Wedding Archives - Melodee Lynn Photography

June 18, 2018June 19, 2018

Zane and Jake | Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West

I walked into the Sheraton Mesa Hotel and it was buzzing with life. Vendors were arriving to add their creative touches to Zane and Jake’s big day. Pink and blush linens. Mason jars with baby’s breath. The bouquets. The cake. OH, THE CAKE. (insert dramatic pause here) #IComeForTheCake

And then he walked by. On a mission. In his hand, he held the bride’s shoes. The ones that she would wear as he walked her down the aisle to give her away. Then, just like that, he was gone again. Marking tasks off the list one by one, determined to make this day run as smoothly as possible.

I walked into the bridal suite to see the bridesmaids dresses hanging, awaiting that final steam, girls hurrying about in floral robes and Zane, dressed in her white silky robe, “bride” bedazzled across the back, sitting in her make-up throne, as the final curls were added to her beautiful hair. I turned to greet, the mother of the bride, Carolyn, who minute by minute grew more overwhelmed with the events the day held. Up until this moment it had just been planning. But now, all the plans, all the dreams were put into action by the incredible vendor team. Her job now, was to stand with Griff to give their daughter away.

Family and friends all gathered at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral and eagerly waited to watch as Zane and Jake, finally, became one. Griff, led Zane down the long center aisle to an emotional Jake, who proudly waited at the altar of his childhood church to take Zane’s hand in holy matrimony. An hour of blessings and prayers, exchanging of rings and communion passed and finally, Jake kissed his bride (quite passionately, I might add) and they walked back down the aisle, hand in hand as husband and wife.

Everyone returned to the Sheraton Mesa Hotel and joyfully celebrated Zane and Jake with the most delicious wedding feast and hours and hours of laughter and dancing. There was no doubt about it, this was a joyous occasion.

Zane and Jake, CONGRATULATIONS!

I am so incredibly excited for the two of you as you start this new season of your life. The best man said it best, keep Christ center of your lives. Eagerly seek him and he will surely determine your steps.

xoxo,

Melodee

Venue: Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West // Cake: Piece of Cake // DJ and Photo Booth: Got You Covered Music // Linens: Y Knot Party Rentals // Flowers: Fred’s Flowers // Ceremony: Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral // Second photographer: Benjamin Clifford Photography // Photographer’s Assistant: Donna Thompson Photography

March 7, 2018

Steve and Jodi | Las Sendas Golf Club Wedding

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It’s days like this one that make me love photographing weddings. Everything from the sweet detail shots to the last dance of the night, Steve and Jodi’s Las Sendas Golf Club wedding was sweet perfection.

I met Steve and Jodi in a Chandler Starbucks last fall where we talked about all of their wedding plans, how they met and what the most important thing to them on their wedding day was and I knew then that it was going to be perfect. I always love watching the bride and groom on wedding days, but there are times that I love watching their friends and family even more. You learn so much more about the couple themselves when you experience the amount of love and laughter that radiates from those they surround themselves with. There’s no doubting that Steve and Jodi are very loved by the people in their life.

During their engagement session, Jodi talked me about her grandparents, Bill and Jean, and how important it was to her that I photograph them at their wedding. Aside from walking down the aisle to Steve’s handsome and smiling face, photographing them was one of the most important things to Jodi on her wedding day.

During the reception, the DJ called up all married couples for the ever famous, “generation dance”. He started by eliminating the newly weds and from there, couples slowly trickled off of the dance floor until one couple remained, Bill and Jean. They slowly danced, people cheered. I cried. The DJ called them over to the microphone afterwards and asked for one piece of advice for the newly weds.

Everyone waited on the edge of their seat for the wisdom to pour out from this sweet couple who have been married for 70 years, hoping to take away something that will help and encourage their own marriages. Jean’s response?

“Keep having the sex,” she said. Laughter filled the room followed by high-fives and head nods.

Steve and Jodi,

It was such an honor to get a glimpse into your lives on such an important day. I hope that you live a life full of sweet blessings, surrounded by those you love. I hope that you will always be a joy to everyone you meet and that you show the world what it’s like to truly love one another. I wish you all the best!

Melodee

June 3, 2017June 3, 2017

Styled Shoot at the Olive Mill | Queen Creek, Arizona

Last week, I packed up my boys and we headed to Oklahoma to surprise my mom. My dad and I were planning the trip for 6 weeks. I think this is the first time I’ve ever kept a secret! (From my mom anyway!) It got harder and harder not to say anything! I made a little video of our trip, which at the end resulted in a very happy grammie! We had the best week with my parents and though I’d say it was pretty relaxing, my parents would tell you otherwise! I initially left my camera at home and had zero access to work email (maybe that’s why it was so relaxing!). So it was a grand surprise when I opened up Facebook to see that Cake and Lace had not only accepted my submission, but had published it as well!

