I guess you could say that it all started in Oakland. It was here, after all where Melissa & Pat first met…it was here where they would meet up to go running around Lake Merritt…it was here where they would hang out at the Farmer’s Market…it was here that they enjoyed time just being together. And it was here that they fell in love. It was in Oakland that their beginning started. Melissa & Pat met on Match.Com & after a year of dating they knew that they were meant to be together. They began making plans for a fantastic wedding that would include their closet family & friends.
Melissa & Pat were married in a sunset ceremony at the Oakland Wedgewood Gold Course. As Melissa’s parents walked her down the aisle together, she grinned all the way down to her toes. Their ceremony was beautiful & as they walked down the aisle as man & wife, both Melissa & Pat were simply overjoyed. Melissa & Pat’s wedding theme was “Oaklandish”- celebrating Oakland & all of it’s quirks. Because, after all, Oakland played a part in their meeting & falling in love! Each table at their reception was named after some of their favorite spots in Oakland, from Lake Merritt to Arizmende pizza (hellooooooo-its my favorite place on earth!). Their family & friends danced late into the night & had a blast celebrating Melissa & Pat’s new life together. They didn’t just party-they PAR-TAYED!
Melissa & Pat- you are such beautiful people. Your exterior beauty shines all the way into your souls. You are two of the most genuine people I have ever met. Your happiness rubs off on all who surround you. I know you will have a beautiful life together making each other & those who become part of your lives very happy. With much love & gratitude…xoxo, marielle.
Melissa & Pat surprised their guests with an amazing bagpipe player leading the bride down the aisle
Their ceremony was at sunset & the light was incredible…
A photograph of their gorgeous rings by my assistant, Sarah.
Their first dance was to Elton John’s song, “Tiny Dancer.” I literally had to restrain myself from singing this song out loud while they danced-I looooove Elton John!
There are moments in your life that are unforgettable. Days when your life & your heart are both forever changed. Maybe it’s the birth of a new baby…perhaps it’s finally graduating from school…maybe it’s the day that you bump into someone who will become your future spouse. Our lives are made up of those moments when all is right in the world & we experience the greatest happiness. I truly believe that some of the happiest times in my life have been the days when the people I love do something wonderful. For me, my sister’s wedding was one of those moments…one of those days that I will always remember with fondness- a day that I will look back on as one of the best days in my life. My heart is happiest when I see my family happy. And to see my little sister marry the man of her dreams was nothing but a total perfect moment for me & for every member of my family.
My family traveled to the Bay Area for Janessa & Jeffrey’s wedding in the Oakland Temple. The weather was beyond gorgeous-the golden fall sun shined through the palm trees & the leaves were just beginning to change to a golden orange. As Janessa & Jeffrey exited the temple as husband & wife, their smiles were as big as could be & their joy was palpable. They had a reception the next night at my parent’s home & then a reception a few weeks later in Louisiana. Both events were incredible & had fabulous food, great music & were just a blast. Their receptions were amazing celebrations of this new love that Jeffrey & Janessa have found in each other.
It honestly feels like it was just yesterday that my sister’s & I all lived at home & would spend our time stealing clothes from each other, picking up the phone to listen in when one of our sisters was talking to a boy & having loud, random conversations at the dinner table. I have an amazing family & I am beyond blessed to call my sisters my best friends in the entire world. I don’t know what I would do without my beautiful, amazing sisters. Janessa-you have been my example & my comedic relief throughout my life. I don’t know if I can adequately express how happy I am for you & Jeffrey. You have found your perfect match in each other. You have a beautiful, fabulous life ahead of you & I am so anxious to see the exciting paths that you both will embark on. I love you both with all my heart & am so blessed to have been able to document the first of many perfect moments in your lives together. With so much love & gratitude…xoxo, marielle.
I loooooove Janessa’s expression in the photograph on the left-she is beyond happy!
Their reception in Louisiana was right on the river-incredible….
This turned out to be my favorite photo of Jeffrey & his groomsmen-I love everything about this photo.
Shreveport was full of locations that I just looooooved…
I am so sad to write this post because Shane & Jentri are moving to Las Vegas in just a couple of days. Jentri has been one of the greatest friends to me these past couple of years. Shane just got an awesome job in Las Vegas and I am so sad for them to leave, but very excited for their new adventures that lie ahead. You guys seriously are the best and I am so grateful for your friendship. You will be missed!
It was raining so hard right before their session but luckily it cleared up for awhile so we could snap some shots of them at my favorite location ever! Here are some of my very favorites. As always, to view their entire session and order prints, go HERE.
