ELLI + RYO's Intimate Backyard Wedding

This sweet and intimate backyard ceremony was one of the most thoughtful and beautiful weddings I have ever had the honor to photograph. The ceremony took place at Elli’s family home in San Diego, California. Elli + Ryo wanted only immediate family at their wedding, but due to Covid restrictions, Ryo’s family were unable to make the journey from Japan to be present at the wedding. Ryo zoomed them in, setting up a laptop on the chairs they would otherwise occupy for the ceremony. Family was woven thoughtfully and intentionally into every aspect of the day. Elli’s mother did all of the (absolutely amazing!) flowers. Elli + Ryo exchanged Elli’s grandparents’ rings. Elli’s brother officiated their simple yet heartfelt ceremony, which blended together various moments from both Japanese and US traditional wedding ceremonies.

After the ceremony and a dinner with enough food to feed fifty people, we headed for the Torrey Pines Gliderport. The newleyweds danced their way along the cliffs, quite literally into the sunset.