Tim and Melinda met through a match maker (aka eHarmony) last summer. After nearly month of phone calls (lasting into the wee hours of the morning) Tim asked Melinda on their first date. An evening of dinner and laughter at Crystal Cove’s Beachcomber in Newport Beach, California turned into talking until just before Tim’s Sunday morning shift at his restaurant. And as all good romance stories go, somehow they both knew that they were both about to begin something very special.

The following week Melinda asked Tim to tag along on a business trip to San Diego. When her work was done for the day they drove to Seaport Village to take in the sights and enjoy dinner in nearby Little Italy. An after dinner stroll along the water ended near the USS Midway museum and they shared their first kiss. Fireworks literally went off in the sky (talk about timing!) and Tim joked that he would never be able to replicate that moment no matter how hard he tried. Neither one of them disclosed that they too were both experiencing fireworks on the inside!

In the months that followed Tim and Melinda began surprising each other with monthly mystery dates. Each time, trying to “out do” each other, they were able to experience many firsts together including a balloon ride over Irvine while listening to The Blind Boys of Alabama, the shark exhibit at The Long Beach Aquarium, Toy Story 3 at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood and Melinda’s personal favorite, an interpretative dance recital at UCI. (What a good sport Tim is!)

Both Tim and Melinda recognized early on that God had His perfect hand in orchestrating their meeting, falling in love and mutual interest in spending their lives together. The old cliché it just feels so right rang true and their friends and family shared in their excitement throughout their courtship believing that they are God’s best for one another. It was an answered prayer to years and years of praying that these two souls would be blessed with one life together.

In December Melinda returned from a family Christmas in Sisters, Oregon with plans to spend New Year’s Eve with Tim. She had a sneaking suspicion that he might pop the question but had already ruined the chances of that by guessing earlier that it would be that night. Or so she thought. Tim showed up from work with an hour to spare before the clock struck midnight. Melinda was finishing the touches on a New Years cake she made (A Tiffany Blue Box cake, but of course) and Tim asked her to come join him on the couch to watch the countdown from Times Square. He said, let’s both close our eyes and when we get to 2011 we’ll open them and the first thing we will see is each other. Unsuspectedly, Melinda (for reals…. she thought it might happen on a “picnic” on New Year’s Day) obliged. And the second that 2011 arrived Melinda felt Tim grab her left hand and slip a ring on her ring finger. Girly screaming ensued as Melinda buried her head in Tim’s chest. Tim waited for the squealing to die down and said, Wait! Wait! I need to ask you a question! Melinda lifted her head off his chest and was speechless (for. the. first. time. ever) as Tim said, Melinda Marie Hughie, will you be my wife? It was really happening! The answer she squeaked out was, YES! On 1-1-11 Melinda and Tim became engaged to be married. Melinda just happened to have her camera nearby along with a manicure suited for shots of her new bling. (And what a beautiful bling Tim chose).

Congratulations to you Melinda and Tim.

Melinda & Tim’s Wedding – El Adobe De Capistrano – San Juan Capistrano, California Wedding Photographer

© Melvin Gilbert Photography
www.melvingilbert.com
info@melvingilbert.com
+1 310 400 6727

Searan & Paul :: Los Angeles Wedding Photography

Location :
• United Armenian Congregational Church – Website.
• California Institute of Technology – Website.
• Palladio Banquet Hall – Website.

© Melvin Gilbert Photography
www.melvingilbert.com
info@melvingilbert.com
+1 310 400 6727

Check out their engagement session at Balboa Park & La Jolla in San Diego HERE. Their Wedding Sneakpeek HERE.

Erikita & Cristian :: DayAfter Session ~ Walt Disnet Concert Hall Los Angeles Wedding & Engagement Photographer

©Melvin Gilbert Photography
www.melvingilbert.com
info@melvingilbert.com
+1 310 400 6727

Michele Barnes & Brad Barnes’s Day-After Session

Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

Make Up by : Marlene Martinez
Crew : Kris Hinh, Erickson de la Cruz, Michael Sugiarto & Elite Tjie

© Melvin Gilbert Photography
www.melvingilbert.com
info@melvingilbert.com
+1 310 400 6727

Carin was so unbelievably calm on her own wedding day.. Her dress was goorrggeeouus! It was beautiful day.. amazing weather.. it was a perfect day to get married. Perfect day for Bobby and Carin. Here’s a sneakpeek of what we’ve got from their wedding. If you haven’t check out their engagement session, please CLICK HERE. So, tell us what you think about this sneakpeek on comment box below! have a good day!

