Wedding Photographers Chicago | Melissa Diep Photography

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Remember the scene in Sex and the City the movie when Louise from St. Louis gives Carrie her Love charm? That’s Melissa Diep. She’s in love with Love. She’s the kind of gal who wears her heart on her sleeve and cries a little when her brides and grooms take their First Look. She loves the thrill of photographing the magic that exists between her couples, the innocence of a sleeping newborn, and the simplicity of a family in their own backyard.

Melissa is always on the hunt for the new and interesting in her hometown of Chicago, by way of Saigon, Vietnam. It is because of her family’s hardships and tenacity during their flight from the communist North––spending 10 days on a cramped fishing boat, then living in a refugee camp in Thailand for nearly two years––that have shaped who Melissa is today as a woman, wife, mother and photographer.

Armed with only a handful of pictures from her early childhood––one single baby photo and just a few as an infant in her family’s camp––it’s easy to understand why Melissa employs a photojournalistic approach behind the lens. She aims to deliver photo memories with stunning visual impact; natural and unscripted while telling your story effortlessly.

Melissa’s upbringing motivates her to live fully and to appreciate the grand, the small, and the in between. In her everyday, Melissa rocks girly dresses with blazers on photo shoots and drinks Vietnamese coffee. She believes in finding beauty in unexpected places, always doing her hair and lusting over shiny red Minis (regrettably, but dutifully, she upgraded hers to a more baby-friendly vehicle).

Melissa lives in Chicago with The Giant and Little G, also affectionately known as her husband and one year old son, of whom she religiously takes one 100 photos a day.

Sasa and Bang’s Dreamy Beach Wedding at Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach

May 14, 2023 Tags: Carlsbad wedding photographer,destination wedding photographer,high key wedding,Melissa Diep Photography,Pinterest inspiration,San Diego fine art wedding,San Diego wedding photographer photography,socal Chinese American wedding,socal fine art wedding photographer,socal light and airy wedding photographer,socal light and airy wedding photography,socal Vietnamese wedding,socal wedding photography,social wedding photographer

Sasa and Bang (my cousin!) exchanged their vows on a beautiful day at the Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach venue, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Pacific Coast. Their wedding was a celebration of their love and commitment, filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at their special day and all the amazing details that made it so memorable.

Venue:

The Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach venue provided the perfect backdrop for Sasa and Bang’s dreamy beach wedding. The venue is located just steps away from the beach, which allowed the couple to exchange their vows with the sound of the waves crashing in the background. The venue’s modern architecture and elegant decor added a touch of sophistication to the celebration, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

Ceremony:

Sasa and Bang’s ceremony was a heartfelt and emotional affair. The couple exchanged their vows under a beautiful arch adorned with flowers and greenery, overlooking palm trees and the ocean. It was quick, funny, and very touching.

Reception:

The reception was a lively and fun-filled affair. The couple’s first dance was a beautifully choreographed piece from Dance From Home. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as an online dance class you can learn for your first dance! Sasa and Bang started practicing their first dance three weeks before their wedding. They danced it flawlessly without missing a beat!

Sasa and Bang’s wedding at the Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach venue was a dreamy and romantic affair, filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. The venue provided the perfect backdrop for their celebration, while the personal touches and attention to detail made the day truly special. Congratulations to the happy couple, and may their love continue to grow and flourish for years to come!

Tsavorite Garnet earrings by Sasa Mia Collection

This beautiful Tsavorite Garnet you see here is designed by Sasa herself! It hasn’t been officially launched yet. You can check out here collection here.

Bang Diamonds

Sasa’s engagement ring and diamond necklace and bracelet is designed by Bang himself. How often does someone get to say that their husband designed and hand crafted the ring himself? My cousin Bang also designed my diamond earrings! Check out his work here

Bang Diamonds

Yes, Bang not only designed Sasa’s jewelry, he also designed and hand crafted his own wedding band
Chinese Tea Ceremony

This sweet lady saw Sasa struggling walking on the rocks so she took off her flip flops so Sasa can wear them!

Sasa’s gown-Essence of Australia

Bang’s tux-Bonobos

Sasa’s diamond ring, earrings, and necklace by Bang!

Tsavorite Garnet by Sasa Miu Collection

Hair and Makeup- Trang Do

Videography-Purity Wedding

Venue-Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach

Bridesmaid dresses-Azazie

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Chicago Wedding Photographer | End of Summer Lakeside Destination Wedding at The Abbey Resort

September 27, 2022 Tags: Chicago destination wedding photographer,chicago wedding photographer,chicago weddings,fall wedding,lake geneva,lakeside wedding,summer wedding,waterfront wedding,Wisconsin

Dappled light, falling leaves, lush green tones on the verge of autumnal shades — end-of-summer turns the mundane into something magical. Just a 90-minute hop, skip and away from their home in Chicago, Lindsay and Brandon welcomed friends and family for a destination wedding in beautiful Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Surrounded by picturesque waterfront views, The Abbey Resort was the unique setting for Lindsay and Brandon’s modern and naturalistic wedding. In the midst of lush green foliage, their intimate ceremony took place in a gazebo framed by a simple trellis of climbing roses. Scattered fall leaves decorated the aisle and drew all eyes to the bride’s stunningly long train.

The enchanting vibe carried over to the bridesmaids who wore an ombre of coastal blues, and the couple’s attire — with the groom looking dapper in a classic blue suit and the bride adding a subtle touch of drama to her elegant wedding gown with a long, flowy veil.

Lindsay and Brandon’s lakeside destination wedding felt fresh and celebratory, taking advantage of the natural surroundings as the perfect blank canvas without being shy to incorporate pops of color in the floral arrangements. It’s an updated alternative to the boho, earth-toned weddings that I have seen over and over again the past few seasons.

Years ago, I shot Lindsay’s sister’s glam wedding and I’m so honored to be a part of this one. To my lovely couple, Lindsay and Brandon, thank you for letting me share your beautiful day.

Looking for ideas for your late summer or early fall wedding celebration? If you are drawn to all the natural hues of the summer to fall season, this lakeside wedding inspiration is for you, so get ready to swoon.

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Chicago Wedding Photographer | Tracy and Chase’s Understated, Elegant Wedding at River Forest Country Club

August 25, 2022 Tags: chicago wedding,chicago wedding photographer,chicago wedding portraits,Chicago wedding venue,River Forest Country Club,traditional wedding style,wedding photographers Chicago suburbs

Tracy and Chase’s wedding day started with a beautiful outdoor ceremony at River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst, IL. Keen to let the dreamy, German-Bavarian farmhouse-inspired venue shine, the couple kept the ceremony understated and elegant. Bamboo chairs and low floral arrangements flanked the wedding aisle, perfectly complementing the lush, natural surroundings and forested views at River Forest Country Club. Several classic cars added the perfect vintage touch for the bride and groom portraits. The bride looked lovely and traditional in a high-neck, cap sleeve gown, and her bevy of bridesmaids in regal navy blue sateen.

After tying the knot, Tracy and Chase took the celebration inside the Bavarian barn-style clubhouse where they danced the night away before closing things out with a literal bang – that’s because the sparklers send-off outside the venue triggered the smoke detector requiring evacuation and a visit by the fire department. After the all-clear was given, the band starting singing Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” – surely a core memory that Tracy and Chase will talk about forever!

If you and your partner have been pining for a countryside style wedding with a timeless aesthetic, this is definitely the inspo you’ve been looking for. Scroll through for more inspiration!