St. Francis chapel is a hidden gem in Balboa Park, nestled across the street from the Museum of Us. Jennifer and Tegan had a lovely ceremony in the atmospheric sanctuary before we strolled around Balboa Park for pictures. Afterwards we headed to San Diego Mission Bay Boat and Ski club, one of the oldest boating clubs in the nation. It is tucked on a finger of water in Mission Bay, and the outdoor space offered the perfect backdrop for an intimate reception. Delicious food stations were scattered around and the cake table was full of pies and treats, handmade by the bride’s and groom’s mothers. There was plenty of leisurely visiting, spirited games of horseshoes, a first dance at dusk and some final sunset photos near the water. All in all, it was a lovely laid back day that fit Jennifer and Tegan’s personalities perfectly. Thanks for letting us be a part of your day!
Church: St. Francis Chapel
Reception: San Diego Mission Bay Boat and Ski Club
Photography: Unveiled Wedding
It was a treat to shoot at St. Francis Chapel in Balboa Park. Here is a description from their website:
The San Diego Museum of Man welcomes everyone to celebrate important life events in our beautiful venues, especially in the historic and unique Saint Francis Chapel. This dignified sanctuary is an unconsecrated, non-denominational chapel which hosts weddings, anniversaries, quinceñeras, baptisms, and memorials.
The Saint Francis Chapel is located in scenic Balboa Park on the south side of the California Plaza, across the street from the main entrance to the Museum of Man. Designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue as an example of a Spanish Colonial church, the Chapel was built to add a religious note to the Panama-California Exposition of 1915.
The interior decoration was chosen by Goodhue and Carlton M. Winslow and features stark mission simplicity with its tile floor, ceiling with heavy beams, and bench seating. By contrast, the Chapel also boasts an elaborately decorated altar which includes gold leaf and meticulously crafted figures of the Virgin and Child in the center, flanked on the left by Saint Francis Xavier and on the right by San Diego de Alcalá.
