Rachel & Nathan’s Intimate Brewery Wedding with Designer Wedding Shoes
Rachel & Nathan’s April wedding at AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego was such a joy to photograph. With its towering barrels, warm wood tones, and industrial charm, the brewery made for an unforgettable and visually rich setting. These two were laid-back, kind, and full of genuine excitement—my favorite kind of people to work with. Their day was intimate, emotional, and full of personality, from the stacked barrels behind their ceremony to Rachel’s incredible designer wedding shoes. Every detail felt thoughtful and true to them. They chose AleSmith for their shared love of craft beer and their desire for a unique, cozy setting to celebrate. It delivered—and then some.
A Romantic Setting with Designer Wedding Shoes and a Brewery Backdrop
Rachel was stunning in a sleek, modern white gown with a dramatic train and buttons down the back. The open back added a bit of bold elegance, balanced beautifully by her soft, side-swept curls and subtle accessories. And the shoes? Silver metallic Louboutins with the iconic red soles. The designer wedding shoes perfectly matched Rachel’s chic, modern style and added a bold, fashion-forward touch to the brewery setting. Rachel told me, “I just fell in love with them the second I saw them. I had to wear them.”
Nathan wore a navy-blue suit with a crisp white tie and boutonniere. He looked polished but relaxed—ideal for the industrial-meets-romantic vibe of the brewery. Bridesmaids wore a mix of forest green and navy dresses. The variety in styles added a relaxed elegance to the day, and their bouquets—soft blush and ivory tones with eucalyptus and ribbon streamers—mirrored Rachel’s perfectly.
The ceremony took place in front of a stacked wall of aging barrels—an incredible backdrop softened by a simple birchwood arch adorned with cascading roses and greenery that brought a garden touch to the industrial space.
Rows of white chairs lined the aisle, each marked with small sprays of roses and eucalyptus, and the ground was scattered with fresh petals. At the entrance, guests were welcomed by a custom eucalyptus-themed sign and petite floral arrangements, setting the tone before they even stepped inside.
Golden Hour Portraits on the Tracks Behind the Brewery
One of my favorite moments was sneaking Rachel and Nathan out for golden hour portraits. They hadn’t expected any standout portrait spots nearby—but I had done a little location scouting ahead of time and found an abandoned railroad track behind the brewery surrounded by tall grass and wild foliage. Their jaws dropped when they saw it. Rachel gasped, then laughed, “How did you even find this?” They couldn’t believe such a quiet, cinematic spot was hidden just steps away from the celebration—their eyes lit up, and Rachel gave Nathan’s hand a squeeze as they took it all in together. It felt like discovering a secret place just for them. The light was golden, the scene felt untouched, and the two of them just glowed. Those photos turned out to be some of their absolute favorites.
I photographed their entire day—from getting ready in the brewery’s private speakeasy room, to the barrel-room ceremony, to their romantic first dance. One of their biggest priorities was spending real quality time with their families and guests, and I helped them build in that time while still capturing everything they dreamed of. Their day felt authentic, personal, and effortlessly beautiful—just like them.
Congratulations again, Rachel and Nathan! Your wedding was such a perfect blend of elegance, craft beer, and heart. I’m so honored to have been part of it.
Dreaming of a wedding that feels like you? Let’s chat about how I can capture your day in a way that’s heartfelt, stylish, and entirely yours.
