Alila Marea Wedding in Encinitas, California
A Coastal Wedding at Alila Marea in Encinitas, California
There’s something about Alila Marea that feels distinctly Southern California without leaning too heavily into the idea of a traditional beach wedding. Perched just above the coastline in Encinitas, the property is modern and architectural, but still feels incredibly connected to its surroundings.
For this wedding, that setting became such an important part of the imagery.
The day was refined without feeling overly formal. A classic black tuxedo paired with a beautifully structured gown, organic florals in soft shades of lavender and green, and a reception design that felt effortless against the natural textures of the property. Everything worked together without competing with the landscape.
Photographing a Wedding at Alila Marea
One of my favorite things about photographing weddings at Alila Marea is the variety within such a beautifully cohesive setting.
You can move from clean architectural lines to wild coastal landscaping within minutes. The light changes constantly as the sun moves toward the ocean, creating opportunities for photographs that feel completely different from one another while still belonging to the same story.
Rather than approaching the property with a checklist of locations, I wanted the portraits to feel responsive to what was happening around us, where the light was falling, how the dress moved, what the landscape looked like at that particular moment.
Some photographs became more composed and editorial. Others happened almost entirely on their own.
That balance is always what I’m looking for.
Editorial Meets Documentary
My approach to wedding photography lives somewhere between editorial and documentary.
I love creating a beautiful portrait and paying attention to composition, fashion, light, and all of the tiny details that make an image feel intentional. But I never want the pursuit of a beautiful photograph to interrupt the experience of actually being there.
Throughout this Alila Marea wedding, I photographed both the larger visual story and the quieter moments happening within it, movement between locations, hands reaching for one another, expressions that disappeared almost as quickly as they appeared, and the details that helped create the atmosphere of the day.
The result is a gallery that feels polished, but still alive.
Planning + Design: Ivory + Stone Event Co. | Venue: Alila Marea Beach Resort | Photo: Tayler Ashley Photography | Video: Films by Carina | Floral: The Flower Boy Co. | Rentals: APR Boutique Event Rentals , Adore Folklore | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Lighting: Brilliant Event Lighting | Entertainment: Downbeat | Photo Booth: Pixster Photo Booth | Hair + Makeup: Face by Raymie | Dessert: VGs | Stationery: Ivory + Stone Event Co., Boho Babes