Backyard Wedding in Jamul, California | Leanna & Andrew

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Backyard Wedding in Jamul, California

Leanna and Andrew’s backyard wedding in Jamul, California was so epic you may not believe this was in a backyard. I loveeee photographing Leanna & Andrew so much (their engagement session in Joshua Tree was a fav!) and their wedding at Leanna’s childhood home was no different. After a few postponements, we finally got to celebrate on the perfect sunny October day. This was my first ‘big’ wedding in 2020, my first one that felt a little like what weddings used to feel like, and it was sooooo freakin fun and filled me up!

Vendors:
Photography: Kami Olavarria
Videography: MJP Creative Films
Dress: BHLDN
Music: Sleeping Giant Music
Rentals: Cedar & Pine
Hair: Kaylie Babajan
Makeup: Serena Matthews
Bridesmaid Dresses & Accessories: Lulus

Q: What did you love about your wedding location/venue?
A: We got married at my childhood home so everything about it was so incredibly special. The day felt so much more relaxed since I was able to get ready at my sister’s house and it felt like we were all just hanging out and having a girl’s day. Then once we were ready I walked over to my parent’s house about 30 minutes before the ceremony and got into my dress. I feel like it took a lot of pressure off of me because it felt like any other day… until the 30 minutes before we got married. That’s when the nerves started to kick in!! And I love the idea that I walked out of the front doors of the home I had lived in my whole life, down the aisle, and into my new life with Andrew.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory from the day?
A: My favorite moment was probably when we read our vows to each other. We have so much history together since we have been best friends for the past 13 years and I think it really showed in what we wrote. I was beyond nervous for this moment but when it came time to read my vows it felt like I was just talking to Andrew and it felt so natural. And it was so special getting to share all of that in front of our loved ones.

Q: What advice would you give to future couples who are getting married?
A: When people offer to help, TAKE IT!! I am the first one to try and do everything on my own so I don’t burden anyone but the people who are offering to help really want to! They want to do whatever it takes to make your special day one to remember. They want to be involved and be part of the processes to make everything absolutely perfect! It’s so much less stressful when you let others help and it makes the wedding planning processes so much more fun!!

Q: How did you two stay positive / keep whats important in mind through all the planning craziness of 2020? 
A: I think we just focused on everything we do have. In the grand scheme of things, having to postpone our wedding really wasn’t the end of the world. We were still able to get married in 2020 and we did so many other things. Andrew got a great new job, we bought our first home, hiked Mt. Whitney, and got the cutest most lovable puppy ever. We also grew closer to each other and our family as a result of working from home. 2020 was filled with so much uncertainty but we will had so much to be thankful for!

Film by MJP Creative Films