I was so excited for this day to come.  Crystal and JT had hired me over a year ago and the day finally came!  Crystal was actually at my wedding, helping my coordinator and getting experience since her wedding was in the same location, Ocean View Villas!  Another cool thing?  She also had Stir Fresh as her caterers, which is where we met for the first time back in 2008!

I got to meet JT for the first time at their engagement session in Las Vegas, where they both grew up.

When Beki and I arrived, Ashley from AC Makeup was putting the finishing touches on Crystal. Hana of Sunshine Hair Design had already finished her gorgeous hair.

Her amazing Amy Michelson dress!  I loved the back of it!

They opted to do their first look at Balboa Park, where Crystal’s parents were married many years ago.  It was a very sweet moment, intimate and special, while the family was still able to watch from afar.

Back a the villas…the men are ready!

And we snuck away for a few more photos on the cliffs

Thank you Mr Seagull.

The back of the escort cards had photos of the couple!

A guest owns his own button and magnet company, so these made great party favors! I love Crystal’s unconventional ring!

Enjoying the last bit of sunset together

I promise, it got messy!

It was such a joy hanging with you two for the day!  You made me laugh and smile through the whole wedding, and I know you will continue to do that for each other the rest of your lives!

xo, M

Enjoy your slideshow!

I love the TV show Modern Family on ABC.  Some seriously funny comedy!  Right now the entire family is vacationing on Maui. I was finishing up some editing while watching tonight’s episode and I look up and see a familiar face!  Rev. Laki Ka’ahumanu, who officiated a wedding I shot in Maui last month had a speaking part on the show!  How cool is that?

In action at the wedding on April 7th

And a screen shot from tonight’s episode!

xoxo, M

Married for 40 years.

0 professional photos.

Their wedding photographer forgot to take any photos of just the two of them! Can you believe that?  Photography sure has changed since then!  I had such a great time getting to know Pete and Sharon, who are the parents of my bride, Tami.  Their favorite place in the world is Maui and own several time shares there. I can see why, Maui is just amazing.

How cute are they??

They mentioned one of their favorite activities was to sit on this bench with a glass of wine and watch the sunset!

Thank you for treating me as part of your family in Hawaii! I had so much fun.

xo, Melissa

Wishing all the moms and moms-to-be (even those of you with fur-babies!) a very happy and special Mother’s Day!

My mom recently came to town for a visit and we had a really fun time!

Photo by Allie

Thank you for being my support and my best friend. So grateful to have you as a mom, I got lucky!

xoxo, M

How often do you get professional photos taken on your Honeymoon?!  Not very often, is my guess.  Well, Julie and Eric took advantage of the fact I was in town and booked me for what I call a Honeymoon shoot!  Julie was my wonderful bride, Tami’s bridesmaid.  She and Eric were married this past September and waited to have their honeymoon around Tami’s wedding – so sweet!  I had such a good time getting to know these two over the week. Julie and I totally bonded, I want to go visit them in Vermont soon!

These were all shot within walking distance of our hotel,  Papakea Resort.

My fav (and it was totally candid!) <3

Thanks you two for being up for anything I asked, including wading out in the water!

xoxo, M