When a theatrical flair, a love for D & D, and a stunning historic Beverly Hills estate converge, the result is nothing short of magic.
As a wedding photographer, there are venues that simply make your heart beat a little faster. Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills is undeniably one of them. This past May, under flawless California skies and a perfect breeze, I had the honor of documenting the storybook wedding of Rae and Jake. Surrounded by an elegant color palette of pastel pinks, soft blues, and crisp whites. Their day was a beautiful testament to their journey, personalities, and shared passions.
A MATCH MADE IN THEATER & TABLETOP LORE
Rae and Jake share a love story that is wonderfully multi-dimensional. Both grew up on the stage performing in plays, and that shared theatrical background naturally evolved into an appreciation for storytelling, gaming, and Dungeons & Dragons. With a wedding party of seven groomsmen and seven bridesmaids by their side, the energy from the very start of the day was lively, theatrical, and incredibly supportive.
TWO SETS OF ROMANTIC PORTRAITS: MASTERING THE GROUNDS
Greystone Mansion is vast, offering an intricate labyrinth of English gardens, stone architecture, and hidden corners. To truly maximize the estate, we split our couple’s portraits into two distinct sessions. This allowed Rae and Jake to fully immerse themselves in the venue without feeling rushed, and it gave us the perfect opportunity for a seamless dress change. We meticulously tracked the shifting light throughout the afternoon, structuring our second portrait session around 6:30 PM to capture the coveted golden hour. As the sun dipped, casting a warm, amber glow across the limestone textures, we brought out the most dramatic angles. My absolute favorite spots to shoot were under the historic stone archways, where the framing creates a natural vignette of the couple, and along the wall fountains, which brought an old-world European charm to the imagery.
AN UNFORGETTABLE COURTYARD RECEPTION
The celebration transitioned into the grand open-air courtyard for the reception. Guests were welcomed through the magnificent wrought iron scroll entry gates. Another favorite architectural element of mine that served as a stunning backdrop for candid entrances. Reflecting the couple’s energy, the courtyard erupted with lively K-pop music, keeping the dance floor packed under the stars. The contrast between the stately, historic mansion walls and the high-energy modern beats created an unforgettable atmosphere. It was a reception that perfectly mirrored Rae and Jake: sophisticated on the outside, but deeply fun, energetic, and completely true to who they are.
PLANNING A GREYSTONE MANSION WEDDING? HERE IS MY SEASONED INSIDER
ADVICE:
Wear Comfy Shoes for Portraits: The estate features an incredible number of stone stairs and steep
walkways. Bring a pair of comfortable flats or sneakers to change into while navigating between portrait
locations.
Chase the Light, Not Just the Map: Lighting at Greystone shifts dramatically. Knowing exactly where the
sun hits at 6:30 PM makes all the difference between a flat photo and an epic, golden hour portrait.
Hire a Seasoned Photographer: Because the grounds are so expansive, it is easy to get lost or lose precious time. Having a photographer who already knows the secret spots, the best archways, and the optimal timing ensures a stress-free experience.
Let’s Capture Your Epic Love Story Are you planning your own wedding, anniversary or elopement at Greystone Mansion or across Southern California? Trust your day to someone who knows the landscape, the architecture, and how to make your unique story shine.
The Wedding Coordinator for the day: https://rowynevents.com/about
My other wedding galleries:https://matthewreiter.com/#my-work
