KIMBERLY & TJ
Locations:
- Getting ready: Casino San Clemente in San Clemente, CA (bride and groom)
- Ceremony and reception: Casino San Clemente in San Clemente, CA
Wedding photos at Casino San Clemente:
I first connected with Kim and TJ last fall after they’d been recommended by another couple, Sasha and Josh, who tied the knot at the end of April. They were planning a private club wedding at Casino San Clemente with some of their closest family and friends, and I was honored that they selected Aevitas Weddings to capture their special day. Even before we shot their wedding, they recommended us to another couple, Sarah and Marco, whose event we captured just the weekend before!
Kim and TJ met at a bar in Hermosa Beach and have been dating for the last few years, with TJ popping the question during a last-minute trip to Ireland. Although we had a virtual meeting in the lead up to their wedding, it wasn’t until Sarah and Marco’s celebrations that I actually got to meet them in-person. They’re a really wonderful and upbeat couple, with such a great vibe, so I was looking forward to reconnecting when my second photographer and I arrived to capture them getting ready at Casino San Clemente.

A whimsical portrait of the newlyweds backed by the Pacific Ocean during their wedding at Casino San Clemente.
Getting ready photos at Casino San Clemente:
While my second photographer was with TJ and the guys as they made their final preparations, I was on the other side of the Casino San Clemente with Kim and the girls. I grabbed some candid shots as the bride had the final touches applied to her makeup and admired her engagement ring, as well as a portrait in her white robe as she looked out the suite window.
Kim was getting ready with both of the moms and eight bridesmaids (including her two twin sisters), so I captured some playful portraits in their robes both inside the suite and in the garden outside. After the bride had slipped into her dress, I grabbed some shots as her mom and TJ’s mom helped with her jewelry and another as her bridesmaids assisted while stepping into her shoes.
Kim’s dad then arrived for the father-daughter first look and I took some candid shots as the bride embraced him. We used the opportunity for a family portrait with Kim’s mom and sisters before it was time to head outside for the first look with TJ.

Kim having the final touches applied to her makeup while getting ready in the bridal suite at Casino San Clemente.

A portrait of bride looking out her suite window while enjoying a glass of champagne at Casino San Clemente.

Capturing a special moment between Kim and her bridesmaids in their floral robes at Casino San Clemente.

Kim admires her engagement ring while getting ready for her wedding at Casino San Clemente.

Kim looks up at her gorgeous gown hanging in front of a window in her Casino San Clemente bridal suite.

A playful portrait of Kim’s bridesmaids admiring her engagement ring in their floral robes at Casino San Clemente.

Kim, her mom and twin sisters admiring her wedding dress hanging in the bridal suite at Casino San Clemente.

Kim sharing a laugh and hug with her mom and twin sisters while getting ready for the wedding at Casino San Clemente.

A shot of Kim securing her earrings while her mom watches on in the bridal suite at Casino San Clemente.

TJ and Kim’s moms assist the bride into her wedding dress in a suite at Casino San Clemente.

TJ’s mom helps to secure Kim’s necklace while preparing for the Casino San Clemente wedding ceremony.

Kim’s bridesmaids assist as she steps into her wedding shoes for the ceremony at Casino San Clemente.

Kim is embraced by her bridesmaids in their multi-hued dresses in the bridal suite at Casino San Clemente.

A candid photo of Kim embracing her dad during their father-daughter first look session at Casino San Clemente.

Kim smiles while hugging her dad during their Casino San Clemente father-daughter first look session.

Kim and her dad embrace while the bride’s family watches on in a suite at Casino San Clemente.

A family portrait of Kim, her parents and twin sisters during the Casino San Clemente wedding celebrations.
Pre-ceremony portraits at Casino San Clemente:
While rain had been forecast, we were lucky to be blessed with clear, sunny skies, so much so that we had to seek out a shaded spot for the first look. We found an ornate walkway where I photographed Kim walking up behind TJ, then his joyous reaction at seeing her for the first time on their special day.
After a few candid shots of them embracing and TJ spinning Kim in this loved-up moment, we utilized the time we had available for some couple portraits around Casino San Clemente. There were plenty of beautiful spots available, including a shaded courtyard, lush greenery, and an elegant, interior room.
I tried to get creative with a variety of classic poses and more creative shots, capturing Kim as she led TJ through the courtyard at Casino San Clemente and another as he checked his watch. I then grabbed a few portraits of the beautiful bride on her own and a playful one with her bridesmaids as they covered their faces with their bouquets.

A candid shot of Kim walking through a doorway at Casino San Clemente during her first look with TJ.

Capturing Kim and TJ’s reaction during their romantic first look session at Casino San Clemente.

A romantic moment between the bride and groom during their intimate first look session in San Clemente.

