Engagement Session Location Ideas
You've got the venue booked, website up, save-the-dates and/or invites ready, and lack only a cute set of couple photos to post. It's time to schedule your engagement session! Here's a few thoughts on how to narrow down your location choices.
Consider your style and vision. Will the engagement session be aligning with your wedding aesthetic, or will it be a nice contrast? Are you an earthy, salt-in-my-hair-sand-in-my-toes kind of person or is high fashion more your thing? The location will greatly add to the style you are going for: rustic, casual, formal, party, etc.
Now you can start looking at backgrounds. San Diego County has a lot, and I mean a lot of gorgeous scenery. I remember one time a client asked, "I'm thinking a rustic train, or something. Like, an old caboose and a railroad track. Got anything for that?" Yup! Old Poway Park. The only place in San Diego County with an old caboose and where photos on railroad tracks are permitted during allotted times. They were thriiiilllled.
Next is accessibility. Some lovely spots may be difficult to get to, while others have the worst parking you'll ever encounter. Are you ok with a long, elevated hike? Do you want to bring your dog? Will we need wheelchair accessibility? All this affects which location you choose.
The time of day is also important. You might want to swing by popular tourist attractions in the early morning (8:00am at Balboa Park is basically a must for low crowds and vendors). Heavy foliage locations may start looking gloomy in the late afternoon, which is great if you are going for dark & moody! And of course nothing beats San Diego beach sunsets! I LOVE sunset engagement sessions!
Lastly, you will need to know if the location requires a photography permit. Some locations in San Diego County have extremely strict policies. No permit may mean your session being cut short and everyone escorted off the premises. It's always best to check! Without further ado, here are just a few of my favorite locations in San Diego County:
Sandy beach only
Coronado Beach
La Jolla Shores
Cliffs and/or rocky beach
Windansea Beach
Torrey Pines Reserve
Beach & pier
Scripps Pier in La Jolla
Crystal Pier in PB
Rustic
Los Peñasquitos Ranch House
Discovery Lake San Marcos
Woodsy/forest
Felicita Park
Elfin Forest
Hills/mountains
Dos Picos
Mission Trails
Greenery
Japanese Friendship Garden
Balboa Park Gardens
Flowers
San Diego Botanic Garden
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Desert
Balboa Park Desert Garden
Balboa Park Cactus Garden (I am obsesssssed)
Some architecture focus
Martin Johnson House
Centennial Beach
Hotel Del
Vintage architecture
Old Poway Park
Heritage Park
Elaborate architecture –
Balboa Park museums
Many stunning wedding venues include an engagement session on their property
Modern, city vibe
UCSD
Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge
