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Black and white shot of the groom dipping and kissing the bride down the aisle surrounded by cheering guests in a sunlit high-rise venue.

Bren & Brittany’s Ultimate Skybox Wedding in San Diego

We're chris & julia

 Southern California Wedding Photographers with a love for timeless and authentic images.

We take a documentary-style approach to your wedding photos, capturing each moment of the day as it naturally unfolds.

When Brittany first reached out to us, she told us she wanted her wedding photos to feel warm, nostalgic, editorial, a little moody, and ethereal. That’s pretty much how we’d describe our own style, so we knew right away this San Diego wedding was going to be a perfect fit.

Bride and groom kissing on an outdoor terrace at sunset with panoramic views of Petco Park and the Coronado Bridge in San Diego.

BREN + BRITTANY

We first met Brittany in 2018, when Chris was photographing an event she was working. Years later when she got engaged to Bren, she reached out to us for their engagement photos in Laguna Beach, and later for the wedding itself.

They live in Los Angeles but chose downtown San Diego for the day, getting ready at the US Grant Hotel and holding the ceremony and reception at the Ultimate Skybox. Brittany’s vision was elegant, understated, and classic, with a vintage twist. The two venues gave us exactly that.

Bride in a strapless satin wedding dress with long cathedral veil walking up behind the groom outside the Grant Grill in downtown San Diego.
Smiling bride in a satin ballgown and pearl veil holding hands and looking up at the groom during their downtown San Diego first look.

GETTING READY AT THE US GRANT HOTEL

The US Grant has been in downtown San Diego since 1910, and you can tell the moment you walk in. Brittany wanted her photos to feel nostalgic, and this hotel gave us plenty to work with, from the marble and dark wood to the checkerboard floors and big windows that let in soft light all morning.

Silk bridal robe with delicate lace sleeve cuffs hanging on a padded hanger in soft warm closet light.
ride in a white feather-trimmed robe and bridesmaids in champagne satin robes laughing together on a brass hotel bellhop cart in the hallway.
Elegant wedding flat lay with invitation suite, Diptyque Philosykos perfume, wedding rings in a mini gold frame, bridal platform heels, and pearl jewelry.
Moody black and white photograph of a full satin wedding dress hanging in front of a sheer curtained hotel window.
Classic strapless white satin ballgown wedding dress with a dramatic train displayed on a padded hanger on a hotel luggage cart.
Black and white view of the bride from behind wearing a pearl-studded cathedral veil while four bridesmaids adjust her gown in front of tall windows.
Bride in a strapless satin ballgown holding a white rose bouquet standing on the black and white checkered marble floor beneath a grand crystal chandelier.
Symmetrical black and white photograph of the bride standing beneath a dramatic architectural arch and glowing chandelier in a historic hotel lobby.
Bride in full satin ballgown holding her bouquet as she opens the exterior glass hotel doors to step out onto the city sidewalk.
Back view of the bride with flowing pearl veil and long train pushing open glass hotel doors toward the groom waiting outside on the street.
Full-length bridal portrait of the bride holding a white rose bouquet and glancing over her shoulder, displaying the buttons and train of her satin dress.
Black and white portrait of the smiling bride in a full satin ballgown showing off her train while standing beside a tall window at The US Grant Hotel.

Brittany wore a Pronovias gown with a draped bodice and a full skirt that moved beautifully. Her bouquet was silk, from Vera Wang, with a small detail from Nadri tucked in, and her jewelry came from the Pearl Source. Bren wore a classic black tuxedo.

Close-up bridal portrait of the bride wearing an off-the-shoulder cowl neckline dress, gold necklace, and a delicate pearl-studded veil in soft window light.
Detailed close-up of a rounded white and cream rose silk bridal bouquet held against a satin gown, seen through sheer pearl-embellished veil tulle.
Moody editorial portrait of a bearded groom in a dark charcoal suit, champagne gold bowtie, and pocket square looking thoughtfully out a window.

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO PORTRAITS

Before heading to the venue, we shot a few portraits of Bren and Brittany right outside the hotel. Between the historic buildings, the passing traffic, and the afternoon light, the portraits had the cinematic, editorial feel Brittany was after.

Black and white editorial wedding portrait of the bride and groom standing under a grand historic hotel portico with a passing car in motion blur.
Black and white wide portrait of the bride in a satin ballgown and groom in a dark suit standing under the ornate wrought-iron marquee outside The US Grant Hotel.
Creative reflection portrait through hotel window glass blending the bride and groom holding hands with the historic San Diego city streetscape.
Low-angle artistic shot highlighting direct sunlight cascading across the heavy folds of a white satin wedding gown and pearl veil.
Close-up of a structured silk bridal bouquet made of white roses and crystal brooch accents held against a pleated satin ballgown skirt.
Bride in a strapless cowl-neck ballgown holding her bouquet while glancing softly to the side in front of dark entryway hotel doors.
Close-up of the newlyweds holding hands on the sidewalk, showcasing the bride’s textured white rose bouquet and classic satin wedding dress.
Detailed close-up of the bride's hands holding her white silk floral bouquet, showing her gold wedding band and jeweled brooch details tucked into the blooms.
Back view of the groom holding the bride’s hand and carrying the satin train of her gown as they walk together down the sidewalk.
Motion-filled black and white portrait from behind as the newlyweds walk down the city sidewalk, her pearl-studded veil trailing in the breeze.

