Christopher and Laura Evans

Approximate Date of the Photo
September 13, 2014

Where in Balboa Park was this photo taken
Palm Canyon area tree

Share your Love Story
Chris and Laura are natives of San Diego and met six years before their wedding day. The first place they lived together was five blocks from Balboa Park in Banker's Hill and they would walk or run around the park on a regular basis. They joined a running group that met at Balboa Park weekly, Chris participated in the AFC that ended in Balboa Park, they went to December Nights each year, ate at the Prado during restaurant weeks, watched The Grinch, and overall experienced everything the Park and that neighborhood had to offer.

Before moving away from Banker's Hill, Chris and Laura went to Italy. One stop was a beautiful winery in the middle of Tuscany a few days before Christmas. They had the resort to themselves and while enjoying a homemade dinner by an Italian woman and some of the best wine they have ever had, Chris proposed and Laura said yes!

Before they were even back in the States, they discussed getting married in Balboa Park. Chris had fond memories not only from our time living in the area, but riding the trains around the Park as a child, visiting the Science Center and other museums, and seeing plays at the Old Globe indoor and outdoor theaters. Laura had similar memories with her grandmother when they explored the rose garden, cactus garden, and Spanish Village on a regular basis.

Due to the centennial celebration planning, we were unable to get permits for the area, until one day they opened a limited number and we were first in line! Ultimately, Chris and Laura celebrated their beautiful (and funny) ceremony and cocktail hour at the Casa del Prado patios.

The reception followed at the Spanish Village because of how much that location meant to Laura and her grandma.

The wedding was beautiful and it has been a wonderful time since! Though we don't live as close to the park anymore, we head there on a regular basis and are so thankful we were able to celebrate such an incredible event there!

This picture was one of the first we thought of for this contest because it showcases such a beautiful part of the Park, which is known by a lot of people for the big trees we used to climb or the roots we used to play on. Plus, it was quite an adventure getting down a dirt hill in a wedding dress just for that perfect shot!

Name of the Photographer
Aaron Willcox

Photographer's website
willcoxphotography.com