• Welcome to the Marianne Wilson Photography Blog!

    I am a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Southern California but I also travel to places far and wide to capture beautiful and quirky moments for my clients.

    I am so blessed to be able to do what I love most and share my passion for photography and people with you!  Please feel free to peruse through posts and come back as I consistently add new work and tips/ideas for brides. 

    Love something? Leave me a comment on any blog post or go ahead and contact me, I love hearing feedback and answering questions.

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    XoXo,
    Marianne -

Melissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

If you are a regular ready of the wonderful wedding blog Style Me Pretty you might recognize this wedding from a feature on their site a few days ago. I am so excited to now get to actually post it on my own site!

This wedding was full of family, friends and love (not to mention tons of gorgeous details!). Melissa and Jonathan took on tons of DIY (or DIT, as they call it) projects that came out perfectly! The wedding looked like it was styled by a designer.

We started the day getting ready with Melissa at their Santa Barbara hotel followed by a First Look with her and Jonathan on the premises. Melissa and Jon rented a party bus to then take us to the Santa Barbara courthouse for some gorgeous locations to shoot at, they even got in a tree for me! After their bridal party photos we took advantage of their guests arriving to Elings Park/Godric Grove early and did their family formals just before the ceremony, leaving us tons of time for their photos afterwards and letting them enjoy their cocktail party to it’s fullest. The day truly flowed perfectly and I am so happy to have gotten to share it with them.

So here are a few of my personal favorites from their stunning Santa Barbara wedding.

Melissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photography

Melissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photographyMelissa + Jonathan: Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer photography

Flowers: Gelson’s

Event Planning: Christina Molina (info@tinamolinaevents.com)

Caterer: Dj’s Catering

Ceremony and Reception Location: Godric Grove Elings Park

Dress: Maggie Sottero “Madison”

by Marianne

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September 2, 2010 - 4:31 pm

Brady Puryear - Awesome wedding, LOVE the ring shot!

Melissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session

I have been dying to post these photos for weeks! Melissa and Eric are two of the nicest people ever, they constantly make each other laugh and their sweet spirits are infectious. You simply have to enjoy life when you’re around them. I cannot express how excited I am to be shooting their wedding next year at the Nixon library.

Here are a few of my favorites from their recent engagement session.

Melissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagements

I am especially fond of this photos. Melissa, Eric, and myself headed over to their new house for a few photos between locations. It’s still in the works but here is one of the first photos in front of their new home.

Melissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsNot gonna lie, I may have decided to add this next photos solely because I make a cameo (and Melissa and Eric are adorable in it):Melissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagementsMelissa + Eric: Buena Park Engagement Session engagements

by Marianne

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August 31, 2010 - 9:35 pm

Ryan Armstrong - Looove these photos, but I’m especially for the last shadow shot! :)

September 2, 2010 - 1:15 pm

Christen - Love the last one the most – but they are ALL fabulous!!

Bridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding

You might remember these two from their rockin’ Venice Beach Engagement Session (seen here). From the moment I met Bridget and Kevin I knew they were not only ultra fab but also as sweet as can be. I was so excited to be apart of their wedding at the gorgeous Shade Hotel in Manhattan beach a few weeks ago.

Here are a few of my favorites from their beautiful Beach town wedding:

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Bridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photographyBridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photography

Bridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photographyBridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photographyBridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photographyBridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photographyBridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photographyBridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photographyBridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photographyBridget + Kevin: Manhattan Beach Wedding photography

Also a big shout out to the awesome vendors who helped make everything gorgeous!

Coordination/Flowers: Kelsie Hopkins – Bridal and Bloom Designs

DJ: Kris Bunya – DJ FX Entertainment

Catering: The Shade Hotel

by Marianne

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August 25, 2010 - 4:18 pm

Angela Waterberg - Gorgeous wedding! I love the ring shot it the shell!

August 25, 2010 - 4:26 pm

bridget - yay!!! can’t stop looking at all of your pics! amazing

August 25, 2010 - 4:52 pm

Guest - LOVE these pictures! Those bridesmaid dresses are fantastic! Where are they from?

August 25, 2010 - 8:30 pm

bridget - FRENCH CONNECTION UK! special order! fabboooo

August 26, 2010 - 10:41 am

Kelsie - OUTSTANDING!! as always :)

August 26, 2010 - 11:40 pm

dave richards - awesome wedding Marianne! Love the processing, the lighting, the moments. beautifully captured!

Kristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session

Here is just one of the many sessions I have needed to post for you lovely folks lately.

Kristin and Jack are adorable and totally in love. You can see the adoration in their eyes and they are such a blast to hang out with…even if you do get stuck in a Trolley in Old Town Scottsdale during your session. I simply cannot wait for their wedding this October because Kristin is a party planner extraordinaire!

Here are just a few of my favorites from their engagement session:

Kristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagementsKristin + Jack: Scottsdale Engagement Session engagements

by Marianne

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August 24, 2010 - 8:20 pm

Cynthia Ann - Cute couple! Great pics!

August 24, 2010 - 10:16 pm

s h e r r y - So cute! Love the alleyway photos!

August 24, 2010 - 11:07 pm

Shannon Gillespie - Aww, they look so happy! I love the backlit shots and the ones on the trolley car.

August 25, 2010 - 10:09 am

Katie - So cute! Kristin and Jack are two of my most favorite people, and I cannot wait for their wedding! The photos are absolutely beautiful!

August 25, 2010 - 3:18 pm

Jordan - Frame pics are my favorite! Exciting stuff

August 25, 2010 - 5:26 pm

Karen - The photos capture the true essence of love. These two just glow when they are together. The black and white photo is my favorite.

August 25, 2010 - 7:25 pm

Beverly McConnell - You two are soooo wonderful. I am so glad you found each other.
What a beautiful woman!!!!! What a handsome man!!!!! And you are really meant for each other – now and forever…

August 25, 2010 - 9:19 pm

Mom and Dad - Great subjects and a great photographer! So happy that the day is almost here! You two are perfect for each other and we know you will have a beautiful life together!

August 26, 2010 - 6:25 am

JJ Thomson - Now why didn’t we look that good when we got married?? Sigh..Guess it has to do with the age factor! You both look gorgeous! Got my heart pounding to think the big day is almost here!! Love you both, JayJ and Dad