Ben and Nicole's backyard wedding in Malibu, California, was just the right combination of everything. Just the right amount of indoor furniture moved outside, so guests would feel at home in the flow of the indoor-outdoor space. Just the right amount of seasonal flowers and grasses, adorning tables, chairs, and peeking out from behind lanterns as though they grew there. Just the right number of well-wishers, all hand-picked by the bride and groom and their families to symbolize their past and future together. Bride (Nicole) got ready at the home, which belongs to the groom's (Ben's) father, surrounded by her sisters, future in-laws, mama, and beloved dog, Snoopy. Once guests arrived, they found their seats amid the welcoming embrace of a hand-built teepee, bedecked with grasses and flowers. Ben and Nicole's ceremony was filled with happy tears, remembering loved ones and looking forward to many years of shared joy. Afterward, we snapped a few more photos in the nooks and crannies of the backyard as guests sipped cocktails and shared delicious bites. 

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! 

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! 

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 >> 

Eric is a Malibu kid, born and raised, so what better spot to snap his senior portraits than at one of Malibu's many surf breaks. A little rock-hopping, a little wave-spotting, and a little smiling led to a beautiful set of photos that show Eric in his natural habitat. 

Location: Point Dume Cove, Malibu, CA

Brayden and Alicia planned an intimate, family-only gathering at the base of the iconic Point Dume in Malibu, California, to say their vows. They wanted a few snaps of family and friends, but mostly just wanted to get some epic photos of just the two of them at sunset on the day they pledged to spend the rest of their lives together.... so that's what we did! 

Location: Point Dume State Beach, Malibu, CA 

Kaley and Trevor are twin flames. They finish each others' sentences and make each other laugh so hard they can hardly breathe. When they look at each other, there is an unmistakable connection between them.

They picked Point Dume at sunset, under a full moon to commemorate their engagement, because of all the memories they have of sitting here watching the night sky when they were Pepperdine students, before love chased them across the country and back again. 

They're getting married just down the beach from Point Dume in September and it's gonna be an awesome party!

Location: Point Dume State Beach, Malibu, CA

It doesn't get any better than this. Grant and Sarah really just wanted to do a paper elopement—courthouse and that's it. But their parents begged them to do a wedding, so they compromised: just the immediate family, she got a dress of Etsy, he threw on a suit and bought a cake from the grocery store, they tapped the closest minister (who happened to be my husband) on the shoulder, and their immediate families flew in from out of state. Oh yeah, and they also rented this badass 1965 Mustang, because if you're going to the trouble of having pictures made, they might as well be fit for a full-page magazine spread. So there you have it: feast your eyes on the epic simplicity of Grant and Sarah's Tuesday evening Malibu elopement.

Location: Point Dume State Beach, Malibu, CA 

​This lovely out of town couple wanted a mix of canyon and ocean for their engagement photo session, so we started out at Zuma Canyon Trailhead and then popped over to Point Dume Cove for a both/and that's for the books.