Santa Monica Wedding
Photographer
Lin and Jirsa Photography has documented weddings along the Santa Monica coastline since 2008. From iconic beachfront hotels to historic bungalow retreats, we know every property, every tide, and every light on this coast.
Check Our AvailabilityWedding Photography
in Santa Monica
Santa Monica is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations on the entire West Coast. The city combines a rare trio of elements that few Los Angeles neighborhoods offer in the same place: direct oceanfront access, luxury hotel infrastructure, and a walkable, photogenic downtown. Couples marry at beachfront resorts where the ceremony opens onto the sand, then dance late into the evening in ballrooms overlooking the Pacific.
Lin and Jirsa Photography has photographed weddings at every major Santa Monica venue. As one of Los Angeles' premier wedding photography studios, we know the coastal light, the venue quirks, and the best times of day to work the beach and pier for portraits. Whether you are planning a classic Shutters on the Beach wedding, an intimate Casa del Mar reception, or a landmark celebration at the Fairmont Miramar, we bring the experience and preparation needed to deliver images that match the scale and feel of your day.
Santa Monica Wedding Venues
We Photograph
Shutters on the Beach
- Direct oceanfront access steps from the Santa Monica sand
- Cape Cod-inspired architecture with a coastal elegance
- Multiple indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces
Shutters on the Beach is arguably the signature wedding venue of the Santa Monica coast. The Cape Cod-inspired design, direct beach access, and ocean-facing suites give couples an experience that feels uniquely Californian while still reading as a timeless, classic setting on camera. Late afternoon ceremonies on the sand benefit from the warm directional light coming off the Pacific, and the reception spaces inside the hotel handle evening candlelight beautifully. We have photographed many weddings here and understand how to work every corner of the property.
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Hotel Casa del Mar
- Historic 1920s beachfront landmark on the Santa Monica sand
- Grand lobby with original architectural details and marble columns
- Oceanfront ballroom with panoramic Pacific views
Built in 1926, Hotel Casa del Mar is one of the most architecturally striking wedding venues on the entire California coast. The grand lobby, with its towering marble columns and original detailing, provides one of the most photographic first-look and portrait settings in Los Angeles County. The oceanfront ballroom offers uninterrupted views of the Pacific, which means every reception guest sees the sunset through the windows. For couples who want a venue with deep character and an iconic California presence, Casa del Mar is difficult to match.
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Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
- Historic estate-style hotel with a century-old Moreton Bay fig tree
- Private bungalow accommodations and garden event spaces
- Classic Santa Monica luxury steps from Ocean Avenue
The Fairmont Miramar is one of Santa Monica's original luxury properties. The century-old Moreton Bay fig tree at the entrance is one of the most recognized wedding backdrops in the city, and the garden courtyard beneath it provides one of the most unique ceremony settings in Los Angeles. The private bungalows scattered across the property give couples beautiful, secluded getting-ready spaces, and the ballrooms carry a classic old-Hollywood elegance that photographs particularly well in editorial-style portraits.
See Our Work at This Venue →Engagement Photography
in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier & Tongva Park
The Santa Monica Pier is the most iconic engagement photo location on the Los Angeles coast. Between the pier itself, the beach beneath it, and the adjacent Tongva Park with its sculptural landscape and fountains, couples get a full range of looks within a short walking distance. Late afternoon into blue hour is when the pier photographs best, as the Ferris wheel and string lights start to glow against the fading sky. We particularly love the contrast between the open beach compositions and the more intimate, architectural frames at Tongva Park.
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Downtown Santa Monica
For couples who want a more urban feel, downtown Santa Monica offers a completely different aesthetic just a few blocks from the beach. The Expo Line terminus and surrounding downtown streets provide architectural backdrops, clean graphic lines, and natural leading frames that contrast beautifully with traditional beach portraits. The Third Street Promenade, historic courtyards, and the area around the station have enough variety to cover multiple looks in a single session.
See a Session at This Location →Why Choose a Santa Monica Wedding Photographer
from Lin and Jirsa
Lin and Jirsa Photography has photographed weddings across Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles coast since 2008. In that time we have built a deep understanding of the unique demands of beachfront photography: how the coastal light changes from hour to hour, how to manage sand and wind during portrait sessions, and how to balance the exterior ocean light with interior reception spaces at properties like Shutters and Casa del Mar.
We work with couples across every style of Santa Monica wedding, from intimate beachfront ceremonies for 40 guests to full Fairmont Miramar weekends with 300-plus attendees. Every package includes a dedicated lead photographer, a pre-wedding planning consultation, and online delivery of fully edited, high-resolution images with personal printing rights.
Santa Monica Wedding Photographer
FAQ
How much does a Santa Monica wedding photographer cost?
Wedding photography pricing in Santa Monica typically ranges from $3,500 to $10,000 or more. Beachfront and luxury hotel venues often push budgets toward the upper end of that range due to the longer coverage times required for multi-space celebrations. Lin and Jirsa Photography packages start at $3,950 and include a dedicated lead photographer, full-day coverage, and an online gallery of fully edited high-resolution images.
Have you photographed weddings at Shutters on the Beach or Casa del Mar?
Yes, extensively. Shutters on the Beach, Hotel Casa del Mar, and the Fairmont Miramar are three of the most frequently photographed luxury venues in our Santa Monica portfolio. We understand how each property's light changes through the day and where to position couples for both dramatic ocean portraits and intimate interior moments.
Can we do an engagement session on Santa Monica Pier?
Absolutely. Santa Monica Pier and the adjacent Tongva Park are among our favorite engagement session locations in the city. We typically schedule these sessions for late afternoon into early evening so we can capture golden hour on the beach followed by the pier lights during blue hour. Downtown Santa Monica and the Expo Line terminus offer a great alternative look for couples who want something less traditional.
How does beachfront photography work with tide and lighting?
Beachfront weddings in Santa Monica require planning around sunset time, tide schedules, and wind conditions. We handle this as part of your pre-wedding planning consultation. For outdoor ceremonies on the sand, we typically recommend starting 60 to 90 minutes before sunset so the ceremony is lit naturally and portraits can take advantage of the golden hour light immediately afterward.
How far in advance should I book a Santa Monica wedding photographer?
We recommend booking 12 to 18 months in advance. Peak season Saturdays at Shutters, Casa del Mar, and the Fairmont Miramar book quickly, often more than a year out. If your date is sooner, it is still worth reaching out to check availability, as we occasionally have openings due to cancellations or rescheduling.
Do you travel to venues outside Santa Monica?
Yes. We photograph weddings throughout Los Angeles and Orange County with no travel fees, including Malibu, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Long Beach, Palos Verdes, and beyond. We also cover San Diego, the Inland Empire, and destination weddings worldwide.
Nearby Cities
In addition to Santa Monica, our team photographs weddings throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Browse our Los Angeles wedding photography page or our city-specific pages: Long Beach, Pasadena, Malibu, Palos Verdes, and Beverly Hills. We are based in Southern California with no travel fees for local weddings.
Ready to have your story told beautifully?
Most of our popular dates book 12–18 months in advance. Reach out today to check availability and learn more about working with our studio.