Tag Archives: offbeat wedding

A Dark Theatrical Wedding to Remember: Love from the Shadows

Weddings are a reflection of a couple’s unique love story, and for Gill & Laura, their big day was nothing short of a gothic, theatrical masterpiece. Taking place at the intimate Art Factory theater with stadium seating, their wedding was a hauntingly beautiful spectacle that left their guests in awe.

The Entrance: A Coffin and a Stage

As the guests took their seats, the anticipation was palpable. The lights dimmed, casting eerie shadows across the stage. Suddenly, the music swelled, and the groom made his grand entrance, emerging from a coffin in a theatrical display that set the tone for the evening. It was a moment straight out of a gothic romance, with gasps and applause filling the theater.

Melodies of Love: A Duet of the Heart

The bride soon followed, gliding gracefully onto the stage. Instead of a traditional exchange of vows, the couple serenaded each other with heartfelt songs. Their voices intertwined in a beautiful harmony, expressing their love in a way words alone never could. It was an emotional performance that left not a single dry eye in the audience.

A Dance to Remember

After the musical vows, it was time for the grand exit. However, in true theatrical fashion, the couple had one more surprise up their sleeves. Instead of leaving, they turned to face each other and began to dance. Their friend, taking center stage, sang a soulful song that perfectly captured the essence of their love story. The dance was a beautiful, intimate moment that felt both timeless and deeply personal.

A Theatrical Touch: Playbills and Skeletons

Adding to the theatrical ambiance, guests received wedding playbills as they arrived, detailing the evening’s “performance” and the love story of the bride and groom. The lobby was adorned with skeletons and other gothic decorations, creating an immersive experience that transported everyone into the couple’s world.

The Reception: Karaoke Night in Downtown Houston

After the dramatic ceremony, the celebration continued at Dean’s, a downtown Houston bar, which also touts as being a haunted establishment. The mood shifted from gothic romance to lively fun. Guests enjoyed a night of karaoke, singing their hearts out and celebrating the newlyweds with laughter and song. It was the perfect ending to a day that balanced the dark and dramatic with light-hearted joy. I personally had a strange experience before leaving for the night which I will tout as the ghosts messing with me.

A Unique Love Story

This dark theatrical wedding was a testament to the couple’s unique vision and their commitment to making their big day a true reflection of who they are. From the coffin entrance to the karaoke reception, every detail was thoughtfully planned to create an unforgettable experience for all.

For couples looking to break the mold and create a wedding that’s uniquely theirs, this celebration is proof that with a little creativity, your wedding can be as extraordinary as your love story.

Capturing Your Unique Love Story

If you’re planning a wedding that’s as unique and special as your love story, you need a photographer who can capture every moment in a way that truly reflects who you are as a couple. With an eye for detail and a passion for the extraordinary, I specialize in photographing weddings that break the mold and tell your story authentically. From dark theatrical ceremonies to whimsical, themed receptions, I’ll make sure your photos are as memorable and unique as your big day.

Ready to make your vision come to life? Contact me today to discuss how we can capture your unforgettable moments. Let’s create wedding photos that you’ll cherish forever, perfectly reflecting the unique magic of your love.

📸✨ Message me now to book your consultation! ✨📸

 

Texas Renaissance Wedding

Christopher & Maureen’s Texas Renaissance Festival wedding.

As a kid growing up in the Houston area, I felt like we always managed to go to the Ren Fest at least once a year. I have vivid memories of wearing flower crowns and playing with wooden swords with some friends. The Texas Renaissance Festival holds a special place in my heart. I am so fortunate to be able to do one of my favorite things (take wedding photos) at one of my favorite places.

The one thing I know working a Texas Renaissance wedding is that this place is just as special to me as it is to my couples, and Christopher & Maureen were no different.

Maureen rode the carriage with her wedding party to the English Garden Wedding Chapel which is covered in lush green vines with an open air seating area. When the officiant got to the rings part of the ceremony, a falcon delivered them. This, I think, is one of the coolest benefits to having a wedding at the Ren Fest (that and the built in entertainment).

The couple had a procession from the chapel to one of the reception areas in the back of the grounds. There, they did some traditional things like cake cutting & speeches. After their reception was over, most of the guests were free to wonder the grounds. Some of their closer friends and family followed along for the fun of wedding portraits. We went to some of the couple’s favorite places to take photos and just enjoy the beautiful day. They told me they went to the forge the day before to have some custom things made.

