After weeks of what felt like cold & gloomy weather, we finally had some really gorgeous days. One of those days happened to be the day I took Joshua & Katelyn’s engagement photos.
Brazos Bend State park was a buzz with life as we hiked through golden fields, alligator lakes and ancient oak trees looking for the best locations to take engagement portraits.
It was so cold and the temperature was beginning to drop as the snowpocalypse was making it’s way to Houston. Alex & Erin were getting ready in different rooms in the cute little bridal cottage at Oak Tree Manor.
Guests grabbed blankets, beers and pride flags at the entrance to the ceremony. They wrapped themselves up in rainbow, unicorn and many more fun blankets as they anxiously awaited the ceremony.
Alex & Erin were grinning ear to ear as the wedding ceremony started. the officiant joked that It was fitting that Alex & Erin had their wedding on such a cold night because their first date was Cryotherapy.
The happy couple made their grand entrance down the spiral staircase right into their first dance, which was magical. Whispering tendrils of smoke licked Alex & Erin’s ankles as they glided around the dance floor. After the first dance, the couple did a cute TikTok dance with their boys.
At the end of the night, the guests braved the cold again to light floating lanterns.
What a magical wedding! I am so grateful I was able to capture it for the amazing couple.
Venue: Oak Tree Manor
Cake: Virginia’s Bakery
Flowers: HEB Blooms
Hair & Makeup: Rene Renee
DJ: Southern Style Entertainment
Videographer: Classic Wedding Photographers
Like many couples, COVID-19 did a number on Jacob & Emily’s wedding plans. Last spring, the couple went ahead and had a small wedding ceremony at a park in Houston for immediate family and close friends.
The couple was unable to have a proper wedding reception until early February this year.
Surrounded by friends and family, the couple was finally able to celebrate their nuptials… and a baby on the way at Magnolia Flats Ranch. Emily was glowing as she welcomed guests, munched on cake balls and finally had her first dance with her husband.
As if mother nature was offering an olive branch to the couple, the sunset was stunning. I was so happy to have the chance to capture some maternity portraits.
See their wedding photos >>here<<
Luis & Sarah tied the knot in a quiet ceremony with just Luis’s mother and myself (the wedding photographer) as witness at the Houston courthouse.
With COVID still running ramped, the couple decided they were ready to be husband and wife, but wanted to do it in a way that was safe. They picked a day with the court then designed a small wedding around it.
We arrived at the court house early, got screened for COVID several times, received a pretty purple bracelet indicating we were clear then went through security before we were allowed inside the building.
The ceremony was short, sweet and to-the point. After Luis & Sarah were officially husband and wife, I took them to Eleanor Tinsley park to take a some Houston Cityscape wedding photography.
Luis & Sarah had beer and tacos at Velvet Tacos, which happened to be the location of their second date. We noticed a free COVID screening at the dilapidated Jack in the Box next door. As a funny homage to the couple’s reason for their wedding choices, we took one last quick photo with the COVID screeners in the background.
David & Katie took their engagement portraits around the MKT Distillery in old Katy, TX. Maybe I’m a bit partial to urban settings (because of my name), but they are my favorite locations. There are so many neat things you can play around with.
Originally, their engagement portraits were scheduled for in early December, but the weather just wasn’t having it. We ended up having to reschedule their engagement portraits to a date after David & Katie’s wedding.
After taking a few photos around the distillery, and running into some friends of David & Katie’s, we drove a short distance to another part of old Katy to take a few photos in a slightly different urban setting.
Also, see David & Katie’s Wedding Photography
It’s been nearly 10 years since I planned my own wedding, but I’m always hearing some of the newest interesting ideas from my couples. Some of the below things you may already be using.
Blogs & Wedding Websites — If you’re reading this, I’m positive you are familiar with The Knot (who recently ate Wedding Wire) and maybe even Zola (which is new to the Houston area). But have you perused any wedding blogs? There’s a wedding blog out there for everyone. I’ve seen Tattooed brides, Offbeat bride for the unique wedding and everything in between. Are you into Disney movies? Try the Disney wedding blog. The point is, figure out what your wedding style is and do a quick google search to find some blogs.
Pinterest — Create a pinterest board (or 10). You can make boards and share them with your mom and best friend. Get them to help you fill the boards with ideas. If you want to keep things private, you can make the boards private.
Instagram — Stalk your favorite wedding vendors for ideas. See who your venue follows, what your favorite florist is up to. Use Instagram to help you build a wedding community and develop fantastic ideas for your wedding.
