Vanessa and Felix’s Botanica Oceanside wedding was hands down one of my favorite weddings of the year, and not just because it happened to fall on my birthday. These two were total go-with-the-flow people in the best way. They trusted the process, leaned into the day, and focused on having a genuinely good time with their friends and family, which always makes for the best weddings.
The florals by Soiree Floral Design were such a beautiful soft palette of creamy whites, blush pinks, and hints of buttery yellow – light, airy, and perfect against Botanica’s lush, tropical greenery. Everything felt fresh, romantic, and natural without feeling overly styled.
They also went all-in on fun vendors:
– Fresh coconuts for cocktail hour by Windansea Coconuts
– An oyster bar provided by Captain Jack’s
– A build-your-own sundae station provided by TGIS Catering
– A churro bar provided by El Churrero
– And a vintage VW Bus photo booth by Happy Camper Photo Bus that everyone loved
I also brought along my Holga film camera and played around with some dreamy, imperfect, light-leaky film photos throughout the day, which was such a fun way to capture the energy and movement of it all. Those little film moments ended up being some of my favorites.
This venue has now become my most photographed venue in San Diego, so I’m officially crowning myself the “Botanica wedding photographer,” which I don’t mind at all, because look at it! I’m truly honored to get to do what I do and have couples continue to invite me to document such a special day in their lives. If you’re planning your own Botanica Oceanside wedding, feel free to reach out! This one was definitely one for the books!
Quick Tips for Wedding Planning:
1. Plan Your Timeline Around Light
Golden hour (1–2 hours before sunset) gives dreamy, flattering light — perfect for portraits
2. Do a First Look
It calms nerves, gives you more photos, and frees up time post-ceremony
3. Keep Your Getting-Ready Area Tidy
A clean, well-lit space makes for beautiful prep photos
4. Communicate Family Photo List Clearly
Provide a list and assign someone to help wrangle family — it keeps things efficient
5. Add Buffer Time
Everything takes longer than expected — build in extra time so you don’t feel rushed
6. Trust Your Photographer
Let them guide you with posing, lighting, and timing — it’s what they do best!
You may also like
Jade Maria is a wedding and portrait photographer based in San Diego, California. With a fine art approach, her photography style is romantic, soft, and organic – influenced by the timeless aesthetics of film photography.
