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. 

Caitlin and Josh are college sweethearts who planned their wedding from out of town while doing long-distance and they still got married and had a blast on their wedding day. So basically they should get a medal (but instead they got rings and an unforgettable party in the mountains, which is just as good).

Thank you Caitlin and Josh for being so dang fun AND willing to traipse through the wild orchard underbrush for your photos (it helped that you were wearing cowboy boots). Thank you also for introducing me to my new favorite venue, The Homestead at Oak Glen. This venue was the perfect choice for your celebration because they did everything (right down to the flowers and the photo booth) for you but they are also so creative and helpful in every way. Bride's dream, but also a photographer's dream. 

Photography: Cecily Breeding (that's me!) 
Wedding coordinator: Paula Christante
Venue: The Homestead at Wilshire Ranch (Owner Paula Christante), (909) 790-8010, info@homesteadoakglen.com, 11951 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA 92399
Food/Catering: Haverland Catering, (909) 446-0557, haverlandcatering@yahoo.com
DJ/Music: DJ Milo (booked through The Homestead) 
Flowers: Nadine (through The Homestead)
Cake: ??? (provided by The Homestead.... didn't I say this place is awesome?) 
Dress: David’s Bridal 

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

The Blunt family is growing and they get sweeter by the day! I have loved documenting this beautiful family as they celebrate milestones and their love deepens as their numbers grow. What a beautiful, softly lit afternoon at El Matador State Beach for family and maternity photos. ​

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! 

Welcome to the world Zara!! This birth was so special because it's my FIRST ever (other than my own, which I don't remember) that I've been in the room for. Mama Rina has been a friend of mine for years and as their family has grown, I've photographed baby bumps and kiddos and cuddles, so I was SO honored when she asked me if I would be willing to photograph the moments of Zara's birth. I jumped for joy and quickly cancelled everything in my social calendar for her due date week. 

And then the full moon came and it was Father's Day and pretty much all the stars aligned for Zara to come into the world a few minutes after midnight on June 17th. I've never experienced something so earthy and heavenly at the same time. I couldn't stop talking about it for the next week. 

Enjoy clicking through Zara's birth photos (or at least the ones that are G-rated enough to be online!) 

Staying in a French chateau such as the elegant and historic Château de Marçay is a once in a lifetime experience. With history as a fortress dating back to the eleventh century, the chateau is filled with stone-hewn spiraling staircases and circular rooms built into its fortified walls. But the individually decorated and themed rooms boast inviting furnishings, marshmallow-soft beds, and plush robes. We had a delightful stay at the chateau, enjoying a memorable dinner and a delightful morning at the chateau before continuing on to Paris.