Carlsbad Wedding at Cape Rey Resort
Andres and Alina tied the knot at the Carlsbad Cape Rey Resort, and I had the privilege to document it. It was a beautiful wedding, witnessed by the couple's families and close friends, in one of the most exclusive wedding destinations in Carlsbad and San Diego North County.
The day began with Alina getting ready with her bridesmaids and family at Cape Rey Resort in Carlsbad. She had ten bridesmaids at her wedding party, so there was plenty to do before the ceremony. They were busy and focused but also having a lot of fun.
We had a 'first look' at Cape Rey's lawn with the bride and groom while their bridal party watched. We took the opportunity to take some family photos out of the way and some bridal party and bride and groom portraits. I always recommend that the couple have a first look before the ceremony. That way, we can get some of the main photos out of the way. That helps with the workflow of the wedding day and allows the bride and groom to spend more time with their guests after they arrive. It's something I understand that is not always possible, but it does help out a lot.
A beautiful ceremony followed at this Carlsbad wedding. Alina and Andres were happy to be getting married in front of so many special people and such a special place. After a few family shots left after the ceremony, I crossed 101 Freeway with the couple for beach shots. We didn't have a lot of time until the sunset, but we made the best out of it. It was the perfect end of the day, typical of Carlsbad fall, and we created some awesome portraits together. The proximity to Carlsbad State Beach is one of the best aspects of Cape Rey weddings, in my opinion.
We came back just in time for the couple's grand entrance. The bridal party lined up at Cape Rey's ballroom's entrance and ready to go. Everyone seemed prepared to party all night long. A live band's performance brought the party alive quickly, and the guests danced from the beginning.
It was time for the wedding reception formalities, and the first dances were the next in the schedule. After dinner, the dance floor opened, and the guests were ready to party.
About Cape Rey Resort in Carlsbad:
Cape Ray Resort is one of my favorite Carlsbad and San Diego North County wedding venues. I've had the privilege of doing many weddings at Cape Ray, and it's a place I would recommend to any bride and groom looking for a beachside wedding at a stylish resort. It's a wedding venue that, in my opinion, offers all the features for a perfect wedding ceremony and reception.
Cape Ray has plenty of parking for guests and vendors in an adjacent park garage. That's a huge plus in an area where parking is not easy. The rooms offer a great ambiance for the bride and groom getting ready. They're spacious, well decorated, and modern and allow even large groups to get prepared comfortably before the wedding ceremony.
They offer two options of sites for the ceremony: Oceanfront Lawn and the Pacific Lawn. They're both great options and allow for small and large wedding ceremonies. With greenery in the background, it works perfectly for photos and videos.
While Cape Ray Resort in Carlsbad offers some good options for portraits, I always try to take the bride and groom to Carlsbad State Beach. It's a very short walk from Cape Ray, and it's always worth it. It's when I get the best shots of the bride and groom. When possible, I always try to take the couple to the beach around sunset time, when lighting is optimal.
The Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 600 guests, depending on the setup. While Cape Ray welcomes small, intimate weddings, it is also a good option for larger celebrations. Just like the hotel, the Grand Ballroom is very modern and accommodating. It also allows guests to walk outside and enjoy the beautiful lawn and even the noise of the Carlsbad’s Pacific Ocean nearby.
I've been a wedding and engagement session photographer in San Diego and beyond for almost 20 years, and I would love to talk about your goals and ideas for your session and wedding. Please click here to view my wedding photography portfolio. If you’re looking for some tips on how to get the best out of your wedding photography, please click here.
