This wedding I hold very closely to my heart. Not only because I absolutely adore Kim and Josh, it’s because they left me and Giant leaving with a bigger heart and lots of fond memories of them, their friends and families, and of course the British Virgin Islands. After two days of island hopping for their engagement session that you can view here, we’re now onto their wedding day. Kim and Josh chose the Bristish Virgin Islands for their destination wedding. About fifteen of their closest friends and families joined them as they sailed from island to different islands for an entire week leading up to their wedding. The wedding day started off very sunny and super hot and humid. I was a little bit worried because the time they were scheduled to wed was the time when the sun was at it’s brightest. For photographers, it’s a nightmare because most of the time, you’ll be photographing everyone with harsh shadows and their eyes are all squinting like they can’t see or read. An hour before the ceremony, the clouds gently rolled in and the temperature miraculously dropped 10-15 degrees. When you go from 100 to 85, it’s Godsend. It poured right when the ceremony was starting and we were all worried but again, miraculously, it stopped five minutes later. The weather was perfect right after the downpour. The ceremony was funny, emotional, and quick. Giant and I then whisked Kim and Josh away for their couple’s portrait session to the private villa we were staying at called The Frenchmans. Giant and I had already walked the entire villa and found lots of spots for Kim and Josh’s session. We loved how we basically had this entire place to ourselves and we took our time with Kim and Josh. On times when we’re not shooting, I can see from the corner of my eyes both Kim and Josh were absolutely glowing. It was the cutest thing!

Destination Wedding Photographer

I adore Kim’s dress against this bamboo fence. Perfect spot for to show off this tropical island!

This cute little ring bearer called all the girls his girlfriends. He even has some favorites too. I unfortunately didn’t make the “favorites” cut.

Kim’s wedding bouquet that she never got to use because she ended up leaving it behind in her room. Lol!!

The ceremony was held on the beach of the Myett’s Hotel in Cane Garden Bay.

This crowd were hysterical. When Kim was about to walk down the beach, the DJ had a hard time playing music so they all starting humming to “Here Comes the Bride”. She then walked out to their humming and everyone started cheering. Lol!

The rest of the wedding portraits was taken at the Frenchmans Hotel and Resort.

Frenchmans Hotel and Resort

P.O. Box 3169, PMB 318

Frenchman’s Cay, Tortola BVI

When Kim booked me, she told me they planned their wedding date around Bomba Shack’s infamous full moon party. People and tourist from all over the world has come here just to party every full moon.

We made it back to Cane Garden Bay for formals and to catch the sun setting. Could you believe this sunset?? It was unbelievable!!

So it never rain again until the reception and it poured. It actually felt good when it poured because we all had a nice cross breeze. And then…blackout!! It only lasted a few minutes but it was so funny because everyone was counting the seconds before the next lighting show appeared and when it did, the entire place cheered.

And this is after the blackout.

When things started to wine down, Josh wanted Giant and I to retire for the evening because he knew we had quite the ride home in our jeep because of the rain. He also knew we had to drive through really steep hills with nothing but the moon above and our headlights to light the street. After we bid farewell to them, the DJ unexpectedly started playing their song for their first dance. Of course I wanted to stick around for this. Halfway through the dance, Josh was so worried about us that he cut his first dance short just to tell us to once again, retire for the night and drive back to our villa safely. I was so touched by this. It was probably the sweetest thing a groom has ever done for us.

Sorry for this ginormous of a blog post. I had such a great time at Kim and Josh’s wedding. I seriously can’t thank you enough for allowing us to be apart of this big day of yours. Your love for each other was so evident. You both are the real deal and you both are going to have a lifetime of fun together! Never stop laughing. Thanks so much for the unforgettable week! Love you both!

For families and friends that wants to see more of this gallery, you can pre-register here.

Destination Wedding Photography

I’ve known Kim for more than, gosh, fifteen years? I haven’t seen her since high school. I was beyond stoked when she emailed me telling me she got engaged and wanted me to be their photographer. They had planned a small destination wedding in the British Virgin Islands and a reception later this fall in Chicago.

