Nerdy Houston Wedding Photographer

Menil Collection engagement portraits

January 11, 2022

Brad & Jenny’s engagement photos at the Menil Collection grounds

I have lived almost my entire life here in Houston and I have never, until recently, even known about the gorgeous Menil collection grounds. Jenny suggested the location for their engagement photos. There was so much to see in the area. I’m also a sucker for old oak trees, especially ones who’s branches touch the ground.

At the end of this week, Brad and Jenny will marry. Happy wedding week to this amazing couple!

Check out the photos below.

Chris & Adrienne’s Bell Tower on 34th Wedding Photography

January 4, 2022

It was a pleasant evening in November for an evening wedding at the Bell Tower on 34th. The temperature had recently dropped to a tolerable number. The sky was clear and you could see all the stars, or at least all the stars the light pollution from downtown allowed.

Adrienne was resplendent in her old Hollywood satin gown. She descended the long staircase to her two boys who escorted her down the aisle. The alter shone with warm toned purple hues as the couple light a unity candle and then said “I do.”

After the wedding, the happy couple descended one more set of stairs into their reception. Guests danced and laughed all night. Part way through the reception, the couple held a dollar dance where their guests pinned money to them before waltzing into the night.

I wanted to spend one whole paragraph talking about the groom’s cake… The wedding cake was gorgeous, but it didn’t’ hold a candle (for the nerd in me) to the grooms cake, which was a Millennium Falcon with a “just married” sign. Heart!

At the end of the night, the couple exited the reception to a night filled with bubbles. They said their goodbyes as they climbed into the white rolls limo that escorted them into their first night as husband and wife.

Congratulations Chris & Adrienne!!

Vendors

Houston Japanese Garden Engagement Portraits

December 21, 2021

Shawn & Tyler’s engagement portraits inside the Japanese Garden in Houston, TX.

Just before Thanksgiving Shawn, Tyler and I took a stroll through the Japanese garden in Hermann park. This garden is one of my FAVORITE places in Houston. I remember visiting once on a week day and running into a sweet older gentleman who was feeding the squirrels. He told me on the week day (not sure how they know what day of week it is) the squirrel are very tame and will climb up your leg to get treats you’re offering them.

The weather was perfect for their engagement portraits, which was a pleasant alternative to their originally rainy & muddy engagement session we had to reschedule. Golden rays of sunshine peeked through the tall trees casting a warm glow in all of the photos.

Check out the photos below.

Spice up your wedding rehearsal dinner

December 14, 2021

So, Ive seen several things that talk about how to make your rehearsal dinner memorable, but all of those things talk about the decorations, invitations and location of your rehearsal dinner. While those are great ways to make your rehearsal dinner memorable, I think there are even better (and less stressful) ways to spice up your rehearsal dinner.

First off, let’s talk about the mood of the group. Most of the people who are attending your rehearsal dinner are family members and your wedding party… so the people who are the closest to you. You probably know what they can or are willing to do. Don’t do something crazy like a triathlon (unless you know your families are the fit, triathlon types).

Your wedding rehearsal should start the mood of your wedding weekend. Make sure it’s a fun one!

Easy & inexpensive ways to get the rehearsal party hopping!

Have your guests collaborate on a piece of art (could be a canvas that they all get to make a paint stroke on or paper they all draw on)
Ask the matriarch/patriarch’s of your families to tell embarrassing stories about their children/grandchildren…
Have a bonfire
Sing karaoke
Pit your guests against each other in a friendly competition
- Play a yard game tournament
- Play a trivia game
- Go bowling or play a few rounds at Topgolf
- Do a scavenger hunt (could be as easy as a purse/pocket scavenger hunt)
- Play Bingo
- Play wedding themed charades

What are your thoughts? Is there something I missed in my list? Let me know.

Private last dance at your wedding

December 7, 2021

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen trends come and go. One of the latest trends making its rounds in the wedding circuit is the private last dance.

It’s exactly what you would think it is. At the end of your wedding reception, as guests are instructed to head outside to set up for your grand exit, you and your spouse are in the venue having one last dance. It’s just you two, the DJ or band and your photographer left.

Obviously it’s not completely private. Because the only other people left are wedding vendors it feels private.

