The Athenaeum Wedding in Pasadena

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Ben and Kelly standing together on the lawn at the Athenaeum.

Some weddings just feel easy in the best possible way. Ben and Kelly’s Pasadena wedding was one of those days—full of calm moments, meaningful conversations, and the kind of joy that never feels forced. Their day brought together a ceremony at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena and a reception at The Athenaeum at Caltech.

From the beginning, their vision was clear. They wanted a wedding that felt elegant, timeless, and meaningful, without losing the relaxed atmosphere that makes a day truly enjoyable. It was a beautiful celebration centered around faith, family, and the commitment they were making to each other.

Getting ready and the details that made it theirs

The day began with time getting ready alongside close friends and family. Kelly’s dress, the monogrammed stationery, and the white florals set a classic tone. Veil of Grace created her hair and makeup look, while Phyllis Hillier Floral Designs brought together the bouquets and floral details. I love making room for these quieter parts of a wedding morning as well as the photographs of everyone together.

Kelly’s wedding dress hanging in the window light.

White bridal bouquet with greenery displayed on a gold chair.

Ben and Kelly’s wedding invitation with a decorative monogram and gold ribbon.

Wedding rings and white roses arranged on the invitation suite.

Kelly with her bridesmaids while getting ready, photographed on film in black and white.

Kelly smiling with friends beside a mirror while getting ready, photographed on film.

Kelly holding her bouquet on an ornate balcony.

Ben looking through a window in his tuxedo.

Ben smiling in a dark-paneled room before the wedding ceremony.

A wedding ceremony at Holy Family Church

Ben and Kelly’s ceremony at Holy Family Church was the heart of the day. The church’s architecture and ornate altar made a beautiful setting, but the focus stayed on the commitment they were making. I kept the film photographs alongside the digital images here so the gallery follows the moment, from the ceremony to their walk out together.

Holy Family Church in South Pasadena with a classic wedding car outside.

White flowers and greenery decorating a wooden pew at Holy Family Church.

Ben and Kelly at the altar during their Holy Family Church wedding ceremony.

Ben and Kelly during their church ceremony in front of the ornate altar, photographed on film.

Ben and Kelly leaving the church together, photographed on film.

Ben and Kelly walking out through the church doorway.

Ben and Kelly walking up the steps together after their church ceremony.

Ben and Kelly standing beside their classic wedding car.

Ben and Kelly walking beside the historic Athenaeum building.

Wedding portraits at the Athenaeum in Pasadena

After the ceremony, everyone gathered at The Athenaeum at Caltech for portraits and the evening celebration. Pasadena’s historic architecture, garden spaces, and soft Southern California light suited Ben and Kelly’s understated style so well. The colonnade and garden paths gave us room for both the classic portraits and the little moments in between.

Ben and Kelly standing together in the sunlit colonnade.

Ben leaning toward Kelly during portraits beneath the arches.

Kelly holding her white bridal bouquet with her veil framing her face.

Ben and Kelly walking together across the lawn at the Athenaeum.

Ben and Kelly kissing in the Athenaeum gardens.

Ben and Kelly facing each other during their wedding portraits.

Ben kissing Kelly beside a row of columns at the Athenaeum, photographed on film.

A double-exposure film photograph of Ben and Kelly.

Ben and Kelly standing with their wedding party outdoors.

Classic white florals and a reception beneath the arches

Behind the scenes, HoneyFitz Events helped the day flow from one part to the next. At the reception, white arrangements by Phyllis Hillier Floral Designs and pieces from Rental Avenue complemented the Athenaeum’s architecture. The gold details, candlelight, and greenery felt elegant without taking attention away from the setting.

The Athenaeum’s stone archway framing a garden view, photographed on film.

A stone archway at the Athenaeum framing the trees beyond.

Ben and Kelly’s welcome sign with white flowers beside the doorway.

Tall white floral centerpiece with greenery in a gold stand.

Wedding reception table set beneath the Athenaeum’s arches, photographed on film.

White flowers, gold flatware, and glassware on a wedding reception table.

Cocktail hour, dinner, and live music

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour before gathering for the reception, with JME N’Demand providing the music for both parts of the celebration. I love photographing the room before it fills, and then coming back to those same spaces as people settle in, share a meal, and start dancing. Together, those photographs tell a fuller story than the details or portraits alone.

Signature cocktail sign beside bottles at the wedding bar.

Round wedding reception tables beneath the Athenaeum’s arches.

Ben and Kelly smiling together at their wedding reception table.

Guests gathered for Ben and Kelly’s reception at the Athenaeum, in black-and-white film.

White tiered wedding cake with flowers and greenery.

Cookie favors packaged in white bags for wedding guests.

A cake by SusieCakes and cookie favors were part of the evening, while Amari Productions documented the day on video. Transportation included a sprinter from Riz Transportation and a classic car from Classy Chassis Rentals, which also became part of their portrait story.

Ben and Kelly dancing together during their outdoor reception.

Ben and Kelly sharing a dance surrounded by wedding guests.

It was the kind of day that reminds you what weddings are really about—two people surrounded by the people who love them most, beginning the next chapter of their lives together. I loved documenting Ben and Kelly’s celebration with natural, true-to-color photographs and film woven throughout.