Chelsea & Matt’s Amelia Island Wedding at the Ritz | Jacksonville Wedding Photography


Chelsea and Matt are one of those couples that you just instantly fall in love with.  They are both so laid back and seem to genuinely love life and living in the moment.  We met them this past Fall while shooting Jessica & Kevin’s wedding.   Matt was very intrigued by our style of shooting and approached us immediately at the reception.  It wasn’t but a week or so after that we had our first consultation with them and I knew instantly they were our kind of couple.  They told us they wanted to have  a simple and elegant wedding near the beach and most importantly make sure everyone who came was having an incredible time!  They trusted our vision for shooting their wedding and capturing all the important moments giving us complete creative freedom.  We love that!  When we showed up on their wedding day everything was running smooth as can be.  Everyone was so relaxed, enjoying the moments leading up to the ceremony.  Chelsea looked stunning in her Monique Lhuillier sheath gown and ridiculously brilliant diamond earrings.  She was absolutely glowing as she walked down the aisle to meet her soon to be husband.  The ceremony was held on the lawn of the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island overlooking the ocean.  The breeze kept everyone cool as the sun began to set behind the hotel.  After Matt & Chelsea said “I do” cocktails started flowing while live music played.  Everyone was having a great time exactly as Matt & Chelsea predicted.  The rest of the night was spent dancing and celebrating inside the ballroom of the Ritz followed by a sparkler send off.

Chelsea & Matt we are so happy to have been part of such a beautiful day in your lives.  You two are so perfect for one another and we have enjoyed every minute with you both.  We hope your honeymoon in Antigua was incredible.  We wish you both lots of love and happiness together!

Cheers,

Mel & Brad

Here are some of my favorites from the day.  Be sure to check out the slideshow at the end… it’s chock full of deliciousness!

Venue provided all flowers and catering:  The Ritz-Carleton Amelia Island
Ceremony and Reception Band:  The Michael Munn Band
Bride’s Attire:  Sharon Batten

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My little sister is getting married


Last Sunday I hosted a bridal shower in honor of my little sister Kari.  She will be getting married on August 1st in Gainesville.  We had wine, cheese, cupcake pops, and lots of fun.  In spite of a serious thunderstorm everything turned out beautifully.  Kari, I can’t believe your wedding is almost here!!! I’m so happy to stand by your side as you marry the man of your dreams.  I love you both so much!  Only 6 more weeks to go!

The lovely bride to be

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Kari & my momma

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My mom’s dog Cody trying to make sense of all the hubub

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The beautiful Amanda B Young

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Wanda and Sue worked so hard to create this killer bouquet.  I think they did an amazing job!

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Please note that this was held at my parent’s home in New Smyrna Beach.  My house does not have as many antlers on the walls (nor does it have a couch currently.)  Sigh… but thats an entirely different story.

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  • adrian Hitt, 06.12.09:
    adrian Hitt : i love your side note at the bottom. too funny!
  • Steph, 06.12.09:
    Steph : So the question is, are you in it or your shooting it? or doing both like we did for my sisters, lol.
  • Amanda B. Young, 06.15.09:
    Amanda B. Young : Hah! You are too sweet! Did I know that my photo was being taken? I look distracted. And, I hate how there are no photos of you in this! Did my point-and-shoot shots totally suck? (Actually, wait, don't answer that...) ;-) Buuuut, Kari looks GORGEOUS (of course). And those cake pops! Why aren't you bragging more on here that you MADE them all? Ahhhh-mazing! The shower was beautiful!
  • courtney Ortiz, 06.15.09:
    courtney Ortiz : Your sister's going to make a gorgeous bride!!! You will be a "guest" at this wedding right?!? haha
  • Melanie, 06.15.09:
    Melanie : Hey Steph and Courtney... I am the matron of honor so I politely declined shooting this wedding. Doing both would have definitely killed me. The fabulous Kara & Jeremy Pennington of Kara Pennington Photography will be in charge of the photographic loveliness. They are incredible and I can't wait to see what they shoot at Kari's wedding. Amanada... you did great taking pictures with my 5d and with the point and shoot! I didn't post them because I'm anti-Melanie pictures. So don't feel bad. I'm glad the cupcake pops were a hit! Thanks so much for coming and helping out. :)
  • Becka @Studio222 Photography : Aw! Congrats. I remember you telling me about the shower. Looks like everything went beautifully!

