My good friend and talented studio mate is holding an amazing contest on her blog! She is giving away 100 FREE invitations including the envelope and reply card! Wow!

Hop on over to her blog to see the details and the collection you get to choose from!
And all you have to do is leave a comment on her blog to enter! Easy Peasy!

Some examples from the Ready to Love Collection:

The full collection:

And to show off some of her talent, here are some custom samples of work that she has done for brides of mine!

And she even created my table names at my wedding!

What are you waiting for?  Go comment to get your free invitations!

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

I am taking the week off (sort of) to attend a small family reunion and spend time with my parents!

I actually got in to Portland on Sunday but have been laying low, reading and enjoying the views. We left Monday morning for the beach rental. But it is not just any beach rental, it is the exact house that my father grew up in! My grandparents owned this house from 1945 until 1973 when they sold it to the current owners, who rent it out to families who come to the coast in the Summer. I’m actually sitting in the exact living room where my parents announced their engagement back in the late 60’s!

The town is called Gearhart and is just outside Seaside, OR. There isn’t much to do here. And its currently raining (which is to be expected in Oregon!) I am still available by email this week.

My extended family is arriving today to help eat the mass amounts of clams my father has already caught (his favorite pasttime). Lots of fresh seafood coming my way this week!

A shot of my parents, not set up at all. They really are this cute.  This August they will be celebrating 39 years of marriage!

Family portrait 🙂

This is the path you walk to get to the beach!  My dad can remember when it was 100% sand.  He says they imported the grass from Scotland and planted it in groups!

The house, built in 1912

It’s amazing to me how late the sun sets up north!  This was taken about 9:30pm!

I’ll be home monday June 29th!

xoxo, Melissa

Last night was amazing!  Brenda, Cathy and I were ready to show off the new studio space and raise a glass to the many people who supported and believed in us!   It was an amazing turn out, I couldn’t have asked for a more fun group of people!

And of course, I have many shout outs!

Dave Cutler from Hit It Music Productions for the lighting and the Gobo (photo below)

DJ Bill Calhoun for keeping the music going until past closing!

Paula Rae florals for the lovely centerpeices

Irene from A Perfect Table for the gorgeous linens

Cheryl and NTC staff for the space and the support!

Erik, our bartender

Allison and Jared Smoley, the design team

Our besties, the girls of Beta Iota

and of course my two counterparts, Brenda and Cathy, who without them this never could have become a dream come true. I love you girls!

It’s Bill!

Signature drinks!  Mine isn’t pictured…maybe because it was so popular? 🙂

The Cerimone gals and the Gobo!

We each hand selected what drink we wanted to serve

A toast to a successful night!

XOXO, M

One year ago today I photographed one of my best friends weddings. I was so happy for her happiness with her soul mate, Brett.  They were married in Peoria, IL on a beautiful sunny day.

Here they are on the campus of Bradley University, where we all went to college!  Kirsten was my sorority sister.

And one more this past August when Kirsten was in town on business!

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One year later Kirsten and Brett are looking forward to a new adventure!  A BABY!!! I could not be happier for them!  She won’t be big enough for maternity portraits when I see her next month, but be on the look out for baby photos in 2010!

And on another personal note, I just moved!  Not only did I get the new studio, Tim and I moved in to a new condo too!  Its been a crazy month and we are getting settled in San Marcos now.  I am heading out of town next week for a family reunion in Oregon and will be back the end of the month!

xoxo, M