Christian & Aryn’s nerdy engagement photos at Meyer Park.
When you’re into things like medieval swords & helmets, you bring them to your engagement portraits! I had so much fun playing around with portrait ideas that involved the props Christian & Aryn brought. I had to bring my spawn along for the ride as well, and he enjoyed setting up a pose or two.
Check out the photos below!
As I finish editing Jared & Liz’s wedding photos from a couple of weeks ago, I am reminded of their adorable engagement session at Kleb Woods. It felt like the beginnings of summer (though it was only April) when we met up. It was already hot and sticky… apparently an omen for the summer to come. We were in Jared’s element as we explored the forest. I really wanted to take some photos on the bridge, but it was under construction.
Check out the photos below!
In February I had the pleasure of hanging out with the, now, Luong’s for nearly the entire weekend! I caught up with them at Kim Son’s Downtown for their epic rehearsal dinner. Kyle and Lauren honored Kyle’s heritage by wearing traditional outfits for their rehearsal as well as hiring some really awesome Lion Dancers!
The following day, I caught back up with the amazing couple at the Rice. Lauren and her bridesmaids got ready in the bridal suite there while Kyle got ready at a nearby hotel with his grooms men. I nearly forgot until I was posting photos, that Lauren stitched some love notes into Kyle’s tie and jacket. What a sweet idea.
The couple decided they wanted both a first touch and a first look. For the first touch, they read their vows to each other in private while holding hands and looking in opposite directions. I mean in near total privacy. All photography parties (including myself) hung out in a very loud room and took photos and video through the paned glass door like the paparazzi. We couldn’t hear a word they spoke to each other. After the first touch, we ushered Lauren and Kyle into different rooms and re-positioned them on the balcony for a gorgeous first look! It was one of the best first looks I’ve experienced. Kyle was in total awe of Lauren’s dress and had to take a look at every inch.
After Kyle & Lauren had their first look, Lauren had a first look with her father. Kyle decided he wanted to do a first look with the bridesmaids, so we lined them up for a first look on the balcony. After that, the grooms men wanted a first look with Lauren (which was one of the most adorable first looks). We then shot a couple of group photos on the balcony and on the streets of Downtown Houston before catching a chartered bus to the church for the ceremony.
Once back at the Crystal Ballroom, Kyle and Lauren were whisked to the bridal suite for a private dinner while their guests enjoyed a cocktail hour. This is probably one of the BEST things a couple can do for their reception. Once done eating, they got to take a private tour of their reception hall before their guests took their seats. During the night, the couple did a photo-dash, danced their hearts out and ate some amazing looking gluten-free cake (allergies are the best!…).
At the end of the night, the guests sent the happy couple off in a haze of bubbles.
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Early in the year I met up with Taylor and Charrie at the William Goodrich Jones State Forest to take their engagement photos.
The way the trees are so close together and almost uniform really drew me to this location. For Charrie, it reminded her of one of her favorite movies, Twilight. It was also a bit of a dreary day, which really added to the effect.
I loved Charrie and Taylor’s choice of outfits. They were fun and whimsical and perfect for their personalities. Check out their engagement photography here.
When two theater geeks get together, you know you’re going to have a good time! That’s just what happened when Brendan & Christina tied the knot in November last year. The decorations and all the little details had such special meaning to the couple. Their cake decorations were a representation of themselves. Christina had a stuffed racoon as a child that she brought around with her everywhere she went & foxes are special to Brendan.
Christina chose to have a first look with her father on the patio of the bridal suite at the Oxford. These moments between father and daughter never cease to choke me up.
The couple had a friend officiate their wedding, which I feel is the most intimate thing you can do. I’ve been to so many weddings here lately where the officiant is either a long time friend of both the couple or they are a family member who’s known both people a long time. The rings were given to the best man/Brendan’s twin in what almost felt like a carbonite cage (made of plastic and a material that conformed to the rings).
After the ceremony, the wedding party pulled out their swords and we took some photos with swords and had mini battles.
As the night progressed, there was dancing and singing & conga lines to “500 miles.” We played with sparklers and the couple had an illuminating grand exit. Check out the wedding photos below. If you think you’re seeing double, you are. Brendan and his twin are near identical.
Little boys 5 and under in a tux is the cutest thing in the world, but sometimes it’s not feasible to have an adorable kid as your ring bearer at your wedding.
Here are 5 alternatives for a ring barer.
Do you have any creative ideas on getting your wedding rings down the aisle? I would love to hear them. Leave me a comment!
It was a beautiful day in Galveston when I met up with Lukas & Tori for their engagement portraits.
We decided to start on the Strand first. We wondered the streets walked up stairs and found a cute alley to take engagement portraits.
Some of my favorite photos from the strand were reflected photos and photos on the old brick.
After the Strand, we headed to the beach to take a couple of photos as the sun set. We met up near the Pleasure pier and started under the pier of another property taking engagement photos with the pleasure pier in the background. The sky was weirdly foggy for a sunset, but it gave the photos this ethereal vibe.
I’ve spent the better part of 2 months helping my son’s school plan a Spring Carnival. As the carnival is nearing (and because I’ve had carnival on the brain) I thought it would be fun to share some carnival themed wedding ideas.
The most important thing to remember when theming your wedding, whether it’s Harry Potter themed or Starry Night themed, is subtlety. Take your theme and water it down. You can use hints of color to make your point or small elements. When you take a theme and water it down so it’s not so blatant, you create a more elegant wedding design.
The Entertainers: Hire some entertainers for your reception/cocktail hour. Any of the following entertainers would be a unique & fun experience for you and your guests:
The Decoration: Decorations can make or brake a wedding design. As I stated above, you would want to take your theme and water it down a little. That means, if you want red & white striped fabric (very carnival-esk) either have only one small area that’s red & white striped or have some red and some white in different places but never together.
The Food: You could have a lot of fun with food options.
This wedding held a special place in my heart, because Brookwood is special to me. Growing up, I had an uncle with special needs. He would have loved to be a part of the amazing community at Brookwood.
The wedding day was much rainier than I would have loved but thankfully everything was held indoors. Stephanie and Landon got ready inside the church then had a first look in the foyer. I absolutely loved how involved the family was with the wedding.
After the wedding ceremony, everyone headed to the Brookwood restaurant. One of the neatest parts of the reception was the station to take Polaroid photos under the mistletoe. Wedding guests partied and took photos throughout the evening. At the end of the night, the couple exited through colorful streamers.
VENDORS
Venue: Brookwood Community
Last December John & Morgan said “I do” inside the historic Lyceum building in Galveston, TX. It was a beautiful wedding day as Morgan was getting ready at an Airbnb just across the street from the venue. As night began to fall, the couple exchanged vows on a stage in front of friends and family.
The night kicked off with dances and speeches. There was a cookie bar and a cool “Til Death” neon sign guests were taking pictures in front of. I really loved the geode wedding cake. At the end of the night, the couple shared one last private dance then exited under a spray of dried lavender.
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WelcomeI'm so glad you stopped by. I love sharing my experience and odd-ball imagination with my brides and groom.
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