The Condor’s Nest Ranch Wedding with Gabriel & Andrea

It had been a long time since I’d been a part of a Condor’s Nest wedding. I was happy to be back! The Condor’s Nest is one of my favorite wedding venues in San Diego, and I always enjoy photographing there.

The Condor’s Nest Ranch is located in Pala, close to the famous Pala Casino & Resort. It does not have easy access compared to other San Diego venues. Visitors have to drive a few miles on a dirt road and it might not be ideal for all guests. It’s recommended that the guests park at Pala Casino & Resort and take a shuttle to the venue. For those who want to drive, there’s plenty of parking on the property.

With lots of space to offer, The Condor’s Nest ranch is the vastest San Diego venue when it comes to locations to photograph. It has a selection of farm animals, such as horses, lamas, donkeys, Turkeys, pigs, and much more. The animals help the photographer paint a picture-perfect environment for wedding portraits.

Aside from the animals, The Condor’s Nest Ranch offers many other spots to explore during the wedding photography session. A beautiful barn, a clubhouse usually used by the groom to get ready, and a beautiful main house with lots of natural light, usually used by the bride. You can also find lots of nature, large trees, and a stunning mountain view. And, one of my favorites is the greenhouse. All those locations make The Condor’s Nest Ranch the best place for a wedding in San Diego.

I met Andrea at the main house for some getting-ready shots. She had been staying at The Condor’s Nest Ranch for a few days with her family and close friends. After hanging her dress and taking some detailed shots, Andrea finished her preparations with the help of her bridesmaids. Gabriel got ready at the clubhouse with the help of his long-time best friend.

The couple had planned a first look at the greenhouse at The Condor’s Nest Ranch, and it turned out perfect. After the emotional meeting, they read the vows they had previously written. The first look was one of my favorite moments of this wedding, and I was happy to be there to witness it. The couple and I moved around the grounds of the property for a few more photos, and then the bride and groom went back to the main house to rest a little before the wedding started.

It was a gorgeous ceremony, with the mountains in the background. Gabriel and Andrea had one of their best friends officiate the ceremony, and it always makes it more special in my opinion. The bride walked down the aisle with her mother and father, and the couple read their vows one more time. It was a memorable Condor’s Nest wedding ceremony that the couple had been waiting to do for a long time.

Andrea and Gabriel were one of the many couples that had to postpone their wedding due to Covid restrictions. It’s gratifying to me to see that they were finally able to celebrate with their loved ones. I photographed them in 2020 for their Engagement Session in San Diego, and after that, they had to postpone their wedding a couple of times.

After the ceremony, I took the couple around The Condor’s Nest Ranch for some photos. We visited the barn and the animals, where we fed the horses and lamas. After having a moment for themselves, Andrea and Gabriel joined their friends and family during the cocktail hour.

I recommend that couples split the portrait session into two or three different times when the timeline allows. That way, we’re able to accomplish more, and the couple can spend more time with their wedding guests. This is one of the reasons why I recommend the first look. Taking photos that require the bride and groom together - such as portraits, family photos, and bridal party photos - can be great to lower the stress level on the wedding day. In this Condor’s Nest ranch, Andrea and Gabriel did just that!

The couple had a grand entrance after their bridal party and a first dance. The sun was starting to go down over the mountains, and the lighting was getting really nice. When dinner service was starting to get served, we went for the last round of photos around The Condor’s Nest Ranch property. This time, with perfect lighting of the sun setting behind the mountains.

We were able to re-visit the barn and the animals. I took some interesting pictures on the side of the barn and moved to the lower part of the property for some nature shots. Large trees helped illustrate the environment, and I was happy with some of the wider photos of the couple. We checked the outside of the clubhouse and ended the session with the mountains in the background at sunset. The couple returned to their Condor’s Nest wedding reception ready to eat and party with their loved ones.

After dinner and some formal toasts, the couple opened the dance floor to the guests, and the party was on. Great music played by their DJ made everyone dance for a few hours. The Condor’s Nest Ranch offers a great atmosphere for guests, especially when the sun starts to go down. They have the chance to witness an amazing sunset behind the mountains and on clear days, even some ocean. After the sun sets and it starts to get dark, the vibe changes completely for a more party scenario.

It was another amazing Condors Nest Ranch wedding, and I wish Gabriel and Andrea the best of luck in their married life.