This shoot was absolute perfection. From the vendors to the photographers and all the details in between. My absolute favorite part was the stunning ceremony arbor. A joint effort between Moonchild Floral, Prim Rentals and my mother-in-law (she made the macrame curtain), it was the focal point of the entire shoot.

A close runner up would be the invitation. It’s the first time I’ve ever designed something like this before. I included mounted deep matte prints of the Olive Mill in with the invites that act as a little gift sneak peek of the celebration to come. I could go on and on, but I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

The amazing vendor team behind this shoot:

Venue/Food: The Olive Mill
Designer: Melodee Lynn Photography
Coordinator: Lovestruck Weddings
Floral: Moonchild Floral
Tables: Scottsdale Farm Tables
Rentals: Prim Rentals
Jewelry: The Silver Loft
Cake: SaraCakes and Cupcakes
Dress: JBridal Boutique
Tux: Top Hat Formal Wear
Videographer: Mandy Woodman Films

October 31, 2016October 31, 2016

Garrett & Staci | Wilson Country Club Wedding | North Carolina

When I sat down with Staci and Garrett to talk about their big day I asked them what the most important thing on their wedding day was. Garrett’s response was that Staci would be happy and her response was, Garrett. The perfect responses right? Through all the decision making and ups and downs that come with wedding planning, the most important thing to each other at the end of the day wasn’t the perfectly cooked chicken and delicious southern Mac and cheese (that I ate way too much of) or even the beautifully simple center pieces. It was each other, just as it should be. So when Staci walked down the aisle, I focused on the most treasured memory of the day, the look on his face and it was most certainly one of emotion. Don’t let that six foot something ginormous Deputy Sheriff fool you-we are so proud of you Corporal Baker-he’s nothing but a big teddy bear.

From start to finish, this wedding went flawlessly. Here are some of my favorite highlights from the day!

-the gorgeous scenery of the Wilson Country Club

-reconnecting and laughing with extended family during picture time

-the way he looked at her

-the way my aunt cried when they said their vows and during the mother-son dance

-the food (oh.my.gosh)

-putting down the camera and energetically dancing to the Macarena (hello 5th grade flashbacks)

-how flawlessly family pictures went, despite the famous North Carolina gnats

-watching the DJ teach people how to dance

-the ice cream sundaes

-snacking on Chic-Fil-A chicken before the wedding started (and being so disappointed learning the golfers ate more than we did-how rude!)

-watching them read their letters to each other

-when my uncle told Garrett how proud he was of him during the ceremony

-crying on their other side of the camera

-watching the bride dance with her flower girls

-the ring bearer loosing his pants while dancing

-sending sneak peeks to our grandparents who weren’t able to attend

Oh Garrett and Staci, your day was absolutely perfect. From the moment you arrived to the sparkler send off, there were so many memories made by all! Everyone went home with their own special memories of the day, memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

June 18, 2016July 8, 2016

My Sister’s Wedding: Antique Wedding House

There wasn’t a doubt about it. My sister knew exactly who she wanted to put the finishing touches on her before she walked down the aisle to marry the man of her dreams. Dad.

My mom spent months working on the meticulous details of her hand sewn custom wedding veil. She has always been a talented seamstress, sewing us culottes and shirts with buttons on the shoulder. Hot pink, if I remember right. But this was far more intricate, and special, than a pair of summer shorts. This was the wedding veil. My sister’s wedding veil. She tried on veil after veil in the store, never finding quite what she wanted so she of course turned to mom for help who was more than happy to be apart of such an incredibly precious day. She set to work, stringing the pearls and beads by hand and perfectly placing them around the bottom of the veil, just as she had wanted.

Then the day came for her to wear the veil. We had spent the morning at my house getting ready, 6 of us crammed into the master bedroom where the air became thick with excitement at the evening that laid ahead. I went back and forth from being hostess to Matron of Honor to photographer, making sure to capture every detail as the day sped by. We arrived at the Antique Wedding House with plenty of time to dress the bride in her stunning heart-shaped gown. And just before it was time to take pictures, dad arrived to see his oldest daughter adorned from head to toe. And she was beautiful. Dad always had a way about doing things perfectly. Not that mom didn’t, but there were somethings that we wanted dad to do. Like pony tails. Remember those pony tails back in 1993 that had to be perfectly tight and absolutely NO BUMPS? We would bring our hair brush to church and he would tightly comb our hair back, bringing our eyebrows with it. He painted our nails Wildcat colors for Spirit week and cheered us on no matter what we were involved in. And her wedding was no different. After mom helped her into her dress and fasten her corset, we handed him the veil and he perfectly placed it in her hair and draped it around shoulders. A moment that I will never forget.

Venue | Antique Wedding House, Mesa, Arizona

Wedding Dress | David’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses | David’s Bridal

Make-up | Victoria Capp

Hair | Deann