Melissa McClure Photography- Destination Wedding Photographer

[bridetov]

As with many new brides, photography was one of the single most important aspects of planning our wedding. Pictures... they last a lifetime. These images are what we will be looking back on for all our lives. It's quite a daunting task- picking your wedding photographer. So I approached the task very seriously. I also knew I wanted a photo journalistic style with attention to detail and someone that I really felt comfortable with (a thing that often gets overlooked when selecting vendors). I spent months looking at photographers blogs & websites. When I found Melissa McClure, I stopped dead in my tracks. She had exactly what I was looking for! I contacted her immediately. She responded immediately.

 

Was it too good to be true? Did I just find an infinitely talented wedding photographer, that was great at communicating, on top of her game, willing to travel to photograph our destination wedding in Maui, and very reasonably priced?? I was wary but my gut told me to go for it. So we signed on the dotted line.

 

Since we lived in different states, we didn't get to actually meet her until we all arrived on island. So during the planning process, communication was key. Any and every question I had for her was answered very quickly and in full. I also felt like I got a good sense of her personality (which rocks!) during this time. Once we did finally get to meet, we were immediately at ease with her. She is such a fun, personable woman! I can't begin to sing her praises enough.

 

We all decided that it was best to to photograph our trash the dress photo secession before the wedding (I had a separate dress for this). That way we would all get used to working together before the wedding. Fantastic idea!! Her ideas, location scouting, and eye blew me away. And on top of that, we had a blast! I can say without a doubt, our TTD photos are jaw dropping and captured "us" in a most unique yet true way. And this just set the stage for our big day.

 

Then came the wedding. Never for a second did I worry about Melissa. She was where she said she would be and immediately went to work. Melissa has so much experience and such an artistic eye- I loved just watching what she came up with! Not only that, but she took the time to make sure everyone felt comfortable yet was never intrusive. Weddings can be stressful but Melissa is so at ease and takes everything in stride, that it's impossible for it not to rub off on anyone else. Guests and other vendors adored her!! She even helped with my veil, timing, guests... she did it all! Our day was perfect and having Melissa as part of it made it even more special.

 

Then came time to see the pictures. I've heard horror stories where newlyweds have wait for months to receive their professional photos. Not with Melissa. She sent us a few teasers almost immediately, then blogged us within a week or two, and we had all of our wedding photos in-hand in less than 2 months (and that was during busy wedding season!).

 

Our wedding was beautiful, magical, and one of the most special days of our lives. Melissa somehow captured every special moment, every detail, everything in such a way that each time I look at them- it brings everything rushing back. The way she uses light, the angles, the perspective- makes Melissa's photographs really stand above and beyond. What she does is really special. And what she provided us, is going to make us smile for a lifetime.

 

So if you live in S. Cal or are having a destination wedding *and* photography is really important to you, contact Melissa McClure Photography. It will be the best decision you make.

[chetsgroi]

Thanks for sharing your experience with us regarding this photographer; it is greatly appreciated! Being that you now have your photos in hand, would you mind sharing a few of them with us so we can better understand the quality of this photographer's work?

 

Many thanks! :-)

 

- Chester

[AishaB]

Thanks for the review and for sharing your experience. Post some pics soon!

[bridetov]

I was having trouble uploading our wedding pictures by Melissa McClure- so I've attached some links to her blog. She did a 3 part blog on our wedding and the photos are just jaw dropping!!! Check them out and let me know what you think!

 

Getting Ready & Portraits: http://melissamcclure.net/2010/04/13...and-portraits/

Ceremony & Reception: http://melissamcclure.net/2010/04/15/tami-and-adam-–-maui-hawaii-wedding-photography-ceremony-and-reception/

Trash the Dress Shoot: http://melissamcclure.net/2010/04/17...ash-the-dress/

 

Modern Family: http://melissamcclure.net/2010/05/14...family-on-abc/

[bridetov]

Ok- now I've figured it out!!

 

Here are some teasers from our Trash the Dress shoot. I had a different dress for this, so we decided to shoot this before the wedding. This gave us a great opportunity to get to know each other before the big day. We had a blast!!

 

Melissa asked us a few months before, how we felt about trying some underwater shots. A and I were totally up for it!! She'd never done anything like this before... but check out the results. I've never seen anything more beautiful before in my entire life!!

 

 

 

Check out the rainbow she caught on this one...

 

 

Melissa asked us a few months before, how we felt about trying some underwater shots. A and I were totally up for it!! She'd never done anything like this before... but check out the results. I've never seen anything more beautiful before in my entire life!!

 

 

[bridetov]

You can click on the links in my post above to see all our wedding teasers, but here are a few of my favorites:

 

AMAZING shot of my dress!!

 

What a cool ring shot!!

 

Our first look before the ceremony:

 

Portraits:

 

I *still* can't believe this is ME!!!

 

Our ceremony:

 

This is one of my favorite shots. Mel caught my emotion... just perfectly:

 

A moment captured with my sister after her toast at the reception:

 

And what a cute way to end the night after an amazing Maui wedding!

 

But again, for even more pictures- check out the links to Melissa McClure's blog above!!

[sorord1]

Congratulations! Your photos are beautiful. I love the underwater TTD shots simply amazing. I like her style!

[MSBRANDI]

I like those TTD pics too. overall, beautiful

[bigboponthebeach]

I love the photo you said was not "technically" correct. The smiles on their faces were geniune and their emotions were captured beautifully. I dig these pics!

[hulagirl132]

Beautiful pictures...very intimate and romantic. Just how I picture my wedding will be. thanks for sharing