We finished the day with a drink at the Pirate bar and a little jousting entertainment. Maureen’s sister is a professional jouster, so it was extra special.

Congratulations to Christopher & Maureen!!

 

Vendors:

Venue & Food: Texas Renaissance Festival

Wedding Gown: Inga Ezergale Designs

 

James & Chelsea’s Texas Renaissance Wedding

In October, James and Chelsea had a magical wedding at the Texas Renaissance Festive.

I’ve lived in Houston most of my life, and I have fond memories as a child at Renfest swinging a wooden sword at my brother hoping to jostle the flimsy wooden shield out of his hand. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to shoot a wedding there. This year, James and Chelsea made my dream come true!

The wedding was so magical. Both James and Chelsea had costumes made fitting for the Renaissance Festive. Chelsea was resplendent in her light blue gown and iridescent fairy wings. Even her jewelry was on point! James looked dapper in his wedding doublet. I loved that his sleeves could detach and be replaced with a different style of sleeve.

Chelsea and her wedding party started a promenade from the entrance of the park to the Globe Theater. There, she and James shared their first look before jumping into a carriage. The whole party, including the King’s guards, walked in a small parade to the ceremony location. Guests thought the wedding was a part of the show.

James and Chelsea sent an open invitation to all of their friends and family to their wedding. Anyone who wanted to attend could, they would just need to get to the ceremony location early if they wanted a seat. The Cathedral Wedding Chapel was overflowing with guests. People (including guests who didn’t know the couple) were all around the building looking into the windows. Even several of the Renfest’s regular actors were in attendance.

After the ceremony we took oodles of photos with all of the guests who wanted a photo with the happy couple. Once that was done, we wondered around visiting James & Chelsea’s favorite places within the park. We went to their bench in the fairy garden and the swings. The couple tossed axes and fished for rubber ducks. In the end, we wound up at the Pirate bar where they met up with friends for a pint of mead.

What an amazing wedding!

 

Vendors:

 

Nick & Rachel’s Sunset Coffee Building Wedding

On a gorgeous spring day, Nick and Rachel exchanged vows atop the Sunset Coffee building looking over Downtown Houston.

Weeks before their wedding, Nick and Rachel decided to take some couple portraits around the Hermann park area. We started in the Cochlear Butterfly museum and ended in the Japanese garden.

On their wedding day, guests arrived to the Sunset Coffee Building by the busload. Guests milled about and found their seats overlooking the Buffalo Bayou as they waited for the wedding to start. Nick and Rachel made their way up the side stairs together and walked down the isle hand in hand. They chose not to have a wedding party, however include several of their friends and family in reading passages from poems and other pieces of literature that spoke to them and their lives together.

After the wedding, the guests made their way down to the second floor where the cocktail hour. Guests cooled off and wandered around the level taking in the sights of downtown or taking photos in front of the gorgeous floral sculpture that SOMEONE made.

Dinner was served on the ground level (which is actually below street level) under tents with glowing lights. An amazing collection of flowers littered the three long tables. After dinner, guests were welcomed to join Nick and Rachel back on the second floor for dancing and cupcakes.

The couple choreographed a first dance that included all of their closest friends. TO WHAT SONG? After the first dance, the DJ did a reverse anniversary dance. He started with couples married the longest and worked his way to couples married for less than 5 hours. I loved how they actively worked to get people onto the dance floor. The last thing the DJ asked was for everyone to come to the dance floor to take a series of photos. One photo of everyone looking at me and smiling. One photo of Nick & Rachel kissing and everyone going “eew” and the last photo of everyone with their hands in the air. As soon as the DJ counted to 3 (for the photo) he started a song to get the party started. This was such a clever way to break the ice and get everyone on the dance floor dancing.

Congratulations to Nick & Rachel! May they have years and years and years of happiness.

See the wedding photos.

 

Vendors:

Venue: Sunset Coffee Building

Coordinator: Lriliece Events and Decor

Floral’s: Babe City Blooms

Decor: Art Attack

Tent: Houston Tents & Events

Catering: Dhaniyas

Dress: Lafayette Couture

A Southwest Houston wedding photographer
Richmond, TX
kelly@kellyurbanphotography.com
Kelly Urban Photography

A Southwest Houston wedding photographer
Richmond, TX

A Southwest Houston wedding photographer
Richmond, TX
kelly@kellyurbanphotography.com
Kelly Urban Photography

A Houston wedding photographer