Day one of shooting Kim and Josh’s engagement session took place in The Baths in Virgin Gorda Island. This was my first time seeing Kim in over fifteen years and she haven’t changed or aged at all. I can seriously whip out a photo of her from over fifteen years ago and she’ll still look the exact same as she does now. She still has that warm smile that can light up the entire NYC. We met Josh for the first time on this day and I felt like we’ve known him forever. This day turned out to be a holiday so all the ferry schedule was cut short so that left us with basically very little time to shoot. We had less than 45 minutes to shoot inside The Baths and I was beyond bummed. I was so looking forward to shooting there and taking my time. Shooting inside The Baths is beyond amazing. It requires a lot of climbing and crawling though I love challenges like that. The water was super clear and warm. I seriously could’ve spent the entire day there! Day two of the shoot was on Jost Van Dyke Island. Both islands were just a short ferry ride away from Tortola. As you can see from the photos, both Kim and Josh are super laid back and fun. They smiles and laughs are extremely contagious. I found myself constantly smiling and laughing as I was editing their photos. It was so, so easy capturing their love and chemistry. We finished off their shoot day two on their catamaran. They’ve been sailing for almost a week around island hoping so we thought why not hope on the boat to document what they’ve been up to. The light was just perfect on the catamaran. I have more to share for Day three (wedding day) so stay tuned. Love you two!!

When we got to this part of The Baths with the light beam, it was super crowded. I had to ask people to leave us for two minutes so I can shoot them here. I felt like I can’t leave without having a shot here. We literally had this spot for maybe two minutes at most. I was a little bummed after I was done only because I’ve been planning and dreaming of shooting there. We had very little time and it was crowded at the same time. Boo!!

I saw this hammock while waiting for Kim and Josh to arrive and knew I had to shoot here. There was actually someone laying on it by the time they arrived so I kindly asked him to let us occupy it for the shoot. They were more than happy to and let right after that.

One of my favorites.

I saw this store (I think it’s a store) right off the beach and asked the lady that was sweeping the porch if we can shoot there. This little puppy ran right up to them. He was the cutest little thing. After Kim and Josh played with him for a bit, they put him down to continue on with our session. Little did we all know, you’ll see in the next photo, that puppy wasn’t done with them yet.

This puppy still wanted to be apart of the session and their attention. Giant’s heart melted when he saw this photo.

Thanks Kim and Josh for this amazing opportunity to photograph your love for each other. And having to do so in such a beautiful setting isn’t too shabby either. LOL! Love you two. Can’t wait to show you more!

For friends and families that wants to see more of this gallery, you can pre-register here.

Tyffani found me through Facebook one evening and decided to reach out to me about her destination wedding held in St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Island.  Needless to say I was pretty stoked about it.  Both Tyffani and Scott didn’t make the decision to book our tickets till two weeks before their wedding!!!  Hours after Giant and I landed in St. Thomas, we met up with Tyffani and Scott for the first time at the Wyndham Hotel.  It was instant chemistry!!!  We all meshed so well and both Tyffani and Scott we sooooooo laid back about everything.  Tyffani was just glowing with happiness and I even told her that as we were walking around the property.

Wedding day.  Tyffani, a hair and make-up artist, did hair and make-up for the girls.  The entire time she was singing, dancing, and just glowing!!! The guys next doors was sitting in their hotel room watching movies.  Hahaha.  It’s so nice being a guy sometimes.  While the girls all been up since 4am doing hair and make-up, they were still sleeping or watching movies.

It was a really hot and humid out in the caribbean sun but neither the bride and groom were the least bit fazed by it.  They couldn’t stop smiling at each other.  During the mother and groom’s dance, Scott danced with Tyffani’s mom.  Scott’s mom passed away spring this year but the love that everyone had for her was apparent during that dance.  It was THE MOST EMOTIONAL DANCE EVER!!!!!  I was S O B B I N G!!!  The ENTIRE room was sobbing.  I have no idea how I managed to shoot but somehow I got through it.

Thanks Tyffani and Scott for allowing Giant and I to be such a big part of your life.  We loved you both, your family, and friends.  If there’s a downfall about shooting destination weddings is saying goodbye to these people you’ve grown close to during your time there.  Enjoy your pictures!!!

St. Thomas Wedding Photographer

Destination Wedding Photographer

Vancouver Club Wedding Pictures

This traditional German game you see here are meant for the Bride and Groom to overcome challenges together.  They’re both given really tiny scissors and they must cut the heart together before the they can pass through the heart together.

Most of the time I’m so busy I barely remember to take a picture with both the bride and groom.  I couldn’t pass this up on this day.  Thanks so much Martina and Nick.  You both are just truly amazing!  Thanks so much for making our job so easy on this day!!!  Congrats!!!

A big, BIG thanks for my two best friends for coming out to help out.  My husband Michael aka Giant and my best friend Apple Umali.  I couldn’t have done it without you two.  I love you both so much.  You both worked so hard!!  Thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!!

Lake Lawn Resort Weddings

Chicago and Destination Weddings

To read the full feature on Style Me Pretty, click here.

