Something I love about my job is being able to hear the different stories of love every couple has. I find that their story & the journey of how their relationship has grown and developed, truly magnify the specialness of their weddings and it makes me so excited and privileged that they allow me to photograph their special day!
Julie & Robby met through a mutual friend in 2004, and starting then, their friendship began online. Julie shared with me that her first impression of Robby was that he was “handsome & polite” and Robby let me know that Julie made him feel nervous because she was cute & friendly. “She was nice, easy to talk too, (and) Fun to be with.” It wasn’t until March 5, 2005 that their romantic story began, and their love began to blossom in many ways!
Fast forward 9 years later and here we land on the special day of their wedding! At first I was curious about why they had chosen to get married on a Wednesday! It was random to me until I finally learned their amazing story! Julie contacted me last year about covering her intimate beach wedding last month on the beaches of Coronado Island! As the day finally approached it was a beautiful day to be at the beach–it wasn’t too hot, and there was a nice breeze! We met with Julie, Robby & their adorable children before the wedding started to take a couple detail shots and then headed off to the beach!
I can’t wait to share with you this sweet wedding & the story of how Robby & Julie came to be! :)
Julie purchased this wedding gown and DIY-ed all the jewels on it! She literally lined up each rhinestone and put it onto the dress! Julie shared with me that she’s truly a lover of simplicity, but what bride can’t help but add a little pizazz to their wedding dress if they can? :)
Shortly after they began dating, they Julie discovered that she was pregnant with their first son, Matthew (now 7).
“When I met Robby we were both really young. At the time I was 15 and Robby was 16, I knew his personality, quietness, along with his respect for me were special qualities I liked about him. He would always put me first; if I called, he always answer. It wasn’t until I found out that I was pregnant soon after we started dating was when I feel in love with him. As soon as found out I was pregnant and ask him what we were going to do. He told me with joy that were keeping our child and he will do what it takes to take care of the three of us. I knew he was genuine and meant what he said.”
How amazing it is to see that 9 years later and Robby is still keeping that promise with their now three children! How cute are the matching little tuxedos they got for their little boys!
This is their second little one, Mason! As you’ll see, he likes the camera :)
“As teenage parents we focused on raising our son and going to college. Robby graduated from a private college with his associate in technical technology. I continued on my schooling and finished my general education but was not able to finish my 4 years planned. I started working and Robby was unable to find a job within his degree after graduating. He then later became a bartender at a local casino to pay for his school loans.
In 2010, after moving out of his mom’s house to an apartment, we decided to have another baby. Our first pregnancy was unplanned. March 25, 2011, we had our second son, Mason. Then we went on to have our third son, Myles on March 21, 2012, which was also a planned pregnancy. We bought our first home on April 2012. On Sept 18, 2012 Robby proposed to me. At the moment I am still continuing my education in social work. After I finish school, Robby will also continue his education.
Being teenage parents we’ve worked together to provide for our family, we supported each other always, we also have a good relationship and communication. We manage to always be positive together, even through all our challenges as teenage parent and it all happened because we love each other unconditionally.”
– Julie
Julie looked absolutely lovely in her dress and all ready for her & Robby’s special day! Though Robby & Julie got ready together along with their children for the wedding, it was sweet to see Robby’s shy smile for this day as well as Matthew’s sweet reaction was to seeing his mom and dad standing at the “alter”! :)
Robby & Julie were surrounded by 18 of their close friends and family down in SoCal! It was a small and private ceremony for the two.
The three things Robby loves about his bride is her devotedness, strength and her outgoing personality. “(She) understands me, is a very good mom to our kids, and is able to talk out out problems we run into. (She’s) willing to get her hands dirty.”
“He’s always put me first, our decisions are made with both of our opinions, and we are able to sit, listen and talk things out.” Julie shared with me three things that she loves about Robby: He’s affectionate, intelligent and a hard worker.
After the ceremony, we grouped up to take photos with their loving guests! The children loved seeing the ocean! :)
Little Myles loved to look at anything but the camera during his photographic debut! ;)
On the other hand, as I mentioned before, Mason loved getting in front of my lens! ;)
After a couple shots of them with their guests, John & I had the opportunity to take the lovely newly weds away for their bridal session! :)
Robby looked at Julie like she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen! It was very sweet to see! “(My) first memory (of us) was when we meet each other at a friends house. She had a nice smile, highlighted hair. There was a light outside that gave a green hue to her. She looked stunning that night.”
“Robby is the most hard working person I know. Robby is very intelligent and smart & I know he wants to finish his 4 year degree, but he encourages me to finish mine first. He will do the same afterwards, but again he puts me first. Robby sacrifices a lot of his youth to provide for me and the boys and for that I am very thankful for him. I don’t have much or any friends at all beside relatives so Robby is my best friend. I love that I can talk to him about anything and everything. Even if it’s a boring subject, he’ll sit and listen. Most of all, Robby is a great father and a wonderful role model to our children. I love our communication: we’ve learned to know how to agree to disagree and never stay anger at one other after a disagreement.”
It was fun playing around with the scarves we brought to their bridal session! Check out this shot John got with one of the extra scarves we brought around! :)
What was amazing to learn is how family-oriented and dedicated Robby & Julie are! Both of them shared with me how much they enjoy spending time with one another and with their children. “[My] favorite times are when we ride out of town with the kids, she’s right next to me in the car. Everyone is happy going to where ever we go.”
I couldn’t help but feel the strong love between them, and how much they care for one another and their family! I’m truly amazed at how selfless they are towards one another and for their children. It’s a beautiful sight to see and a beautiful story to hear about.
It was beautiful to see how Robby & Julie’s love grew. They are truly so comfortable with one another, and enjoy the simplicities of life! Even their engagement was simple, but nonetheless intimate & absolutely perfect for them as they knew they were ready to commit to marriage with each other. “Our engagement was planned together, after being together for awhile we both decided we were ready, we both went out to pick the ring. That was just how we did things! ;)”
LOVED this closeness between them. So darling! I think what I love most about this couple and the photographs I was able to curate of them, was how even in the photos you can just see the sweet sincerity and simplicity of their love… you can see their comfort with one another so clearly in the expressions of the photos I was able to capture of them! :)
After 9 years of dating, and living life with each other and their children, they finally took this step of commitment and it’s a wonderful! Their story is one of the most unique ones that I have been able to learn about, and it’s so amazing to see how they got this far, and are moving forward strong, with a great love for one another and their family!
CONGRATULATIONS to Robby & Julie! May God bless your guys’ marriage and family! John & I had a wonderful time at the beach, photographing their wedding & being able to capture their love and friendship! :)
Happy Friday!