PRIVATE VOWS ON THE BALCONY

Before guests arrived, Bren and Brittany had a few minutes alone on the Skybox balcony to read their private vows.

Bride in a strapless satin ballgown reading handwritten vows to the groom on an open-air rooftop terrace overlooking San Diego Bay.
Black and white portrait of the groom listening attentively to the bride during their private vow reading, with the Coronado Bridge visible in the background.
Close-up of the groom tenderly wiping a happy tear from the smiling bride's cheek as she reads her vows against the downtown San Diego skyline.
Black and white close-up of the bride holding a structured rose brooch bouquet alongside a vow booklet titled "A Letter to My Husband."
Groom in a black suit reading vows with the bride in soft foreground focus and the Coronado Bridge stretching across the bay in the background.
Groom smiling as he reads from a vow booklet to his bride in her pearl-accented veil under open blue skies on a high-rise terrace.

THE CEREMONY AT THE ULTIMATE SKYBOX

The Ultimate Skybox, located on the fifteenth floor of the DiamondView Tower, has dramatic floor to ceiling windows on three sides looking over Petco Park, the bay, and the downtown skyline. The ceremony started late afternoon, timed perfectly with the sun coming through the windows.

Symmetrical view down a ceremony aisle lined with gold chiavari chairs facing floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown San Diego .
View from the altar looking down the ceremony aisle toward soft white entrance drapes and a guest welcome table .
Two minimalist white pillar pedestals topped with round white floral arrangements framing views of Petco Park and San Diego Bay .
Open linen guest book beside slender glass taper candles, bud vases with white roses, and an antique gold cards and gifts mirror .
Three suited male guests leaning against the terrace glass railing taking in the panoramic view of the Coronado Bridge and bay .
Well-dressed wedding guests wearing sunglasses conversing and laughing around a high-top cocktail table on an open-air terrace .

White roses by Emerald and Ivy in tall glass vases fit the understated, classic look Brittany was going for. Along with their vows, Bren and Brittany exchanged single white roses, a small detail that made the ceremony feel even more personal.

Lush round arrangement of reflexed white roses in a clear glass cylinder vase set on a modern white ceremony pedestal by a sunlit window .
Close-up of two open white garden roses draped with soft, frayed-edge white silk ribbon resting on the edge of a ceremony pedestal in warm sunlight.
Elegant single stem white rose in a slender glass vase casting a crisp silhouette shadow against a warm caramel-toned wall .
Dramatic linear shadows cast across a wood floor and gold chiavari ceremony chairs leading toward a white draped backdrop .
Rows of sparkling golden champagne flutes neatly lined up on a bar top, each garnished with a fresh lemon wheel slice .
Emotional father of the bride smiling warmly as he hugs his daughter in her satin ballgown and pearl veil at the end of the ceremony aisle .
Bride and groom holding hands and smiling at each other during their ceremony vows with the officiant standing between them in bright window light .
Dramatic wide ceremony shot with bright golden sunlight flaring through floor-to-ceiling windows behind the bride, groom, and wedding party .
Bridesmaids in champagne satin gowns and groomsmen in black suits flanking the bride and groom at the altar in warm afternoon light .
Black and white wide shot of wedding guests seated in silhouette watching the bride and groom exchange vows in front of sunlit high-rise windows .
Elevated diagonal view of the bride in a satin ballgown with cascading pearl veil holding hands with the smiling groom during their vows .
Moody black and white capture of the bride and groom exchanging vows in front of high-rise city window panes and white rose pedestals .
Newlyweds walking down the ceremony aisle with hands raised in celebration as seated wedding guests clap and cheer .
Black and white shot of the groom dipping and kissing the bride down the aisle surrounded by cheering guests in a sunlit high-rise venue.
Back view of the bride and groom holding hands and smiling as they walk through white draped curtains, showing off the full satin gown train .

SUNSET OVER SAN DIEGO

As the sun began to set, we took the bridal party up to the Skybox rooftop. Brittany had asked for flash wedding photography for part of the day, and this was the perfect moment for it. Direct flash against a sunset sky gives that vintage, slightly nostalgic look she wanted, with the whole San Diego skyline behind them.

High-angle shot of the bride in a satin ballgown and groom kissing by a glass balcony railing with downtown city high-rises below at dusk .
Bride and groom kissing on an outdoor terrace at sunset with panoramic views of Petco Park and the Coronado Bridge in San Diego.
Full wedding party in champagne satin dresses and black suits lined up on a rooftop terrace against a vibrant pink sunset and the Coronado Bridge .

THE RECEPTION

Back inside, the room transformed into candlelight, white florals, and a black and white checkerboard dance floor. The celebration started with the first dance, then toasts, followed by surprise fireworks from a Rufus Du Sol concert at Petco Park. The night ended with a packed dance floor.

