An Intimate Beach Wedding Filled with Wind, Light, and Quiet Magic
Some weddings feel like a celebration, and some feel like a story unfolding right in front of you. This intimate Crystal Cove wedding was both. I had the honor of photographing alongside my friend Ellie (Ellie’s Photos), and together we got to witness a day that was overflowing with connection, laughter, and love. There’s something incredibly grounding about a beach wedding… the movement of the water, the open air, the way everything feels slow and intentional. This intimate seaside celebration was centered on connection, presence, and letting the day unfold naturally. As a documentary wedding photographer, I focus on capturing weddings as they truly feel: the subtle glances, the way hands find each other, the wind in your hair, and the moments that happen when no one is trying to perform.
Crystal Cove Cottages in Newport Beach is such a dreamy location for weddings and elopements. Nestled right on the sand with sweeping ocean views, it offers that rare mix of California coastal beauty and vintage charm. It feels private and tucked away while still being open to the sea, the kind of setting that perfectly matches the energy of small, heartfelt gatherings. It’s no surprise that more and more couples are choosing Crystal Cove for intimate weddings, elopements, and destination celebrations.
A Documentary Approach to Wedding Photography
This day was all about the details that make a love story personal. Bride A and Groom J chose to celebrate surrounded by their closest family and friends, and it felt so intentional. The table settings were filled with fresh florals, handwritten notes, and thoughtful touches that made every guest feel included. There were crossword puzzles that J designed just for the wedding, heart-shaped sunglasses waiting at each place setting, and even a table filled with Polaroids and handwritten messages, all of which added to the sense of intimacy and fun.
One of the most meaningful parts of the day was seeing J’s family, who had flown in all the way from Africa to be part of the celebration. That kind of dedication and love filled the air with even more joy. It was clear how important this union was, not just to the couple but to their families as well, and that energy came through in every moment, from the ceremony to the toasts to the dancing that carried on long after the sun set.
As the sun dipped behind the horizon, the celebration carried on under twinkling string lights strung along the cottages. I loved capturing the laughter spilling out on the dance floor, the joy of kids joining in, and those quiet in-between moments of guests holding hands, sharing smiles, or wiping away tears during speeches.
Photographing this wedding at Crystal Cove Cottages reminded me why I adore smaller weddings and elopements so much. There’s a certain kind of magic that comes with keeping things intimate, where every person present has a role in the couple’s story, where the details are personal, and where love feels amplified because of the closeness of it all.
This day was all about the essentials: connection, celebration, and love. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Being able to document that in such a breathtaking location was an honor, and it’s exactly the kind of wedding that inspires me to keep chasing more stories like this.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding at Crystal Cove Cottages or a small, intimate elopement along the California coast, I can’t recommend it enough. The beauty of the ocean, the history of the cottages, and the intimacy of gathering in such a meaningful space create a wedding day that feels unforgettable.
From the Coast to the Midwest: A New Chapter
While this wedding took place by the ocean, it reflects the same intentional, love-filled storytelling I’m bringing with me as I begin this next chapter as an Indiana-based wedding photographer.
After years photographing weddings and couples across diverse locations, I’m so excited to be documenting love stories closer to home, throughout Indiana and the Midwest, while still offering travel wedding photography for couples planning destination celebrations.
Whether you’re exchanging vows barefoot on the sand, in a quiet field, or in an intimate indoor space, my goal remains the same: to preserve your day in a way that feels real and deeply personal.
Indiana Wedding Photographer Available for Travel
I’m now booking:
Indiana weddings & elopements
Midwest intimate weddings
Destination and travel weddings
If you’re planning a wedding that values emotion, connection, and presence over tradition for tradition’s sake, I’d love to document it.
If you’re planning an elopement or intimate wedding, I would be so honored to be your photographer. Love is what inspires me most, and documenting your day in a way that you can treasure for the rest of your life would truly mean the world to me.
