It just doesn't get any better than this. Kevin reached out to me a few weeks ago because he was planning to propose to Holly, the love of his life, at Point Dume in Malibu, California, and he wanted some photos to document the moment. Best. Decision. Ever. At sunrise, just as the beautiful Pacific Ocean was being bathed in morning light, Kevin led Holly up to the clifftop and sat with her a few moments to reflect on their past and future together. And in that inspiring location, with only the waves and the seagulls (and me, hiding in the bushes) as witness, Kevin asked Holly if she would spend the rest of her life with him. And of course she said yes! 

These two cuties are getting married!! Deby and Tom have been dating for a few years, but they delayed getting married until all the kids have graduated from high school and moved off to college. And now it's their turn to begin a new life and build something new together. I'm so excited to photography Deby and Tom's wedding next summer in Malibu. What an incredible, down to earth couple they are. 

Stauffer Chapel at Pepperdine University is the ideal backdrop for Jordan and Simon's beautiful wedding vows. With Jordan's impeccable sense of style and Simon's ability to keep everyone laughing, this wedding was a treat to document and participate in.

​As beautiful as the blue stained glass window of the chapel is, those moments pale in comparison to the gorgeous post-ceremony couple photos we snapped on the cliffs overlooking Point Dume State Beach. Hands down one of my favorite wedding photography moments of my career. 

Getting ready @ Airbnb in Malibu 
Ceremony: Stauffer Chapel 
Post-ceremony photos: Point Dume State Beach
Reception: Duke's Malibu 
Photographer: Cecily Breeding (that's me!) 
Officiant: Landry Smith (best friend of groom)
Food/Catering: Duke’s Malibu    
Flowers: Wildfire Florist    
Cake: SuzieCakes
Dress: Chantilly Couture 
Hair/Make up: Cheek to Cheek Artistry

Mike hit a home run by proposing to Nina at sunset at Point Dume State Beach in Malibu, California. And then he hit a grand slam by inviting both their families to arrive to the beach and surprise her immediately after he proposed, hugging and snapping photos on the sand together before going out for a big celebratory dinner (after we sprinted up to the top of Point Dume to capture a quick set of engagement photos with the knockout ocean view). 

Congratulations Mike and Nina!! I'm sure your wedding will be just as playful, easy-going, and stylish as the two of you are! 

If I could shoot a proposal every day of my life, I would die a happy woman. But since I can't, I'll just relive Marcellino's picture-perfect proposal to Rachael at Cielo Farms vineyard. In addition to being a working vineyard and (appointment only) tasting room, Cielo Farms is also an incredible venue where intimate weddings and celebrations take place regularly. So you can imagine—the view is incredible. 

Marcellino and Rachael were on a 4th of July trip to visit Los Angeles. They did it right: stay in downtown, beach hop, wine tasting, concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The only thing they (or rather Rachael) didn't plan on was getting proposed to on one of their perfect days. Together with the Cielo Farms team, Marcellino planned his proposal down to the moment, and all I had to do was hide amid the grapevines with my zoom lens, snapping away.

After popping the question, Cielo Farms hooked them up with glasses of champagne to toast their new beginning together, and we immediately went exploring to snag a quick set of portraits to commemorate their moment. 

Enjoy these beautiful snaps of Marcellino and Rachael's Cielo Farms engagement. 

Amanda and Brent's wedding at Stonewall Ranch in Malibu had just the right combination of everything: a fine layer of mid-summer clouds to keep the outdoor ceremony cool (and to make photos SO much easier), a touch of sweet sentimentality in the tear-jerker of a first look between father and bride, before walking her down the aisle, a generous helping of family and friends who love this happy couple to the bone, and unlimited Pacific views. 

Photography: Cecily Breeding (that's me!)
Hair and makeup location: Four Seasons Westlake Village 
Getting ready groom: family home 
Getting ready bride: Air BnB 
Venue: Stonewall Ranch, Malibu, CA 
Ceremony start time: 12:30pm 
Wedding coordinator: Jessica Swann (jessica.bright@pepperdine.edu, 
Food/Catering: Paulina’s Food Catering
Coffee Cart: Bon Cafetit
DJ/Music: Todd Mayo, Ian Lamont
Flowers: Greenwich Floral (bouquets), Mayesh Flowers (everything else)
Cake: JaimeCakes
Dress: Stella York, from Pebble’s Bridal

If I could photograph a proposal every day for the rest of my life, I would be the happiest person in the world. My favorite emails in the world to receive are the ones that begin, "Hi Cecily, I'm planning to propose to my girlfriend in Malibu..." because I know that I get to play Santa's-little-elf and find the right hiding spot, hear the back story, and pull of the surprise of the century for the luckiest girl in the world. 

​That's pretty much the story of Felix and Katheryn's Malibu proposal. Click the read more link to check out the photos! 

Amanda and Brent are getting married this summer and wanted some snaps to commemorate their engagement, use for save the dates, and round out a wedding website. I was packing up to head out on an around the world trip with my husband, so when we compared available dates in our calendars, we came up with.... Sunday morning! So we had a little adventure at Point Dume, exploring the beautiful new spring growth in the sunny mid-morning. 

Check out Brent and Amanda's wedding photos at Stonewall Ranch in Malibu >> 

Does something look a little different about Ilse and Louis' gorgeous elopement photos at El Matador Beach? That's because we did the shoot at sunrise! That's right, this awesome couple got ready and met me at the beach at 6:45 am for sunrise (which turned out to be perfectly cloudy and all pastels all morning long) and it was totally worth it to have the WHOOLLE beach to ourselves! If you've been to El Matador, you know that it can be challenging to have a clean background due to other people enjoying the beach (who can blame them? It's stunning.) But a sunrise session at El Matador meant we were alone with the beautiful light, freshly smoothed sand, and expanse of rocks to climb all over. It was a dream come true! 
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Though based inland, Ilse and Louis wanted to snap elopement photos at El Matador because they getaway to the beach any chance they have (and I can totally see why!).

I'm so thrilled they found me online (yay Google!) and we got to spend these special moments together making some truly frame-worthy images to commemorate the beginning of their life together. 

How ultra-fitting that Malibu burst into a riot of green regrowth and bright yellow wild flowers in the months after the Woolsey Fire, right around the time Maile's belly is bursting with the life of the Arroyo's first son. Baby Apollo, you're going to be a legend.