Weddings

Romantic California Destination Wedding | Brooke & Tate

September 18, 2024

If you’re dreaming of a California destination wedding, Brooke and Tate’s wedding at Bass Lake is the perfect inspiration. This October celebration was a beautiful blend of lakeside views, dreamy forest backdrops, and a heartwarming atmosphere that made the day so magical.

Brooke & Tate’s California Destination Wedding

Brooke and Tate couldn’t have picked a more beautiful spot than Bass Lake for their big day. Their venue offered a beautiful blend of water and forest views, making it perfect for them since they wanted to have an outdoor wedding with a naturally scenic vibe.

The couple made the most of this picturesque location, starting with an emotional first look, followed by a romantic lakeside ceremony, and ending the day with the most breathtaking sunset portraits. The venue also made things incredibly convenient for the couple and their guests, with an on-site hotel that made it easy for everyone to wake up, get ready, and step into the wedding without worrying about travel. 

lakeside bride and groom wedding portraits for a California destination wedding

Brooke & Tate’s First Look, Sunset Portraits, and Lakeside Wedding Ceremony

Brooke and Tate’s day was packed with beautiful moments, and it was such a joy to capture them all! Their first look was so sweet and intimate—you could literally feel the love and excitement between them.

The lakeside ceremony was so dreamy. The combination of towering trees and the vast lake set the tone for a heartfelt exchange of vows. 

For their bride and groom portraits, we took advantage of the golden hour. The sunset cast the perfect glow, and the photos turned out stunning, with the warm light adding an extra touch of romance to their already dreamy day. It was such a joy to capture those authentic, love-filled moments between them.

lakeside bride and groom wedding portraits for a California destination wedding

The Wedding Party & Reception

Brooke and Tate’s wedding party brought a whole lot of fun and energy to the day. They looked stunning in their elegant green tones, which added such a classy touch to the rustic, outdoor setting. The couple also decided to do their bouquet and garter tosses at the same time, which added a unique and playful vibe to the reception.

Speaking of the reception, the setup under a canopy of twinkling lights was so cute. The tables were beautifully decorated, and the personalized cake topper was just the sweetest touch as well. Everything felt so intimate and personal, and you could really feel the love and attention to detail that went into making this day special.

bride and groom kissing surrounded by their wedding party

Client Love

“Joyce was such a pleasure to work with! Inquiring and scheduling with her was a breeze! 

She got back to me within 24 hours of inquiry and we sat down for a phone call with her where she asked us about our love story and other logistics. The lengths she goes to truly connect with you on a personal level shines through in the photos she captures. 

She did our engagement session and the whole time, she made us feel so reassured and comfortable in front of the camera. She guided us through poses and let us fit in a few of our own that we really wanted. Joyce hyped us up the entire hour, and it just made us feel more and more confident as time went on. 

When we got our photos, we were blown away. We cried at how they looked and I could not stop showing them to everyone I knew! The style was everything we wanted and just the way she captured us made us feel like she truly knew us. The love and happiness that radiated through all the photos – I still tear up looking at them from time to time. 

I highly recommend Joyce for any photo service needs you have! Her pricing and packages are well worth the end results you receive!”

Considering a California Destination Wedding?

If you’re reading this blog, you might still be looking for a photographer to capture your own California destination wedding. And if that’s the case, I’d love to chat with you! Whether you’re dreaming of a lakeside ceremony, a forest backdrop, or something unique to you, I’m here to help make your wedding photography experience as seamless and fun as possible. 

You can learn more about me and my packages here! And when you’re ready, just reach out to me here!

Venue: The Pines Resort, Florist: Sweet Dreams Florals, HMU: @sierrajanestudios, Dress: @poshbrides_sd, DJ: the_itc_entertainment

get to know joyce

I’m here for the lovers who are wildly in love with each other and with the world around them. Couples who believe in living life to the fullest, who crave adventure and new experiences, and who want a wedding that reflects that. I’m here for the couples who want to do things their way, with intention.

 — traveling wedding photographer based on the west coast.

I'm Joyce!

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Stanley & Nicole

"I can look back on my wedding day and feel like I'm reliving it just by looking at these pictures."

Eddie & Serene

"She took great pics on my wedding day, capturing individual beauty as well as group spirit."

Elisa

Joyce knows how to get you to pose really well and is great at choosing photo locations."

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