PhotographyVallentyne

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

Melissa + Paul embrace and smile on a wooden floor at their Classic Wedding; the bride holds a bouquet.

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!

A bridal bouquet, locket, and heels by a window set the scene for Melissa + Paul's classic wedding at L'Auberge Del Mar.
Classic wedding dress with jeweled waistband for Melissa + Paul at L'Auberge Del Mar, shown full length and close-up.
A woman with wavy hair in a white robe gazes thoughtfully, evoking classic wedding elegance at L'Auberge Del Mar.
Bride in a white dress at L'Auberge Del Mar, hands and ring close-up; bride and older woman embracing—a Classic Wedding moment.
Melissa + Paul’s classic wedding at L'Auberge Del Mar: a bride in white stands smiling in a doorway, greenery aglow.
A bride at L'Auberge Del Mar holds a bouquet, displaying her ring and jeweled dress at this classic wedding.
Two black-and-white photos of a bride at L'Auberge Del Mar, standing by curtains and holding a bouquet in soft natural light.
A man in a blue suit smiles as his boutonniere is pinned—Melissa + Paul’s Classic Wedding at L'Auberge Del Mar.
Left: Man in suit adjusting cufflinks. Right: Hand with gold pocket watch—Classic Wedding elegance at L'Auberge Del Mar.

Post Views: 2,364
Woman in a long red dress stands on a path surrounded by greenery and flowering bushes, smiling at the camera.

Welcome

Take a look around, and click here to get in touch with me about your own photos!

Join the
Newsletter
Oceanside California beach family portrait photographer

family

A couple embraces in a sunlit garden; the woman wears a white dress and appears to be pregnant.

maternity

Newborn baby sleeping peacefully on a white bed, wearing a white diaper, with arms curled near face.

newborn

Woman in a white dress walks barefoot on a sandy beach, looking back toward the camera near the shoreline.

senior

A smiling couple stands on the beach, embracing, with a pier stretching into the ocean behind them.

couples

A person in a green dress holds soil with a small green plant growing in their cupped hands.

branding

Instagram

You keep saying you’ll book family photos when you feel more like yourself…

But the truth is—there’s always something. Life is busy. Your body changes. The timing never feels perfect.

And underneath that… it’s not really about the timing. It’s about not wanting to be happy in how you look.

But your kids don’t see any of that. They just see you. The way you hug them, laugh with them, show up for them every day.

If this has been on your heart, maybe this is your sign not to wait another year 🤍

When you work with me, you don’t just get a photographer—you get someone who plans, guides, and creates artwork you’ll love for years. If that’s what you’ve been searching for, let’s start.

10 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 17979071388008203
You keep saying you’ll book family photos when you feel more like yourself… But the truth is—there’s always something. Life is busy. Your body changes. The timing never feels perfect. And underneath that… it’s not really about the timing. It’s about not wanting to be happy in how you look. But your kids don’t see any of that. They just see you. The way you hug them, laugh with them, show up for them every day. If this has been on your heart, maybe this is your sign not to wait another year 🤍 When you work with me, you don’t just get a photographer—you get someone who plans, guides, and creates artwork you’ll love for years. If that’s what you’ve been searching for, let’s start.

For me, photography has never just been about images—it’s about people, relationships, and the stories we share. If that’s what you’d like in your portraits, let’s talk.

4 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18099656930075530
For me, photography has never just been about images—it’s about people, relationships, and the stories we share. If that’s what you’d like in your portraits, let’s talk.

At the end of the day, portraits are about people—the ones you love most. If you’d like photos that reflect that love, I’d love to create them for you.

7 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18116044912758615
At the end of the day, portraits are about people—the ones you love most. If you’d like photos that reflect that love, I’d love to create them for you.

No two families are alike, and no two sessions should be either. That’s why I design each one with your unique story in mind. If you’d like that for your portraits, let’s plan something special.

6 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18099923068892224
No two families are alike, and no two sessions should be either. That’s why I design each one with your unique story in mind. If you’d like that for your portraits, let’s plan something special.

Families often thank me for making the process so simple and stress-free. That’s exactly how it should feel. If you’d like that kind of experience, let’s chat.

8 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18179497678390263
Families often thank me for making the process so simple and stress-free. That’s exactly how it should feel. If you’d like that kind of experience, let’s chat.

Every stage of life deserves to be remembered—from newborn snuggles to senior year and beyond. If you’d like to capture your family’s journey, I’d love to work with you.

6 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18325388296249483
Every stage of life deserves to be remembered—from newborn snuggles to senior year and beyond. If you’d like to capture your family’s journey, I’d love to work with you.

 

Vallentyne Photography is a portrait studio in Oceanside, CA, with a natural light 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 beautiful. Let’s start with a quick chat about what matters most to you. We’d be honored to create portraits you’ll love for a lifetime.

Instagram

You keep saying you’ll book family photos when you feel more like yourself…

But the truth is—there’s always something. Life is busy. Your body changes. The timing never feels perfect.

And underneath that… it’s not really about the timing. It’s about not wanting to be happy in how you look.

But your kids don’t see any of that. They just see you. The way you hug them, laugh with them, show up for them every day.

If this has been on your heart, maybe this is your sign not to wait another year 🤍

When you work with me, you don’t just get a photographer—you get someone who plans, guides, and creates artwork you’ll love for years. If that’s what you’ve been searching for, let’s start.

10 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 17979071388008203
You keep saying you’ll book family photos when you feel more like yourself… But the truth is—there’s always something. Life is busy. Your body changes. The timing never feels perfect. And underneath that… it’s not really about the timing. It’s about not wanting to be happy in how you look. But your kids don’t see any of that. They just see you. The way you hug them, laugh with them, show up for them every day. If this has been on your heart, maybe this is your sign not to wait another year 🤍 When you work with me, you don’t just get a photographer—you get someone who plans, guides, and creates artwork you’ll love for years. If that’s what you’ve been searching for, let’s start.

For me, photography has never just been about images—it’s about people, relationships, and the stories we share. If that’s what you’d like in your portraits, let’s talk.

4 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18099656930075530
For me, photography has never just been about images—it’s about people, relationships, and the stories we share. If that’s what you’d like in your portraits, let’s talk.

At the end of the day, portraits are about people—the ones you love most. If you’d like photos that reflect that love, I’d love to create them for you.

7 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18116044912758615
At the end of the day, portraits are about people—the ones you love most. If you’d like photos that reflect that love, I’d love to create them for you.

No two families are alike, and no two sessions should be either. That’s why I design each one with your unique story in mind. If you’d like that for your portraits, let’s plan something special.

6 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18099923068892224
No two families are alike, and no two sessions should be either. That’s why I design each one with your unique story in mind. If you’d like that for your portraits, let’s plan something special.

Families often thank me for making the process so simple and stress-free. That’s exactly how it should feel. If you’d like that kind of experience, let’s chat.

8 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18179497678390263
Families often thank me for making the process so simple and stress-free. That’s exactly how it should feel. If you’d like that kind of experience, let’s chat.

Every stage of life deserves to be remembered—from newborn snuggles to senior year and beyond. If you’d like to capture your family’s journey, I’d love to work with you.

6 1
Open post by vallentynephotography with ID 18325388296249483
Every stage of life deserves to be remembered—from newborn snuggles to senior year and beyond. If you’d like to capture your family’s journey, I’d love to work with you.
follow @vallentynephotography

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

A large, green, uppercase letter V on a white background.

located in carlsbad, california