Melissa McClure Blog

Brad, Verdette and I had so much fun at their Balboa Engagement Session, I was looking forward to hanging out with them again on their wedding day!

And big thanks to the wonderful Brenda Swann of Swann Soirees for being the fabulous coordinator she is! Couldn’t have done it without you! xoxo

And I got to meet their adorable daughter, Tescia!

While Verdette was getting beautyfied, Brad and his fellas were hanging at the hotel with Mandi!

I love this shot Mandi got – Brad looks so “Godfather” in the limo!

And the gorgeous bride in the limo of course!

I have to stop here for a little shout out to my buddy Jon at Elite Image Limousine!  Its very rare that a bride (ahem Verdette) books her limo BEFORE her other vendors.  But in this case, I am so glad she did – Jon referred her to me and Brenda!  I love Jon, he is the TOP in the transportation industry for sure!  Call him for your limo needs!

We made our way to St Michael’s Church in Poway for their traditional Catholic ceremony

Tescia couldn’t figure out why Mommy and Daddy got all the attention…

Post ceremony, Brad surprised his Groomsmen with some Air Jordans!

We headed over to the Del Mar Racetrack for some more photos – quickly!  It was almost dark at this point!

Photo below by Cathy!

Love the football theme they had for the Reception at the Turf Club!  Brad is from Wisconsin which explains the Green Bay thing

Photo below by Cathy

Their first dance was interrupted but I don’t think they minded

I saved my favorite for last <3

B+V – Thank you for being so warm and welcoming, you two are blast to be around!

xo, M

Enjoy your slideshow!!

I planned on putting this post up yesterday, but needed to get Jen and Nick’s teasers up first

One year ago, on August 17th I met somebody very important in my life!  We met at a wedding that day, although our email relationship started a few days prior.  I knew we were two peas in a pod when we were both up writing emails to each other at 2am.

Meet one of my best friends and studio mate, Brenda Swann.  I say meet, but if you have ever stumbled across my blog (or been on any local wedding forum) you know this lovely lady! I knew we had something special when I realized we share two strong passions, weddings and travel!   As you can see, her personality is like none other and it shines through her 100%.

She is a wedding consultant extraordinaire!  

Photo below by Michele Terry; Brenda giving an impromptu speech at my wedding in January! 

And in the photobooth…we are no strangers to photobooths! 

This past April, we traveled to Australia together

and did her trash the dress session in Sydney! 

And now, one year later, we have a studio space together (us with Cathy from Love at First Invite) Photo by Aaron Thompson

And our beautiful space when we first opened…its got a little more on the walls and desks now!!

and one last shot of us from Australia

Some may think its silly to celebrate a one year anniversary with a friend, but it made me smile when I woke up to a Happy Anniversary text from Brenda yesterday.

It really does feel like longer than a year!  Here’s to many more, Love ya B!

xoxo, M

On Saturday June 20th I got the honor of attending a wedding as a guest…not the photographer!

My good friends Frank and Christina were married and I was so happy I could be there for them!

But first, let me rewind to the day prior, the rehearsal dinner!  Christina asked me to cover the night and it was wonderful!  It was a fiesta theme and the fabulous Brenda Swann was there to help pull it off! 

The kiddos immediately went for the candy bar!

Heidi, the Matron of Honor explaining about the evenings festivities! 

The blushing bride and her handsome groom!

Brenda and DJ Bill Calhoun explaining the rules of this Newlywed Game!

Checking out the rad groom’s cake made by Purple Flours!  It was Frank’s favorite beer from San Marcos Brewing Company!

And a few photos from the wedding day!  I was a guest and I knew that Anika London had the photo/video covered!  But no one was going to be with Frank the morning of and Christina was curious to what he was doing!  So I headed to the Carlsbad Marriott to check in with Frank and his guys!

And one from the pew at the church!

A shot of me and some of my girls post-ceremony! 

The gorgeous florals were from Bouquets by Bonnie 

Brenda, her helpers and the Crossings at Carlsbad did a fabulous job on the room! 

Christina was so creative and detail oriented!  These are Moo cards with each guests photo on them!

And one of the signature drinks, a Franktini!  I may or may not have had a few of these

Love <3

And one last family hug before the happy couple jetted off to Spain for their Mediterranean cruise! 

For being a guest, I still took a lot of photos  I did hand the camera off to Tim for awhile when I want to dance!

xoxo, M

 Finally, some photos of the studio and its transition!  

Here are a few “before” photos taken Saturday morning before we started painting.  Brenda and Cathy had stayed up late taping up everything!

This angle is standing from where the doors are, so basically your first look at the space!

And taken from the back corner, the doors are on the right side wall

And AFTER! 

This was taken Sunday evening.  A mere 30 hours later – its pretty much completed!  We still need to hang a few canvas’ on the walls and bring in the TV

And a view of our building

The ladies of Cerimone taken by Aaron Thompson of AS Photography!

Me, Cathy and Brenda!

Aaron also took a few new headshots of each of us!   I got a haircut today by the fabulous Mei-Li!

And having a little fun on the South lawn of NTC

Write me today to schedule your consultation in the new studio!  Or even if you just want to check it out, let me know!

And a HUGE thank you to everyone who made this possible!  Allison, our room designer and her husband Jared for going above and beyond and keeping us on track!

Mo (Brenda’s mom), Katie, Shera and Noah for getting your hands dirty putting everything together!

My wonderful suite mates, without you two, none of this could have happened in the first place!  Remember when we were just dreaming about this??

And of course everyone who encouraged and supported us through this entire process!

xoxo, M

It is technically the off-season for wedding photography, but I am keeping busy still!  Lots of engagement sessions and album making!  I recently designed an album for Mandi and Jeremy, if you remember they were married this past November at Mt. Woodson.

Here are just a few spreads from their album:

Love me some details!

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