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Melanie Jade: Photographer bio picture

The Person

Well first of all, I try not to take myself too seriously, so it's hard for me to think about what I want to say about myself!  I grew up in Florida with a very large family.  My entire family has art running through their veins.  My grandfather was a professional photographer, Mom and Dad both have artistic talents, and all of my siblings have a knack for being creative one way or another.  so here I am, married with children and wondering how in the world I'm going to channel my passion for creativity into something beautiful, productive, fulfilling, and find joy all at the same time?  So, photography became the answer and a much needed outlet.

I love people, I love love, and I love adorable little baby fat rolls!  I have to be creating beautiful things at all times.  Though being a full time mother and homemaker takes up most of my time, I just can't keep myself from dreaming about being an amazing wedding photographer.

The Photographer

Over the past five years in the wedding industry, I feel like I have become a regular wedding junkie!  By recognizing the latest styles and trends, I am prepared to capture everything that is unique and fabulous at your wedding and wrap it all up into an amazing timeless package.  And that amazing package is the work of art you will walk away with when the day is all said and done.  How well do you want to remember it? 

Recently I have also reached one of my ongoing goals of being published in a national wedding magazine.  They are but two small pictures, but I am so blessed none the less (baby steps!).  You may recognize some images from Kyle and Christina's Wedding at Gorge Crest Farms in Town & Country Weddings, Fall 2010 issue.  I have also been featured in a few wedding inspiration blogs such as Style Me Pretty, Snippet & Ink, Style Unveiled, and Marry You Me!

Category Archives: Wedding Day

Beautiful Wedding Photography. Fun, fresh, and elegant. Timeless images captured by Melanie Jade, a talented Wedding Photographer in Salem, Oregon.

Jordan & Rachel: Wedding Sneek Peak I

Well, I had the privilege of being the part of Jordan & Rachel’s Wedding this year.  Last year, we took pictures at her sister’s wedding, and I just love it when we can connect with the family enough for them to trust us and want us to work with them again and again!  Rachel’s dress was stunning, and they got ready at the McMinnamens Hotel in McMinville, Oregon.  It was an awesome place!  Very unique.  Unfortunately, it rained the entire day!!  Except for when they were all getting ready in the hotel (ironically!!)  We did sneak out for a few shots, but the ground was so wet, and it was hazardous to the wedding attire.  So, here are just a few that picked out of the getting ready shots!

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Jason & Karina: Album Start

So, here are some spreads that I have been working on for Jason and Karina’s wedding.  I LOVE THEM!  I think they are so beautiful and clean.  As most of you all know, we have been leaning at lot toward this look, so if you are interested in switching over to this type of album, you will get almost double the spreads that you would get with our old style.  The pages are also much thinner which allows for more spreads in one book.  The images are actually printed on the paper and then covered with a protective laminate (optional, in case you want to use for signature book, etc.)

Anywho, I’m thinking of using this wedding as another demo…let me know what ya’ll think so far!

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Jason & Karina: Wedding Story

Hi Guys!!

Your Wedding turned out absolutely amazing!  I can’t wait to design your album.  When you’re ready, lets set a time to come over and look at your pictures…

…To all of my Brides, now is a good time to start making some appointments with me for October/November to get all of your orders and Albums in.  I will be taking all of December off, so we’ll want to get something on the books before it’s too late!!!

NAMES Karina Lorenzen & Jason Searle  

LIVE IN Salem, Or

OCCUPATIONS We are both middle school teachers in Salem

 NUMBER OF ATTENDEES 350

 NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS Five bridesmaids and Seven groomsmen

HOW THEY MET We met at work.  We were colleagues and friends before it got romantic.

THE ENGAGEMENT Jason proposed on Christmas Day 2007.

WHAT ATTRACTED HER TO HIM We have so much fun together!  I LOVE that our relationship started as a genuine friendship.  Once I got to know him I just couldn’t help but to fall in love. 

WHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO HER She was a friend at first and our friendship grew into love.  I was so blown away by her beauty, her compassion for others, her kindness, and her smarts.  I still am!!!

A DATE THEY’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER A Seattle Mariners Game followed by several “Pesos” Margaritas!

 WEDDING THEME Natural and Simple

WEDDING COLORS Chocolate Brown and Natural Vibrant Greens

WEDDING FLOWERS Green and White Hydrangeas, Green Amaranthus, and Curly Willow  

WEDDING CAKE 5 Different Flavors of Cupcakes and Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies

FAVORITE DETAIL Everything about our location was PERFECT!  The sunset was absolutely breathtaking.

