Weddings Archive

Photos by Mandi Contreras, Associate Photographer

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

I’m sooooo excited about this latest feature! Shawna + Jason’s Bahamas wedding is on the main Atlantis Resort website!  As in their main page of weddings!  Fingers crossed an awesome bride sees this and contacts me. I”m desperate for another trip to the Bahamas! Mandi and I had such a great time at this wedding. 

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