Linzi contacted me for a last minute shoot in Joshua Tree. I’m always game for JTree and we set up a shoot for a few days later. It was definitely a chilly day in the park but Linzi and Derrick were troopers. We had a blast exploring the Hall of Horrors and taking in the Sunset from the highest point in the park. They told me all about what they do for work and how they met!
Read MoreSince this was no longer an option, Laura researched other locations and found that the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden was another excellent, magical option. On top of a huge variety of different plant life and peacocks, it also has a few magical buildings that give off Small World and Matterhorn vibes! It was also an excellent, Covid-friendly option, which was all outdoors and with plenty of spaces from anyone else.
Read MoreTo showcase the space, Nancy put together gorgeous ceremony and reception statements. She took the classic cream and pink palette and gave it a fresh and textured spin! I loved the variety of pinks she used to give a super romantic vibe.
Read MoreNicole contacted me in hopes of taking engagement photos at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. They are planning a wedding at the Franciscan Gardens and wanted photos for their invitations! The Mission is SUCH a magical spot and I love shooting there, so we were both super bummed when we found out it was currently closed due to Covid. We discussed alternative locations, but the area around the Mission is still super cute, so we decided to head there!
Read MoreMorgan contacted me to shoot her wedding at Mt. Woodson Castle in 2020! Mt. Woodson is such a magical (and supposedly haunted!!) actual castle nestled in Ramona, California. The perfect spot for a fairy tale wedding! Naturally, 2020 threw Morgan and Andrew for a few crazy loops. While the wedding of their dreams didn’t happen as planned, they did have an epic year full of good things and buying a house! We were lucky enough to find some time over the holidays to take some photos and I had such a blast with these two.
Read MoreDowntown San Diego Engagement Sesh with their Pup! | Melissa & Melanie
Read MoreAs a lover of National Parks, eloping in one of them sounds like a dream come true. Every National Park I have visited has inspired me in so many ways. There’s truly something magical about them and I love helping couples plan epic experiences at them. All of these spots do require permits and planning ahead, as well as a promise to leave no trace!I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph at some amazing spots, so I thought I’d share some of my favorites!
Read MoreWe were largely inspired by Anita’s love for antiques and her stunning wedding gown’s lace skirt. She wanted every detail of their wedding to have a classy vintage vibe and we created a unique colorful vintage inspired and charming “Sofreh Aghd” and Cake table that would make you want to get lost in an intimate romantic vintage boho Persian Wedding.
Read MoreCassandra and Ryan escaped the cold months back home and adventured to San Diego to elope! With the amazing Always Flawless coordinating and Moonllit Floral on Flowers, they had the sweetest, dreamiest day. Sunset Cliffs is always a dream and after their ceremony they watched the sunset with gluten free cupcakes.
Read MoreThoughts/tips for other couples planning during Covid?
I think just being flexible and being not afraid to get a little creative is the best advice I can offer! Taking the time to figure out what meant the most to us, and then planning our day around that, really helped to put all our elements into perspective. All the extra elements (fun charcuterie board, champagne toast, themed playlists) helped make the day so fun, but if we weren’t able to make those work for any reason, the day would have still been just as magical!
Read MoreWe'd suggest for couples to really think about what's important to them for their wedding day. We both agreed on the style of the wedding, what we'd wear, and what we'd eat and went from there. It was definitely nontraditional but will always be remembered as a perfect day. Biggest takeaway is that photos are most important for your day! They are how you'll remember the day for the rest of your life and we are beyond glad we booked with Maddie!
Read MoreWho made the first move?
Bill: Definitely me*. I used our beloved dog, Queeny, to do so. She's the real matchmaker in this relationship.
*He was skeptical initially because we were coworkers, but not long after that we were like teenagers sneaking around until we were more serious and felt comfortable with our 'secret' being out.
Tell me more about Queeny!!!
Cristin: Back in 2018 Queeny was just a lost puppy wondering the field behind our school for weeks (literally like 2 weeks) before a student was able to catch her.
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