Marilyn Monroe.

Behind the scene :p

SneakPeek ~ Carin & Bobby :: Santa Ynez Wedding Photography

Make Up Artist : www.lamerzmakeup.com
Locations : Santa Ynez inn | 3627 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460

© Melvin Gilbert Photography
www.melvingilbert.com
info@melvingilbert.com
+1 310 400 6727

Alright. Hellow my faithful blog reader (if there are readers out there :p). What do you guys think about this Sneakpeek? wanna see some more pictures that we took from this wedding? please leave a comments below so i know who excited you are to see more pictures! Thanks! have a good week ahead!

Melinda & Tim :: El Adobe & Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA Wedding Photography

Erika & Cristian :: La Jolla & Balboa Park – San Diego Wedding
Erika & Cristian
La Jolla & Balboa Park – San Diego :: Wedding Photography

©Melvin Gilbert Photography
www.melvingilbert.com
info@melvingilbert.com
+1 310 400 6727

When we first met Brad and Michele for the engagement session, we know that we gonna have awesome pictures. They showed us how lovely, cheerful and playful couple they are. Everyone in the wedding venue is so joyful, even the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen asked us to take pictures of them do planking! It’s lying down flat with arms to the side, to mimic a wooden plank. They were so excited for the pictures and so do we!

Michele and Brad have known each other for about ten years, as time passed where they get along with each other then that’s when they knew that they are meant to be together by God’s love. The sweetest thing is Brad proposed Michele on Christmas Eve , it’s the greatest Christmas gift that Michele ever got.

Today in front of family, friends and also the cool Pastor with his Scotland national uniform, Brad and Michele tying their knot for a new journey as Mr. and Mrs. Barnes.
Congratulations again Michele & Brad!

I love ring shot. So, i always taking my time to shoot wedding rings.

I think this is my favorite :)

One for One. Toms.

Groomsmen. More like “the Godfather”

Bridal Plank. what is Planking? Check it out HERE.

Beautiest.

me : “sir, can you please kiss her cheek”
dad : “muach”
me : “ng.. just a tad please. do not crush her”
dad : “but i love her so muchhhhh….”

Their very first kiss. Ever. They’ve been together since more than 4 years ago. After 30-seconds-first-kiss, the priest said, “I almost embarrassed”

“Mr. & Mrs. Brad Barnes”

First Dance

Father-Daughter dance.

“All the single ladies, all the single ladies…..”

“DIVE…DIVE…DIIIVVEEE…. @#$~>!?,%!”

Venue : Aspen Clubhouse – Apple Valley – 10741 Lakeshore Drive, Apple Valley, CA 92308, Phone: (760) 247-9195

Make Up Artist : Marlene Martinez – cremedelafemmechic@yahoo.com – www.facebook.com/MakeupByLeMer

Photobooth : www.feyphotobooth.com | mention Melvin Gilbert Photography and get 20% Discount

DJ : Wordofmouth Entertainment – http://wmepresents.com/

Everytime i went to shoot any events, specially weddings, i can not wait to open the files up on my iMac, see the images on my screen and post up a sneakpeek. I just got back from Lompoc, CA shooting Kimbrie & Thomas’ weeding at Vandenberg Air Force Base (http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/). Check out their engagement session HERE.

This time I got a little locked out in the hallway because the ladies takes their time to get ready, so i got to spend a little more time to get different looks of their wedding rings. so, please let me know which one is your favorite.

When i arrived at the location, i am sooo happy beyond words can say. Why? Because i’ve been praying for almost 2,5 hours on my way to Lompoc in my car so i can shoot their wedding in a gorgeous weather! And i think Jesus heard my prayer. The weather was unbelievable! See it for yourself!

I went to a workshop (http://www.facebook.com/groups/54796012203) not a while a go, and one of the group leader (actually 2 leaders), Gavin and Erin (http://www.gavinwadephoto.com/), taught us to shoot in Kelvin setting (i don’t know what’s the term for this one. O_O). The overcast weather today was kinda giving me the opportunity to learn new things, well in this case, shooting in Kelvin mode. So i did it. And after i see the images on my computer, i couldn’t believe it! Some of the images i posted on this sneakpeek today is actually kinda SOOC images (Straight-Out-Of-Camera) with a bit of color enhancement a little bit. It’s amazing. for photographers, try to shoot in Kelvin mode.

