a birthday celebration after all the campers went to sleep for the night. One year… I convinced my new friend Alissa that it was a good idea for both of us to smash cake in his face. I didn’t think she’d do it because she was such a nice person. I was wrong…. she totally did it… she shocked both Billy Jack and me…. and thus began our friendship. 
Haha. Really though…. it was that year that we became friends… and we never would have guessed back then, that a few years down the road, they would be falling head over heels in love.
Not only was their wedding a beautiful and ridiculously fun day, but it was quite sentimental. Billy Jack and Alissa are the rare type of people who are DEEPLY vested in their relationships. They care about people. They thrive off people. Looking out into the faces of everyone at the ceremony, I saw family….. in the biggest sense of the word. And throughout the day, tears of immense joy and gratitude streamed down just about every face… including mine. And as we drove away from the reception, I heard Alissa say over and over…. “This was the best day of my life. Seriously.”
There’s so much I could say about these two… so many stories and fond memories of how they’ve touched my soul and helped mold me into the person I am today… but, for your sake… I’ll just stick with the pictures.
The day started at the Se San Diego Hotel… hands down the COOLEST hotel I’ve ever had the privilege of setting foot in. I LOVE that place! Alissa spent the morning getting all prettied up for the big day… and by the time she was done, I had to take deep breaths to keep from crying… she was so beautiful. Every detail was perfectly “her”… and they all came together to make one BEAUTIFUL bride!
As we waited for the car to arrive, Alissa and I spent some time taking these breath-taking bridal portraits… and they’re easily my absolute favorites from the day… I think you’ll agree…
While Alissa and the girls were getting ready, Billy Jack and his party were waiting at Presidio Park… eagerly awaiting his first look at his beautiful bride. Christopher and my good friend Regis hung out with these guys and took some sweet shots while they waited for us…
Alissa and I finally arrived at Presidio Park and he finally got to see his bride…. it was such a touching moment!
We took a few group shots and then made our way to the ceremony site– Solana Beach Presbyterian Church…
This look is one of the main reasons I do what I do…. I have the privilege of capturing the look on the grooms face when he sees his bride walking down the aisle on the day they promise forever to each other. This look is the one every girl dreams about her whole life… and, I’m not even kidding, I cry EVERY TIME. Billy Jack was sooooo happy…
During the lighting of the unity candle, their friend Molly Jenson performed a poignant rendition of Joshua Radin’s “Today”… Molly… you’re amazing!
This is another one of my favorites… they are SO HAPPY walking back down the aisle as newlyweds!!! Hooraaay!
This cracks me up every time…
At the end of the night, I rode with them downtown in Lance Haynes’ 1929 Deluxe 4-Door Durant… and we took some “vintage Las Vegas” style shots with the car. There are so many good ones, but they’ll have to share them with you 
Boom.
Billy Jack…. Alissa…. you two rock my world. I’ve been so blessed working with you and being a part of your wedding day was a highlight of my career. I hope you’re having a blast in the Mediterranean and I can’t wait for some hang out time!! Many thanks go out to all the spectacular vendors who helped make their day perfect… and Regis… friend…. I LOVED having you along to shoot with me! Thank you so much!
Flowers: Diane Reichenbach of Whimsey Florals
Caterer: Ki’s Restaurant
Chauffeuring: Lance Haynes
Officiant: Greg Fields
Videography: Steven and Michael of Lomaland Productions
Cake: Grove Pastry Shop
Music: Molly Jenson
