I was so excited to shoot Courtney and Ian’s wedding, not only because they are super awesome people but because this was my first time shooting a wedding at the San Diego Botanic Gardens (formerly Quail Botanic Gardens).  It was just a bonus that its down the street from my condo!

I met up with the girls in the middle of getting their hair and makeup done!

Makeup by Jackie Ellis – Je’llis Faces and Hair by Leah Stills – STAINED

Meanwhile, Jamie was hanging out with the guys at the hotel. Love this capture of Ian.

I love that most of my couples opt for a First Look, it allows more time for photos and you get to spend the cocktail hour with your guests!

Courtney you are such a beautiful bride!

Such fun bridesmaids!

Best Grand Entrance ever!

A unique way to display the table numbers!   The coordinator for the day, Megan with Swann Soirees was super helpful!

This was a dancing crowd!  DJ Nik Bordokoff kept the dance floor packed!

C+I – It was so fun getting to know you over the last year, thank you for trusting in me to capture your special day!  Give Taupo doggie kisses for me too! 🙂

xo, M

PS Shout out to Christina Fleming for being an awesome videographer and friend!

Enjoy the slideshow!

Photos by Mandi Contreras

Heather and Austin were married on an overcast day in Del Mar this past July.  Mandi and Allison were there to capture their special day!

The blushing bride!

Photo below by Mandi’s trusty assistant, Allison

I love the lines in this photo!

Do these two look familiar? I just posted their engagement session recently!  I’ll be shooting their wedding in November!  Robin is Heather’s sister and she caught the bouquet! Perfect! (Photo by Allison)

Congrats on your marriage – looks like it was a fun party!!

xo, M

Mandi Contreras is an associate photographer for Melissa McClure Photography. To contact her directly, email mandi@melissamcclure.com

I could sit here and gush over Mike and Molly, but I would be typing forever.  I simply adore these two.  Molly has the sweetest, purest heart of anyone I know and she isn’t afraid to share her emotions.  The entire day she was hugging me and making me feel important when the day was supposed to be all about her and Mike!  But that is just Molly.  So much love to share and Mike is one lucky guy!  Of course Molly is pretty lucky too, Mike is quiet and sincere, but put some dance music on and that man is an animal on the dance floor!

Sounds like the perfect ingredients for a fantastic wedding…but it gets better.  Not only did M&M decide to see each other before the ceremony, they gave me 3 hours to shoot!  You heard that right…plus there was no bridal party at all…how spoiled am I by my amazing clients???

These bright and cheery colors were so beautiful together!

Beki hung out with Mike in his room.

This garter was worn by Molly’s mother AND grandmother – how cool!

My view during the First Look!

My fav <3

The entire event was held at the Town and Country resort in Mission Valley – which was so much bigger than imagined!  This place had some great shooting areas!

Now this was a killer candy bar!

DJ Dale Gottschalk did an awesome job of packing the dance floor!

Photo below by Beki

M&M, what more can I say?  Thank you for being 100% trusting of me and the girls.  You are the epitome of perfect clients and I hope we can get together in the future!

xo, M

Enjoy your slideshow!

Photos by Mandi Contreras

I am so jealous that Mandi and Michele got to shoot at the newly renovated Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island!   The updates they did there look amazing!

Casey and Alex were married over the July 4th weekend.  I just adore birdcage veils…there are so many ways to wear them.  Alex had such a vintage feel to her entire look – love it!

Reverend Powers was there to get these two hitched!

The stunning florals were provided by Nancy Stevens

They had some awesome light after the ceremony!

I adore this shot Michele captured below of the gorgeous bride

Detail photo below by Michele

Loving the elephant theme!

Mandi was in Heaven when she found out there would be Shirley the Cake Lady cake!

DJ Vynce Pham kept the party rockin’!

Congrats you two!  I’m sorry we never got the chance to meet in person, but your wedding looked beautiful in photos!

xo, M

Mandi Contreras is an associate photographer for Melissa McClure Photography.  To contact her directly, email mandi@melissamcclure.com

My parents stood barefoot in my Grandparents backyard and committed to spend the rest of their life exploring the world together.  They had no idea where they would be in even one years time but they knew they wanted to be there together.  My mom and dad mean the world to me and I want them to know how much I appreciate them and am so fortunate to be their daughter.

And explore the world they did (and still are doing!)  They split their time between Portland, OR and San Miguel De Allende, Mexico.   They have lived in and traveled most of the world.  My mom keeps a blog and right now is transcribing her journal from the 1970’s (including many drawings and slides) as they traveled across Africa, India and Asia (just to name a few places).  If you are curious, you can see her blog here.

In a strange case of irony (you know, since their only child is a wedding photographer), my parents do not have more than a few candid photos from their wedding day 40 years ago.  But here is one that I grew up looking at.  I love the joy in my moms face and my dad’s nerdy glasses!

August 23, 1970 – Torrance, CA

January 2010 – Guanajuato, Mexico

Fun Fact: My dad still wears the same gold wedding band from their wedding day – purchased at KMart for under $20!

And just because I think these are fun to share, my grandparents on their wedding days!  Check out that bouquet and that headpiece!

Left: Paternal Grandparents, Charlotte and Del McClure.  Right: Maternal Grandparents, Barbara and Jim Harlan

I love you guys!

xoxo, M