THE MOST UNEXPECTED ELEMENT Everyone wants a nice day for their wedding…we got HOT, HOT, HOT!  We couldn’t wait for the sun to go down!

HOW THE WEDDING WAS DIFFERENT THAN THEY EXPECTED Everything went as well as it possibly could have . . . the whole day and the entire experience just flew by too fast!!!

THREE ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE THE WEDDING Simple, Fun, Memorable

HONEYMOON DESTINATION Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION SITE Quimby Meadow in Dayton, OR (Family Friend’s Private Property)

PHOTOGRAPHER Artisan Photgraphics…OF COURSE!
CATERER Greg and Caroline Wildhaber (Family Friends)
FLOWERS Rhyme and a Reason Florals, Salem
CAKE Debi’s Delights, Salem 971-388-3884 (Call her!!!  MOST delicious, and super cute!!)
RINGS Bouchér’s Jeweler, Keizer (503-393-0701)
GOWN DESIGNER Venus purchased from The Bridal Gallery, Salem
ACCESSORIES Redot Designs
FORMAL WEAR Shryock’s Menswear, Salem
HAIR The Bride’s Hair Michelle Searle of Cosmos Studio, Salem (Also my new sister-in-law!)
OFFICIANT Pastor Steve Hopper
INVITATIONS Ryan Welch of AO Creative, Eugene
RENTAL Special Occasions, Corvallis

DJ 1st Choice DJ Entertainment, Salem
HONEYMOON Casa Dorada Resort and Spa, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

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I LOVED her dress!!
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Loved it…
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We love willows these days
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Rhyme and a Reason Florals did an amazing job with the flowers…
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These little girls were Soooooo cute
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Here’s this shot of them a little closer
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He didn’t jump!
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Fun Details
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YUMMY!
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They Roasted a HOG in the ground! Here’s a few snapshots…
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And seaking away for a few more shots before the sun set…
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Did I mention that I loved her dress???
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Here’s to the HOTEST wedding of the year! Thanks you guys

Justin & Sheena: Wedding Story

Hi Guys, thank you for being so patient, but it is all worth the wait!  I simple loved the pictures I’m about to post.  Warning, there are a lot of them…

NAMES Justin & Sheena Clark     

LIVE IN Eugene, OR

OCCUPATIONS She’s a patient registration clerk and he’s a journeyman Lineman

NUMBER OF ATTENDEES 200

NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS Five bridesmaids and Five groomsmen

HOW THEY MET They met at the beach after being introduced through mutual friends.

THE ENGAGEMENT He proposed in Yosemite National Park, down on one knee, in front of Bridal Veil Falls.

WHAT ATTRACTED HER TO HIM His Handsome looks, his old fashion manors,his life goals, and definitely his 4wheeler riding abilites.  

WHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO HER Her good looks and outgoing personality.

A DATE THEY’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER Their first date, to dinner and the movies to see Kill Bill Vol. 1… not a good first date movie.

WEDDING THEME Summer BBQ

WEDDING COLORS Hot pink and Lime Green

WEDDING FLOWERS Dahlias, Cymbidium orchid, hot pink roses, hypericum berry, button mums, Splendid renata rose, Gerbera Daisy

WEDDING CAKE 3 tier Chocolate cake with Cherry filling, Vanilla sheet cake with raspberry, chocolate sheet cake with custard.

FAVORITE DETAIL The outdoor ambiance, with a big lake that was home to two resident swans, a wheelhouse, and a paddle boat.

THE MOST UNEXPECTED ELEMENT Not only did the DJ Blow several fuses which lead to the guest singing songs themselves but the beer ran out at 7pm when the reception began at 5pm. All was taken care of and the party went on til 11pm

HOW THE WEDDING WAS DIFFERENT THAN THEY EXPECTED The time flew by, it did not seem like it lasted as long as they wanted.

THREE ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE THE WEDDING Beautiful, joyous, a blast.

