I was so excited when Bethel referred this awesome couple to me. It had been years since I shot a wedding at Grand Tradition plus a Tuesday wedding on Earth Day?! Yes please! Add in Rose’s beautiful tattoos and you have a swoon-worthy wedding. Even their little one Kaden was a dancing machine (Kaden is now a big brother!). So many great details including an emotional first look and rad surprise choreographed first dance!  Wedding Location: Grand Tradition, Fallbrook, CA
Photographer: Melissa McClure Photography
Florist: Simply Adina Floral
Officiant: Ceremonies by Bethel

I’m thrilled to announce I am offering 1 on 1 mentor sessions for wedding and portrait photography! Shoot me an email if interested! melissa@melissamcclure.com

I love love love shooting proposals! An unsuspecting girlfriend, a planner boyfriend – soon to be fiance. It’s such a happy moment and I adore capturing the memory for the couple!

Nate contacted me a few days before it all went down. He was planning to propose to his girlfriend of 8 years, Christina. They were celebrating their anniversary by staying at Tower 23 hotel in Pacific Beach. He wanted to propose over dessert at the amazing restaurant JRDN. I recruited my assistant Katrina to be my date at the restaurant. We showed up a few minutes before the couple and sat down for a beer to wait. We spied on them through the windows, they were seated outside (in the cold!) and we were inside. We were in-cahoots with their waitress (and the rest of the amazing staff of JRDN) and they sat us as Nate + Christina were finishing their entrees. We pretended to browse the menu while I had my camera on my lap ready to go! I saw the dessert coming out and knew it was showtime!

Christina first saw the dessert plate which stated Nate’s intention. She was shocked. Truly shocked. And I kept clicking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man as happy as Nate in that exact moment. It was amazing. After they finished dessert, we headed to the beach for a few engagement style photos of the newly engaged!

Stephanie and Roland were so much fun to photograph. They fully trusted me and were up for anything! Their ceremony was right at sunset so I had to whisk them off to the beach to catch the very last light of the day. And their sword arch – always a fun time to photograph! Dawn with Embellishment killed it for decor and florals! And their cake from Flour Power is in the running for my favorite cake design ever! Wedding Location: Paradise Point Resort
Photographer: Melissa McClure Photography
Wedding Planner: Laura – I Do Weddings and Events
Florist: Embellishment
Cake: Flour Power
Hair & Makeup: Makeup Artist on the Go
Officiant: Pastor David
DJ: Injoy Entertainment

Zach + Nelly had 3 weddings! Yes 3. They were legally married at the Courthouse first, then had a huge traditional wedding in China and finally a smaller family centered affair in front of Zach’s friends and family. And they also announced they are expecting at this wedding! How fun! It was insanely hot at Stone Brewery that day. Nelly was a total trooper being newly pregnant and dealing with the heat! This was also my first wedding at Stone and it was awesome. I hope to work here more often and with Jen from Day of Love!

Wedding Location: Stone Brewery – Escondido
Photographer: Melissa McClure Photography
Wedding Planner: Jen & Aaron – Day of Love
Florist: Branches Floral Studio
Musician: Alex Guillen Music
Cake: Sweet Cheeks Bakery
Officiant: Jen with Day of Love
Hair & Makeup: Jellis Faces