John and Jen: Married | San Diego Wedding Photographer | Marina Village Wedding Photographer | Alicia Q. Photography

In a crazy world where divorce is as casual and common as returning an expensive shirt to Nordstrom, it sometimes feel as though LOVE is a meaningless pursuit.  We find ourselves questioning its existence, relevance, its importance.  And then it hits us– bam.  Right in the face.  It sweeps us off our feet, makes us forget about life’s cruelties and reminds us what why we were put on this earth.  There is no experience as valid, true and inspiring as LOVE.  John and Jen embody LOVE .  They share it.  They feel it.  They are it.  And it was so plain to see on their wedding day last month.

Like most men, John isn’t so generous when it comes to expressing his emotions in words.  He’s a Marine– taught to be strong, straight faced and bad ass.  And then there is Jen– a bubbly, vibrant class-act who overflows with x’s and o’s.  Two differently colored auras brought together by the laws of attraction, magnetic forces so strong they unite two hearts with just one look.  And from there, love is born and grows into something so powerful and intense it makes a life-long commitment sound like a walk in the park.  You wake up one day and realize, “Wow.  This is it.  She is it.  He is it.”  Isn’t it amazing?  I am so happy John and Jen have found that kind of love.  I don’t imagine any other pair is as deserving and humbled by such a blessing.

I could continue with my failed attempt to convey the emotions shared between man and wife but in doing so I might forget to mention that John and Jen throw one hell of a party.  Their wedding ceremony was beautiful as expected, but it was the reception where you really felt those magnetic forces in action.  Every family member, every friend, every vendor was engulfed by the presense of love and the result was inspiring.  This had to be the most fun I’ve ever had at a wedding– and I wasn’t even a “guest” (although Jen made sure my 2nd photographer and I had name cards and our very own seats at a table round).  At one point I said to the father-of-the-bride, “Dad, this is an awesome party.  Everyone’s having a blast– I’m jealous!”  He told me to put the camera down and go dance.  As tempting as it was, I had just as much fun capturing all the smiles, sweet dance moves and sweaty brows.

Congrats John and Jen on your vows, and congrats on putting a face to a four letter word so many of us have forgotten the meaning of.

A small piece of Jen’s mother’s wedding dress adorned her bouquet.

Jen’s dad’s speech was incredible.

They laughed…

They cried…

And then Jen and her dad busted out to a full-on, 6 minute choreographed dance.

These two have SKILLS!

Photography: Alicia Q. Photography  |  Wedding Venue (Ceremony and Reception): Marina Village, San Diego, CA  |  Wedding Coordination and Flowers: Classic Creations  |  Hair: LorAnna Pollock  |  Makeup: Paola Bravo, Lancome  |  Music: DJ Reo  |  Wedding Favors: Sweet Thoughts |  Wedding Cake: Eccentric International Chefs  |  Catering: Elegant Buffet  |  Chairs: Elegant Chairs