Neil & Nayoung – Hilton San Diego Bayfront Wedding

This was our 3rd wedding we have photographed for this sweet family! Neil and Nayoung had one of the most culturally diverse weddings we have ever seen. Nayoung wore a traditional Hindu sari and Neil wore traditional Korean wedding attire (hanbok). We have always wanted to photograph a Hilton San Diego Bayfront Wedding! The hotel sits on the harbor right next door to the San Diego convention center and across the bay from Coronado Island.

Traditional Indian Hindu Wedding Ceremony

One of our favorite parts of a traditional Indian wedding is the Barraat! This is where the groom (riding on a decorated horse) and his side of the family meet in celebration. This festive event is filled with loud music, drums, and dancing. This large group starts walking from the front of the hotel towards the ceremony site where the brides family is waiting. Once the two families come together, everyone dances as family members exchange hugs and hellos. The music is typically traditional Indian music but DJ Riz made sure to mix in some Snoop Dawgg to the mix! After the dancing, everyone fills into the ceremony location. Next, the parents and relatives take turns lifting each other off the ground while exchanging floral garlands.

Traditional Korean Wedding Ceremony

Next up was the Korean ceremony called, pyebaek. Nayoung changed into a traditional dress that is called hanbok. All the married females on the brides side of the family also wore these dresses. During the pyebaek ceremony, the couple has a ceremonial drink with the family and bows to them. The parents take turns throwing chestnuts and jujubes towards the new couple as they try to catch them in a cloth. The number of items caught in the cloth is supposed to represent the number of future sons and daughters they will have!

Wedding slide show

Check out Neil and Nayoung’s engagement session at the Venice Canals. You can also view Aash and Paul’s Hindu wedding at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort (Neil’s cousin).

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Coordinator: Melinda with In the moment event service
Photographers: Brian & Jennifer Gilmore Studios, 3rd photographer – Chris Griffiths
Videographer: Arash with Rugger Productions
Floral Design: Widad with Royal Florist Designs
Makeup Artist: Kelly Park with Red Kelly Makeup
Hair Dresser: Hills Beauty Club
Wedding Venue: Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Ceremony and Reception Music: DJ Riz
Wedding Ceremony Officiant: Rabindra Watson
Invitations: Wedding paper Divas
Wedding Dress designer: Rosa Clara
Groomsmen Attire: Korean hanbok

About the photographer

Brian and Jennifer Gilmore are a husband and wife wedding photographer team in Orange County, CA. They have been photographing weddings together since 2003. Contact us for more info about booking your wedding in the Southern California area. Brian and Jennifer Gilmore specialize in wedding photography in San Diego, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Huntington Beach, and surrounding areas in OC and Los Angeles, CA. Call 949-698-3968 or email us for more info about booking your 2018 wedding! A Hilton San Diego Bayfront Wedding photographer.