I’m excited to officially announce McKenna to the team! She joined us in 2019 as our Marketing Manager and shares the same heart to create incredible experiences for our couples. McKenna is currently engaged and loves weddings! Though she’s new to the Garrett Richardson Photography team, her positive, supportive and fun presence has already made a big impact and we’re excited to share a little more about her on the blog! 

About McKenna

I’m from a little town called Sebastopol in Sonoma County.  I LOVE where I grew up and am always looking forward to my next trip north. I love the different seasons, stretches of farmland and rolling vineyards and rocky coastline of Northern California. I always say I have the best of both worlds with the two places I get to call home on the California coast!

My favorite part of a wedding day is… 

I LOVE wedding days!! They are so full of life and beauty and I just think the celebration of marriage is unlike anything else. My favorite part of a wedding day is the moment the couple is announced after their first kiss as “husband & wife.” I love seeing the look on their faces as they turn, hand in hand, and face ALL their loved ones who are cheering for them as they walk into their new life together, as ONE! I think that moment is extraordinarily beautiful; so full of joy and excitement!

Being engaged, a challenge has been… 

There is so much that goes into planning and pulling off a wedding! At times, it’s easy to get overwhelmed at the seemingly unending “to-do” list, and that can be super challenging for me. Something that has greatly benefited my fiance (Sam) & I during our engagement is having short, weekly to-do lists, and keeping a super open line of communication going so little details don’t get lost! 

And a highlight has been…

Sam & I have honestly had SO much fun in this season of engagement. It’s been a really intentional time for us, as we prepare not only for our wedding day but starting our lives together. I’ve loved the dreaming that we’ve done together since we got engaged, even if it’s just small things! I think the biggest highlight has really just been getting to know the man Sam is more and more, in a unique season that’s brought on some fun and challenging waves in our relationship.

What I’m looking forward to most about my wedding…

Honestly, everything! I cannot wait to be celebrating our big day with all of our favorite people. This day is so fun to dream about, and it still feels surreal that it’ll actually be happening!

If I have a free Sunday I would spend it…

Going to church in the morning, taking a walk to get some (really good) coffee, being outside as much as possible, and filling my home will all my friends for a yummy meal together!

My most memorable travel experience was…

When I was in college, I spent a summer studying Italian on the Amalfi Coast! It was a total dream and the MOST amazing adventure. Everything was so vibrant and beautiful, and the food was the best I’ve ever had! I can still remember walking to school every day, in the warm sun, with the smell of fresh citrus lingering in the air the whole way! 

The place I most want to visit is…

Tahiti!! My dad was actually born in Tahiti, so I’ve always wanted to go! It looks SO beautiful and it’s on my bucket list to stay in one of those little bungalows over the water! 

What I love most about my job is…

Getting to work alongside Garrett is truly so much fun. It’s a joy and an honor to get to learn from him! 

I love getting to be a part of hearing, capturing and sharing our couple’s stories. I’m a huge fan of love stories, so getting to play a part in these beautiful and special moments is one of my favorite parts about my job!

I love where I live because…

San Diego has a little bit of everything. I love that I can wake up on Saturday and hit the farmer’s market in Little Italy, beach it for a couple hours at Windansea in La Jolla, go for a hike at Torrey Pines or a run along Sunset Cliffs in the afternoon, and enjoy a dinner out at one of the many amazing restaurants San Diego has to offer all in ONE DAY!!

If I could live anywhere in the world it would be…

I think I love California too much to ever leave…

But if I had to live somewhere else, I’d pack up and head to South Carolina. I love the southern, classic charm of Charleston, and honestly might actually consider moving if it wasn’t for the weather!