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.

Planning your own photos? Lets chat!

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MODELS NEEDED 🤍

I’m building out my new studio portfolio and looking for a few select models this April ✨

If you’re:
• Expecting (3rd trimester)
• Or have a baby 6–12 months (sitting, not yet walking)

I’d love to hear from you!

These are complimentary sessions designed to create soft, natural, elevated portraits in my new light-filled Carlsbad studio (or on location if you prefer).

To apply:
Email me at heather@vallentynephotography.com with a quick snapshot of your family + whether you prefer studio, location, or either.

I’ll send over details + next steps 💌

Please email only (no DMs) so I can keep everything organized 🤍

Tag a friend who would love this!
I’ve photographed everything from small families to big extended gatherings, and what they all have in common is love. If you’d like to capture yours, let’s plan it.
The real magic in portraits isn’t about perfect outfits or settings—it’s about capturing the love that holds your family together. If that’s what you want remembered, let’s connect.
Somewhere between childhood and everything that comes next…
this moment happens.

Senior year isn’t just about graduation.
It’s about who they’re becoming.

And this deserves more than just a quick yearbook photo.

If you’re starting to think about senior portraits, comment SENIOR and I’ll send you the details 🤍
Most people think family photos are just about getting a few good images.

But that’s not really what matters.

What matters is what happens after.

Because most photos end up sitting on phones…
or getting lost over time.

And the ones that actually become part of your life?
The ones you see every day… the ones your kids grow up with…

Those are the ones that mean something.

That’s why I guide my clients through the entire process—from planning your session to creating something beautiful for your home—so your photos don’t just live on a screen.

If you’ve been thinking about doing this, comment READY and I’ll send you the details 🤍
It’s the sound you don’t think about while you’re in it…

The giggles.
The little reactions.
The way they light up over the smallest things.

And then one day, it’s different.

Parents always tell me they wish they could go back and hear this again—just for a moment.

If you’ve been thinking about capturing this stage, comment READY and I’ll send you the details 🤍
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

 

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 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.

MODELS NEEDED 🤍

I’m building out my new studio portfolio and looking for a few select models this April ✨

If you’re:
• Expecting (3rd trimester)
• Or have a baby 6–12 months (sitting, not yet walking)

I’d love to hear from you!

These are complimentary sessions designed to create soft, natural, elevated portraits in my new light-filled Carlsbad studio (or on location if you prefer).

To apply:
Email me at heather@vallentynephotography.com with a quick snapshot of your family + whether you prefer studio, location, or either.

I’ll send over details + next steps 💌

Please email only (no DMs) so I can keep everything organized 🤍

Tag a friend who would love this!
I’ve photographed everything from small families to big extended gatherings, and what they all have in common is love. If you’d like to capture yours, let’s plan it.
The real magic in portraits isn’t about perfect outfits or settings—it’s about capturing the love that holds your family together. If that’s what you want remembered, let’s connect.
Somewhere between childhood and everything that comes next…
this moment happens.

Senior year isn’t just about graduation.
It’s about who they’re becoming.

And this deserves more than just a quick yearbook photo.

If you’re starting to think about senior portraits, comment SENIOR and I’ll send you the details 🤍
Most people think family photos are just about getting a few good images.

But that’s not really what matters.

What matters is what happens after.

Because most photos end up sitting on phones…
or getting lost over time.

And the ones that actually become part of your life?
The ones you see every day… the ones your kids grow up with…

Those are the ones that mean something.

That’s why I guide my clients through the entire process—from planning your session to creating something beautiful for your home—so your photos don’t just live on a screen.

If you’ve been thinking about doing this, comment READY and I’ll send you the details 🤍
It’s the sound you don’t think about while you’re in it…

The giggles.
The little reactions.
The way they light up over the smallest things.

And then one day, it’s different.

Parents always tell me they wish they could go back and hear this again—just for a moment.

If you’ve been thinking about capturing this stage, comment READY and I’ll send you the details 🤍

email directly:

heather@vallentynephotography.com

760-672-2416

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located in oceanside, california