Wildflowers. Champagne in the park. Close friends. DTLA skyline.

Getting wed during a global pandemic was never going to be easy, but with a little ingenuity and a safety-first attitude, it was definitely possible. Henry & Cassandra unlocked this puzzle and found themselves announced as newlyweds one warm winter afternoon.

When they first reached out, Henry pointed out that in their search for a photographer, it seemed like “kismet” when they found me—I had shot an engagement session just months before at the very spot they were planning their ceremony. At the Los Angeles State Historic Park, there is an odd, architectural lookout point in the middle that faces toward the DTLA skyline, hence the “Bridge to Nowhere.” It was important for the couple to invite only a handful of friends (three of their closest) and Henry’s brother along for this special moment.  

While we waited for sunset, we took a little stroll around the outer edge before stopping in a ravine-like dip in the landscape. Henry’s spin on the traditional groom’s suit was lively and fun with black and red sneakers, while Cassandra went with a vintage-inspired look—off-white dress and chic fur coat, white headband, and purple gem earrings. With wildflowers beginning to bloom and the natural california plant-life looking lush, the park itself made for a wonderful backdrop. Naturally silly, the two let me capture that side of them without worry about what the images would like.

Once the “bridge to nowhere” was cleared of any passersby, we made a procession toward the towering cement structure. Up close, it appears grand and brutalist, and the golden sun added to its wonder. It was a short, but meaningful, ceremony—full of laughs, nostalgia, and warmth as the skyline behind them glowed to match their auras.

Once the glass was broken, the group walked together down a meandering path and found a nice little knoll to perch on. Then the picnic blankets, cupcakes, and champagne came out. Everyone was all smiles. Sundown followed, and the sky turned cherry-pink and lavender.