A Classic Wedding at L’Auberge Del Mar, Melissa + Paul

I am so excited to share this wedding today, I loved it! Love the colors, Love working at L’Auberge Del Mar, and loooove working with Lauren Mandler and EverAfter Events – she is the cream of the crop of coordinators!

Love Story:
Paul & melissa met through a mutual friend in Austin, TX…little did she know that she would soon end up moving to San Francisco where paul lived!

Wedding Venue:
L’Auberge Del Mar is a romantic and luxurious beach hotel with beautiful rooms, a relaxing spa, and wedding venues that overlook the beaches! The ocean views and beautiful ceremony sites make it really the perfect location for a local or destination wedding!

Star Vendors:
Coordinator: Everafter Events – Lauren Mandler
Florist: Organic Elements – Sharon Mintz
Wedding Cake and Bakery: Sweet Cheeks – Elaine Ardizzone
Music: SOS Entertainment
Rentals: Concepts Event Design
Hair: JDM Salon – Wendy McGill
Photography: Vallentyne Photography – Heather Moreau

My Favorite Moment:
Ok wow, there are several favorite moments! The first was the recessional song after the ceremony – it was Depeche Mode “Just Can’t Get Enough.” So awesome. Yes, this is my style so I loved that they chose this to celebrate being just married! If you need to just listen to this song right now, here ya go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6fbfaq-nde

The next super awesome moment was the father/daughter dance…I just love when people spend time on doing this together! They began with the classic dance together to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole. But soon the music cut out and it honestly seemed like the DJ messed up big time! But no, it was a pause before their coordinated surprise dance performance to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. So much fun and I loved that they planned and practiced that father/daughter dance together!

Lastly, the bride had a surprise song to sing to her new husband. She performed “At Last” by Etta James and really, she did such an amazing job! I think everyone present was in awe of her voice and just thinking a little bit that the groom just married an incredible woman! So many beautiful moments. I loved this whole crew – congrats Melissa & Paul!

PS. Take a look at the rings below- OMG. I am in love with the sapphire engagement ring and the copper groom’s ring- the combo is so amazing!









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It's been such an amazing summer filled with truly special photo sessions and so many people I got to meet and connect with! 
Can't believe we're already rolling into fall, and I am so looking forward to all the special families I will work with this holiday season! If you're thinking about doing photos, get in touch soon because dates are already booking fast and I would love to work with you! xoxo, Heather 

#carlsbadphotographer #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #love #carlsbad #carlsbadvillage
“The best days of your life are not just ahead—they’re happening right now, in every moment you choose to be present and grateful for what you have.”♥️
No rules, no stress, just your favorite location -and a lot of fun on our senior session. 

Confident. Calm. Completely herself.

Senior year, but make it golden. 🌞🌊

#SeniorPortraits #CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansideSeniorPhotos #BeachPortraits #ClassOf2026 #ModernSeniorStyle #NaturalLightPhotography #SoCalSenior
These are the moments that make up a lifetime.

The kind you don’t plan. The kind you can’t pose.
Just a little girl chasing the grandpa who makes her laugh the hardest.⁠
⁠
This is what real memories look like—movement, joy, love.
The way he turns to let her catch up.
The way she thinks he’s the most fun person on the planet.⁠
⁠
It’s not perfect lighting or perfect stillness…
It’s perfect *connection.*⁠

*
*
*
*
*
#carlsbadfamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #encinitasphotographer #lacostaphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #sandiego #carlsbadbeach #carlsbadbeachphotographer #sandiegophotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #carlsbad #lajolla #encinitas #sandiegolifestylephotographer #encinitaslife #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #familybeachphotos #familyphotography #familyphotographer #carlsbadfamily #vallentynephotography #carlsbadcalifornia⁣
⁣ #carlsbadphotographer⁣ #oceansideca⁣lifornia⁣ #oceansidepier⁣⁣ #oceansidephotograpapher⁣⁣
This moment right here: sunshine on their faces, love in the air, and a baby on the way 🌿✨
Big brother is ready (with sidekick pup, of course), and this growing crew couldn’t be sweeter.
There’s something about maternity sessions in open fields… time slows down, and the joy feels extra real.

#MaternityPhotosCarlsbad #GrowingFamilyLove #CarlsbadPhotographer #SunlitMemories #BigBrotherVibes #DogApproved #OceansideFamilyPhotography #BabyOnTheWay

 

Vallentyne Photography is a portrait studio in Oceanside, CA, with a newborn studio in Carlsbad, CA, serving North County and San Diego. With 20 years of experience, we specialize in natural, timeless portraits for families, maternity, newborns, and seniors—capturing genuine moments on location or in our beautiful portrait studio.

We’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable. Let’s start with a quick chat about what matters most to you. We’d be honored to create portraits you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

It's been such an amazing summer filled with truly special photo sessions and so many people I got to meet and connect with! 
Can't believe we're already rolling into fall, and I am so looking forward to all the special families I will work with this holiday season! If you're thinking about doing photos, get in touch soon because dates are already booking fast and I would love to work with you! xoxo, Heather 

#carlsbadphotographer #carlsbadfamilyphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #love #carlsbad #carlsbadvillage
“The best days of your life are not just ahead—they’re happening right now, in every moment you choose to be present and grateful for what you have.”♥️
No rules, no stress, just your favorite location -and a lot of fun on our senior session. 

Confident. Calm. Completely herself.

Senior year, but make it golden. 🌞🌊

#SeniorPortraits #CarlsbadPhotographer #OceansideSeniorPhotos #BeachPortraits #ClassOf2026 #ModernSeniorStyle #NaturalLightPhotography #SoCalSenior
These are the moments that make up a lifetime.

The kind you don’t plan. The kind you can’t pose.
Just a little girl chasing the grandpa who makes her laugh the hardest.⁠
⁠
This is what real memories look like—movement, joy, love.
The way he turns to let her catch up.
The way she thinks he’s the most fun person on the planet.⁠
⁠
It’s not perfect lighting or perfect stillness…
It’s perfect *connection.*⁠

*
*
*
*
*
#carlsbadfamilyphotographer #carlsbadphotographer #encinitasfamilyphotographer #encinitasphotographer #lacostaphotographer #oceansidephotographer #sandiegofamilyphotographer #sandiego #carlsbadbeach #carlsbadbeachphotographer #sandiegophotographer #lifestylefamilyphotography #carlsbad #lajolla #encinitas #sandiegolifestylephotographer #encinitaslife #lajollaphotographer #lajollafamilyphotographer #familybeachphotos #familyphotography #familyphotographer #carlsbadfamily #vallentynephotography #carlsbadcalifornia⁣
⁣ #carlsbadphotographer⁣ #oceansideca⁣lifornia⁣ #oceansidepier⁣⁣ #oceansidephotograpapher⁣⁣
This moment right here: sunshine on their faces, love in the air, and a baby on the way 🌿✨
Big brother is ready (with sidekick pup, of course), and this growing crew couldn’t be sweeter.
There’s something about maternity sessions in open fields… time slows down, and the joy feels extra real.

#MaternityPhotosCarlsbad #GrowingFamilyLove #CarlsbadPhotographer #SunlitMemories #BigBrotherVibes #DogApproved #OceansideFamilyPhotography #BabyOnTheWay

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

located in oceanside, california