Lindsay & Chris crushed their wedding day.  Not because everything was perfect, but because they never let the little bumps mess with their mojo.

These two were married at Wylde Acres.  A “new-ish” venue in the Longview area.  There are 2 reasons’s I can’t say enough great things about this place.
1. I genuianly LOVE it.
2. Lindsay’s parents own the joint so I’m pretty sure they will be reading this post.
(Side note to other photographers out there: I’ve had the privilege of shooting a few venue owners daughter’s weddings over the years.  It’s always an extra special honor because I know they see so many great photographers and that they would trust me with “their day” is a huge vote of confidence.  If you get asked to do one of these weddings, don’t sweat it.  Do you thing. That’s why they are asking you to take the photos.  It’ll be fine.  These brides are no more special than normal brides.  OK, that’s a lie, they are more special.  They are magical.  The normal brides are just regular every day brides.

Calavera Cakery.  Boom.  Yummy and Pretty.

Ampersand Family was there filming and I loved creeping in on this moment where Lindsay was reading her vows.

Say hello to Cruz.  He was there to watch his parents get married.  (He’s the best.)

Lindsay went back and forth on doing a First Look.  About 4 days before the wedding her and Chris decided to do one and I’m so thrilled they did.  These moments are always some of my favorites from the day.

Hello beautiful people.

True story.  I took the following photos in 43 seconds.  Kids ain’t got time for slow photographers.

Speaking of kid’s ain’t got time…. Cruz was ready for his nap.

Chris is like a professional expression maker.  I loved all the random faces I caught him making on their day.

There were a few members of the wedding party who were… what’s the word…. oh yeah…complaining that we went all they way out to the wood pile for these shots.  I’m so so sorry I asked that of you.  If you want I can delete these photos and we can pretend this moment never happened.

Fantasy and Fairytale Floral Designs did an amazing job.

Just as we were finishing photos it started to drizzle.  Chris was super prepared and was ready with the umbrella.

Turns out Linday’s nephew was more prepared and loaded her up onto the Kubota and drove her to safety.

Cruz. Happy again.

I kept waiting for a kid to in for a Caparisun and come out with a Keystone.

I noticed something on Robin’s dress earlier and sure enough, it’s just what I thought it was. #cruz #grandmother

Cruz was more interested in his shoe than his parents joining together in holy matrimony.

Lindsay’s late brother Maverick bought and drove this van to Alaska a few years ago.  It’s super special to their family so of course we worked it into the day.

(Faithful readers will also recognize it from Britany & Aaron’s wedding.  Aaron went on that cross country trip as well.)

Things that guests sign that you display are my favorite thing to make guests sign.

I dig it when the couple’s grandparents win the anniversary dance.

I’ve seen a lot of guys go in for the garter.  I’ve never had one come out with this look on his face.

The only thing these two do better than dance is karaoke.

Why yes, that is a cup of alchohol flying through the air.

Lindsay was the best bride.  #1.

You two were a joy.  Thank you for trusting me with your special day. (Not that your day was any more special than a normal bride’s day.)

(j/k it totally was more special.)

Let’s get this right out of the way. Wylde Acres is a newish wedding spot in Longview, TX, and you should absolutely consider them if you are in the area.  AMAZING place, super nice people, and all kinds of locations to photograph.  Pick them.

2.5 hours before the ceremony, Aaron is doing this.  Seriously?  Get ready  man! You are getting married!

“Did you know the bride and the guy who’s marrying the bride are going to sit here?” – Flower girl

The child didn’t even know the word “groom”.  Guys, in case there was any doubt, weddings are kinda a big deal to the girls.

I saw this van when I pulled up and decided it was my favorite wedding related vehicle of all time.

About 2 hours before ceremony time, it started raining a bit.

Then a bit more.

These were taken within minutes of each other: Aaron running around like a mad man saving the day, Brittany getting her toenails painted. :)

I loved catching this moment as Brittney wrote her vows.

Totally stole this shot from Matthew of Ampersand Family.  He makes killer wedding films. And again, you should pay him money to be at your wedding.

I always love when a bit of “trouble” hits on a wedding day. It gives me a glimpse into a couple’s future.  How they will react?  How will they interact with each other? How will their support groups react?  This is what you need folks.  You need friends who will dry off your chairs.

Whose kids will dry off your chairs.

Friends who will dry off your chairs while holding their tiny human.  These are the people you should surround yourself with.

Remember that cool van?  True story. Aaron and his cousin/best friend Maverick bought that van for about 700 bucks and drove it to Alaska back around 2010-ish.  It had been sitting at Racquet & Jog for YEARS, and they bought it, changed the battery, and drove it a million miles. It’s the kind of story they make into a tv show and put it on Netflix.  It’s the kind of story we all wish we had, but so few of us are willing to launch into.  THAT is the kind of guy Aaron is; the kind of guy who buys a van and drives it to Alaska.

1st: Who buys a van for $700?
2nd: Who DRIVES it to ALASKA?
3rd: Of COURSE they slept in it.

A few years ago, Maverick passed away in a plane crash and it obviously rocked everyone’s world.  I loved hearing the stories and laughter this past weekend as they remembered him in the context of the wedding, and the van, and all the small things that came up.

This photo of Maverick’s father, with their van in the background, filled me with joy and tears as I took it.

OK.  That was deep.

Everyone back?

This little man on the right was not having anything to do with me or my camera.

This is the SECOND best cake Calavera Cakery made for the wedding.

Say hello to Hi-dee.

Of course Aaron built this.  Because he is the best man ever in the whole wide world.

Look who finally decided to smile.

You know that awkward moment, when the tiny flower girl does not want to come down the aisle, and everyone just kinda freezes and waits to see how to fix it?  Aaron is the kinda guy who just walks towards her and helps her down the aisle.  Because he’s a gentleman.

