From the very beginning, Adrienne and Nicholas’ wedding at The Jonathan Club was never just a wedding between two people. It was the beginning of a family.
Adrienne found me through the Jonathan Club’s preferred vendor list. We got on a call, and at some point, I asked her how Nicholas proposed. The moment she described it, I laughed, because Nick had actually reached out to me the year before about photographing that very proposal! The connection had never happened, but somehow we found our way to each other anyway, and I got to photograph their engagement session last winter. Sometimes things really do find their way back around! By the time their wedding day arrived on a sunny day in February, I already felt like I understood what mattered most to them.
A Classic Wedding Day at the Jonathan Club
Adrienne’s style was timeless from the start. She wore the Pronovias Paradis gown, an off-white lace dress with a semi-sheer long-sleeve bodice, a flattering V-neckline at the front and back, and a voluminous princess-cut skirt. The Chantilly lace gave the gown such a romantic softness, while the silhouette still felt structured and elegant. Her bouquet was just as classic: lily of the valley.
They were married on the Great Lawn at the Jonathan Club, one of my favorite places in Downtown Los Angeles. This is a stunning outdoor space that sits a few stories above the city, with views of Downtown that is both expansive and quietly private. Fifty of their closest people surrounded them.
Adrienne and Nicholas made another intentional choice that I absolutely loved: instead of a traditional wedding party, they honored distinguished ladies and distinguished gentlemen, people who could wear what felt right for them, celebrated for who they are rather than dressed to match. Nicholas’ daughter, Ava, was recognized as the distinguished young lady.
One of the most meaningful moments was Adrienne’s first look with Ava. It was quiet, emotional, and incredibly sweet. Adrienne also exchanged vows with Ava during the ceremony, which added another layer of meaning to the day. For Adrienne and Nicholas, this wedding was not only about the two of them. It was about becoming a family.
A Sunset Dinner on the South Patio at The Jonathan Club
After the ceremony, guests moved inside to the Sunroom for cocktail hour. The Sunroom has a completely different feeling from the Great Lawn, with more Art Deco-inspired details and an intimate, old-world atmosphere. While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, the outdoor ceremony space was transformed for dinner on the South Patio. I always love a room flip, especially when it happens in a space with such a dramatic change in mood from day to night! The planning team at Natalie Sofer made sure no detail was overlooked.
By sunset, the Great Lawn and South Patio had shifted into an elegant outdoor reception. The city softened around them, the light changed, and the evening became warm and celebratory.
As a photographer, this is where experience really matters. The Jonathan Club is stunning, but it is not the easiest venue to photograph if you do not understand light. Inside, the club has darker wood tones, layered architectural details, and more dramatic interior lighting. Those spaces require technical skill, especially if you want the images to feel rich and true to the atmosphere without becoming too dark or muddy.
Then, outside at night, the reception required a completely different approach. This is where I was able to use flash intentionally to preserve the feeling of the evening while still creating clean, beautiful images. I love photographing receptions like this because they allow me to balance atmosphere with clarity. You want to remember the glow, the movement, the candlelight, and the joy without losing the people in the frame.
A Wedding Rooted in Family
For Adrienne, one of the most important portraits of the day was a photograph of her, Nicholas, and Ava together. That says so much about what mattered most. The venue was stunning. The gown was beautiful. The dinner was elegant. But the heart of this wedding was a family choosing each other, in front of fifty people who love them, in a way that was thoughtful and personal and deeply real. That is what I carried home with me that night. And it is what I will always remember about Adrienne, Nicholas, and Ava.
Planning a wedding at the Jonathan Club?
If you’re getting married at the Jonathan Club in Downtown Los Angeles, I would love to photograph your celebration. As a preferred photographer for the club, I know the venue, the light, and the best locations for portraits, ceremony coverage, cocktail hour, and reception images. From the darker wood interiors to the outdoor spaces at sunset, the Jonathan Club requires a photographer who understands how to work in every lighting condition. My goal is to document your wedding with ease, intention, and a deep respect for the moments that matter most.
Vendors:
Photography: Karina Pires Photography
Venue, Catering, and Dessert: The Jonathan Club
Wedding Planner: Natalie Sofer
Make-up Artist: Paige Beauty
Florist: Ixora Florals
Band or DJ: Vox DJs – Alexandra Stoica
Jewelry: Harry Winston, David Yurman
Bridal Gown: Pronovias, the Paradis gown
