A Heartfelt Cypress Ridge Arroyo Grande Wedding | Dre & Sam

leiahallett06
Sep 25
2 min read

Romantic couple portrait at Cypress Ridge wedding.

Some weddings are all about the details, but Dre and Sam’s Cypress Ridge wedding was about the people. After ten years together, traveling place to place and collecting friendships along the way, their dream was simple: have all their people in one place, for one day, and soak up every moment with them.

The Wedding Day in Arroyo Grande

Dre and Sam planned their entire day around being present. They did their first look and all of their formal portraits before the ceremony so they wouldn’t miss a single second with their friends and family afterward. They even chose to skip sunset portraits — instead, they visited every table, making sure they connected with every guest who had come to celebrate them.

One of my favorite details was Sam’s Polaroid story. He carried a photo of Dre in his wallet from someone else’s wedding, so anytime he was asked what his “wife” looked like, he could proudly show her off. That small detail told me so much about their love — thoughtful, lasting, and deeply personal.

Dre was just as relaxed. She only really wanted one great photo of the two of them and surprised me with one fun request: a photo of all her girls fluffing her dress. It turned into one of my favorite images of the day — a reminder that sometimes the simplest moments become the most meaningful.

Photographing Their People-First Celebration

As an Arroyo Grande wedding photographer, weddings like Dre and Sam’s remind me what matters most in wedding photography. It’s not about checking off a list — it’s about supporting couples in building a day that reflects who they are and what they value. For Dre and Sam, that meant maximizing their time with loved ones, and I was honored to capture every laugh, hug, and candid moment in between.

Looking Ahead

This Cypress Ridge wedding shifted my own perspective. Since that day, I’ve encouraged couples to think about how to weave their people into their wedding photography — whether it’s skipping sunset portraits, holding onto a Polaroid, or simply letting your bridesmaids fluff your dress.

✨ If you’re planning your own wedding and want photography that focuses on connection and presence, I’d love to tell your story. Let’s create something true to you.

I want to know more!