There are many things I love about the private last dance. Getting to see the last bits of quiet intimacy between the happy couple before they join the bustling real world. I love that these precious moments spent between the couple also give the wedding party time to set up. It feels like a well oiled machine. Everything is timed so nicely for the couple. After their dance they walk right out to their getaway car to end their magical night.

What are your thoughts? Would you have a private last dance at your wedding?

Downtown Houston Engagement Photos

November 30, 2021

Preston & Olivia’s Downtown Houston Engagement Portraits.

The streets were calm as people made their way to and from the city. I met Preston & Olivia near what I thought was an apartment complex nestled inside the city, but was actually a hip looking office building.

After I got in trouble for climbing a cute spiral staircase, we took a couple of photos on the only spots we were allowed to stand on then made our way toward the large structure that housed the House of Blues, a dueling piano bar, blowing alley and so much more. There were so many great angles and murals all around us.

We were gifted with a breathtaking sunset as we ended our engagement portraits on top a parking garage. See the gorgeous engagement photos below.

Addison Woods Venue Engagement Portraits

November 23, 2021

Blayton & Ryleigh’s engagement portraits at the Addison Woods Wedding Venue.

It was a gorgeous day in October when I met up with Blayton & Ryleigh at the Addison Woods venue in The Woodlands. The adorable couple walked me around the property talking about life, their future and what they loved about the venue.

Ryleigh was especially smitten with the two story bridal suite, and no one could blame her. It’s breathtaking! The property had a quaint white chapel, a large & elegant barn for hosting receptions (the two story bridal suite) and a grooms cottage nestled into the back of the property surrounded by trees and a little pond.

Some of my favorite places while taking photos was the tire swing, near where Blayton and Ryleigh will get married, the staircase coming down from the bridal suite and a quiet little spot hidden behind trees by the lake.

Check out the happy couple’s engagement photos below!

Rachel & Krista’s Ronin Art Studio Wedding

November 16, 2021

Wedding Photography from Rachel & Krista’s Roinin Art studio wedding.

I love that intimate weddings are becoming a thing. I especially love that those intimate weddings are being held at unique places like art studios, museums and gardens. Rachel and Krista’s wedding was perfect. I especially loved the plum colored suit Rachel chose to wear. The sunshine was streaming into the art studio through the high windows and the skylights shining resplendently onto the couple.

Check out the wedding photos below & don’t forget to check out all of the amazing vendors who were a part of this amazing day.

Vendors

Venue: Ronin Art Studio

Wedding Coordinator: Moonstruck Events

Hair: Nicole Anne Hair Studio

Makeup: NxN Makeup Artistry

Florals: Blooms by Mela

Linens & Furnature & Bakedrop: All the Pretty Things

Wedding Dress: Modern Affinity

Remembering loved ones at your wedding

November 9, 2021

Today is the day of my good friend & mentor’s funeral service, the man who helped mold me into the photographer I am today. Every time I lay on the ground to take a photo or climb into a tree or something to get a different perspective, I’m reminded of him.

I wanted to talk about having a place for the dead at your wedding. I know it sounds a bit morbid, but I think it’s one of the sweetest gestures. We must remember our past to know where we’re going.

The easiest way to remember loved ones at your wedding is to dedicate a table or alter to photos of them. Let’s think about some other, more unique ways to remember them.

Offer their favorite food or drink. You could offer it as one of the options at your bar. If your loved one had a favorite food or flavor, you could offer this as an option at your wedding.

You could wear something of theirs. Maybe it’s a bobble in your bouquet, or something like a watch or cuff link. Tie something to the inside of your dress or wear their hat.

Save them a seat at your wedding ceremony and/or reception. You could put up a reserved sign at their seat with their picture. You could even go as far as setting a plate at their seat and leaving a glass of their favorite drink there.

Release butterflies at your wedding. It’s been believed for a long time that butterflies are often signs from deceased loved ones. Since your loved one is now freed from their physical restrictions, they are able to manifest a part of their energy into insects and small animals. Just make sure to do research before buying live animals to release. If your wedding is during a time where it could be harmful for them, maybe consider doing something different.