Excel Spreadsheets — I’ve been an Excel girl for a very long time. I find myself using it for so many random things. A spread sheet is the perfect place to start your wedding guest list. Start with a column with names and who’s side, then as you go along, you can add more information to the rows (like address, allergies, marital status…). I made a spreadsheet for our wedding, then ended up sending the list to my brother who got married less than a year later.
Wedding Planning book — I’ve never used a wedding planning book, but I’ve seen a plethora of them. Some are just the simple planning guide book (with step by step instructions) you get at the book store, others are far more extravagant. My favorite tool is the 3-ring binder, with plenty of dividers.
Are you using anything to help you plan your wedding that I didn’t mention? What are you using?
As the weather turned from warm to frigid on New Years eve, David & Katy were preparing to tie the knot in their family’s property in Cat Springs, TX.
With tents tied down, space heaters blasting warm air and friends and family gathered around the twinkle-light alter they were ready for forever. Katie’s two daughters (and maids of honor) walked her down the aisle.
What really tugged at my heart strings during this blended wedding was the vows. Not only the vows to each other, but David and Katie made vows to each other’s children too. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house by the end of the ceremony.
After everyone warmed up and ate dinner, the family had a display of fireworks before the dancing commenced. David & Katie ended their night to sparklers and ringing in the new year as husband and wife.
It was a crisp, windy Saturday when I met James & Logan for their engagement portraits at the Pedernales Falls state park in Johnson City. I was thankful for the sun, since it had been overcast and rainy all week in Houston.
As we traversed the rocky terrain to get the perfect shots, I learned so much about the couple. They enjoy traveling, hiking and a multitude of other exciting, adventitious things. The couple has been to almost all of the top places on my bucket list (jealous).
We chatted about school, life, SCUBA diving and rock climbing. I had so much fun taking their engagement photos, that I forgot I was working.
Capturing wedding photography at The Peach Orchard in the Woodlands, TX was magical. This brand new wedding venue is built on an acre of peach orchard property owned by a sweet family who had their own wedding there almost 40 years ago.
Jeff & Kim’s Sweater Weather themed wedding photography at the Peach Orchard wedding venue was magical. The color pallet was a combination of cool winter colors with hints of the warm to come this spring.
I loved the pale blue coupled with the warm peach colors and gold undertones. It was a perfect pallet for a venue titled the Peach Orchard, and Kari of Notably Yours Events pulled everything together so seamlessly.
The best part of the entire event was the appearance of Kevin, the sheep. He was so tame and enjoyed all the attention he got from Jeff & Kim. He enjoyed eating grass out back behind the venue as well as walking the property with Jeff & Kim.
The flowers were just stunning, made by the extremely talented Mariela of Casa De Flores (Who was also featured in the HBO series, Full Bloom). I absolutely love how vivid her work is and how she always manages to incorporate something interesting and unique to her bouquets.
Macrame was an art that I thought was dying, but it seems to be making a resurgence in millennial’s and weddings. I was blown away by the macrame arch that Megan of Loving This Macrame made. It was charming and fun to play with.
Vendors
Hair – KV Beauty
Makeup – Makeup by Rubi
Flowers – @casadefloresdesign
Photographer – Kelly Urban Photography
Wedding Planner – Notably Yours
Venue – The Peach Orchard
Linens & Furniture – Eat Drink and be Married
Cake – Bavarian Cakery
Invitations – Jo’s Paper Kitchen
Small Treats – Alchemy Bake Lab
Bridal Gown – Southern Bell Bridal Consignment
Bridesmaid Gown – Bella Bridesmaids
Tuxedo – Al’s Formals Wear
Kevin the Sheep – Marsha’s Zoo
Macrame – Loving this Lovin This Macrame
Hot Chocolate Bar – April’s event services
The day started of with a beautiful cloudless sky and a pleasant 70° weather, though it felt like a Lubbock wind blew through.
Bands of golden light pored through the stained glass windows that surrounded the wedding as the music started. Alyssa’s dramatic veil trailed past her train as her skirt whispered as she made her way down the isle.
Austin & Alyssa’s love glowed bright and I was so excited to capture some of that magic. After the ceremony, we headed outside to take portraits in front of the historic church. I was obsessed with the yellow doors (which complemented the purple tones of the wedding).
Across the street from the church was a bizarre of some sort with ton’s of well wishers announcing how gorgeous the bride was and cheering the couple on as they embraced in the street.
The rest of the evening was filled with singing, dancing and cheese balls.
I’m so grateful to have had the honor to photograph this stunning wedding. Cheers to a lifetime of love and joy for the happy couple!
Venue – The Lyceum of Galveston
Wedding Planner – In Your Corner Planning
Flowers – Art & Design
Cake – Cakes by Julia
Dress – Oleg Cassini
Suit – Men’s Wearhouse
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