I’m a HUGE fan of the “arched back in excitement” before the first kiss.  May I present to you the ever so rare “DOUBLE arched backs of excitement”!

Due to the rain, we were not able to do ANY photos before the ceremony.  But all the beautiful people laughed and smiled and helped us get everything knocked out just before the sun went down.

Great. Another kid who hates me.

Check out the rockstar job that La Bella Blooms did.

This is us heading towards the magic.

Wait for it…

Almost there…

Almost…

BOOM!

At this poin,t I think they are just trolling me.

I honestly think they took the joke too far.  My feelings were genuinely hurt at this point.

The parent/family dances were one big “I’m not crying, you’re crying” contest.

Again, thinking back on this van, and their trip, and all the laughter-and memories-and tears that must bubble up from time to time, I am so, so thankful we were able to get photos of them with it.

During the toasts the maid of honor shared this story:
“After this first date Brittany told me ‘He has a moped, he lives in an RV, and he’s touched elephants.’”

Seriously, no one is topping that, it was game over for every other potential suitor from that point forward.

A few years back, Aaron “iced” his buddy Mitch (who married them) at his wedding by strapping a bottle to his bride’s leg before the garter toss.  Mitch paid him back at the reception with this little box which they thought was a cake knife.  I love the look of shock and pure delight on Aaron’s face.

I present to you the best cake “in the world”.  Seriously.  It’s a cake.

Of course they are friends with the cake people.  Of course she was his old art teacher.

So I’m wandering around the reception and see this.

I kinda give them the side-eye and without hesitation this dude snapped back, “It’s ok, I’m gay.”  Well played, sir. Well played.

So when I look back on their evening I realized a few things.

One. Obviously I wish I was Aaron. But since that’s not an option, I tried to re-adjust my goals.
I left wanting to be MORE like Aaron.

More willing to go.
More willing to love.
More willing to embrace.
More willing to see the rain and not let it steal my joy.

Because the rain is just the rain. It can’t actually ruin your day.
Pouty kids are gonna do their thing. They can’t stop your wedding.
And death, even death, does not have the last word.

There is still room for laughter, there is still room for dancing, there is still room for joy.

We just have to make it.

It would be impossible for me to love Leah and Jordan more.  They are super kind, chill, and way way too easy to photograph.  And for their location they decided on Great Raft Brewing in Shreveport.  What’s not to love?

These two met during their urology residency. (I think that’s how you say it.  I’m not book smart like these two.)

Jordan also dabbles in photography, and I indulged him by letting him talk about his camera and lenses.  I thought it would be poor form to bring up my extensive knowledge of urology so I kept that on the down low.
(Didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his lady.)

Jordan was so eager to tell me about how they met in school and hit it off right away.  And how after a couple of years, Leah invited him over for some fried deer steak.

The rest as they say… is beer.  Lots and lots of beer.

You’ll be seeing more of these two soon because later this month they are getting married at Lake Tyler Petroleum Club.  (Can’t wait!)

Amanda & Bob are the type of people that 15 seconds into meeting them, you wish you had met them sooner.  Easy to talk to, honest, and totally real.  My only regret with their session was that it only lasted an hour.  I would much rather have spent a whole evening with them. :)

They met while working at Lowe’s in the paint department.  Bob told me that he was about to move out to Lawn & Garden, and quickly realized he only had 1 month to “train” her.  I guess the training worked because after 6 years of dating, here we are.

During their session Amanda mentioned to me that one of the things that attracted her to Bob was how genuine he is.  It’s so true though, he oozes honesty. I loved seeing them interact and when she would ask for an opinion on something, he would give it, but he always made sure that she felt valued and heard throughout the session.  Such a great quality.

Bob’s favorite thing about Amanda is how thoughtful she is.  “She thinks about people a lot.  She cares.”

You see that folks?  That’s how you pick a spouse.  You find someone who is honest, who is genuine.  You look for someone with a heart that bends towards people and has them on their mind.

You find someone like that, and you’ll find someone worth marrying.

Amanda & Bob did. :)

If you don’t like having fun, you probably would not have enjoyed Melanie & Aaron’s wedding at Le Beaux Chateau in Flowermound, TX.  Seriously.  These two know how to have a great time and I think they only invited fun people to their wedding.

I walk into the guys room and find this: grown men playing video games.  Yes, please.
(I think I can now convince my 12 year old son to assist me on future weddings.)

The best thing is not that Aaron plays video games.  The best thing is that Melanie “gets it”.  Here are the cufflinks she gave him on their wedding day.

Cake toppers are better when zombies are attacking.

Every groom needs groomsmen who will pull out a knife and cut your shirt and pull out a comb and brush your stache.

Sometimes First Looks are full of weeping and holding.

The beautiful people.

Sometimes the beautiful people turn into the pouty people.

She was a bit bored with the whole thing.

Unity candle? Nope.
Unity Sand? Nope.
Unity Beer? Yes please.

Of course they made a Black & Tan.

With this ring, (and these bottle caps) I thee wed.

Melanie & her dad CRUSHED a dance song mash up.  So, so many good moves.

Speaking of crushed…. The bouquet toss went well. :)

Of course their grandmother did the Nae Nae.

Of course they preformed an impromptu “Shut Up & Dance With Me”.

Last dances in an empty room are the best.

You thought it was over?  Wrong.  Here are some of my favorites from the Mug Machine.
Featuring Melanie & Aaaron kissing poorly and the hair from that girl that got crushed trying to catch flowers.

Thank you guys for an amazing day of fun, love, and laughter.
Also, I’m still kinda mad that after you got married, you got to go to Disney World, and I had to come home and edit these pictures.