Marie Monforte

A little over a month ago, on my own 5-year anniversary, I had the honor of capturing another couple’s sweet “I Do’s”!  Working alongside Melissa Madden, I got to bask in the memory of my own most special day! The couple chose The Cape Rey, a Hilton Resort in picturesque Carlsbad, CA. It’s just steps from the beach! […]

Outdoor Bridal Boudoir in Los Peñasquitos Preserve. At my bachelorette party, I was already 17 weeks pregnant with my son, so obviously, drinking was out, and I’ve never been a huge club girl, so instead, I asked my Maid of Honor if we could rent a gorgeous hotel suite and hire a boudoir photographer to […]

When I first met Melissa + Yaron for tea down in Ocean Beach, we talked about their wedding plans. She wanted to elope. He wanted a big, elaborate ceremony and party with all of their family and friends. In true compromise form, they settled on an intimate ceremony up in beautiful Palomar Mountain. One thing […]

This shoot was such a dream! Just chock *full* of wedding day inspiration. And, also so much fun to photograph!   The Southwestern desert is often overlooked in the hunt for a wedding setting. What may seem desolate and barren is actually full to the brim with style and elegance. I love the clean and bright […]

Most people have come to know me for my nature-y, rustic locations. Or maybe even my scenic North County beach sessions? But when this adorable bride reached out with an idea of doing something a little different for her engagement session. I jumped at the chance to take them to downtown Escondido, get some yummy Gelato, […]

Some funny stories leading up to this Carlsbad Lagoon engagement session. I first “met” Valerie + Adam while I was on vacation in Guatemala! We Skyped over bowls of breakfast cereal (way before Zoom was even a thing) and joked about my lack of coffee. The adorable factor is strong with these two! I could […]

Freya + Steven, a playful, Lego-themed Wedding at Pomona College in Claremont, CA These two love birds just spent two years apart while the bride, Freya, pursued her MBA from UC Berkeley, only to reunite back where it all began for their wedding day! Our groom, Steven, now works at his Alma Mater, Pomona College. […]

So this adorable Groom emailed me about a week ago and asked for a handful of photos so he could update the  “life event” of marrying the woman of his dreams on social media. Awwwwwwww!!! I mean, really? How cute are you? It just made me think back to his romantic wedding up at Ponte Winery […]

Melissa + Yaron – a Rustic Mountain Wedding at Upper Meadow Lodge – Palomar Mountain, San Diego, CA Melissa + Yaron first connected over their shared love of music, travel, and their many, many mutual friends! It was actually kind of a wonder these two hadn’t met earlier! Given how much their social circles overlap, I […]

A whimsical garden wedding at Quail Haven Farms in Bonsall, California. It was sweltering hot in Bonsall, California on the day of Emileigh and Jordan’s wedding, but it only added to the passion of the day. The location was just north of San Diego, in the Quail Haven Farms, a beautiful whimsical garden, even with the heat […]