TJ spins Kim during their first look session on a shaded walkway at Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ look lovingly at one another during their romantic wedding portrait session at Casino San Clemente.

Capturing an intimate moment between the bride and groom while holding their bouquet at Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ kiss in a charming courtyard during their wedding portrait session at Casino San Clemente.

The bride and groom walk hand-in-hand through a leafy courtyard at Casino San Clemente during their wedding portrait session.

Kim and TJ share a laugh while embracing in front of an arched architectural feature at Casino San Clemente.

Kim embraces TJ in a shady garden spot during their wedding portrait session at Casino San Clemente.

A creative portrait of Kim leading TJ through the courtyard of Casino San Clemente during their wedding photo session.

TJ checks his watch while Kim sits on an old-world sofa in one of the elegant rooms at Casino San Clemente.

Kim turns to smile at TJ while walking through a leafy courtyard at Casino San Clemente.

Capturing a tender moment between the bride and groom during their Casino San Clemente wedding portrait session.

Kim and TJ look lovingly at one another while being reflected in a mirror at Casino San Clemente.

A warm embrace between the bride and groom during their romantic wedding portrait session at Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ kiss while their nephews playfully cover their eyes in the courtyard of Casino San Clemente.

A portrait of Kim looking stunning with her floral bouquet in the courtyard of Casino San Clemente.

Kim holds her bouquet while showcasing the back of her gorgeous dress at Casino San Clemente.

A playful portrait of Kim and her bridesmaids hiding behind their bouquets in the courtyard of Casino San Clemente.

Kim surrounded by her bridesmaids in their multi-hued dresses at Casino San Clemente.

Kim, TJ and their bridal party celebrate in the courtyard of Casino San Clemente during the Southern California wedding.
Ceremony photos at Casino San Clemente:
It was then time for the ceremony to get underway, which was being held in the charming courtyard of Casino San Clemente. I grabbed a candid shot as one of the ring bearers fist-bumped his dad while walking down the aisle, then captured TJ’s reaction as he watched his bride arrive on the arm of her dad.
Kim and TJ’s classic courtyard wedding ceremony at Casino San Clemente was being officiated by one of the bridesmaids, with plenty of smiles (and a few tears) from the couple and their family watching on. I captured a range of candid shots as they exchanged vows and rings, as well as a wide-angle photo looking across the beautifully decorated ceremony venue.
After capturing a selfie with the couple, the officiant declared them “husband and wife” and they sealed their marriage with a kiss. I photographed their celebrations as they turned to face their wedding guests before making their recessional walk down the aisle.

Capturing a special moment between Kim and her niece at Casino San Clemente.

A young ring bearer with a mohawk fist bumps his dad while walking down the aisle at Casino San Clemente.

Capturing TJ’s reaction as he watched Kim walk down the aisle in the courtyard of Casino San Clemente.

Kim walking down the aisle on the arm of her dad at the start of the Casino San Clemente courtyard wedding ceremony.

TJ shakes hands with Kim’s dad as he gives the bride away during the Casino San Clemente wedding ceremony.

A wide-angle shot looking across Kim and TJ’s intimate courtyard wedding ceremony at Casino San Clemente.

Capturing Kim’s reaction as she exchanged vows with TJ during their courtyard wedding in San Clemente.

A candid photo of Kim’s mom wiping away tears during the emotional wedding ceremony.

TJ smiles lovingly at his bride during their private club wedding ceremony at Casino San Clemente.

Capturing the reactions of TJ’s parents during the intimate wedding ceremony at Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ share a laugh while holding hands during their private club wedding ceremony in San Clemente.

A few sleeping young wedding guests in the arms of their moms during the Casino San Clemente wedding ceremony.

A candid photo of Kim and TJ turning to look towards their wedding guests during the Casino San Clemente ceremony.

The officiant captures a selfie of herself and the couple during the courtyard wedding at Casino San Clemente.

Capturing a playful moment as Kim puts a ring on TJ’s finger during their Casino San Clemente wedding ceremony.

Kim and TJ kiss after being officially pronounced “husband and wife” at Casino San Clemente.

The bride and groom celebrate after becoming officially married in the gorgeous courtyard of Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ walk hand-in-hand through the courtyard of Casino San Clemente following their wedding ceremony.
Post-ceremony portraits at Casino San Clemente:
Kim and TJ wanted to spend some time mingling with their guests during the cocktail hour before we snuck away for another portrait session as the “golden hour” light set in. After a portrait of them looking lovingly at one another at their courtyard ceremony venue, we walked across the street to San Clemente Beach for a sunset wedding photo session.
Here, I captured romantic shots of them embracing and kissing as the waves of the Pacific Ocean rolled in behind. We then returned to Casino San Clemente for the start of their wedding reception, grabbing a candid shot of them laughing as they walked hand-in-hand across the street.

