A Playful and Chic Engagement Session at Monserate Winery
After getting to know Elena and Dillon, it became clear that a playful and chic engagement session at Monserate Winery was the perfect way to best tell their love story. As a wedding photographer, I believe that capturing authentic moments is key. That’s why I cherish the opportunity to get to know my couples before their big day. Learning about their unique love story, their individual personalities, and their vision for their wedding allows me to create images that truly reflect who they are as a couple. By building a rapport and fostering a comfortable environment, I aim to ensure that when their wedding day arrives, any nervousness or discomfort fades away. Instead, they can fully embrace the excitement and emotion of the day, allowing their true selves to shine through in every photograph. My connection with Elena and Dillon was immediate. Their genuine and warm personalities resonated with me deeply, and I knew we would be a great team. Finding a photographer you connect with on a personal level is crucial. It ensures a relaxed and enjoyable experience, allowing you to truly be yourselves throughout the day. Enjoy meeting Elena and Dillon!
Meet Elena and Dillon
Dillon and I have been together for nearly six years, and we’re currently planning our 2025 wedding. We actually went to the same high school, but our paths didn’t cross until Dillon’s final year of college. I was sorority sisters with his cousin Amanda, and I’d occasionally pop into their FaceTime calls… let’s just say I found a way to subtly flirt with Dillon during those calls. Those playful moments eventually led to our first date at Badass Coffee, just down the street from our high school in San Diego – the city where we both grew up. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Our Vibe: Loving, Supportive, Grounded
As a couple, we prioritize family and commitment. We’ve been fortunate to have strong examples of these values throughout our lives, and our shared faith plays a significant role in guiding our decisions. We complement each other well – we’re a great team, always offering support and encouragement. Our friends and family would say we bring out the best in each other. We both love staying active, whether it’s hitting the gym, snowboarding in Colorado, or enjoying an adventurous hike. We’re also driven individuals with a passion for intellectual pursuits and career growth. And of course, we share a love for music, dogs, and countless TV shows and movies.
Our Engagement Photo Vision: A Touch of Tuscany and Chic Fashion
Choosing Monserate Winery for our engagement session was a no-brainer. We actually toured it while searching for our wedding venue, and though we ultimately chose a different location, we were completely captivated by the stunning views, gorgeous water features, and unique Italian architecture. When Tiffany suggested Monserate, it immediately felt perfect! The elegance and romance of the estate would perfectly complement the look and feel of our wedding. And as a huge Taylor Swift fan, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to recreate some of those iconic “Love Story” moments on the estate’s beautiful stairs and balcony. For our engagement photos, we wanted to have fun with our style while still feeling authentically ourselves. Since our proposal photoshoot was more casual and on the beach, we wanted to contrast that with a more formal look for Monserate. For our first look, I chose a long fitted dress, and Dillon opted for a sharp black suit. We wanted to channel some classic Hollywood glamour while still feeling comfortable and confident.
I always feel most like myself with my hair down in curls, so that was a must. Dillon went with his classic gelled, brushed over fade. For makeup, I opted for a “natural glam” look – something that would enhance my features while still feeling authentically me.
What We’re Most Excited About Leading Up to Your Wedding Day
We’re most excited about celebrating this important milestone with all of our loved ones. We can’t wait to embark on this exciting new chapter together!
Choosing Our Photographer: Tiffany
Choosing our wedding photographer was a crucial decision. We explored countless options, relying on recommendations from our wedding planner and extensive research online. Customer reviews were also a major factor in our decision-making process. We were drawn to Tiffany’s work because of her crisp photos, timeless editing style, and genuine professionalism. We had narrowed down our options to a few finalists, but after our initial call with Tiffany, we knew she was the perfect fit. Her approach and personality were incredibly genuine and we immediately felt a connection.
