John & Heather’s Rustic Cross Key Acres Wedding

It was a stunning fall day in Richmond, TX. The perfect kind of day for a wedding photographer.

The sun was out, the birds were chirping, there were few clouds in the sky and the temperature was surprisingly pleasant. I entered the Cross Key Acres venue with White Wedding by Billy Idol stuck in my head (because it was a “nice day for a white wedding.”)

Heather and her immediate family and friends were readying themselves inside the bridal suite at the venue. They took their time enjoying the moment and reveling in what was soon to be a stunning wedding.

As Dan and Shay from the ground up started, John and his grooms men (his Grandfather and father) along with his ring bearer walked down the stairs from the venue to a romantic backyard setting. Long fingers of Spanish moss danced in the breeze behind the wooden door frame and ancient wooden table, set up as the alter.The arch of the door frame supported a large, exquisite arrangement of white roses, white hydrangeas and an assortment of other beautiful flowers.

Heather and John assembled a unity cross partly through the ceremony — with the help of Heather’s daughter (and made of honor), Lexi. What are families for, right?

The ceremony was short, but sweet. There were tears of joy and laughter from the happy couple as well as several guest. After taking some wedding portraits with the party and family, Heather and John took some time to themselves in the bridal suite. In a rare turn of events, a wedding I was at was ahead of schedule (by 30 minutes or more!)

The wedding party made their grand entrance to Celebration by Kool and the Gang, and Heather and John went right into their first dance. They moved about the floor as lovers to James Arthur say you wont let go. After, Heather danced with her stepdad, a tribute to her late father. Her mother joined in and made it a trio on the dance floor. Then John danced with his mother to I Hope you Dance by Lee Ann Womack.

As the night continued on, wedding guests wore holes in their shoes dancing the night away. Of the guests, the children owned the dance floor. They flossed, duggied and did whatever else silly dance they could come up with (to any song that was on, including slow songs). One kid even did the worm on several occasions. I was impressed.

The night wound to an end, as all great parties do. All of John & Heather’s guests gathered outside the barn with extra long sparklers for a grand exit the happy couple will always remember.

I am sure everyone will miss them as they make their journey from Texas to Oregon to start a new chapter in their lives.

Congratulations John & Heather!