The Ultimate Skybox Urban Wedding | Downtown San Diego

Downtown San Diego is the perfect place for an urban, modern wedding, and The Ultimate Skybox is my favorite San Diego downtown venue to photograph. I was excited for Kyle and Precious big day at Skybox. I was ready for a fun, dynamic, productive wedding day with this lavish, young couple.

The day began early at The Grand Manchester Hyatt in downtown San Diego, the hotel where the bride and groom got ready for their downtown wedding, and I couldn't think of a better place. The Grand Manchester Hyatt is one of the most prestigious hotels in San Diego. Located in San Diego South Bay, this hotel has some of the most luxurious accommodations in Downtown San Diego, making it perfect for a bride to get ready.

Precious took time getting ready while enjoying her closest friends and family company. After she got into her wedding dress, it was time to leave the hotel and head to the church, as it got closer to the wedding starting time. 

The wedding was at the beautiful Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Little Italy, in Downtown San Diego. A catholic church is one the most exquisite churches in San Diego, with historic architecture and a beautiful interior. Our Lady of the Rosary is the perfect place for a wedding ceremony if you're searching for a church wedding.

It was a very emotional ceremony, and Precious and Kyle were happy to be tying the knot. The bride and groom-to-be had been together for a long time and were ready to take the next step. 

After the full-mass ceremony, Precious and Kyle walked out of the church into downtown as a married couple. They were ready to move places and party with their friends and family. But before that, we had some pictures to take. A first look helps the bride and groom get some photos done before the wedding ceremony. By seeing each other before the ceremony, the bride and groom can do some family photos, bridal party photos, and even portraits before the ceremony. Precious and Kyle did not have a first look and only saw each other down the aisle during the ceremony, so we had lots to do.

After being very productive with family photos at the altar at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, we were ready to explore downtown for some photo spots. As a local San Diego photographer for nearly 20 years, I knew exactly where to take the bride and groom. 

The reception happened at the Skybox Altitude, also in downtown San Diego. We hit the streets for some urban portraits of the couple around the reception area. Since Precious and Kyle are such a unique, young couple, I wanted to find a modern, urban location for some portraits. I knew a bright, colorful street panel was the ideal location, and I knew exactly where to find one. This panel is near Skybox Altitude, which made it very convenient for us. 

After some urban portraits at the street panel, it was time for us to go to the reception site for more photos of the bride and groom. The Skybox Altitude is not only a great place to have your wedding reception, but it also allows for some great pictures on its west-faced balcony. 

When I spoke on the phone with Precious and Kyle, I explained how important it was for us to be at The Skybox about thirty minutes before sunset to get the best possible light of the sunset falling behind the buildings and ocean. Making detailed plans with the couple is crucial to ensure we do everything we need and to accomplish the couple’s vision for each part of their wedding. 

After a few romantic portraits on the balcony of The Altitude Skybox under perfect afternoon lighting, Precious and Kyle moved to the other room so their guests could enter the reception and take their seats before the grand entrance. 

The energy before Kyle and Precious entered the ballroom at The Ultimate Skybox was very high, and after a long ceremony and cocktail hour, the guests were ready to make some noise! Everyone cheered very loudly when the bride and groom entered the room, along with their bridal party.

It was time for Precious and Kyle's first dance as a married couple, and they had been practicing! Their family and friends witnessed a beautiful first dance followed by some very emotional speeches. The groom's brothers remembered some funny stories from Kyle and Precious' first dates when they were young. 

After a few more formalities, such as parents dancing and cake cutting, it was time for some dancing. The guests were ready to have some fun after a great dinner, and Precious and Kyle were sure to be present on the dance floor almost the entire time with their family and friends.

Kyle and Precious had a dream day with their loved ones in downtown San Diego. The Altitude Skybox is a great San Diego wedding venue, that once again delivers premium sunset and a unique location for a wedding celebration.

About the venue:

One of the most exclusive San Diego Wedding Venues, The Ultimate Skybox is located on the 15th floor of Diamond View East Village. One of the best parts of downtown San Diego, The Ultimate Skybox offers a stunning view from the city skyline and a privileged view of Petco Park, the home of The San Diego Padres. I have had the pleasure of photographing many San Diego weddings at the Ultimate Skybox, and it's a place I know very well.

The Ultimate Skybox offers unique features for the bride and groom-to-be, such as floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor terrace with a modern fireplace, and contemporary interior design. An elegant backdrop for couples seeking a chic, urban wedding in San Diego.

Since 2007, The Ultimate Skybox has a capacity for up to 200 seated guests. It could be perfect for even larger celebrations. A flexible space that allows the couple to customize the space according to their preference and guest count.

The balcony at The Ultimate Skybox is the perfect location for a portrait session or even bridal party shots, depending on the number of people. I always try to arrive at the balcony around thirty minutes before sunset for the best possible lighting. The sun setting on the ocean, with the San Diego skyline and the Coronado Bridge, allows me to create perfect images every time.

Aside from the Balcony at The Ultimate Skybox, downtown San Diego offers many options for urban photos. In this wedding, I felt like the colorful panel was a good option considering the couple's vibe, but sometimes I opt for just urban photos around downtown. Since The Ultimate Skybox generally only holds the reception part of the wedding, I always check the drive between the ceremony and reception to ensure we won't pass by a good location. While The Ultimate Skybox is a very good place for some bride and groom portraits, it’s nice to give the couple some options for variety when possible. But, regardless of what the couple chooses to do, I always try to be at the Ultimate Skybox about thirty minutes before the sunset.

Another advantage of having a wedding at the Ultimate Skybox is that they offer parking for the wedding guests and vendors. A huge plus, especially when The Padres play at Petco Park. The parking is conveniently located in the same building, making things easy for everyone. After parking, a quick elevator ride will take you to the rooftop of The Ultimate Skybox.

Overall, I highly recommend The Ultimate Skybox for couples looking for a chic, sophisticated wedding in downtown San Diego.