Recently published in Utah Bride and Groom Magazine and Latter Day Bride Magazine
I know you’re out there. My blog stats say so. I’m getting 50-150 visits to my blog every day and not much love in the comment department. Just one or two or three comments here and there would make me feel so happy. So, put me on your blog reader and show me some love already! I love feedback and knowing you’re out there.
Yeah, that’s right, the Hollywood Hills. Aren’t I fancy?
My cousin, Tyler, and his fiance, Andrea were married in the courtyard of a beautiful traditional Japanese restaurant, Yamashiro, in the Hollywood Hills that overlooks Los Angeles. From the outside to the inside, every detail was beautiful. There was a koi pond in the middle of the courtyard where Tyler and Andrea were married. Andrea coordinated and made most of the wedding decorations, including origami candle bases!
It was really special to be part of their wedding day and capture such an important moment in their lives. Thank you, Andrea and Tyler, for entrusting me with such an important responsibility and honor. It was great to meet your family and friends, Andrea, and it was great to see my family members, too!
Yamashiro Restaurant
I knew exactly what I was going to do when I saw this chair in the Bride’s Room.
Andrea’s mom applies the makeup.
What a cute shot of Andrea. She asked me which perfume she should wear. That made me feel kind of special. I thought she should wear the classic, Chanel…
…and she did.
What a cool moment. Andrea is waiting with her dad and sister, her maid of honor, before the ceremony.
The officiant prepares for the ceremony.
Another one of my favorite moments-the maid of honor, Ashley, peeks around the corner as she’s waiting for the ceremony to begin.
…and the Best Man (my other cousin, Scott) does the same.
There was this thing with hands during the ceremony. It was a perfect moment with Andrea’s hands behind and Tyler’s in front, like a symbol of their unity.
That’s me, Mrs. Melissa Kelsey! I had to get a shot of my own place card.
Andrea folded this origami candle base.
Koi pond!
This is my Shirley Temple. It just came over me all of the sudden that it’s what I should have. No drinking on the job for me! Then, the bartender put it on this green, lighted counter and I had to take a photo of it, immediately because it looked so cool.
Andrea had the most decadent red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting instead of a traditional cake. We picked them up at a little cafe after she got me from the airport in the morning. I think these cupcakes are famous around L.A. I can see why, they were amazing.
This is my actual cupcake, half eaten. These were huge, the size of a large grapefruit!
First dance.
Thanks, Jeni, for holding that video light for me!
Whitney and Jon like things a little more modern. As you may have seen in my earlier posts about their engagements and Whitney’s bridals, you may have already seen that. I kept their look classic and timeless, but we did a few things to make their wedding photos different. We hopped on Trax for something not everyone else does.
Whitney and Jon’s wedding was at the always beautiful Salt Lake Temple and their reception was at Eaglewood Resort www.eaglewoodweddings.com. The golf course is a really great backdrop for photos of just the couple alone. The flowers were really beautiful-white, chocolate brown, and a little green. Jamie of Belessa Designs did a lovely job.
Thank you, Whitney and Jon, for a beautiful day. I wish you the best with your marriage and your interior design and architecture careers!
Jon’s dad “smelling the roses”.
It was really fun to get Whitney and Jon on Trax for this shot.
One of my favorites
The flowers by Jamie of Bellessa Designs were fresh and elegant.
I loved the modern elegance of this cake and the way Jamie arranged the flowers in a cascade.
Yummy ring shot.
Ooh la la! Christina looked awesome in her sweetheart neckline dress. I picked out a really wonderful location for her in Sugarhouse. This was one of those awesome combinations where the stars aligned-great dress, gorgeous, sexy bride, and fabulous locations. I loved this session. Her mom was so cute and excited and helpful. She put some awesome red lipstick on Christina at the last minute and it was just the extra touch we needed. Don’t be afraid to rock the classic red lip, ladies!
Just wait until you see her wedding at First Presbyterian Church (the beautiful church next to Cathedral of the Madeleine) and her wedding reception at Canterbury Place. Awesome!
What an amazing garden.
This black alcove ruled. The next two shots almost look like they’re in a studio!
We were really excited when owner of this shop invited us in for some photos right before closing.
Amanda and Matt are really in love. You can just see it and feel it. They tell each other, too. I love how Amanda tells Matt he’s hot and cute. Their wedding was at The Riter Mansion in Logan, Utah. Who knew such a cool place existed? You can’t really see it well from the street, but when you go in, it’s beautiful. It’s an old Victorian era (I’m guessing) home that is beautifully refurbished. It doubles as a bed and breakfast, so the bride and groom can stay there for their wedding night in the Master Suite upstairs, which is breezy and romantic.
There is a big new carriage house for the reception that has nice windows and has a classic look that would fit just about any style of bride and groom. There’s a lovely garden area where you can get married, like Matt and Amanda did, with little bridges and a creek running through. It’s lovely. I said lovely again. I need a thesaurus. www.theritermansion.com
Yummy details
These next three awesome shots are by my second shooter, Leisha. Thanks, Leisha!
I loved this moment between Amanda and her dad when he first saw her before going down the aisle. They were both crying and so was I!