HONEYMOON DESTINATION Maui, Hawaii

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION SITE Lake Forest Estate Private Residence Eugene, OR

PHOTOGRAPHER MOST AWESOME FABULOUS TALENTED ARTISAN PHOTOGRAPHICS …THANKS GIRLS!!!
CATERER Cordy’s Country BBQ
FLOWERS Patton’s Country Garden Cottage Grove, OR (Bonnie Helsel)
CAKE PC Market of Choice, Green Acres Rd Eugene, OR
RINGS JcPenney, Harry RIchies, Fred Meyer Jewlers
GOWN DESIGNER Allure Bridal, The Brides Corner Cottage Grove, OR (Connie Ourada)
VEIL AND ACCESSORIES The Brides Corner
FORMAL WEAR Mr. Formal
MAKEUP Majesty Salon & Day Spa
HAIR Majesty Salon & Day Spa
OFFICIANT Minister Margaret LeMay
INVITATIONS Made by Bride and family, printed at Best Impressions Eugene, OR
RENTAL Parties to go Rentals, Action Rental, B & D Mobile (restrooms)
HONEYMOON Ka’anapali Villas,  Maui, Hawaii

PLANNER Bride and Groom

These guys were so much fun, I think we were all just laughing most of the day, we had so much fun…
Sheena, will you leave your florist’s information in a comment below for all to see!! I can’t seem to find a card from her, but your flowers were just beautiful!
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Getting Ready…
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She gave Justin this AWSOME gift!
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She was stunning in so many lights..
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We had LOTS of fun with the girls…
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This guy was CRAZY!
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This was so funny, this dad wasn’t sure what his girls were up to when they both leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, so he jerked away really fast and they just started cracking up!! You can still see the confusion in his face…
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Ceremony progam, cute, eh?
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The kiss!
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This was the sweetest father daughter dance…
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And the cutest money dance :)
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Fierce!
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We snuck away for a few more shots, Sheena was game for anything…even getting into the paddle boat!
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That’s a wrap!

Thomas & Amber: Wedding Story

NAMES Amber Hummer and Tomas Rosa

LIVE IN Sweet Home, OR

OCCUPATIONS She’s a Hair Stylist and he’s an English Education major at SOU

 NUMBER OF ATTENDEES 210

 NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS Seven bridesmaids and seven groomsmen

HOW THEY MET High School sweethearts, he was the football player, she was the cheerleader.

THE ENGAGEMENT He proposed during a long walk through beautiful Lithia Park in Ashland.

WHAT ATTRACTED HER TO HIM His dark beautiful eyes, and inviting smile.

WHAT ATTRACTED HIM TO HER Her caring personality and lovable laugh.

A DATE THEY’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER Our trip to the Newport coast on the anniversary of our first date.

WEDDING THEME Coffee

WEDDING COLORS Lime green and Espresso

WEDDING FLOWERSGerbera daisies, variety of dahlias, spider mums, and Kermit poms.

WEDDING CAKE Yellow cake with chocolate fudge frosting: simple and delicious.  

FAVORITE DETAIL The ceremony took place under a giant black walnut tree that stood alone with no decoration…we let nature do all the work for us!

THE MOST UNEXPECTED ELEMENT When one of the groomsmen nailed a karaoke performance to Cierra’s “One, Two Step.”  Hilarious.

HOW THE WEDDING WAS DIFFERENT THAN THEY EXPECTED Everything was perfect…we kept waiting for the huge disaster that is bound to happen and it never came.

THREE ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE THE WEDDING elegant, classic, perfect

HONEYMOON DESTINATION Kauai, Hawaii

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION SITE  Yellow Gold Farms

PHOTOGRAPHER Artisan Photographics
CATERER Mary Marshall
FLOWERSPhillis Thedford and Kathy Huber (Aunt and Grandma of the Bride)
CAKE Angie Dixon
RINGS
Zales
GOWN DESIGNER David’s Bridal
VEIL AND ACCESSORIES David’s Bridal
FORMAL WEAR Mr. Formal
MAKEUP Amber
HAIR Heather and Taylor Thorpe and Brandy Tyler
OFFICIANT Steve Thorpe
INVITATIONS Homemade by Amber
RENTAL
The Party Store
HONEYMOON Kauai Coast Resort, Kauai, Hawaii

COORDINATOR Heather Thorpe

 

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Thomas being goofy! We asked them to look a little surprised at us when they look over their shoulder, and this was his first attempt…
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She had a great connection with her Dad. He was balling, but he put on some sunglasses to cover for it. I think that might be cheating ;)
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We pulled them away for not more than five minutes to catch the sun before it was GONE! Here’s a look at what we got..
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Thomas & Amber: Sneak Peek!

Hey you guys!

Here are just a few teasers until I get more work done and your surveys back!

Fun Fun FUN!
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