color photos of a destination wedding rehearsal location at peohe's restaurant coronado. skyline and boat dock in background, water in foreground

I hope you enjoy the following interview with our Bride Kaelyn:

KAELYN & RICKY | Meeting and Dating

Our love story began in a way that might seem quite fitting for the digital age. Ricky and I matched on Hinge one summer while I was living in NYC and he was finishing up his job with the army in Georgia. Although he was spending some time at his parents’ home in Los Angeles, he had set his location to NYC because he planned to move there at the end of the summer.

Our initial conversations were lively and engaging. When I mentioned a trip to Salt Lake City with some friends, Ricky saw an opportunity. He suggested we meet there, explaining that he had a cousin in Salt Lake City he intended to visit. And so, our first two dates took place in the scenic landscapes of Salt Lake City. Just a month later, Ricky moved to NYC, and our relationship truly began to flourish.

The early days of our relationship were filled with excitement and adventure. We explored the city together, discovering new restaurants, parks, and events. It was during these moments that we felt a special connection forming. A few months later, Ricky had to fly back to Los Angeles because his father, Fred, was in hospice. Unfortunately, Fred passed away in October 2021. In December, Ricky’s family hosted a celebration of life for Fred at their home, and Ricky invited me to attend.

Meeting Ricky’s entire family for the first time in such a meaningful and emotional setting was a pivotal moment for both of us. Seeing how Ricky supported his mother and sisters, and how kindly he treated everyone, made me realize he was the one I wanted to spend my life with. It was then that we both knew this relationship was something truly special.

destination engagement session at the hotel del coronado in san diego, california. couple walking arm in arm.

the Proposal

Ricky proposed during Thanksgiving week when we were with my family in DC. Even my brother, who lives in Singapore, was back home. It was incredibly special, and my entire family was involved in planning the surprise. Although I had a hunch that Ricky might propose around the holidays, I didn’t know exactly when or how it would happen.

One rainy day, my parents and sister convinced me to visit a “new” museum in DC. We ended up at the portrait gallery, which was familiar to me. My parents and sister suggested we get coffee at the museum cafe, and then we visited a special exhibit with a multi-level indoor courtyard. As we walked around the second level, Ricky suddenly appeared, freshly showered and dressed in a nice button-down shirt. I was shocked to see him there, but I immediately knew what was happening. Surrounded by my family, I could hardly concentrate on Ricky’s proposal speech, but I knew my answer was an enthusiastic “yes.”

destination engagement session at the hotel del coronado in san diego, california. black & white photos of a couple walking arm in arm

Engagement Photos in Coronado, California

We had an amazing engagement session with our photographer, Jennifer Dery. It felt so euphoric and natural, especially to be taking photos at our wedding venue in Coronado and envisioning that we would back there just a few months later. I would definitely recommend other couples do an engagement session to get a feel for your photographer, become more comfortable behind the lens in general, and just to commemorate all the love and emotions of that pre-wedding high.

View more engagement photos & see this Hotel Del CORONADO engagement session BTS reel on the Engagement Page

destination engagement session at the hotel del coronado in san diego, california. photo of a couple snuggling close up

destination engagement session at the hotel del coronado in san diego, california. photo of a couple running holding hands with the hotel in the background

destination engagement session at the hotel del coronado in san diego, california. photo of a couple snuggling in a chair with ocean in the background

destination engagement session at the hotel del coronado in san diego, california. photo of a couple ordering at the pool bar

Help with Planning a Long-Distance Coronado Wedding

Planning a wedding is challenging enough, but doing it from a distance adds an extra layer of complexity. The biggest hurdle for us was the time zone difference to California, which made reaching out to vendors and making quick decisions difficult. However, it also helped us be decisive from the start and avoid second-guessing our choices. Zoom meetings became a crucial tool for keeping everyone organized and on schedule.

Our biggest supporters during the planning process were our family and friends. Their encouragement and assistance were invaluable in managing the long-distance challenges.

flat-lay photo of an all white wedding invitation suite. text printed in navy blue ink with a floral envelope liner

white wedding bouquet featuring anemones, stock, roses, and ranunculus. wrapped in navy velvet ribbon

B&W photo of a groom hugging his mom with his sisters in the background

photo of bridesmaids in colorful mis-matched robes for getting ready

Choosing a Destination Photographer

“We chose Jennifer Dery for her photojournalistic style.”

We really wanted images that captured the emotions of the day and certain special memories vs all posed and styled shots. Her portfolio really speaks for itself in terms of the range she’s able to cover and from day 1 she was super responsive and hands-on explaining the whole process and what steps we could expect as the bride and groom. Planning a wedding is already so overwhelming in and of itself and Jennifer did a fantastic job of taking away any stress over photography and made us feel confident she would get the job done.

The Wedding Day in Coronado, CA

The morning of our wedding was a mix of calmness and excitement. As I got my makeup and hair done with my bridesmaids, I felt elated that our special day had finally arrived. Even during the first look with Ricky, I wasn’t nervous. But once we arrived at the church and went to our separate rooms to await the ceremony, my nerves kicked in. It was an anxious-excited feeling—I couldn’t wait to see Ricky at the end of the aisle, but I was also incredibly nervous.

The ceremony was perfect. One of the most memorable moments was the homily by Father Lucas, where he spoke about the moment Ricky and I knew we were meant for each other. It was especially poignant because it coincided with the celebration of Ricky’s father’s life, where I first met his entire family.

detail photo of a white wedding dress with floral applique

photo of a groom being goofy for his portrait session

photo of a cocktail reception set up with white market umbrellas on the main lawn at the hotel del coronado

Working with Jennifer Dery Photography

Jennifer was incredible on our wedding day. She made everything enjoyable and easy, giving just the right amount of direction while also blending into the background. She captured the emotions and candid moments perfectly, making it feel like she was simply observing the natural flow of the day. Her ability to document these meaningful moments so authentically was truly impressive.

black & white photo of the bride walking away from the camera candid

photo of bride and groom almost sharing a kiss outside the southpointe ballroom at the hotel del coronaso

front photo if the front of founders chapel at USD in San Diego

candles and navy draped entrance to the southpointe ballroom at the hotel del coronado, CA

white floral arrangements, fairy lights, candles, and navy draped ballroom of southpointe ballroom at the hotel del coronado, CA

white floral arrangements, fairy lights, green couch, and navy draped ballroom of southpointe ballroom at the hotel del coronado, CA

white floral arrangements, rough-frosted wedding cake, candles, and navy draped ballroom of southpointe ballroom at the hotel del coronado, CA

black & white 1st dance photo of couple in ballroom of southpointe ballroom at the hotel del coronado, CA

couple kissing at the head table. white floral arrangements, fairy lights, candles, and navy draped ballroom of southpointe ballroom at the hotel del coronado, CA

couple waving to friends while in a seating area designed for the ballroom of southpointe ballroom at the hotel del coronado, CA

Wedding Planning Advice for Newly Engaged Couples

I Would recommend that other couples definitely make sure to establish open communication with the vendors you’re working with and use a full-service wedding planner to help with the long distance! The more clear you are upfront about your vision, budget, and non-negotiables the easier the whole feedback loop becomes. Would also recommend working with people you trust so that once you communicate your goals, you can allow them to really run with it!