Ismael & Kate got married on one of the rainiest days imaginable, but the rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of their family and friends that traveled from all over to see them tie the knot! (I think it even rained during their engagement shoot.) Check out this outdoorsy, laid back barn wedding - complete with Texas barbecue. Click to enlarge.
Andrew & Mary - Rainy Wedding in a Pioneer Town
I met Andrew & Mary on the day of their wedding after a flurry of emails and a Skype date. It was unusually cold for Texas, and the sky was doing exactly what we had hoped it wouldn't - rain. Andrew & Mary and their guests shrugged off the rain, and the day went without a hitch - including the outdoor ceremony. What I loved most about Andrew & Mary's wedding was that beneath the gorgeous exterior - fur stoles, crystals hanging from tree branches, and the most ornate bouquet you could imagine - was a VERY nerdy core. Andrew & Mary expertly wove their interests into the small details - the bouquet was hiding a GoPro camera, the wedding program read like a computer program, and the groom's cufflinks featured Trailer Park Boys characters. Check out their multi-layered wedding below - click the images to enlarge.
Marshall & Katie - Whovian Library Wedding
I am generally a punctual person, but the first time I met Marshall & Katie, I was an hour and a half late. I arrived at the coffee shop that served as our meeting place after trying to navigate icy highway roads with hundreds of Texas drivers that aren't used to wintery conditions. Turns out, I was late for a meeting with two people who would quickly become some of my favorite clients.
After being incredibly chill about my tardiness, we talked about their upcoming wedding and I realized that I was talking to two of the most genuine people I've ever met. Marshall & Katie are unashamedly, unabashedly in love - with each other, with their passions, and with Doctor Who. I thought I couldn't be more excited to photograph their Whovian wedding, but totally geeked when I heard it was being held in the San Antonio library! Check out some of the photos from their day - click to enlarge.
Katie got ready in The Menger Hotel, a famous hotel across the street from the Alamo in San Antonio. The hotel is gorgeous, and Katie provided Lindsay - my second shooter - and I with many facts and stories about the hotel and surrounding city. Fun fact about her dress - it has POCKETS. Perfect for fitting a flask into.
After Katie was ready, we decided to head to the library to do a first look and get some photos before the ceremony. Katie decided to drive over to the library with Lindsay and I - little did we know we'd be stuck in the parking garage for an hour! Unbeknownst to us, there was a parade and art festival going on nearby, making travel nearly impossible. Katie, one of the chillest brides I've ever met, passed the time by catching up on the latest Doctor Who episodes (what else?!). When we finally made it to the library, it was time to start the ceremony.
After the ceremony, we took family and bridal party photos and then headed upstairs to take some photographs in the library stacks. The central San Antonio library features a large sculpture by one of my favorite glass artists, Dale Chihuly.
After some portraits, we rejoined the party. I loved all of the Doctor Who details - the tiny figurines that guests were able to take home (customized with Marshall & Katie's favorite Dr. Who quotes!), River Song and the 11th Doctor on the wedding cheesecake, the Tardis blue bridesmaid dresses - all of it! I especially loved the jar full of notes and well-wishes for the newlyweds.
There were heartfelt toasts, dancing, and general merriment. One of the guests brought a Silence mask - so of course we had to have some fun with that! We ended the night with a few more portraits around the library.
Tyler & Sasha - Outdoor, Lace and Gold Garden Wedding
I met Sasha just a few weeks after I moved to Austin when I started working at Anthropologie for the holidays. I met Tyler just a few weeks after that when they got engaged. It was pretty clear from the moment I saw them together that they were meant to be, but their wedding, held at the Umaluf Sculpture Garden in Austin, was the frosting on top of the already perfect cake! Here's a just a quick look at their day. Click to enlarge.
My second shooter, Lindsay, and I met up with Sasha at a rental house where she was getting ready, just down the road from the sculpture garden. Her bridesmaids joined us at Umlauf to finish getting ready. Check out the adorable bridesmaid gifts Sasha crafted!
Meanwhile, as Sasha was getting ready, Lindsay went to find Tyler to capture some pre-wedding portraits. His groomsmen kept him company until we were ready to for Tyler & Sasha's first look!
After their first look, we joined the rest of the bridal party for some quick portraits before the ceremony began. We also took some time for portraits of just the two of them bathed in that terrific golden hour light!
There was a special moment when Tyler gave Sasha a card he had written before the wedding. Neither of them could stop smiling!
The ceremony began at sunset, with Sasha's uncle as the officiant. Their vows were sweet and personal, and Tyler surprised Sasha with her ring! Their excitement was infectious as they high-fived their way down the aisle.
The reception was also held at the sculpture garden. Bristol Lane not only created Sasha's bouquet, but also all of the gorgeous centerpieces! The desserts - including mini pies, cookies, and cake - came from Sugar Mama's Bakeshop.
Tyler & Sasha took to the floor for their first dance, followed by Sasha and her papa. After dancing and dinner, they cut the cake and and then Tyler and his mom shared a dance.
After the official dances were done, the DJ opened the dance floor up to everyone - and Sasha & Tyler's friends and family took advantage of it! Some other guests took advantage of the lawn games, including giant Jenga, that Sasha's papa made.
I knew Sasha & Tyler were in sync, but when they busted out the exact same dance moves from across the dance floor when Jason DeRulo's Trumpets came on, I realized they were made for each other.
They night came to and end, and Tyler & Sasha exited among a flutter of glow sticks to head to their honeymoon in Disneyland!
Shane & Jen - Laid-Back, Outdoor/Courthouse Wedding
I first met Shane & Jen in person at their home in Houston, TX, right before we took their engagement photos. After speaking to them on the phone and via Skype, it was wonderful to meet them in person and see how perfect they are for each other. Like chips and queso or good beer and friends, each of them are lovely apart from each other, but even better when combined! Below are the highlights of the day; click to enlarge.
I travelled to Blanco, TX to photograph their morning ceremony at the Blanco County Courthouse. Shane & Jen got ready together at their hotel, before we headed to the courthouse to take family photos. Jen made her veil by hand, which was a lovely touch.
After the portraits were finished, everyone headed down to the park across the street for the ceremony. Guests picked up a copy of "a brief guide to today's marital events," custom printed sunglasses and choose which team to root for - Oklahoma or Texas. Shane & Jen's ceremony was unique and personal - one aspect I really liked was they they placed the rings on their own fingers, symbolizing that they each chose to make the commitment on their own.
After the ceremony, we went to a different part of the park with a giant tree to take some portraits. Afterwards, Shane & Jen went to get some coffee at a local shop nearby, and to take a few minutes to themselves before heading to the courthouse for the brunch reception.
The brunch reception was full of Shane & Jennifer's friends and family and it was clear that everyone there loved them both to pieces! The reception was full of personal touches, from the succulents on every table to the hand-illustrated cake toppers that Shane created. There were heartfelt, funny toasts, a photo booth, and lots of laughter.
After the reception, I headed back to Austin. In the evening, I headed to the Gatsby on 6th Street for the after party and more good times with good food and good friends. Part of the night was comprised of taking photos of every single person that put on Shane's hat! The night ended with a sing-along, toasts, and a special congratulations video from Shane's favorite band.