San Pedro, CA :: Alissa & Alex [The Films]

Alissa and I grew up together, so when I heard that she was getting married, I knew that I had to fly cross-country for the Big Day. As a dear friend, she has always been a picture of what the JOY of the LORD looks like. While I have an older sister already, I count it an honor to consider Alissa an extra one. She went off to nursing school in LA and stayed after, where she now works as a nurse. Alex is a police officer and so together they make one exciting couple.

As always: Many Mazels to the Happy Couple! I couldn’t be happier.

San Pedro, CA :: Alissa & Alex from Melissa Zaldivar on Vimeo.

Alissa & Alex :: [Reception] from Melissa Zaldivar on Vimeo.

Boston, MA :: Amanda & Ben // Engaged

Here on the North Shore, I get to meet a lot of great couples. Amanda and Ben met one another here, and a few years later, he popped the question. We got to trapse all around the North Shore from Boston to Essex in order to take some photos this weekend and celebrate their love. Thanks to the Happy Couple for enduring the freezing temperatures (and intermittent snow!) to capture their relationship in pictures. Many Mazels!

South Hamilton, MA :: Chase & Julia

I met Julia and Chase in their backyard during a bonfire that some friends were having. A few months later, Julia had become a friend and we spent a good deal of time studying together as the semester drew to a close.
Over the winter break, she and Chase tied the knot here in South Hamilton in front of good friends and family. I had the total honor of filming this wedding and I just adored every minute of it.
This southern couple brought a little bit of country to Massachusetts and we couldn’t be happier.
As always: Many Mazels to the Happy Couple!

[South Hamilton, MA :: Julia & Chase] from Melissa Zaldivar on Vimeo.

Darin & Shayla [Wedding Highlights]

This Wedding was full of laughter and fun and I not only got to take photos, but also film. It was a beautiful, crazy, amazing time and the whole day was nothing short of a blast. Thanks again, Darin & Shayla, for throwing one heck of a party!

[Berlin, CT :: Darin & Shayla Wedding Highlight] from Melissa Zaldivar on Vimeo.

Shayla & Darin :: Reception from Melissa Zaldivar on Vimeo.

Berlin, CT :: Darin & Shayla

I moved to Massachusetts in September where I live in a beautiful estate house from the 1920′s with about 21 of the most wonderful women I know. One such woman is Shayla. She and her man, Darin, have been doing the long-distance thing for months. He’s in the US Army, and so when he popped the question on a beautiful day in the Fall, they decided to get married sooner than later.
And so, on my parents’ 30th Anniversary (shout out to Mom and Dad!) they tied the knot in a small ceremony that was full of family, friends and lots of love. It was a joy to get to be there to do photography and videography (highlights to come soon!) for this wonderful couple and their big, loud, fun, Italian family.
I hope that this winter wedding brings a little more Merry and Bright to your life this holiday season. Many Mazels to the Happy Couple!

Stars.

Tonight, I was spending time with some sweet souls up the Hill and when I came back down, I was simply floored by the beauty of the sky here in Massachusetts. These are the first in a series of Gordon-Conwell at night. The middle photo was taken and a security vehicle drove by. Enjoy!

Heather & Miguel :: Wedding Highlight

I am overwhelmed by the beauty of love. Enjoy this, friends!

Montague, MI :: Heather & Miguel

Heather and I met in Chicago, and I met Miguel shortly thereafter. Heather is from the lakeshore of Michigan, and Miguel was raised in Bolivia. After three years at Moody Theological Seminary, they tied the knot in front of a few friends and family, and I was able to shoot video and photo for it. While another photographer did the ceremony, I had the JOY of covering the couple’s big day from the hair appointment to the sparkler send off.
To Heather & Miguel: May your international marriage be a delight to the Lord and to those around you. Best wishes as you head off to Boliva to start your new life together!

Ashley & Jared :: Wedding Highlight

All that I could write here to sum up this video is in the lyrics. Adorable.

Eau Claire, WI :: Ashley & Jared

When I was a junior in college, I met Miss Ashley Watt. Ever the awkward, crazy college students, we started to bond by eating cheese together in our dorm rooms before bed. The “Night Cheese” tradition bonded us and by the time Senior year rolled around, Ashley was the new RA on my floor and we were across-the-hall neighbors. The last year of college is a strange and challenging time, and I was so thankful to have Ashley be a part of it.
Ashley and Jared have been friends since Junior High and have been dating just over 7 years. Their relationship is encouraging in the way that they love, admonish and have fun with each other. Always laughing. Always joyful.
It was my supreme honor to photograph AND film this wedding and an even more supreme honor to call Ashley a friend. It is my deepest hope that we remain close and share more laughter, tears and cheese throughout the years.