Lot 8 is one of San Diego’s best kept hidden gems when it comes to wedding venues. What was once a simple parking lot now holds the perfect DIY space for couples to curate their own dream wedding! Filled with live succulents, lush greenery, palms overhead and an open ceiling to allow California’s warm sunset’s to illuminate events – Summer weddings at Lot 8 are truly magical.
Gabe and Sandee chose Lot 8 for their summer wedding for various reasons. Having eloped privately before the big day, they really wanted something that was going to be spacious enough to include all of their closest friends and family while also providing enough room for customization so that Sandee could put her creative mind to work. Sandee did just that and the outcome was incredible! Personal touches like a traveling wagon bar, photo booth and dessert spread were added to tie in their upbeat personalities!
The morning of the wedding was nothing short of perfect. Drinks were flowing, laughter filled the room, happy tears and everything in between. Sandee had a tender first look with her daughter and mother followed by her bridesmaids while Gabe, his son and groomsmen did final touches in the suite next door. A little side note, Sandee and Gabe’s family blended officially that day! We loved seeing how they included their children in their wedding day individually and together. Ps, if you take a peek at one of those first photos of Gabe, that is actually a tattoo of Sandee sending him a love letter!
Though Gabe and Sandee did have a traditional wedding at Lot 8, it was important to them to have a private first look to themselves as well. They chose to do their first look in Balboa Park surrounded by expansive palms and the sound of ocean waves. Gabe’s reaction to Sandee tugged at heart strings all over. Even though they had eloped previously and Gabe had already seen Sandee in her wedding dress before, he was overcome with emotion and looked at her like it was the first time he had ever seen her. On a side note, we have been around Sandee and Gabe several times and I can attest that he always looks at her with this love and adoration.
Since Lot 8 is a smaller wedding venue, Gabe and Sandee decided to travel off the venue to Old Town San Diego to do bridal party photos. Old Town San Diego provides gorgeous historical sites, bright pops of color with different architecture and a charisma that can’t be beat making it the perfect fit for bridal party photos!
A simplistic arch decorated with large bundles of dried pampas against a wall of live succulents created the dreamiest ceremony setting. Gabe and Sandee shared sweet words and their first kiss before being escorted back down the aisle by the cutest veil assistants ever! After a short cocktail hour of mingling, the bridal party was brought in with a “welcome shot” in front of the traveling wagon bar and their Summer Wedding at Lot 8 was ready to really begin!
Venue: http://www.instagram.com/lot8sd
Photographer: www.instagram.com/charlottefrancisphoto
Dress: http://www.instagram.com/grace_loves_lace
Tux: http://www.instagram.com/friartux
If you enjoyed this Summer Wedding at Lot 8, check out another San Diego session here!