Lori & Justin’s Riviera Maya, Mexico Wedding Sneak Peek | Destination Wedding Photographers | Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa


Ever since we arrived back in Jacksonville last week we’ve been up to our eyeballs in work.  I’ve been racing through my to do list as fast as I could so I could finally get my hands on Lori & Justin’s wedding photos and share a sneak peek with you all.  We had an amazing time in Mexico with these two.  I’ll be honest I had a hard time leaving when it was time to go.  Not only was the resort perfection but Lori, Justin and their families are just incredibly wonderful people.  I pretty much want to keep them all and claim them as my own.  We have been truly blessed to work with some fabulous clients that value photography and go above and beyond for us on their wedding day.  Lori & Justin allowed for three hours of post ceremony photos and we were in absolute photography heaven!  It always makes such a huge difference in the photos when our brides allow for ample photography time.  We got to visit a bunch of great locations, stop for drinks at the seaside bars, relax and have a ridiculous amount of fun while shooting.  Here is just a little sneak peek of their wedding as well as some of their cave-tastic day after session in the beautiful cenotes near our resort.  There is so much more coming soon, including our adventure filled trip to the Mayan city of Chichen Itza.

Hello beautiful beach… you were my favorite!

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And the AMAZING day after session!

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  • kellie kano, 06.08.09:
    kellie kano : Truly...stunning.
  • Christina L, 06.08.09:
    Christina L : GORGEOUS!!!!! ROCKTABULOUS you two!!
  • Tabitha, 06.08.09:
    Tabitha : Love them! Girl you rocked it!
  • Megan Beth, 06.08.09:
    Megan Beth : OH MY GOSH...are you serious??!?! THESE ARE AMAZING! look at that clear blue water. And ps...they are up to their waists in water! LOVE EM! Great job girl!
  • Gwendolyn Tundermann : Megan Beth took the words out of my mouth. These are insanely gorgeous!
  • adrian hitt, 06.09.09:
    adrian hitt : love the last one!
  • Kathryn Brown, 06.09.09:
    Kathryn Brown : Speechless! All I can say is I am sneaking in your suitcases next trip and on that last image...BAMMM- you nailed it!
  • Tara, 06.09.09:
    Tara : I hate you! :D these are so freakin fantastic I was squeaking as I scrolled down and made Dani come in here and look. You guys rock!
  • Liz, 06.09.09:
    Liz : ..... Wow... Wow... Wow...
  • Melanie, 06.09.09:
    Melanie : Thanks you guys! :) There is so much more to come too! :)
  • Susan, 06.09.09:
    Susan : These are FANTASTIC!!! Whoot!! Isn't Riviera Maya just beautiful??!!!
  • Steph, 06.09.09:
    Steph : A-M-Azing!! Love them.
  • ohana photographers, 06.09.09:
    ohana photographers : that place in the last 4 shots looks familiar and ....awesome!
  • Emily Beaty, 06.12.09:
    Emily Beaty : Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!
  • Kim, 06.13.09:
    Kim : Those are breathtaking photos! Could Tyler and I get married again, this time in Mexico with you guys calling the photography shots???
  • Bonnie Hunnicutt, 06.15.09:
    Bonnie Hunnicutt : Helloooo gorgeous! These are insane! I want to get married again too! Same photographers, of course!
  • Justin, 06.16.09:
    Justin : WOW....great photos and beautiful couple. The locations are amazing.
  • Mel McLellan, 06.16.09:
    Mel McLellan : Oh my goodness! I thought I had commented on here already! Amaaaazing! Beautiful work guys! You rock! ;)

Putting it to a Vote!


Hello wonderful blog readers.  As most of you know, Brad and I work together very well, balancing each other and bringing two different perspectives to our work.  When I’m hitting my head up against a creative wall I can always count on him to come over and see things in a different light, helping move me past my editing road block.  Normally I will start down the path he pointed and end up somewhere beautiful making him very proud.   Today is not a normal day it would seem.  I called Brad over to view the finished product of this photo and when he looked at it he decidedly did not like it.  I understand his point that the editing I chose to do took away some of the natural beauty of our location, but I wanted to focus on the magic and emotion that was happening between our couple.  He does not agree with my choice so we thought why not see what you all think.  Below each of our favorites and we want to hear which one you like best.  Not to worry our feelings will not be hurt either way you choose.  They are both beautiful images, just slightly different.  So please leave us a comment letting us know your favorite so we can settle this “argument” and get on to posting Lori & Justin’s real sneak peek.

