Carmel wedding photography. December 26, 2021.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA- As a Carmel wedding photographer, I’ve learned that you cannot find a bad spot in Carmel to get married. From the rocky, rugged coast, to the sweeping valleys and vineyards, Carmel offers so many locations to host your wedding. For Jesse and Melissa, the beach was very important to them so they held their ceremony on Carmel Beach.
A permit was not required by the city of Carmel for a wedding like this but it’s always good to check. You can contact the city right here.
I originally met Jesse when he and I were planning his wedding proposal so I was able to work with him twice. Both times were also on Carmel Beach! I blogged about why Carmel Beach is one of the best places along Monterey Bay to photograph your weddings, engagements, and families right here!
Jesse’s proposal to Melissa.
Because he loved my photos so much, Jesse asked me to photograph his wedding too so on the day after Christmas we were back on the beach looking our finest. Well, Jesse was looking his best but I was all layered up with a hood on, haha. The skies opened up briefly just prior to their ceremony but the real rain held off for the entire wedding. However, the sky was very ominous and dark which made for very moody photos. I love a good sky.
The stairs on Carmel Beach are a great setting for poses.
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Carmel Wedding Photography
As if I was starring in some science fiction movie, I was able to find a parking spot literally directly above the ceremony. If you know Carmel Beach, you know this is difficult, so things were already trending positive. I took the below image to capture the scene right after getting out of my car.
The scene for Jesse and Melissa’s Carmel Beach wedding ceremony. December 26, 2021.
The beautiful bride Melissa was walked “down the aisle” by her son Daniel and daughter Victoria. As a photographer, these moments can be chaotic as you do your best to capture both bride and groom. Photographing one means you miss moments of the other. One of the constant mental battles I face is how to decide and come to terms with missing some shots to capture others.
Then our Carmel Beach wedding was underway as the waves crashed a few yards away. Melissa was wearing a custom dress from Allure Formal Wear Boutique owned by Sandra Cartwright in Modesto, CA. Dress design by Nox Anabel.
This welcome sign was hard to photograph well because of the white letters in front of a sandy background. However, I attempted to place most of the letters in front of the dark trees and people to bring out the words on the glass. There’s always a way!
This location allowed me to circle the entire ceremony and choose my backgrounds. Here we have the waves…
A fantastic sky over the beachside wedding. Have I mentioned my love for a good sky?
…and the cypress trees.
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Soon enough they were announced husband and wife and rode off into the sunset!
Well, in reality there were no horses to ride but we did stay for a while to take photos with family and friends!
This group set my record for largest posed group photo taken with 31 people.
Once this group shot was wrapped, I took Jesse and Melissa out on a rocky outcrop to get some photos with the waves and sunset. I have used this location several times now and has become a go to for me. Melissa was a true pro and made it out there in her heels!
Don’t forget to capture a double wedding ring shot!
This shot not only shows detail in their rings, but also the bride’s nails which can’t be left out. Sony A7III, F/5, 1/640 sec, ISO 125.
Jesse and Melissa’s Carmel Beach wedding was over too quickly but they partied on into the night in Monterey. Then, not 10 days later I was back on the beach taking wedding photos for Christopher and Michaela! A very nice couple randomly let us shoot on their amazing property. Don’t miss those photos!
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“If you want your happiest moments captured in a picture, it’s simple; ‘John is the one for the job’. I could not have dreamt of more beautiful wedding pictures. John is extremely passionate for his photography. He is professional, he listens, his energy screams compassion, authenticity, and kindness. He accommodated our needs even with our wedding day being the day after Christmas and a huge storm was setting in. Please take the time to view our pictures because a picture is worth a thousand words. My co-worker, who is also a photographer, saw my pictures and said this one would win a first-place ribbon and I totally agree. John captured all the most intimate & precious moments. I am forever grateful. I recommend his service to everyone, for any type of event.”
-Melissa, Atwater
Go ahead. How many times do you get to hit a LAUNCH button in your life?
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John Ruddock is a professional photographer based in Salinas, CA. John grew up on the coast in Half Moon Bay and has spent over 30 years on the beautiful California central coast. He photographs weddings, engagements, families, sports, and landscapes from Half Moon Bay to Big Sur. Contact him today to book your session! You can also buy prints of his best images right here.
