But before we move into the weekend, I’m excited to share Heidi and Aaron’s intimate and rustic beach wedding! They married last August in Port Orchard, Washington off the beautiful Puget Sound. I honestly never thought of tying in a rustic theme with the beach- but it’s an absolutely brilliant idea! Top it off with the bride’s boots, an always fun photo booth, a rope swing, and s’mores over a campfire and you have yourself one sweet affair! Not to mention, I’m loving the bride’s sash and those adorable bridesmaids dresses.

Catherine Abegg from CALIMA Portraits holds the talent behind these perfect images from their day. Aren’t we so lucky she thought to share them with us?? Enjoy everyone…

The Creative Team Behind the Scenes: Caterer:  Christie’s Catering | Floral Designer:  Contemporary Floral | Dress Store:  Jenny Lee Bridal | Tuxedo and Mens Attire:  Ralph Lauren | Bridesmaid Dresses:  Anthropologie | Photo Booth Equipment:  321 Foto | Event Venue:  The Edgewater House | Wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

I think I’m still on my own Style Me Pretty Destination wedding feature high from yesterday, so while I’m floating on Cloud 9,  let’s float on over to Paris shall we? So I’m really itching to visit France this summer and this oh-so-sweet beach proposal set to the tune of love in Paris might be able to hold me over for a little while. I can’t tell you how excited I was to get this little love fest in my inbox from one of our favorite photographers, Brooke Christl. And I couldn’t let this love week pass by without featuring it! Although Melanie and Shane actually got engaged in October, I find it most appropriate to share on one of the most popular proposal weeks of the year. Approximately 10% of all proposals happen on Valentine’s Day!

Let’s pause for a moment- do any of my OSB readers have a new little shiny something on their left hand ring finger after V-day? TELL me and we’ll be sure pop the champagne, poor us a glass and celebrate with you!

So back to the Paris-inspired beach proposal that I can’t get enough of! So Shane originally planned to propose to Melanie in Paris, but after their schedules didn’t allow for travel he came up with Plan B and brought Paris right to their home-town South Carolina beach. And what would any good man do when he wanted to pop the question in a big way? Of course he brought in Gigi Noelle Events to help coordinate everything! Ladies- aren’t we so proud of Shane? He deserves a round of applause for doing that- like seriously! Set up with a violinist, a romantic dinner, a lovely table scape and chandelier decor, an ahhhmazing cake, and their family waiting in the background who later joined them for dinner- this proposal sounds absolutely PERFECT!

Of course she said YES! We’re so glad Brooke was there to capture every moment so we can relive those moments with them photo by photo…

BIG congrats to Melanie & Shane on your upcoming nuptials and life-long journey together! We wish you much love and happiness!!

The Creative Team Behind the Scenes: Photographer: Brooke Christl / Caterer: Eric Wagner /Event Planner:  Gigi Noelle Events /Musicians:  Long Bay Symphony / Cake Designer:  Croissants Bistro and Bakery / Linens and Coverings:  Hotz Event Rentals /Bakery:  Macaroon Bakery

I mean- brings me to tears every time. Okay, I guess it should since it’s our wedding after all right? But I can’t be more grateful to Steph + Robin from Bubblerock Studios and Jacin from Lovely Little Details for all their hard work and help to make this the most perfect day for us.  My wedding Dream Team as I like to refer to them- weren’t just there that day for me, but I know we’ve created friendships that will last a lifetime. Surrounded by our closest family and friends- we were truly blessed that weekend. And now I can’t be more excited that we finally get to share a little more of our wedding festivities with each of you today!

Go on- check it out pretty please? SMP is patiently waiting for you…

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!!! Feeling loved today?? I sure hope so!! Although this is technically our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, it will probably be a quiet and casual one in our household. Nothing fancy, no chocolates, candles, or romantic dinner. Not because we’re not romantics or don’t like the whole-mushiness of the day…actual quiet opposite. We love it! But I’m so blessed and fortunate to have married a man who celebrates love every day of the year- not just one. In my opinion- that’s the way it should be. So I challenge you all to celebrate *this* day everyday people! Try to find ways big or small to profess your love to your hubby, wifey, mama, daddy, and friends all year long. Love is such a beautiful thing!