Last year I made an announcement on the Broke Ass Bride that I’m giving away a FREE destination wedding.  Myka wrote in and I was in LOVE with her story!!  That’s before my eyes got blinded by the GORGEOUS engagement ring!!!  We went back and forth a few times via email and before you know it, Myka and Georges booked me for their beautiful Carmel Valley wedding.  Let’s fast forward to two weeks ago.  I seriously fell IN LOVE with Myka and Georges’s friends and families.  Everyone I met greeted me with, “You’re the photographer from Chicago!!!”.  It was hysterical how they all knew I was from Chicago and how they all greeted me with the same greeting.  I had such a blast shooting Myka and Georges wedding.  Everything from going to a gallery opening my first night there (long story), to scouting farms for Myka and Georges’s portrait session, to shooting with Danny and Yomi!  I’m so blessed that Danny and Yomi both agreed to fly and drive from different parts of California to come help me shoot this wedding.  Thank you guys sooooo much!!!  I couldn’t have done it without you guys.  I seriously love you guys!!!  Myka enjoyed her wedding planning so much, she decided to partner up with her best friend and started their own event planning business!!  Check out their blog here!  Immediately after I got back home, I started to work on Myka and Georges’s wedding pictures right away since the high from their wedding day is still lingering.  I got their images done within days.  After I showed both Myka and Georges a sneak peek of their wedding images, Myka wrote asking if we can submit their pictures to be published!  I immediately replied yes!  Well…that was last week.  Earlier this week I got an email from Myka saying that Style Me Pretty decided to FEATURE us THIS WEEK on their blog.  I was always under the impression that if you ever get featured anywhere, it typically takes up to six months or more for them to feature it because they have so many submissions.  Anyway, I am HONORED!!!!  Check out this featured article here. Once again, THANK YOU Myka and Georges for choosing me to document such an important day.  I love you both and you both will always have a place in my heart!!!

Photography: Melissa Diep Photography

Second Shooter: Danny Mendoza and Assistant: Yomi Foreman

Venue: Hidden Valley Music Institute

Florals: Sitting in a Tree (Bride’s company)

Wedding Dress: Aidan Mattox from Nordstroms (bride added extra ruffles and strap)

Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: Steve Madden

Bride’s Reception Shoes: BCBG (bride added the black ribbon)

Flower Hairpiece: Forever 21

Groom’s Suit: Banana Republic

Tie, Shirt and Socks: Urban Outfitters

Groom’s Shoes: Converse

Invitation Design: Cambria Blakely Shaw and reply postcard photograph from bride’s great grandfather

Paper Goods: Sitting in a Tree

Food: Wholefoods / Cupcakes: Layers Bakery / Candy: A Candy Store

Day of Coordinator: Tori Hendrix of Sitting in a Tree (Bride’s business partner)

Painting of Bride: Kelli Murray

Carmel Valley Wedding Photographer

A gorgeous and romantic location for a wedding. I can’t wait to photograph another destination wedding here!!!

What a way to end my wedding season!! With the wedding of the year of Lina and Ron’s in Cozumel, Mexico!!! Both Lina and Ron lives in Taipei but decided to have a destination wedding in Cozumel, Mexico because that’s where Ron’s parents live. I met both Lina and Ron for the first time there in Mexico. What a FUN an…d SWEET couple they both turned out to be!!! Lina has enough energy to light up the entire New York City while Ron is super laid back. They both compliment each other so well and their love is just so inspiring. I have to say I completely feel in love with both Lina and Ron’s family. I’ve never felt more welcome. Not only did they welcome us to all of their activities, we were also welcome to their dinner table. I fell in love with their friends as well. MARIO!!! TEAM MEETING!!! I will always miss that. After spending a week with their friends and family, it was sooooo hard saying goodbye. Thank you Lina and Ron for allowing me the absolute honor! I love you both. You both are amazing!!

Thanks to my BFF Apple for tagging along to shoot and assist!! I couldn’t have done this without you.

Also I’d like to thank Dana LaRue from Broke Ass Bride.  Lina and I would have never found each other had it not been for your blog post!!  You’re awesome!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Comments are appreciated.  No, I won’t SPAM you!  I promise!

I now have a new impression on Mexico! Can’t wait to shoot my next destination wedding!

Cheers,

Melissa

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Engagement pictures will be taken at the One and Only Ocean Club on Thursday, rehearsal dinner Friday and the wedding is on Saturday.  Wedding reception will be held at the Cove Atlantis on Paradise Island.  I am salivating just thinking about the beautiful wedding pictures that we’ll be taking for the Janine and Robert!!  I’m also so stoked about working with Jessica Conroy again.  We both mesh so well together!!