Part 1: Al Bahr Shrine Camp Wedding in Mount Laguna
Fabulous! Heartfelt! Genuinely amazing are all words I use to describe this wedding adventure Jess and I went on at the Al Bahr Shriner Camp in Mount Laguna. A tight group of family and friends took us in as their own and the hospitality was unlike anything we’d ever experienced. Right off the bat when we arrived we were offered cocktails and shown to our cabin. Yes, every guest at this wedding had a place to stay and we were well taken care of. The Al Bahr Shrine Camp is a private camp ground leased from the Forestry Service since 1921 and is available to all Shriners, Masons and affiliated Masonic bodies, their families and guests. The camp sits at 6,000 ft. elevation and is enveloped in pine and oak trees with a spectacular view. Its private, remote and the absolute perfect place for the ragin party that was about to go down.
The amount of thought and planning that went into this was phenomenal and all the family and friends pulled together to help make this go without a hitch. LOTS of setup. I can only imagine what the day after clean up was like. The details were all in place for this DIY wedding and was a wedding photographers dream. Sarah and Troy were married among the tallest of trees, hay bails were brought in by the truckload as seating for guests. There were powerful words, emotional vows and everyone waved party flags, took a specially made shot and threw birdseed upon their exit! It was awesome! Such an incredible ceremony… and the reception would not be upstaged.
After rocking a bunch more photos, we all headed down the hill into the most DIYphenom reception I have stepped foot in.. Seriously all the details were in place and the lodge was decorated up for the night, twinkle lights and all. #ambiance. They put a cool twist on the bouquet and garter toss and did a raffle for them, donating all the proceeds to the Shrine Camp. Everyone bought a flag that they stuck in a predetermined area. Whoevers flag the garter and bouquet landed closest to won the prize package that Sarah and Troy put together. A VERY cool idea! There was a candy/ dessert bar coupled with gift/ goodie bags. Did I say karaoke yet? This was the first wedding I’ve ever been to that had karaoke and it was GREAT!! The disco ball was a nice touch as well… thats right a disco ball and karaoke + an endless supply of booze. BUT that was just the beginning. The day was young… and the night? even younger ;) Jess and I set up a photobooth, rocked the cam, had a few drinks [once the important stuff was handled] and became part of the party. I could seriously go on and on giving you a breakdown of every detail they had… OR I could shut up and let the photos do the talking. Which I think I will. Ladies, get your Wedding Ideas Pintrest boards ready !!
OK so this post in its entirety was REALLY LOOOOONG. Waaaay too many photos and I had to split it up into two posts just to keep the internet from totally freezing up when opening it. Get ready for some more! and CLICK HERE to head over to see the portrait session, drinking, dancing, wedding karaoke and the rest of this raging party in a super sweet reception party set up!