But- anyway…let’s move right along to the wedding I thought would be perfect to feature on this love day. Andreea and Chad had a destination wedding at the Mayan Palace in beautiful Puerto Penasco, Mexico and Caroline Ghetes Photography was there to capture the entire day! I truly adore this wedding. The bold fuchsia and black bacarra red roses against the black and white damask just screamed modern romance. The bride’s dress is absolutely stunning and the couple, gorgeous.

So excited Caroline shared this one with us!

More love details from Caroline: Andreea is my sister-in-law and I was so happy that she asked me to shoot her wedding. She is a beautiful girl, an amazing mother, a top-notch massage therapist, but most of all -a giving heart. She rarely thinks of herself before others and so it was no wonder Chad had fallen for this woman. When my husband and I first met Chad, I will admit we were a little skeptical and slightly protective, but within minutes we knew that he was the real deal. Chad has every intention of protecting her, caring for her, and loving her. With Andreea’s two kids and Chad’s five, this family now joins together as one ginormous happy family. I am so proud to have Chad and his children joining our ever-growing extended family. Their destination wedding in Puerto Penasco, Mexico was beautiful!

via After Elton

Her music transcended across generations. As an 80′s baby, you know her music was sang and danced to A LOT in our household. I remember my mom bought my sister and I the compilation of all her music videos when we were little and we would watch those videos for HOURS.

We will miss her and her amazing voice. Her songs filled our homes and hearts with so much love, hope, power, strength, and inspiration. So to celebrate her life here on OSB, I leave you for the day with some Whitney inspiration…

“Find your strength in love…”

“But above all this, I wish you love.”

“Love gives you the right to be free”

“I decided long ago never to walk in anyone’s shadow; if I fail, or if I succeed at least I did as I believe.”

-Whitney Houston

I’m in love with the bright tropical flowers and the traditional Hawaiian leis. And their sand ceremony was a great alternative to the traditional unity candle lighting- perfect for a beach wedding. Oh and I love the fact the guys made the ocean their playground just before the wedding!

Some other fun details from Chelsi from McGowan Images: “…There were so many wonderful emotional moments during the ceremony. The ceremony was almost called on account of rain, until just at the right moment the storm subsided, and the sunlight broke through the clouds to bless this sweet couple on their most special day. The day after the wedding, Whitney & Shane met us at sunrise for a Bride & Groom session, taking in all the South Shore had to offer. Once again, it was storming… but this time, we decided not to wait! These are some of our favorite images of all time, and I hope they will inspire future destination brides to think outside the box with their wedding portraits. You don’t have to break the bank throwing a huge party on far away shores… all you need is the love of your life and a brave spirit, and you’ll have the happily ever after (and the memories) of your dreams.”

This wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

Loving this fresh concept of spooning!

Images by Petek Design

I mean what word could possibly describe today’s couple other than adorable! Seriously in love, Annie & Pete brought Heather Parker Photography along to shoot a few photos before their rehearsal dinner back in September where they got married on Martha’s Vineyard.

I’m loving the location where the sea meets beautiful meadows. And Annie’s dress- those ruffles are so fun and perfect for summer!

More from Heather: Before I was set to photograph Annie and Pete’s rehearsal dinner at the Chappaquiddick “Chappy” Beach Club, I met up with them and took the Chappy Ferry over from Edgartown on the Vineyard to the neighboring island. After a short car ride on some winding dirt roads, we reached Annie’s family’s summer home situated on a cliff with stairs that led down to the ocean edge. The home was designed by the renowned Maryann Thompson Architects out of Cambridge. Annie’s entire family was so welcoming to me. As I began the shoot, I kept in mind the challenge of photographing an engaged couple in a beautiful setting and making sure the connection between the couple doesn’t get buried by the picturesque surroundings. With Annie and Pete, they were lovey, funny, and with enthusiasm they showed me a bit of playfulness and romance. It was quite clear how much they enjoyed the surroundings of their pristine summer retreat.

