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If I had to describe Art + Ivy’s wedding in one word: Fun. These two (along with their awesome family and friends) know how to have a good time. I met A+I at a Maui wedding where Art was a groomsmen. I was stoked when they asked me to be their photographer and then I found out they hired some amazing vendors as well! No details were skipped at this wedding thanks to Courtney with After the Engagement! From the brass knuckles, to the bedazzled fanny pack, to the insane grand entrance…this wedding was a non-stop blast!

Location: Pala Mesa Resort
Wedding Planner- Courtney with After the Engagement
Photographer- Melissa & Mandi
Videographer- Jerry with Cloudbreak Films
DJ- Allan Reyes
Hair- Savannah
Makeup- Pam Sirivong
Officiant- Robert Naranjo
Bakery- Cute Cakes
Florist- Exquisite Blooms
Musicians- Sensational String Sisters
Emcee – Arlo Magpantay
Candy Buffet – San Diego Candy Buffet
Photobooth – The Foto Box
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka

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!

Ali and Nolan are such a sweet couple, they make me laugh every time I’m around them.  Ali runs a popular blog, it was so much fun following her planning from the beginning!   Enjoy the images from their special day!

I love love love when my couples opt for a Firs Look.  Love this moment just after seeing each other for the first time that day.

Photo below by Beki

Ceremony Location: Marston House Gardens
Reception Location: The Butcher Shop
Photographer: Melissa McClure Photography
Assistant: Beki Andreasen
Coordinator: Courtney from After the Engagement
Ceremony Music: Harp Music by Lea
Dress: Sottero and Midgely from A Nite on the Town
Florist: Lotus Flowers by Thomas
Makeup: Ashley with AC Makeup
Hair: Mish Mucho
Cake: Sumi’s Oven
Videographer: Murasaki Media
DJ: Neil Smith of Dandy DJ

Last Saturday was my second wedding of the year – starting to a GREAT start if I must say!  I didn’t know Mike and Sara too well going in to their wedding day, since they live in snowy Washington DC.  They were so much fun to hang out with, they make me consider moving East just to be their friend!    The Dana was a little windy that day – but NO rain!

Huge thanks to Courtney Tibetts from After the Engagement for making the day run so smoothly!  You rock girl, I look forward to more weddings together this year!  (Courtney even put aside cupcakes for me and Mandi – so thoughtful!)

Teresa Piazza did a fantastic job on Sara’s makeup! It was my first time working with her and I hope to see more of her in the future!

Meanwhile, the boys were being silly with Mandi and couldn’t get their ties just right…

The gorgeous flowers were done by Sally at Exquisite Blooms!  Notice the yellow rose in honor of Sara’s mother.

They opted for a ‘First Look’ which is the reason I am showcasing so many bride and groom photos below – we had a ton of time!

Mike is incredibly funny…

I get asked a lot if I shoot with another photographer. I do, and its mostly Mandi unless she is shooting her own wedding!  One reason I love having two angles?  Check out my version below…and Mandi’s below that!

This was so cute, I had to share it!

Mandi’s view at the ceremony…

And my view of the hand-off!

The yummy cupcakes were from Babycakes Bakery!

Isn’t that some gorgeous uplighting?  I LOVE uplighting!  Mick from Elite British DJ did them as well as kept the dance floor packed!

Sara gave Mike this book earlier in the day

Mandi and I had such a blast at this wedding, she had to drag me away!  Hope you two are having an amazing time in New Zealand!

xoxo, M

Enjoy the Slideshow!

Last night, Cathy, Helena and I attended the Spread the Love tour by Justin and Mary Marantz.  I laughed, I cried, I rolled my eyes (in a good way)!  It was definitely a fun night.  They only have a handful a cities left in their tour, but if there are seats, sign up!  It’s worth the money!

Spread the Love LA: February 5th
Spread the Love San Fran: February 8th
Spread the Love Seattle: February 11th
Spread the Love Salt Lake City: February 15th
Spread the Love Denver: February 17th
Spread the Love Kansas City: February 19th
Spread the Love Chicago: February 22nd
Spread the Love Maine: March 24th

The tour helped give my business a little kick in the butt and I am excited to be developing some new ideas for 2010!  One of the first things I will be doing is dedicating myself to blogging more.  Everyone in favor of this?  This means I will have a few more personal posts, but I hope you enjoy them (and leaving a comment to let me know helps too!)

I’ll leave you with two photo booth photos from past Saturdays wedding (coming to the blog soon!)

If you know me in real life, I’m pretty goofy. I love to laugh. And I love to be laughed at…I mean with.  Mandi and I always have fun on wedding days!

And here we are with the wonderful Courtney Tibetts, wedding coordinator from After the Engagement!  She likes to laugh too

Photobooth by Red Cheese