I knew I loved Melody from the very first phone conversation we had. I could tell she was such a sweet and genuine person. Then I met both of them in person and was in love! We had way too much fun on their engagement session. And right before the wedding she calls me about the timeline and says, “You know once the wedding is over, I still want to be friends!” haha! That’s perfect, because I do too. Their love for each other, other people and God radiates out of them like a beautiful bright light.

Venue: Mt Palomar Winery
Makeup and Hair: Erica Beukelman at 1011 Makeup
Dress: Mori Lee
Cake: Vailee d’Brume
Shoes: Poetic Licence
Hairpiece: Nordstrom
Bridesmaid dresses: Nordstrom and JCrew

When we got there, Melody was reading her card, crying and opening this gift. It’s a necklace of Septemeber with their date marked out. So cute!

Mmm delicious!


The gift they got for me. An Anthropologie mug with a “D”. They know the way to my heart!



First Look:

I’ve never seen a couple read their vows to each other before the ceremony. It was so special and sweet. We were all crying.







They had to incorporate their love of riding bikes!

Melody, her family and friends put together the table settings and details.









Fun party!

Brianna + Johnathan had a lovely wedding at the beautiful LA Arboretum. It’s one of the only places I know in Southern California where Peacocks hang out outside. You can feed them on the way to the ceremony!

It was a perfect day in every way for this sweet couple. They love each other so much!






Her necklace was so pretty! I’ve never seen a bride wear one like this.



























The moon was full and gorgeous while they watched the slideshow he made for her.

Lindsay + Johnathan are the kind of client-friends that thanks you for for being there, makes sure you eat AND that you take a cupcake to your boyfriend on the way out. (BTW the cupcake didn’t make it to the freeway; my associate and I couldn’t take the temptation!) I’m excited to share these fun and bright images with you from The Parker Palm Springs!

Photographer – ME!
Wedding Cordinator-Brandi Smith at High Society Wedding and Event Planning
Event Design/Flowers-Larissa Rehder at Inviting Occasion Inc
Church – Our Lady of Solitude in Palm Springs
Dress: Vera Wang
Groom: Theory
Groomsmen: Calvin Klein suits
Bridesmaid Dresses – J.Crew Dresses
Save the Dates/Programs/gift bag tags – Lindsay the bride
Invitations – BG Design Studio
Band: N’Demand/Shane Jordan Entertainment
Reception – The Parker Palm Springs
Catering – The Parker
Cake/Cupcakes – The Parker
Make Up/Hair – Helen Jeffers/Altar Ego















Mister Parker’s was so fun!

















This might be my favorite picture I took of the day and definitely one of my all time faves!

Cocktail hour.

Part 2. See part 1 here.

Part 1.

Melanie + Aaron gave me too much to work with! Every part of their wedding was exactly the kind of do-it-yourself style I love. They are photographers themselves, (check out their site here) plus incredibly creative, wonderful human beings. And they have such a great love for each other.

I didn’t want to miss showing you how amazing all the details were from start to finish. Especially since so much love went into making everything either by Melanie + Aaron or their friends and family. You might want to stretch your hands because you’re going to be scrolling down a long time…

Come back for more. MORE?! Yes more!

photography: dana grant photography
event location: silverthorn meadows (camino, california)
dress: pronovias bridal boutique: Swoon
Veil: Rohm
hair accessories: ban.do
shoes: max studio
groom’s suit: j.crew
groom’s and groomsmen shoes: toms
bowties: the tie bar
event planners: melanie + aaron
floral design: nathan brown
cinematography: mark carey of orangetree production studios
cake: tracey wotring (aaron + melanie’s dear friend)
caterer: lake tahoe catering company
décor (vases, bottles, hanging mason jars, frames, napkins, floating lily pads, cake stands, guest books, etc.) made with love by melanie, joyce (melanie’s mom), breanna tom (melanie’s adorable friend and aspiring wedding planner!)
officiant: andrew mccollough (another dear friend of aaron + melanie)
invitation design: sadie bonnette of sasquackk creative letterpress: laurie okamura of lucky bee press
photobooth: underwood photography (They set up their own photobooth with our equipment and homemade props)
flash mob choreographer: greg “GT” talbottEdin Valley Inn was just so adorable. I couldn’t stop shooting all the amazing details.





Bow Ties!





Emotional first look (for all of us.)




Love this, love them!











All kinds different glass bottles Melanie collected from thrift stores, etc.



Tons of quotes displayed all around adorably.

This is my favorite of course! Vintage cameras. I like them with the flowers.



Best Friends Forever.


Melanie made this with fabric. Look at the way the light shines through! Perfection.