Long reception head table covered in champagne satin linen with single-stem roses in glass cylinders, floating candles, and clusters of white floor roses .
Black and white capture of a dramatic four-tier wedding cake decorated with intricate vintage Lambeth piping, sugar pearl swags, and shimmer on a glass cake pedestal .
Reception dinner table set with gold flatware, champagne flutes, single-stem white roses in bud vases, and tall glass-sleeved taper candles at dusk .
Black and white shot of the smiling bride in her satin ballgown holding a champagne flute and bouquet while chatting with cocktail hour guests .
Low-angle black and white shot of the bride resting her hand on a jeweled white rose bouquet against the full skirt of her satin gown next to the groom .
Overhead perspective of the bride holding an olive-garnished dirty martini glass in one hand and her textured white rose bouquet in the other .
Black and white editorial portrait of the bride wearing her cowl-neck gown and pearl veil leaning against a bar counter while sipping a martini .
Textured white brooch bridal bouquet resting on a sleek bar counter next to an olive martini and a tropical garnished cocktail .
Black and white wide shot of the bride and groom holding hands in front of towering high-rise windows illuminated by downtown San Diego city lights .
Wide black and white view of the newlyweds dancing on a glossy checkered floor surrounded by seated dinner guests and high-rise windows.
Black and white capture of the groom twirling the bride in her ballgown across a glossy black and white checkered dance floor as wedding guests watch .
Bride twirling in her satin ballgown with hands linked with the groom, showing off the voluminous skirt in front of a candlelit head table.
Woman in a navy short-sleeve dress and glasses holding a microphone and handwritten speech notes in front of candlelit reception tables.
Smiling groom in a black tuxedo holding a microphone and speech notes addressing guests while the bride smiles in the background.
Black and white close-up of a hand pouring chilled Veuve Clicquot champagne into crystal flutes embellished with silver floral stems.
Close-up of an ornate four-tier Lambeth cake with a cutout slice served on a dessert plate alongside antique gold cake serving utensils.
Bride and groom kissing over a pedestal cocktail table displaying a four-tier vintage Lambeth piped wedding cake.
Bride in a satin gown and groom smiling together on an open terrace with vibrant red fireworks illuminating the night sky above Petco Park.
Dramatic night portrait of the bride and groom embracing and kissing against glowing orange and red fireworks over the San Diego ballpark.
Male wedding guest in a dress shirt and red tie holding a beer while doing a low limbo dance move with a bridesmaid in a champagne dress .
Black and white capture of the groom spinning the bride during late-night open dancing surrounded by celebrating wedding guests.
Father in a white dress shirt holding hands with two smiling bridesmaids in satin dresses as they dance together on the checkered floor .
Joyful bride in her strapless ballgown throwing her hands in the air while dancing surrounded by celebrating wedding guests .
Dynamic black and white wide-angle photograph of the bride dancing joyfully in her ballgown amidst a crowded wedding dance floor .

WHY WE LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING SAN DIEGO WEDDINGS

As a San Diego wedding photographer, we love how much downtown gives you in one day. You can get ready somewhere historic like the US Grant, then celebrate somewhere modern like the Ultimate Skybox. And the weather is on your side almost any month of the year. For couples who want classic editorial wedding photography with a bit of edge, it’s pretty hard to beat.

High-angle panoramic view looking into Petco Park during an evening stadium concert with pink sunset skies over San Diego Bay and the Coronado Bridge .

If you’re planning a San Diego wedding, take a look at Margot and Sean’s backyard wedding in Carlsbad. It’s a good example of how different the city can feel depending on where you choose to get married.

FOR COUPLES PLANNING AN ULTIMATE SKYBOX WEDDING

If you’re planning a wedding in San Diego, or anywhere in Southern California, and you’re looking for a Southern California wedding photographer whose work feels warm, editorial, and a little nostalgic, we’d love to talk. We take a documentary approach to the day and use flash when it serves the mood, the way it did here.

Dreamy black and white reflection through glass of the wedding party and newlyweds seated along a candlelit head table listening to speeches .

Duc and Dachelle’s Santa Monica Proper wedding is another good look at that style, and if you’re still choosing where to shoot your engagement photos, our favorite Laguna Beach locations is where Bren and Brittany started.

Inquire with Chris & Julia

Thank you to these wonderful vendors:
Getting ready: The US Grant Hotel
Venue: The Ultimate Skybox
Photography: Christopher Brown Weddings (@christopherbrownweddings)
Coordinator: Cindy Sanborn Events (@cindysanbornevents)
Florist: Emerald and Ivy Florals (@emeraldandivyflorals)
Hair: @chelsearaehair
Makeup: Beauty by Heather Arnold (@beautybyheatherarnold)
DJ: High Profile Entertainment (@high_profile_entertainment)
Catering: The Abbey Catering (@theabbeycatering)
Stationery: Zola (@zola)
Content Creator: @sdcontentcreator
Bride’s attire: Pronovias (@pronovias), Luv Bridal (@luvbridal), Dolce Vita (@dolcevita), The Pearl Source (@pearlsource), James Allen, Blue Nile (@bluenilediamond), Vera Wang Bride silk bouquet (@verawangbride), Nadri (@nadrijewelry)

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