The bride and groom look lovingly at one another during their post-ceremony portrait session at Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ share a laugh while walking down to the beach in San Clemente following their courtyard ceremony.

Capturing a tender moment between the newlyweds in front of the entrance to Casino San Clemente during their sunset wedding portrait session.

Kim and TJ share a laugh while walking through their courtyard wedding ceremony venue at Casino San Clemente.

The newlyweds illuminated by the late afternoon sun while walking down to the beach at San Clemente.

Kim and TJ look lovingly at one another, backed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, during their sunset wedding portrait session.

A whimsical portrait of the couple kissing during their sunset beach wedding photo session in San Clemente.

A candid photo of Kim and TJ laughing during their relaxed beach wedding portrait session in San Clemente.

TJ embraces Kim warmly as they look out across the Pacific Ocean on San Clemente Beach.

Kim and TJ kiss as the waves of the Pacific Ocean roll in behind them on the beach of San Clemente.

The newlyweds share a laugh while walking through a carpark back to Casino San Clemente.
Reception photos at Casino San Clemente:
Kim and TJ kicked off their private club wedding reception with a grand entrance, then launched straight into their first dance. They’d decided on a relaxed setup for their reception, with no set seating and a buffet dinner that guests could help themselves to whenever they were ready.
The bride and groom sat on a white sofa as those closest to them made speeches and toasts, beginning with Kim’s parents before the groomsmen and bridesmaids also had a turn. TJ then took to the dance floor with his mom for the mother-son dance, followed by Kim and her dad, before everyone got up to celebrate.
A really great live band was providing the entertainment for the evening and I grabbed a playful shot of TJ fist-bumping the lead singer, as well as a candid photo of an elderly couple showing off their moves. I also got creative with an elevated photo of the couple taking shots with their guests and plenty of candid photos as they celebrated their new union with family and friends.

Kim and TJ make their grand entrance into the private club wedding reception at Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ look lovingly at one another while performing their first dance at Casino San Clemente.

The newlyweds perform their first dance while wedding guests watch on during the Casino San Clemente reception.

A candid photo of Kim’s parents making a speech during the private club reception at Casino San Clemente.

Capturing the reactions of Kim and TJ while listening to speeches and toasts at their Casino San Clemente wedding reception.

TJ receives a divided reaction after putting on an LA Dodgers cap during his Casino San Clemente wedding reception.

A candid photo of Kim and TJ embracing the bride’s parents following their reception speech at Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ listen in while the groom’s father makes a speech during the Casino San Clemente wedding reception.

A candid photo of Kim’s twin sisters making a reception speech in the private club of Casino San Clemente.

Capturing a special moment between Kim and TJ while listening to speeches and toasts at their Casino San Clemente reception.

One of TJ’s groomsmen makes a speech while another looks on during the Casino San Clemente reception.

Kim and TJ share a laugh while listening to speeches and toasts at Casino San Clemente.

A candid photo of one of Kim’s bridesmaids making a reception speech while another looks on at Casino San Clemente.

TJ and his mom perform their mother-son dance during the Casino San Clemente wedding reception.

Kim and her dad perform their father-daughter dance during the wedding reception at Casino San Clemente.

A candid photo of TJ fist-pumping the band’s singer in the private club of Casino San Clemente.

A candid photo of the officiant and her partner enjoying the dance floor at Casino San Clemente.

An elevated shot of Kim and TJ taking shots with their friends during the lively reception party at Casino San Clemente.

A candid photo of an elderly couple letting loose on the dance floor at Casino San Clemente.

Kim and TJ being embraced by their wedding guests on the dance floor at Casino San Clemente.

An action shot of one of the wedding guests enjoying the dance floor during the Casino San Clemente reception.

Capturing a kiss between the bride and groom on the dance floor in the private club of Casino San Clemente.

Kim enjoying the dance floor with her female friends during the private club reception at Casino San Clemente.

An action shot of Kim and TJ dancing to the sounds of a live band during their wedding reception in San Clemente.

The bride dancing with a tie around her head during the lively wedding party at Casino San Clemente.

A candid photo of two wedding guests letting loose on the dance floor during the Casino San Clemente reception.

Kim smiles while embracing TJ on the dance floor during their private club wedding at Casino San Clemente.
Wedding photos at Casino San Clemente:
I want to give Sasha and Josh a big shout out for their recommendation and making this all possible, as well as Kim and TJ for trusting in Aevitas to capture this wedding at Casino San Clemente. I know they’re off to Bali in Indonesia for their honeymoon, so I wish them an incredible time and all the happiness in the world for their married life together.
May 30, 2019
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