I know I think it’s a little bit too much images for a SneakPeek. It’s 6:10am now and i am still having a hard time to pick which one should i post. It’s just too many good pictures!

So, please sit back, relax and enjoy this 66 sneakpeek images from the wedding that I shot 8 hours ago. Feel free to comments on the Facebook Comments box at the end of the post! Thanks and more to come…

ps. Catering by Popolo Rotisserie Cafe and Catering (www.PopoloCatering.com), the food was delicious. SPECIALLY the potatoooo… aarrgghh.. i’m craving their potato now..

Proud mom…

Bestman and Maid of Honor…

Tom’s expression = priceless…

Kimbrie with her uncle, Bob…

This is my first wedding that i shot, the bride sing during the ceremony. It was a surprise for the groom. Her voice is amazing! i got goosebumps while shooting this. i am serious. GOOSEBUMPS. O_O i wish the DJ recorded that. I want it. I want to download it to my iPod. :p

Sal, Kimbrie’s friend, help her sing this song as a duet.

He couldn’t hold the tears. Her voice was just unbelievable! again, i got GOOSEBUMPS. O___O

First kiss.

Mr & Mrs. Thomas Garcia.

First Dance

Another angle during the first dance.

I can tell that she is soooooo happy.

ok. last image for the sneakpeek. more to come.

Katie + Scott :: Flagstaff, Arizona Wedding Photography

©Melvin Gilbert Photography
www.melvingilbert.com
info@melvingilbert.com
+1 310 400 6727

I had fun with Mark and Lisa on their engagement session in SF! They were a fun couple and they had such a beautiful wedding. Lisa and Mark met while in Aussie when Lisa was on her vacation and since then they have been in long distance relationship! Many says that long distance relationship never work out, but guess what…Two years of long distance relationship thru skype, phone, social media, etc. here they are Lisa and Mark tying the knot for a new chapter of their new journey.

And ah! The reception – held on the one of the most prestigious and unique private clubs in all of Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Capital Club. With the incredible views of dramatic urban feel from seventeenth floor of the building

Once again congrats for Lisa and Mark, so very happy for both of you

More Images :

Lisa & Mark :: Silicon Valley Capital Club Wedding Photography from Melvin Gilbert Photography.

Lisa & Mark :: Silicon Valley Capital Club San Jose CA Wedding Photography

©Melvin Gilbert Photography
melvingilbert.com
info@melvingilbert.com
+1 310 400 6727

Sneakpeek ~ Elizabeth & Al :: Westward Beach, Malibu – California Wedding Photography

We had sensed a delightful feeling when they decided to use our services, been booked for long time ago to secure the date and finally we made it!

People can be brought together all kinds of unique ways and the bottom line is, when it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. Tony and Candice bring out the best in one another and enjoying each other constantly in every moment. Capturing such pure love and joy in them is such an enjoyable process. Their love is a huge testament.

4 years of dating and now they are ready to take their love journey to another level of commitment. A touching and cute vow from Candice to share her life in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, will love and honor him all the days of her life and of course to share her Peanut Butter Jelly with Tony

Their wedding was full of laugh and love, taking pictures was easy as they have beautiful smile to share.
Tony and Candice, God smiled on you both that day, and gave you both the most beautiful light

Congratulations again on ur wedding, our peanut butter jelly couple!

Palos Verdes is known as one of top ten most romantic spots in South Bay area. Angie and Louie made such a perfect choice of place to tie their wedding knot. The day they made a promise to love and to hold till death do them apart.

With perfect weather and surrounded by lovely family and friends, Angie and Louie are totally in love again. The way they look at each other just like the desserts miss the rain.
Love the atmosphere of their weddings, it’s very intimate, family and close friends gathered to celebrate the happy moments together.

Lovely bride and groom, friends, family, great foods, great party, awesome and romantic ambience, lovely music, what could have been better ? The wedding tops it all.
May your marriage be filled with joy and laughter, even more than your wedding day. We are so happy for both of you Angie and Louie.

Ready to rock the day

Gorgeous bride

Louie stands in awe of her lovely lady

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Molina…

Angie + Louie :: Palos Verdes Estates Wedding Photography from Melvin Gilbert Photography on Vimeo.

Ceremony :
Neighborhood Church,
415 Paseo Del Mar,
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
http://www.neighborhoodchurchpve.org/

Second Shoot for Christine Chang Photography