Whimsical Irish Inspired Wedding

If I could have one wish as a wedding photographer, it would be to end my season each year with a wedding that is unforgettable. Loren and Austin and their Whimsical Irish Inspired Wedding did just that. Our bride and groom had a live band with bagpipes, men and women dressed in kilts, and a groom and bride dressed to perfection that went so well with the theme.

I was truly inspired from the beginning of the wedding day up until the last dance. The colors of the flowers, to the dessert table. This wedding was such a perfect and magical day. The planning was so well-done and all DIY from Loren and her family. So much excitement and I cannot wait to share more.

Monterey Wedding Photographer

My name is Dana Arnold and I am a wedding photographer based out of Monterey, California. This may seem a bit condescending, but I really enjoy my life and I am one lucky wedding photographer. I get to move my business all over the country and world, photograph weddings at cool places, and meet so many incredible couples. Then, one of my favorite things ever is blogging about it. Being able to tell the story of the bride and groom from their wedding day for those who could not make it? Incredible. I will always remember getting a message from grandma saying how much she loved the blog because she could not make it to a wedding in late 2020.

As always, I am going to do the same here for Loren and Austin. This is a wedding worth sharing.

Loren was the perfect planner for her own wedding day, and had everything so organized and detailed. As she was getting ready at their Air bnb, her friends helped clean up to ensure we all left in time for the wedding at Royal Oaks Park in Watsonville, California.

Leaving before them to ensure I get there early to take photos, the moment I parked next to the location they booked, I simply got excited. I heard bagpipes with moments of stepping out of the car! Never have I photographed a wedding where the band played the bagpipes.

Their ceremony, with a floral circle arch, was sitting under a large oak tree. Flower rings hung from branches surrounded the area. Just down the grassy hill, was their reception spot. Picnic tables with maroon color table clothes and gorgeous flower centerpieces. The air smelled fresh but had a scent of BBQ from the catering they hired. There was also a section set up with Irish games.

The Wedding Experience

Trust me when I say this, not a dry eye was in the area when these two got married. Maybe it was because of the officiant, who was the best friend of our groom, dressed as a pop as he walked down the aisle. Yeah, that made us laugh so hard! Or, maybe it was because Austin could not keep it together when he said his vows to his wife. There is also the chance we all got emotional because they finally got to have the wedding of their dreams from a stressful 2020 that delayed this special day for them.

Moments after the ceremony, close friends, family, and the wedding party gathered for photos! My favorite part! I love when I get to boss up and get everyone together for photos. This is where you get to have photos taken with your best-friends, your parents, etc. Something that does not happen often.

Come time for the reception, everyone gathered with smiles. We all laughed, cheered, played games, and ate some delicious BBQ.

Loren and Austin, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me to be your wedding photographer. Countless times, I thought how lucky I was to get to photograph all this romance, love, and laugher. I wish you both nothing but the best in all your marriage holds dear now and forever!