Bel Air Bay Club Wedding Photos | Rachel + Brett
Bel Air Bay Club Wedding Photos | Rachel + Brett
Perched on the bluffs above the Pacific in Pacific Palisades, Bel Air Bay Club delivered everything Rachel and Brett's August wedding needed — ocean views from ceremony to last dance, exclusive use of the entire estate, and golden hour portraits above the water that closed out the night. Photographed and filmed by One Story Weddings, serving Los Angeles and the greater Southern California area.
VENDOR CREDITS
Venue: Bel Air Bay Club | @belairbayclub
DJ & Entertainment: Second Song | @secondsong_official
Florist: The Flower Lab | @theflowerlab
Hair & Makeup: @katlaskey
Cake: Top Tier Treats
Wedding Dress: Garnet & Grace
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
Groom's Attire: Hive & Colony
Stationery & Table Cards: Joey Rose Studio
Photography & Videography: One Story Weddings | @onestory.weddings
Bel Air Bay Club's 1927 Spanish-style estate is one of the few venues in Los Angeles where the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all flow naturally within the same property — and all face the ocean. For photography and film, that cohesion matters. No transit gaps, no jarring shifts in light or environment between moments. From the getting-ready suite through the last toast in the Dining Room, the day stayed relaxed and the timeline held.
Rachel and Brett's ceremony opened with a live violinist playing the processional on the Grand Lawn, and closed with something entirely their own: after their vows, the couple shared homemade wine together — a personal ritual that made the ceremony feel like it genuinely belonged to them. Drone coverage captured the full guest gathering on the lawn after the ceremony, the bluff position and Pacific backdrop doing exactly what you'd hope.
The Courtyard cocktail hour followed — firelight, fountain, and the first hour of the reception energy captured candidly as guests moved between the outdoor space and the Dining Room. Inside, five speeches from the Best Man, Maid of Honor, Maid of Party, Brett's parents, and Rachel's father set the tone for a night that stayed personal from the first course through the last dance. Florals by The Flower Lab and a cake by Top Tier Treats that photographed as well as it tasted.
The sunset portraits on the bluff were a priority — close-up kiss and full-body dip shot both made it into the gallery. At BABC, you earn those frames just by being there at the right time.
One Story handled both photography and videography for Rachel and Brett's day. One team, one creative direction, no back-and-forth between separate vendors on the wedding day. If you're weighing whether to book photo and video together, it's one of the simpler decisions to make early. Our guide on why booking the same photo and video team matters covers exactly this.
Learn More About Having Your Wedding The Bel Air Bay Club
Bel Air Bay Club Wedding Photography FAQ’s
Q: Is a first look the right call for a 5:30 PM ceremony at BABC?
A: For most couples, yes. A 5:30 PM start means the sun is already moving quickly toward the horizon. Completing portraits beforehand preserves the best light for couple portraits and gives you full cocktail hour with your guests afterward. Our guide on how to collaborate with your photographer walks through how to build a timeline around this.
Q: What are the best portrait locations at Bel Air Bay Club?
A: The Grand Lawn is the obvious choice — the ocean backdrop is the reason people book this venue. But the Courtyard is underrated for more intimate portraits, and the bluff-side areas catch excellent golden hour light. For sunset shots, position yourselves with the Pacific directly behind you and time it within 20 minutes of sunset.
Q: Is drone coverage worth it at Bel Air Bay Club?
A: More than at most venues. The property's elevation and position above the water give aerial footage a perspective that ground-level cameras simply can't replicate. If you're booking both photo and video, coordinating the drone between both teams is worth discussing early. Our guide on why booking the same photo and video team matters covers exactly this kind of coordination.
Q: How does BABC's exclusive-use policy affect the day?
A: It's one of the venue's biggest practical advantages. No other events, no strangers wandering through your portraits, no competition for the lawn or the Courtyard. The property is yours from arrival through curfew, which makes timeline management significantly more flexible and makes candid coverage throughout the property feel natural rather than staged.
Q: What ceremony time works best for photography at Bel Air Bay Club?
A: October through March, 4:30–5:00 PM is the sweet spot. April through August, 5:30 PM works well — as Rachel and Brett's day showed. The key is avoiding direct overhead sun during the ceremony. See our best time for wedding photos guide for a full breakdown by season.
Bel Air Bay Club
16801 Pacific Coast Hwy
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a grand reception with ocean views, Bel Air Bay Club offers exclusive use of one of Los Angeles' most iconic estates — with the kind of setting that makes every frame of photography and film worth keeping.
👉 Contact One Story Weddings to check our availability or explore our Wedding Photography Guides for comprehensive Los Angeles Wedding venue resources and planning strategies.