Play their song. Did they have a favorite song, or a wedding song that was special to them? Make sure to tell your DJ to play the song. You could even have a special dance in remembrance.

What are some other unique ways to remember your loved ones?

Will & Arden’s Bowery House Wedding

November 2, 2021

Will & Arden’s wedding at the Bowery House in Katy, TX.

The entire week leading up to Will and Arden’s wedding was filled with dark rain clouds and pounding rain. The day of their wedding, Mother Nature showed her romantic side and brought forth the shining sun. I will continue to sing my praises to Mother Nature for allowing me to photograph a stunning wedding with the sun shining.

The Bowery House was such a perfect venue for the happy couple to share their vows (and like the romantic journal, their vows were so sweet). Will and Arden are bubbly, romantic and such a unique couple. The venue was soft and romantic on the green where the ceremony was held. I was particularly drawn to the way the tree at the alter made an arch. It was like the magic of the Fey blessing the venue. It’s 3 story urban brick building reminds me of an open air train station on the bottom, an elegant reception hall on the second floor and a whimsical roof lounge on the top.

Will gave Arden a journal on their wedding day. The journal was filled with entries the week leading up to their engagement. Will wrote in the journal every day leading up to the day he proposed to Arden. I was CRUSHED when I read this. This is the sweetest thing I’ve ever had the privilege of photographing. Between me and Andy, I’m definitely not the romantic one… but this, this made my heart squeeze.

After the ceremony, the happy couple danced well into the night surrounded by so many loving friends and family. Though they did cut a cake, they chose to offer Shipley’s donuts to their guests in leu of cake. To say I was obsessed, is an understatement. Shipley Donuts > KrispyKreme (fight me).

At the end of the night, the wedding guests sent the couple off with a long sparkler exit. The party didn’t stop there, though. The get-away car took the couple to a second location for the after-party of the century.

Congratulations to Will & Arden on their happy marriage!!

Vendors:

Venue: The Bowery House

Wedding Planner: SB and Co

Photographer: Kelly Urban Photography

Flowers: Petals by Design

Videography: J Ernest Media

Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal

DJ: Alfonso Jaime

Menil Collection engagement portraits

Chris & Adrienne’s Bell Tower on 34th Wedding Photography

Houston Japanese Garden Engagement Portraits

Spice up your wedding rehearsal dinner

Easy & inexpensive ways to get the rehearsal party hopping!

What are your thoughts? Is there something I missed in my list? Let me know.

Private last dance at your wedding

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen trends come and go. One of the latest trends making its rounds in the wedding circuit is the private last dance.

Downtown Houston Engagement Photos

Preston & Olivia’s Downtown Houston Engagement Portraits.

Addison Woods Venue Engagement Portraits

Blayton & Ryleigh’s engagement portraits at the Addison Woods Wedding Venue.

Rachel & Krista’s Ronin Art Studio Wedding

Wedding Photography from Rachel & Krista’s Roinin Art studio wedding.

Remembering loved ones at your wedding

I wanted to talk about having a place for the dead at your wedding. I know it sounds a bit morbid, but I think it’s one of the sweetest gestures. We must remember our past to know where we’re going.

What are some other unique ways to remember your loved ones?

Will & Arden’s Bowery House Wedding

Will & Arden’s wedding at the Bowery House in Katy, TX.

A Southwest Houston wedding photographer
Richmond, TX

A Houston wedding photographer

Easy & inexpensive ways to get the rehearsal party hopping!

What are your thoughts? Is there something I missed in my list? Let me know.

As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen trends come and go. One of the latest trends making its rounds in the wedding circuit is the private last dance.

Preston & Olivia’s Downtown Houston Engagement Portraits.

Blayton & Ryleigh’s engagement portraits at the Addison Woods Wedding Venue.

Wedding Photography from Rachel & Krista’s Roinin Art studio wedding.

I wanted to talk about having a place for the dead at your wedding. I know it sounds a bit morbid, but I think it’s one of the sweetest gestures. We must remember our past to know where we’re going.

What are some other unique ways to remember your loved ones?

Will & Arden’s wedding at the Bowery House in Katy, TX.

A Southwest Houston wedding photographerRichmond, TX

A Houston wedding photographer

A Southwest Houston wedding photographer
Richmond, TX