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

Ceremony & Reception: The Crossings at Carlsbad
Photography: Mandi with Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant Photographer: Jackie Guidi
Wedding Coordinator: Wynn Austin Events
Florist: Blush Botanicals
Officiant: Bethel Nathan
Hair & Makeup: Shelisa Burke
Entertainment: Michael Tiernan of Still Listening Productions
Brides Dress: Claire Pettibone from Bliss Bride

I could help but smile huge when I got Stephanie’s first email.  She was so sweet and bubbly, I could already tell by her email.  I was even more excited when I learned more about her wedding.  She wasn’t interested in the large hoopla that surrounds a typical wedding. She wanted it to be about her, Sean, their love, a beautiful setting & nice photos to remember it by.  Such a small wedding that the coordinator at Estancia La Jolla and I were their two witnesses!  Yep, their ceremony was just them!  They had a Catholic Priest marry them in a short, sweet and emotional ceremony.  After, I spent their first 3 hours as a married couple with them, photographing their love!

Enjoy their love story, 8 years in the making.  They are smitten with each other.  And I am smitten with their photos! 

Marlene was a planner!  She was my first 2011 wedding booked…back in 2009!  I can remember thinking how far away the wedding seemed.  You can peek at their engagement session here.  As usual, Brenda made sure everything wedding went smoothly!   And it did…from their super sweet first look to their emotional vows and ending in a high-energy dance party complete with glow sticks!  What a party!  I’m ready to do it again, k Marlene?  1 year vow renewal?

Ceremony & Reception: Admiral Baker Clubhouse
Photography: Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant Photographer: Michele Goane
Wedding Coordinator: Brenda from Swann Soirees
Florist: Diane’s Wedding Flowers
Officiant: Rev. Zoe Villaroman
Cake: European Cake Gallery
DJ: High-Energy DJ
Bride’s Makeup: Ashley with AC Makeup
Bride’s Hair: Danielle with Say I Do Up Do’s
Bride’s Dress: Allure
Linens: Classy Covers
Limo: Elite Image

I’ve known Melissa for a few years now, she is actually my ex-sister in law (and we shared the same name for a short time)!  I was honored she asked me to photograph her wedding to Drew, it was such a fun day full of laughs!  I’m a bit behind on blogging…this wedding was last June and these two lovebirds welcomed a set of fraternal twins this past February!  Whew!  They both brought a teenaged daughter to the marriage as well so that is one full household!  Brady Bunch in the making   Congrats you two, I’m so happy for your family!

The pic to the left below makes me giggle…the sprinklers turned on and hit the bridesmaids at the end of the ceremony!  They all laughed it off, including the bride!

Ceremony & Reception: Loggia Room, Prado Restaurant, Balboa Park
Photography: Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant Photographer: Mandi Contreras
DJ: Earl Henry, My DJs
Officiant: Pastor Luther
Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Friend of the Bride

PS Did you notice it’s 84 degrees there right now…jealous! 

My friend and planner extraordinaire Courtney from After the Engagement posted a call for interested vendors on her Facebook page.  She wanted to enter a contest to win a spot at an industry conference but needed to style a shoot to enter.  I had never been part of a styled shoot before and was curious!  I volunteered and the rest was history!  She pulled this all together in about 10 days!  The contest went live today so I’m able to share the outcome.  Her vision was Fabulous + Graceful and her inspiration was a ballerina bride wearing black.

Click here to visit Backstage Bridal and see the feature. If you are able, take a moment to comment on the blog at Backstage Bridal to give Courtney a vote to help her win! You can also see her original inspiration board/colors over there and compare how her vision ended up!

The vendors that all contributed to this photoshoot were fantastic to work with!  See below for full list!  I’m sharing a few different photos that were posted on the other blog today so I hope you enjoy!

]]> http://melissamcclure.net/2012/03/19/the-pearl-hotel-styled-photoshoot-with-after-the-engagement/feed/ 5 http://melissamcclure.net/2012/03/06/olowal-plantion-house-wedding-maui-hawaii-clayton-jen/ http://melissamcclure.net/2012/03/06/olowal-plantion-house-wedding-maui-hawaii-clayton-jen/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:06:04 +0000 Melissa McClure http://melissamcclure.net/?p=8311 Jen + Clayton’s wedding is featured on Destination Inspirations blog today!  Check it out!

I am so excited to share this destination wedding today!  Jen + Clayton are two of the sweetest most genuine people I have ever met.  I love how much love they openly express to each other.  On top of that they are so freaking good looking!  I’m such a lucky photographer.  We all got lucky with the most killer sunset on their wedding night!   These two had the dream team of vendors, many of which I had worked with in the past.  True professionals.  I could gush about this wedding all day but I’ll let the photos tell the story (I’m much better with photos than words!)

Photographer: Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant Photography: Allison Smoley
Invitations & Stationery: Sweet Peas and Seashells
Catering: Food For The Soul Maui
Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Cherise with Perfect Wedding Maui
Ceremony Officiant: Pastor Tino Rosete
Wedding Design: Dellables
Groomsmen Attire: Ellys Formal Wear
Bridesmaid Dresses: Anderson Bride
Ceremony& Reception Venue: Olowalu Plantaion House
Bride’s Jewelry: Tiger Lilly Jewelry
Hairstylist: Dan Sanchez Salon
Makeup Artist: Jessica Waite Makeup Maui
Cake Baker: Maui Wedding Cakes
DJ: DJ Boom Shot
Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mishka

Hunter & Jaclyn hired me last minute for coverage of their reception.  What a great way to start off the 2012 season!  They had their ceremony last year in Sedona with just their parents.  It was fun seeing photos and video footage of that!  Erin of Your Event by Erin did a fantastic job with their details inside the Seaside room!  I was able to spend a few minutes with the couple prior to the start of the party to grab some yummy light portraits.

Reception: Marina Village
Photography: Melissa McClure Photography
Wedding Coordinator: Erin with Your Event by Erin
Florist: Franco’s Flowers
Cupcakes: Cupcakes Squared
DJ: Paul with High Energy DJ
Photobooth: Darryn St John

The one thing Mandi told me about this wedding was how sweet and fun Laura & Alex were and that their families and bridal party were one of the best she had seen, pitching in all day and making sure the timeline was right on!  Because of a later ceremony time, Mandi only had a few minutes of light remaining for their photos!  She had to get creative and use Balboa Park’s gorgeous lights and she rocked it!  Lauren and Alex were thrilled with the result.

Ceremony & Reception: The Prado, Balboa Park
Photography: Mandi with Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant Photographer: Jackie Guidi
Wedding Coordinator: Laura Rizzo – Weddings by Design

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

Ceremony & Reception: Paradise Point Resort
Photography: Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant Photographer: Michele Goane
Wedding Coordinator: Divine Events by Helena
Bride’s Dress: Handmade by the grooms mother!
Lighting: The Grooms company