Cuties & Claw Games Wedding at Venue 808. San Diego, CA | Sam & Nick
Samantha and Nick had already done the quiet part. A few months before this, they flew to Japan and got married with their closest friends. It was intimate, intentional, and exactly what they wanted for that chapter of their story.This day was something completely different. This was the party.
After almost ten years together, a move from Southern California to Portland, and a wedding halfway across the world, Samantha and Nick wanted one night where everyone they loved could finally be in the same room. I think we forget about this part a lot and I love that it was at the root of all their choices. There are very few moments in life where every part of your world ends up in the same place.
When Samantha & Nick first reached out, they told me they connected with the emotion and storytelling in my work. They weren’t just looking for photos of what the day looked like, they wanted to remember how it felt. The feeling of having all of these people together, seeing different parts of their lives overlap, and feeling that weird and wonderful thing that happens when everyone you love is suddenly in one room.
These are definitely my favorite weddings to photograph.
The ceremony itself was intentionally short because, at the end of the day, this wasn't really about creating another formal moment. They had already shared that in Japan. This was about getting everyone together and celebrating the life they had built.
The design of the space was one of my favorite parts because it felt so true to them. Venue 808 already has such a cool foundation with its exposed brick, industrial details, and open layout, but Samantha and Nick leaned into it and made it feel completely transformed.
The flowers were a delightful array of colors with spring and wildflower energy. Colorful lanterns hung overhead among greenery and warm lights, bringing this playful energy into the space while still letting the character of the venue shine through. It felt creative and personal without feeling overly styled.
One thing I appreciated about Samantha and Nick was that they weren't interested in adding things to the day just because weddings are "supposed" to have them. Everything felt intentional. They wanted people to have fun, and they built the entire evening around that idea.
There was a first dance (with a choreographed routine that absolutely bought the house down), heartfelt speeches, and a dance floor that stayed busy throughout the night with the groom’s brother at the helm.
There was a Polaroid photo booth, an ice cream cart and a magician wandering through the room. I think all weddings need at least one magician if i’m being honest.
And then there was the claw machine. Sam & Nick love to play games (we did their engagement shoot at an arcade!) so it was only natural to make it part of their celebration. It stayed busy all day until the flower girls had claimed every single prize. I definitely think more weddings need claw machines.
I photographed Samantha and Nick's day on a mix of digital and 35mm film, which felt especially fitting for a wedding with so much color, movement, and emotion. Film has this way of capturing the feeling of a room, the little moments happening in the background, while digital gives the insurance of not missing a thing.
Vendor Team
Coordination: Aficial Events
Venue: Venue 808
Catering: Social Tap San Diego
Flowers: Flowers by Chele & SunGrown Florals
Hair & Makeup: Reveal Hair & Makeup
DJ: Version 1 Entertainment
Polaroid Photo Booth: Mstah Freeze
Ice Cream Cart: Rico Rico Snack Bar
Magician: Magic with Derek
Claw Machine: The Fun Claw
First Dance Choreography: PNW Wedding Dance
Film Development & Scanning: I’m Still Developing
