Botanica Oceanside Wedding with Sunset Florals | Melissa + Erika

Real Weddings

Apr 6

two brides getting married at botanica in oceanside

There are some weddings that I know will take up permanent residence in my mind forever, and I knew Melissa and Erika’s Botanica Oceanside wedding would be one the moment I met them in our initial call. Their wedding day plans unfolded like a love letter to their story and was layered with intentionality and care for each other and their guests.

THEIR ENGAGEMENT: A rocky cliffs engagement session at El Matador Beach in Malibu.

Melissa and Erika first met during an engineering internship in Ohio, where an unexpected spark—and a very memorable robot arm—brought them together. Though their paths took them in separate directions for six years after that, they reconnected and fell in love all over again, discovering a shared experience with endometriosis that deepened their bond. Their dual proposals, thoughtful partnership, and shared advocacy have become cornerstones of their story. Their wedding was not only a celebration of their marriage—it was a reflection of every challenge they’ve overcome and every version of themselves they’ve grown through together.

Getting Married at the Botanica Wedding Venue in Oceanside

Botanica in Oceanside, California, is hands down one of my favorite venues in all of Southern California (see Brandon and Damie’s wedding for more gorgeous Botanica Oceanside wedding photos). It’s a romantic space that still feels laid back and intimate, with tropical landscaping and plenty of room and flexibility to act as a canvas for your own wedding floral dreams. Melissa and Erika filled it with florals from the amazing Georgia Douglas, a dessert table filled with treats from Mili's Sweets, and a gorgeous seating chart that they constructed themselves and filled with personalized letters to each guest, each including a donation in the guest’s name to an organization supporting research on endometriosis—the cause closest to the couple’s heart.

welcome sign at a bright and colorful wedding at botanica in oceanside

bright pink and orange floral arch at a wedding ceremony at botanica in oceanside

bright pink and orange florals at a wedding ceremony at botanica in oceanside

bright pink floral bouquet and wedding veil with pink flowers

green and pink wedding detail flat lay with invitation suite and purple flowers

bright pink and orange wedding bridal bouquet

Two Brides Getting Ready | Botanica Oceanside Wedding Photographer

The two brides spent the morning getting ready separately, each surrounded by their closest friends and family members. Anticipation was in the air, and sweet emotional moments set the tone for the day.

bride and her bridesmaids drinking champagne at her botanica oceanside wedding

bridesmaid in a green dress helping a bride put on her wedding gown

bride holding her bright pink orange and purple flower bouquet

bride wearing a floral embroidered wedding veil holding her bright pink orange and purple flower bouquet at her botanica oceanside wedding

bride and her bridal party at a botanica oceanside wedding

bride putting on her vest at her botanica oceanside wedding

bride putting on a bright orange and pink boutonnière

First Look at a Botanica Oceanside Wedding | Wedding Party Photos

The couple decided to share a private first look before the rush of the wedding day began. It was a grounding, joyful moment that made perfect sense for a couple who make each other their best selves.

first look for two brides at their botanica oceanside wedding

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at Botanica in Oceanside

When their guests arrived, they were greeted by floral arrangements in gorgeous sunset tones, live violin music setting the tone, and a live painter beginning her work in a corner of the ceremony space.

After guests were seated, rather than walking down the aisle separately, Melissa and Erika chose to enter their ceremony together, hand in hand. Their ceremony itself was deeply moving and intentional. (You can watch the full wedding ceremony here.)

beautiful lgbtq wedding ceremony with bright pink and orange flowers at botanica in oceanside

brides sharing their first kiss at their beautiful lgbtq wedding ceremony with bright pink and orange flowers at botanica in oceanside

two brides and their bridal party at their botanica oceanside wedding

Cocktail Hour and Just-Married Portraits | Southern California Wedding Photographers

After the ceremony, the newlyweds joined their guests for a lively and colorful cocktail hour, sharing hugs and taking photos in front of a rainbow “Love is Love” sign under a floral arch.

As the light began to soften to golden hues, we snuck away from the party for a romantic portrait session on Botanica’s dreamy grounds.

portrait of two brides at their lgbtq wedding at botanica in oceanside california

portrait of two brides in front of a bright orange and pink floral arch at their lgbtq wedding at botanica in oceanside california

portrait of two brides in front of a love is love sign with a pink and orange floral arch

Outdoor Wedding Reception Under the Stars | Botanica Oceanside Wedding Photographer

The reception began with an emotional first dance and a round of heartfelt toasts from the couple’s best friends. The live painter, who had been working throughout the evening, finished her portrait as the sun went down. And once the dance floor opened, DJ Keelez got the party started, keeping the dance floor full from the first song to the last.