The Date: 5.15.2010
The Location: Californos – Kansas City, MO
2nd Photographer: Mark Jackson

So so so many things about this wedding…where to begin?? Well, first off I am SO excited to share these pictures with Amber & Theo. They put so much unique effort into their day that it really got my creative juices flowing. Fun! And most of their vendors were Wedding Hive members. As you scroll down, you will see a stunning wedding gown created and designed by Janay A. Handmade, a beautiful back dangling necklace by Scarlett Garnet Jewelry, brightly colored paper and fresh flowers by Ornamental Petal covering the stylish event space Californos and of course, photography by me. A veritable Hive-a-palooza!

There is really so much I would like to say about Amber and Theo, but I think this set of pictures says more about their amazing personalities than I can….not to mention how ridiculously adorable and photogenic they are! Take a look….

If I titled the diptych below, it would be “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, ‘SPPPDDDDPPDDSSST!!’ and Then, Bust a Move.”

So awesome that Californos gives newlyweds a brick in front of their space!

Pennies from heaven…just kidding – from their birth years.

Amber’s hand in her dad’s like that makes me want to cry like a little baby. Too sweet.

Amber and Theo, thank you so much for inviting me to document your day. I knew from our first little meeting at Starbucks that I was going to have a blast doing so, as well as make a lasting friendship out of you two! I hope you love these pictures as much as I loved creating them – - I CANNOT wait until our Day After session!!

P.S. We should totally do drinks again soon. Last night was fun. Lol.

The fabulous core members of Wedding Hive worked feverishly to pull together what turned out to be a truly enchanted night buzzing with the excitement of newly engaged couples, curious passers by and many new and old Hive clients/friends. The turnout was just wonderful!

Not only was the show a great time, but I had a serious blast cutting, pasting and all out crafting my magical woodland/vintage inspired table! I’m not sure if it translates in the photos, but there are various birds and furry creatures placed throughout the scene made out of book pages and white glass…I mean, how much more Melissa can you get?? I also gave myself a bit of a personal challenge; to showcase as much of my work as I could while remaining ‘unplugged’. What fun!

Here I am chatting with one of my adorable visitors — note the expression of the sweet woman looking at my Bliss Book…makes me happy.

And though I stayed glued to my table for most of the night it was fortuitously positioned right next to the runway so ‘no way, Jose’ was I going to skip capturing the splendid fashions of Gown Gallery, Janay A. Handmade, Ornamental Petal and Meadowbelle Market!

Look closely….I do believe that is the beautiful Lea Collins of Monkey Wrench Clothing modeling for Ornamental Petal ( left half of image below!)

Janay Andrews trailing her beautiful runway show. She is so cute! (below..)

And just to give you an idea of the turnout – look at all of the people!!

I am so lucky to have found such an amazing group of artists that also happen to be in the wedding industry. Wedding Hive has made it so much fun to find new and interesting clients and friends to work with. 2010 is going to kick some serious behind and I owe so much of it to the darling Hive.

I can’t wait to hear what the 2011 theme is going to be!!!