Melissa McClure Blog

Lisa and Niels again!  The following Monday after their wedding, before they hopped a plane back to North Dakota we got together for a trash the dress session!

First stop, Balboa Park.  Love coming here on Monday…there was no one around!

And then a bit later, headed to Sunset Cliffs for a total trashing of the dress!  (ok not really, water doesn’t actually trash it!)

The waves were strong!  I had them lay down…

and they didn’t even know what hit them!  Too funny!

Thanks you two for trusting me and being such willing clients!  I adore you two!  It was so worth getting wet!

xoxo, M

Lisa is seriously one of the funniest and most laid back brides…no, people I have ever met!  And Niels just adores her!  They have a very fun and rowdy group of friends and this group knows how to get down!

But first, the formalities…

Both were writing their vows last minute…a girl after my own heart! ha!

The fab Ashley Conner of AC Makeup worked her magic!

This is funny because Niels is a HUGE Giants fan!  Its a constant rivalry between them!  He had no idea…

The opted to see each other before the ceremony…so glad they did!

The La Jolla Shores Hotel provided a fantastic backdrop!

Fav #1 of the day!  <3

How cute is she??

This was one of the few “calm” photos of the guys!

Doesn’t this photo make you want to be friends with them?  Ok, maybe just me  Fav #2

Yum! This is the same company that did my cupcakes, Gloria’s Bakery!!

Lots and lots of funny speeches!

And dance they did!

Funniest bouquet catch!  Lisa did a fake throw first and the girl on the left actually hit the ground!  Purple dress came out victorious!

Stay tuned…next is their awesome Trash the Dress Session on the blog!!

Thanks so much to the Dicks Family for referring me to Lisa and Niels!

L&N – Hope your wedding was everything you hoped for!  Stay warm in North Dakota!

And a big thank you to my ninja assistant Dexter Lo!

Enjoy your Slideshow!

xoxo, M

When I grow up, I wanna be as awesome as Heather!  Not only is she a small business owner she also has 5 kids (four at home) and a husband!  Oh and she travels a ton for work!  She is SuperWoman, I swear.

She needed an updated photo of herself for her website, and I was happy to step in!  I just shot her daughter and son in law’s wedding this past July.

Heather, thank you so much for thinking of me for this shoot!  You are lovely person with an even lovelier heart!

xoxo, M

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Brooke and Kurt have such great attitudes!  I love being around them, they exude such a positive energy!  We had a blast at their Balboa Park engagement session!

I started off the day with Brooke and her girls at Humphrey’s by the Bay resort.

Love her custom ring!

Doesn’t she look so retro pin up?! Love it!

My assistant Jena grabbed this shot after meeting up with the guys!

This was my 2nd wedding this year where the groom walked his bride down the aisle!  *tear*

The gorgeous Bali Hai Restaurant

This was very James Bond to me…

During cocktail hour, they had Hawaiian dancers entertain their guests – what a fantastic show!

Okay this next photo needs some explanation!  Kurt grew up with his three groomsmen so they have all known each other for a long time.   One of their childhood past times was to make music videos.  His 3 groomsmen made a video for him…of Beyonce’s Single Ladies.  If you aren’t giggling by now, you have never seen this video or the JT SNL skit!

It was a total crowd pleaser!  Kurt and Brooke were dying of laughter.  I’ll save you from posting a screen shot of the video, but I did include it in the slideshow below!

La Jolla DJs were rocking the dance floor (Shout Ou to Payton!) and also provided the fun Photobooth!

Payton played Single Ladies once again and the guys re-enacted the video LIVE!  hahahaha

What a fun night with a fun couple!  Best wishes to you and I hope the Honeymoon was amazing!

xoxo, M

Enjoy the slideshow!

I had a blast getting to know these two at the Montage Resort a few weeks back!   They are so much fun and love to laugh – my kind of clients!  Oh and it doesn’t hurt that they are both gorgeous!  Ian is a rugby player – how cool is that?

