Rainy Fillmore Chapel Wedding in Fillmore, California | Michaela + Nick

Michaela and Nick’s wedding day was one of those days that reminds me why I love what I do. A rainy winter wedding at Fillmore Chapel in Fillmore, California, a calm and emotional getting ready in Valencia, and the kind of family details that make a wedding feel deeply personal.

Even with the weather, the entire day felt warm. The rain didn’t take away from anything — it actually added to the mood and made every moment feel even more intimate.

Getting ready in Valencia, California

We started the day at Michaela’s mom’s home in Valencia. The energy was peaceful and meaningful, and it was the perfect space for those quiet, in-between moments that end up being some of the most emotional photos from a wedding day.

One of my favorite parts of the morning was seeing how Michaela’s “something old” and “something borrowed” weren’t just wedding traditions — they were family history.

Something borrowed + something old (family heirlooms with real meaning)

Michaela’s mother-in-law, Cindy, helped put on Michaela’s something borrowed: a necklace from Cindy’s own wedding day. It was such a beautiful full-circle moment — the kind of detail that carries a story, not just sparkle.

Then Michaela’s mom, Lynn, placed Michaela’s something old: a bracelet that included a repurposed piece from Lynn’s wedding jewelry. The story behind it made it even more special — it came from the jewel of one of Lynn’s earrings, after the other earring was lost. That single piece was transformed into a bracelet, and Michaela wore it on her own wedding day.

That’s the kind of heirloom that hits differently. It’s not just “old.” It’s memory.

Bridal details flat lay (rings, invitations, and crystals)

Before we left for the ceremony, I photographed Michaela’s bridal detail flat lay. I included all three rings (Michaela’s ring, Nick’s ring, and the wedding band), along with the invitation suite and save-the-dates.

One of my favorite touches was incorporating crystals that Lynn collected. It added a personal, editorial texture to the flat lay and tied the detail photos back to the family story of the day.

A rainy Fillmore Chapel wedding in Fillmore, CA

Fillmore Chapel is such a classic setting for a wedding ceremony. Even with the rain outside, the ceremony felt timeless and romantic. The kind of day where you don’t need anything extra — just real emotion, a calm pace, and people who truly love you in the room.

Michaela and Nick were fully present. Not rushed. Not distracted. Just locked in with each other.

Portraits with a timeless, editorial feel (even in the rain)

Rainy weddings always come with a choice: fight it, or lean into it. Michaela and Nick leaned in. We took our time, found the best light, and focused on creating portraits that feel elevated, natural, and real.

If you’re planning a wedding and worried about weather, this is your reminder: you can still get stunning, magazine-worthy portraits no matter what the forecast says. The key is staying calm, trusting the plan, and letting your photographer guide you.

Planning your own Fillmore Chapel wedding?

If you’re getting married at Fillmore Chapel (or anywhere in Ventura County / Santa Clarita Valley / surrounding areas), I’d love to help you plan a photo timeline that keeps your day calm and gives you the kind of images that feel timeless and emotional.

You deserve photos that don’t just show what your day looked like — but what it felt like.

Ready to plan a wedding day that feels effortless?

If you’re getting married in Ventura County, Santa Barbara, or Los Angeles, I’d love to help you build a photo timeline that keeps things calm and gives you timeless, editorial images.