Spring Wedding at The Athenaeum at CalTech | Pasadena, California

Weddings

Mar 22

wedding at the athenaeum at caltech in pasadena california

A + K’s wedding at The Athenaeum at CalTech was a beautiful blend of sentimentality, springtime elegance, and personal touches that reflected their unique love story. Their journey began years ago in South Korea, where they met while teaching English. After navigating a long-distance relationship across countries and time zones, their wedding day felt like a long-awaited moment of celebration. With a fresh color palette of white, blue, and green, the day embraced the season’s natural beauty, set against the stunning, historic backdrop of The Athenaeum.

The Athenaeum at CalTech Wedding Photographer

Tucked within the prestigious CalTech campus in Pasadena, The Athenaeum is an architectural gem that exudes elegance and old-world charm. Known for its grand courtyards, intricate details, and European-inspired design, it provides an intimate yet sophisticated setting for couples seeking a timeless wedding venue.

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Bride Getting Ready | SoCal Wedding Photos

The bride spent the morning preparing in a beautifully appointed suite at The Athenaeum, surrounded by the closest people in her life. The excitement and anticipation filled the air as she stepped into her wedding dress and shared a special first look with her father.

wedding ceremony decorated with blue and white flowers at the athenaeum in pasadena

bride getting ready for her wedding at the athenaeum at caltech in pasadena

maid of honor helping bride put on a bracelet

portrait of a bride looking out a window at her wedding

portrait of a bride holding her blue and white bouquet

bride walking down a staircase at the athenaeum at caltech in pasadena

bride and her father sharing a first look

A Heartfelt Wedding Ceremony at the CalTech Athenaeum

The ceremony took place on The Athenaeum’s East Patio, a breathtaking space framed by arched walkways and lush greenery. With the sun casting a soft glow over the courtyard, A + K exchanged vows in a sweet and sentimental ceremony that reflected the deep care they have for one another.

groom waiting for his bride at the altar

bride walking with her father at her wedding ceremony

wedding ceremony at the athenaeum at caltech in pasadena

close up photo of bride and groom exchanging rings

Sunset Bride and Groom Portraits at the CalTech Athenaeum

During cocktail hour, we explored the venue’s most picturesque spots to capture portraits of A + K as newlyweds. K, an excellent film photographer himself, brought along his vintage large-format film camera, complete with the traditional cloth hood, and took a few portraits of A in a moment that felt straight out of another era.

portrait of a bride and groom at their wedding at the athenaeum at caltech in pasadena

bride and groom walking across a lawn at sunset at their athenaeum caltech wedding

A Reception Filled with Emotion & Celebration | Pasadena Wedding Photos

As the evening continued, guests made their way into The Athenaeum’s Main Lounge, where the reception unfolded with an air of classic sophistication. Heartfelt speeches from family and friends highlighted A + K’s kindness, resilience, and love for each other. Their first dance and parent dances were filled with emotion. And as the night progressed, the celebration took on a whole new energy—the dance floor came alive with music and laughter, making for the perfect ending to a perfect wedding day.

wedding reception in the lounge at the caltech athenaeum

bride and groom entering their caltech athenaeum wedding reception

bride and groom's first dance at their caltech athenaeum wedding reception

speeches at a wedding at the athenaeum at caltech

desserts table at an athenaeum caltech wedding reception

bride and groom cutting the cake at an athenaeum caltech wedding reception

father daughter dance at a caltech athenaeum wedding

dance floor at a caltech athenaeum wedding reception

Capturing Nostalgic Wedding Moments on Film

Throughout the day, I documented A + K’s wedding not only through digital photography but also with film photography, using my Contax 645 medium format camera, Pentax K1000 35mm camera, and Olympus Stylus Epic ZOOM 115. There’s something about the organic, timeless quality of film that perfectly complements the emotional depth of a wedding day. The subtle grain, soft colors, and beautifully imperfect moments create a sense of nostalgia—like looking back at a treasured memory. Blending digital and film photography allows me to tell a fuller, more textured story, capturing not just how the day looked, but how it felt.