During a wardrobe change I got to meet their puppy, Taupo!

I love when my clients laugh…it makes my heart smile

I’m SO looking forward to your wedding in July!

xoxo, M

I always feel so honored when another photographer chooses me to photograph their wedding!  That’s a big deal!  Milisa and her business partner didn’t want to stress over capturing the day, so they left it up to me and Mandi!

I think this first image says it all…

Milisa’s rad Jessica Simpson shoes!

Milisa and her posse!

This was a special moment, I got teary eyed!  Milisa wore her late great-grandmothers pearls, and surprised her grandmother by showing her at this point.  She also used the matching necklace for her bouquet!

Hello handsome Chad!

You are stunning Milisa

Meow.

Milisa was very emotional, especially when her uncle walked her down the aisle and handed her of to her mom

Ponte Winery made a beautiful background

We had so much fun shooting in the vines…I could have stayed their until after dark!

Milisa was a DIY Queen!  The hand sparkled and carved out each of those candles and handmade all the paper products!

The anatomy of a cake smashing: 

I snuck them outside just after susnet, can you believe that sky???

Thank you so much for making me a large part of your day!  I truly felt like I was a friend, not a hired vendor!  You two rock!

xoxo, M

Enjoy the Slideshow!

Julia is underway at her Senior Year in Escondido!   We met up at Kit Carson Park a few weeks back to shoot her portrait.

Julia’s dad restored this awesome old truck so I knew we had to use it as a prop!

Had a blast with you and your entourage Julia!

xoxo, M

A few weeks ago I met up with Nydia and Jerry at the Hotel Del Coronado for some awesome engagement shots!  When I had the initial meeting with these two, it lasted over two hours!  I had so much fun talking with them!  They are both awesomely creative and even have their own clothing line in the works!  

Love this shot, it isn’t set up at all…pure Nydia and Jerry!

I love couples that aren’t afraid to get their feet wet!

Nydia wore this fresh flower in her hair to honor her great-grandmother who recently passed

N&J I always have so much fun with you two!  Looking forward to your wedding in July!

xoxo, M

These two love birds are getting married TODAY! I wanted to get up a few shots from last nights rehearsal and the yummy dinner after!

The wedding is at a Temecula Winery

Milisa and her Uncle practicing their walk

I am so excited to shoot here tonight!  Can you tell?

The dinner was in Riverside and when I got to the home, I found this waiting for me!  So sweet!  (For those who don’t know, Selenak is my married last name, although I never legally changed it!)

The meal was a 5 course feast made by Chad’s best man and his family.  It was delish!  Check out the yummy desserts and the almost-Newlyweds!

Stay tuned for their wedding photos in the near future!

xoxo, M

To say last Saturday was hot would be an understatement.  It was scorching!  101 degrees in Pt Loma is what I heard.

And what else to go with some hot weather than some H.O.T. shoes from L.A.M.B.

Carina, the bride is a MAC makeup artist so she had her friend Heidi there for her on the day of!  Heidi also made Carina’s fabulous veil!

Heidi also did everyone’s hair!  Meet Aparri, she is Carinas adorable daughter

At their first look at Island Palms hotel

This has such a vintage feel to it

These two were great even though they were literally melting at NTC Liberty Station

Carina’s best friend/Maid of honor also did all of the amazing florals, coordinated the day and helped plan the entire thing!  Kristine is a rock star!

Beautiful

A peek of their ceremony at the NTC Chapel

I love this shot that my assistant Aaron took so much!

After the ceremony, we headed to the MCRD Bay View Room on base.  

Because we did all the photos before, David and Carina were able to enjoy the cocktail hour with all the guests!

Aparri interrupted their first dance, it was so cute. 

Carina and her dad

David and his mother

Remember rockstar Kristine I mentioned earlier?  This is her with Aparri!  :)

And I save my favorite image for last <3

Hope you two are enjoying some alone time in Kauai!  Thanks for being such great sports and trusting in me on your big day!

xoxo, M

Enjoy the slideshow!