Brad’s Favorite:

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Mel’s Favorite:

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  • audrey, 06.08.09:
    audrey : wow, that's tough. they are both beautiful, but i think i'm leaning towards brad's pick. i like the clarity of it for this shot.
  • ezra, 06.08.09:
    ezra : Oh my...you two are fighting over something so small...but with that said, I do prefer Brad's rendition (same reason as Brad's)...but your's is good too Melanie...it's slightly different...
  • Kristen Weaver, 06.08.09:
    Kristen Weaver : Hmm... I'm going to have to side with Brad on this one, too :)
  • Jackie Beale, 06.08.09:
    Jackie Beale : yay I love picture votes! ok, I'll have to go with the 1st one, brads, because the colors look more richer and I like the contrast :) The couple really pop in my humble opinion.
  • Matt, 06.08.09:
    Matt : I think I prefer the first one. It's such a magical moment as is, I don't think much else even needs to be done to it. Love the natural look of the rock wall behind them.
  • Amy, 06.08.09:
    Amy : I am going to have to go with Brad on this one.
  • Danielle, 06.08.09:
    Danielle : Hmm.. I can't choose! I really like the colors and the "richness"of the first one (Brad's).. but I love the particle textures of Mel's.. So it's a toss up!! I think you guys should combine the 2.
  • Kathryn Brown, 06.08.09:
    Kathryn Brown : Mel- You know how much I love you; I like both, but I do really like the colors of the first and how they pop. The image is AWESOME!!! Now kiss and make up and wrap up work early :)
  • ezra, 06.08.09:
    ezra : Brad...sorry...we might have put you on the couch...
  • Jill Hayward, 06.08.09:
    Jill Hayward : I have to agree with Brad . You are such a perfectionist and your work is so unique I'm so glad Lori and Justin discovered you, and John and I enjoyed your company at the wedding festivities!
  • oeil, 06.08.09:
    oeil : Mel- don't hate me, I pick the 1st one (the water is the main focus, not the "starry" texture on the 2nd, though it is a DARN AWESOME pic!
  • Melanie, 06.08.09:
    Melanie : Well it looks like the Brads have it. I like the first one I just like the second one better. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I guess Brad better learn to edit so he can do some work of his own soon. haha
  • emily ellis, 06.08.09:
    emily ellis : really tough! mel i totally get what you are trying to do. its other worldly, floating in space, lost in eachother. but i also get how the natural beauty doesn't really need any help. Both are beautiful!
  • Florida Brides Blog, 06.08.09:
    Florida Brides Blog : Mel, I am going with Brad's photo! I like the background focus and the couple second! I love that you can see all the way down to the bottom of the water and see her dress in the bottom!!
  • melody, 06.08.09:
    melody : Sorry mel, i loved all the pics from the wedding - being that this is my brother & new sister in law... but there's something about brad's a like more. i cannot wait to see the entire collection of them!
  • Melanie, 06.08.09:
    Melanie : No worries everyone... I understand. Seriously my feelings aren't hurt. I took the shot and edited it both ways so either win somehow. ;)
  • jason Woods, 06.15.09:
    jason Woods : I will have to go with Brad on this one. I think the texture over the rock takes away from it. What an Awesome shot though. That must have been fun!
  • Bonnie Hunnicutt, 06.16.09:
    Bonnie Hunnicutt : Are you kidding me? It's not even a toss up! Sorry, Brad you are so awesomely awesome and nicely nice, but I'm so goin with Mel! I love the texture, it makes it so surreal and dream-like! (which are basically synonyms, I know) The couple just pops right out at you from their insane surroundings! It actually gives me chills, can you insert mine and Jason's faces into it? :)You go girl!!
  • Suwanee, 06.19.09:
    Suwanee : The second bottom one, hands down! (O: Amazing photo!

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