July 2012 Archive

I photographed a wedding in Brawley in 2011 and Peri was actually the guest who caught that bouquet!  I was excited when she contacted me shortly after that wedding to tell me about her marriage to Jordan.  It was a warm day in Brawley!  The warm day turned in to an absolutely perfect evening of love, laughter and some crazy dance moves!

Ceremony & Reception: Del Rio Country Club
Photography: Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant Photographer’s: Michele & Jamie
Wedding Coordinator: Patty Russell & Margaret Dahm
Florist: California Flowers and Gifts
Cake: Julie Mitchell
Band: Wayne Foster Entertainment
Bride’s & Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Nerissa Woodland, Brandi Burnett & Karly McKinley at Curl Up N’Dye
Bride’s Dress: Alvina Valenta
Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Sung
Grooms & Groomsmen Attire: Kearney and Company
Videographer: JS Video Werx
Mr & Mrs Sign: Handmade by a family member

I thought it would be fun to start a new Category on the blog called Bucket List Adventures!  You all have seen the 2007 movie The Bucket List, right?  “Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die”.  While we are fortunate to not be on the edge of death, I still enjoy the idea of having a list of things you want to do in your lifetime!  One of those things for me and Jason was to take a ride in a hot air balloon.  We got our opportunity a few Sunday’s ago and I brought along my camera to capture the beauty.  Please excuse our tired looks, we had to be at the winery in Temecula at 5am for the flight!  Whew, that was early!

It was a really fun experience!  While it’s not something I’d like to do every weekend, I could see another ride in our future…but this time at sunset!

One of my favorite things is to find out small world coincidences!  On my first phone call with Antonio we discovered that both he & Leilani live in the same small Maryland town as my best friend!  I had a tripped planned to visit her in the works so I was able to fit in an engagement shoot with Leilani + Antonio the same weekend!  It was so great getting to know them, learning about their relationship and their passion for their faith, music and each other!  They are both California natives and getting married in February in San Diego!

We walked around the Baltimore Harbor where they had their first date and after, chased the light to the Odenton MARC station!  It was at this train station that they decided to take their friendship to the next level and start dating.  We got there after sunset so I had fun playing with the available light!

Photos by Mandi Contreras, Associate Photographer

I’m totally head over heels for this engagement session Mandi shot recently!  Ana + Darrell are as adorable as can be – but add in some awesome architecture?  Win!

Mandi Contreras is an associate photographer for Melissa McClure Photography.  To contact her directly, email mandi@melissamcclure.com