Thelight was so beautiful on Matt and Amanda. A photographers dream.
This moment between Matt and Amanda was amazing. I didn’t set them up. We had just come in from doing some photos of just them together and it happened. Amanda circled Matt like a lion. It was hot!
When I saw the bridal suite, I immediately thought of this shot
and knew Matt and Amanda would be up for it.
Flowers by Candyce at Urban Floral www.urbanfloral.biz
Cake by Natalie Mohr
Another lovely shot by leisha. Leisha is great at getting in close on the subject without them knowing about it. What a great moment.
Amanda and her sister and brother choreographed a special, hilarious, and memorable dance for the reception.
This garter toss was full of action, just like I like ‘em.
Love how this shows her train.
You guys rule the sexy, moody, romantic shots. Thanks for being so willing and able!
I was lucky enough to be able to photograph Brigette and Stu’s wedding in Vancouver, Canada. Brigette is my friend and we met here, in Salt Lake City, but she went on trip to Europe and met a Canadian boy in Belgium named Stu. After a long time of flying back and forth to see each other and Brigette working forever to get her citizenship in Canada, she moved to Vancouver, became a Canadian, and married Stu in one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been.
That’s only the beginning of the saga.
My husband, Todd and I decided to drive to Vancouver. I think it’s a 15 or 16 hour trip. Luckily, my cousin, Scott lives in Seattle, so we stopped there for a couple of days and he and his wife Jeni showed us around. Then, we were off to Vancouver. I’ll have to do another post about our mini Vancouver vacation in depth later.
The saga part comes when we arrive at our hotel in Vancouver. We turned on the TV to hear news about a huge rockslide that covered the only highway to Whistler where Brigette and Stu’s wedding was going to be. So, the positive thinker that I am, I thought, “okay, the weddings not for 3 days, they’ll clear it up and it’ll be fine”. As the day went on and into to the next day, the news about Brigette and Stu’s beautiful resort wedding overlooking Puget Sound was not looking so good. They were not going to be able to clear the road in time. We could take a 12 hour detour up winding dirt roads with all the guests and wedding party, but that was just not feasible. So, Brigette and Stu threw together a stupendous wedding in just 2 days! Brigette has been a florist in the past and Stu’s mom had been a caterer. The made a fabulous cake adn delicious food. Everything was beautiful-the flowers, the decorations, the backyard with the 12 foot tall hedges. All of their family and friends came together to make a beautiful, intimate wedding happen in two short days and I got to be part of it.
I was really excited to have this gorgeous window in Brigette’s apartment to photograph the dress in. Her apartment overlooks the ocean!
Brigette did all of the gorgeous, natural arrangements for the wedding.
Bonus that they’re my favorite color, apple green!
The groom’s family looks on during the ceremony.
Stu was awesome. He arranged for us to go down to the beach for bridal party photos. I’m SO glad he did. I love these photos.
I loved it when Stu put Brigette on his back to get to the big rock we were shooting on.
Hot girls!
One of my favorites.
I’ve always wanted to do one of those gorgeous limo shots you see. Now I have!
Brigette didn’t wear heels, she wore these. Brigette’s cute Vans said, “He loves me, he loves me not”. She finally held still long enough in the limo for me to photograph them.
Their favors rocked. Brigette and Stu sent their photos into Jones Soda who printed their photos on the bottles! That’s them on the label!
This fabulous cake is a family recipe. Stu made his own wedding cake! It was gorgeous with a beautiful cream colored frosting and fern piping with real ferns and orchids as well.
Celine was such a cool flower girl. She was such a free spirit.
So, apparently, Canadians don’t have the tradition of decorating the bride and groom’s car. I asked them if they were doing it so I could get a picture and they didn’t know what I was talking about! I told them about the American tradition of doing this and they went crazy with it!
Poor Kermit!
They even got this nice lady in on the action.
I love how I caught the string in mid-air, if I do say so myself.
Bye!
You’ll love these designs. They’re modern and fresh, yet classic. You must be a client of mine or become a client of mine 
to order. Bridesand grooms and portrait clients alike can use their past photos for these awesome cards. If you haven’t become a client yet, why not take advantage of my $49.00 portrait session offer (see details above) on October 25th?
These cards are printed on pearl cardstock which makes them extra special. It’s a subtle, but impactful touch. Pricing coming soon. I just wanted to entice you!
Hey all! Call me to set up your Fall portrait session today!
Only $49.00 for sessions!
I’m doing this on one day only-Saturday, October 25th at Wheeler Farm.
See the session schedule on my flyer below to see the session times.
You can use the photos for my supercute holiday greeting cards.
(801) 493-5487 or melissa@melissakelseyphotography.com
Okay, so I’m a few days late, but happy anniversary to Nikki and Joe! They were married just over a year ago on October 12th, 2007. Their wedding was unique and Nikki was such a bright, sparkly bride. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple and had their reception at Castlebrook Reception Center. Nikki’s mom and a ton of her friends and family, made medieval costumes for all one hundred twenty guests! I even got to wear a lovely green and gold number. Nikki had a crown and princess wedding dress. Happy Anniversary, Nikki and Joe! I can’t believe it’s already been a year.