This e-session was submitted via Two Bright Lights!

To “always kiss me goodnight”…such a simple and tiny gesture of love that one can do for their spouse to show them how much they care- even after a “bad” day.  It’s one of those little pieces of advice that can truly help keep your marriage alive and thriving for many years into the future.

Sure I’m just a newlywed so what do I know right? Lol. Well then don’t take this advice from me (although it is a daily routine we practice in the Oceanside household) but take it from these two love birds to know what it takes to live a long, healthy, and happy marriage. With Michael James Photography (seriously one of my favs!) on deck and ready to capture this love-filled day, Linda & Mark celebrated 29 years of marriage with a beautiful seaside vow renewal.  And through Michael’s lenses, it seems as they though they are just as much in love as I can imagine they were the first time they said their “I do’s”!

So with their gorgeous daughters by their side (uh hem…let’s not look past those amazing dresses either) and just a handful of their closest friends and family, they shared their love for one another once again. And since they already have rings and chose not to exchange new ones, they decided to exchange something “timeless” instead…

Read more from Michael: Bearing witness to a couple who has achieved the near 30-year place in their marriage is not only a rarity, but something to be treasured; treasured by those close to you.  And the ceremony was small and truly intimate.  As Linda told me, “Every single person here has played a huge role in our marriage over the past 29 years.  They all have a special place in our hearts, and that’s how we wanted it.”  And upon asking if they’ll be exchanging rings at their renewal ceremony, Linda told me, “We have our rings, but we decided to exchange watches.  We wanted to give each other a gift that was timeless.”  How cool is that?  I don’t think I could have planned it any better myself.

Love, love, love it! So ladies and gents, please do enjoy the first vow renewal featured here on The Oceanside Bride:

TGIF and thank goodness for this sweet British Columbia wedding from Alexandra Hunt Photography to top of the week!  Today I have Jennifer & Shaun’s stunning seaside wedding to share and it’s filled with bright florals and a-m-a-z-i-n-g blue-grey bridesmaid dresses! Taking their vows in front of an intimate group of family and friends at the Long Beach Lodge in Tofino, these two love birds had the most perfect day!

More from Alexandra: On a sunny but misty September day, Jennifer and Shaun pledged their love, said their vows, and with a kiss, sealed a bond that had been in the making for almost a decade. Married by the Pacific Ocean at Long Beach Lodge, Tofino, British Columbia, with the sounds of the surf crashing against the nearby rocky cliffs, it was a wedding to remember, always. Their small and intimate wedding ceremony was attended by only their closest friends and relatives, and afterwards, the couple celebrated with a champagne toast inside the Lodge. During their portrait session on the crowded beach, a large white mist came rolling off the ocean, and within minutes, enveloped the wedding party and “erased” every other beach goer from the background! Thank goodness for Nature! The wedding colours were inspired the colours found in Nature during BC’s autumn season: vibrant orange, yellow, sweet grass green, and a misty slate grey. The blue-grey satin bridesmaid dresses were actually cocktail dresses – a great way to make sure they would be worn again! Fun fact: Shaun, the groom, looks like he could be Brad Pitt’s younger brother!

Creative Team Behind the Scenes: Photographer: Alexandra Hunt | Dress: Victoria Lane Bridal, Mon Cheri: Kalia |Florist: Crabapple Floral, Mathieu Amin | Baker: Long Beach Lodge | Makeup/Hair: Lisa Murphy | Invitations: Jen Makar | Officiant: Rene Gibson | Ceremony and Reception Venue: Long Beach Lodge, Tofino

This wedding was submitted via Two Bright Lights!