vintage store wedding venue; Hanna Walkowaik Photography; trendy LA wedding

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Trendy LA Wedding at Vintage Store Venue // Bri + Brennan

Bri and Brennan were married at a trendy vintage store with industrial accents and architectural features. I love how the owners turned the shop and warehouse space into an industrial wedding venue. They worked extra hard to ensure this sweet couple’s wedding was unique and special.

A Tailored Approach

As a photographer, my job is to tailor the experience to fit each couple individually. I promise to listen to your vision and consider what you want from your photoshoots to help make your wedding dreams a reality. Sometimes couples don’t know exactly what they want, so I suggest various possibilities to help you plan. For me, it is all about capturing your love story in a way that vividly showcases the feelings and emotions of your wedding day.

For example, Brennan told me he preferred candid photos to posed ones. He wanted the images to show off the real moments as they unfold. I am happy to work with my clients to do whatever they feel comfortable with and to make their day more enjoyable. It is just about letting them know what is possible. Sadly, some photographers take a “point and shoot” approach without considering the day’s overall story, mood, and flow. Brennan had told me he wanted to keep their first look private, so we skipped photography for that. He wanted a chance to be truly alone with his partner and have that moment together before the wedding day started. I completely understood, and I’m sure it was such a beautiful moment for the two of them to share!

Let’s Get this Party Started!

These two have amazingly complementary personalities. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Bri, the bride, preferred to take tons of fun photos, so that’s exactly what we did! My favorite getting-ready moment was Bri jumping in the bathtub wearing her robe, holding a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, and taking some direct flash shots. She looked gorgeous, and the photos were some of our favorites from that morning!

A Change of Events

Funny enough, this wasn’t even where they were supposed to get ready. Bri and Brennan originally booked a different Airbnb in their neighborhood that unexpectedly canceled the morning of. However, everyone rallied and found a new location! I was impressed with their ability to bounce back and make the best of the situation! And honestly, I am so glad they found this stunning new spot. We may never have gotten that bathtub shot otherwise! Plus, the outside of the house was an idyllic photoshoot backdrop. It was all meant to be!

Once everyone was dressed and ready to go, we headed to their unique vintage store wedding venue! We took advantage of the personality on display in the industrial venue, including the gorgeous outdoor space, the mirrors, and the décor. The shop venue already had vintage chairs, tables, and everything needed for a spectacular wedding day! During cocktail hour, guests got to walk around the space and look at all the eclectic items. It was such a unique wedding day experience—I always love an out-of-the-box wedding!

Surrounded with Love | A Photogenic Wedding Ceremony Setup

The outdoor ceremony was a highlight, with gorgeous green and breathtaking natural light. Bri and Brennan went with a diagonal aisle that allowed us to capture everyone’s faces, which I loved! They even had guests standing around the back, which made for such cute, candid opportunities, and they were literally surrounded with love. One of their siblings couldn’t make it since she was expecting, so they Zoomed her in for the ceremony and had a little moment with her after. It was so sweet! Even with the pandemic behind us, Facetiming with those who can’t make it is always so memorable and special.

Even inside the vintage store, we decided to only use natural light for the reception photos to create a more natural, candid feel. (Flash photography tends to be bolder with more contrast—it just depends on the style you want. For some, the camera flash can be a bit distracting. I often love shooting in natural light to show how it feels in low light. It captures the ambiance.) We ended the night with a party on the dance floor for a truly unforgettable evening!