Alissa & Michael
Alissa & Michael

If I had to choose one couple to lose power on their wedding day… Alissa & Michael would be my number one pick!

Lake Tyler Petroleum Club always looks amazing.  A bit of La Tee Da Flowers never hurts though…

I once wrote a post called I Don’t Care About Your Beautiful Wedding.  This kids gets it.

One of my favorite things about Alissa & Michael is how present they were with everyone, but especially their younger guests.  They always seem to find time to bend over, acknowledge, and have little encounters with them.

True Story: There was a STUPID crazy storm that blew in right as their day was getting started.  Knocked out power across the entire lake area.  Buildings lost power, no juice anywhere, and this was just as Alissa was about to get her hair done.  That led to her totally melting down and causing a scene.  In moments like that, I never really know if I should document it or not, but the way I look at it… I’m just kidding.  Alissa was like… “Oh well, what can you do?” And she waited for the Lake Tyler staff to get a generator set up. And then got her hair done via multiple extension cords and battery operated lights.

It’s about 80 degrees in this room, and you can see the box fan we had going.  Still though.  This woman was unfazed.  MVP Bride right here folks.

 

Because First Looks never disappoint.

While we were knocking out some portraits of the two of them, Michael’s brother in law stumbled into the shot.

So I shifted the focus and captured what was really important.

A few gorgeous images of a few gorgeous ladies.

A few average images of a few average dudes.

30 minutes till ceremony time.

3 minutes till ceremony time.

I mean, not every flower girl is thrilled to be at this wedding.

The rest of the night was filled with lots of eating, dancing, and super sweet toasts.

And cake.  Delicious cake baked by Design’s By D’Anne.

I took entirely too many photos of Alissa’s niece. But I will never apologize for that.

Some of my favorites from The Mug Machine.

Every single time I have been around Alissa & Michael, I left feeling better about their future.  Their wedding day was no different.  They were faced with challenge, after challenge and didn’t once let it affect their outlook on the day.  I adore couples who have the wisdom to look past the moment and see the big picture.  On “the biggest day of their life”, Alissa & Michael did that flawlessly. And I know that with that mindset, the two of them are going to crush this little thing called marriage that they signed up for.

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Chloe & Tyler’s Epic Wedding
Chloe & Tyler’s Epic Wedding

It may be possible to have a better wedding day than Chloe & Tyler had.  I’ve just never seen it done before.

Let’s start off with giving shout outs…

First off, Lake Tyler Petroleum Club.  Always on their game. HUGE shout out to A Touch of Nature, I always love working with them.

Designs by D’Anne.  Keeping me 15lbs overweight for the past 15 years.

Because she is awesome, Chloe had a shrine set up for a bridesmaid who was not able to fly in.

MOTG & MOTB were both rockin’ their robes.

Chloe hated this spray thing.  Therefore I must blog it.

Tyler arriving in his getaway car.  (That his Grandmother let him borrow.)

This group is made up of brothers, brother-in-laws, and seminary friends.  So naturally they took the whole photo process very seriously.

First Look magic.

Good grooms always ask to see the back of the dress.

Chloe gave Tyler two sweet gifts. A watch that he had been wanting. (I think, I was kinda far away but was for sure eavesdropping.) And a journal she had been keeping for the past few years.  I loved seeing the delight on Tyler’s face as she shared little passages and excerpts from it.

Disclaimer: This is totally a photo I shot from the hip as I was carrying gear to get ready for their family photos.

My only goal in life from this point forward as a parent is to have Sara’s brothers love her enough to hold her hand on her wedding day.

Family is super, super important to both of them.  Chloe had her grandmothers each put on special pieces of jewelry.

Seriously, I can not say enough wonderful things about these families.

Tyler has a younger brother and sister. Chloe has a younger brother.  Whenever those people get married, I demand to be there. OK, glad we got that worked out.

So the other two times we did sessions, Chloe brought her own snacks.  She loves candy and seriously has a thing for gummy bears.  However, through all the chaos, she did not pack any for her wedding day. And was super sad when I asked her where the snacks were on her wedding day.

This was the look on her face when I surprised her with a little plate of gummy bears that I had brought for them.

Good news: if the wedding photography business ever goes away, I think I can make it selling stock photos of gummy bears and wedding rings.

Maybe it’s because we have 3 of our own, but I’m a sucker for momma’s and their boys on a wedding day.

Let’s take a little break right here.  This moment.  The moment when the bride comes down the aisle.  From a wedding planning perspective, this magical dream like instance has 1 million decisions that led up to it. Too many times event planners and coordinators are viewed as the people who help you pick out linens.  While that is true, every now and then you are lucky enough to find a planner who helps you think through every detail of your day.  Things don’t magically “fall into place” on your day.  Someone puts them in their place.

Taryn and her staff at Event & Company do the heavy lifting, and the easy lifting, and the lifting you didn’t even know needed to be done.  Book them.  Seriously, every dollar you give them is 100 less decisions you have to think through and make.  Money well spent.

Midway through her vows, Chloe decided she wanted a sip of water.  Because it’s her day and she can do whatever she wants.

Every time I photograph these two, they are snacking on something.

They both were hoping to have an outdoor wedding, but the heat was a bit more than they had planned for. (Of course it was stupid hot in October. Sigh.)  Anyway, Tyler surprised her with an impromptu outdoor dance and gift right after the ceremony.

Again, I didn’t catch all the details, but I think this was the first engagement ring he gave her that broke.  He had it made into a necklace.  “I was hoping that’s what was in the box,” she squealed as she opened it.

Chloe’s brother sang while she danced with her father. Because I told you, the whole family is awesome.

I do love a bride who watches her husband dance with his mother.

As I listened to their friends go on and on about how incredible they are, one thread ran through all the speeches: their generosity.
Generosity of time and actions.
Generosity of advice.
Generosity of gifts.
And above all, generosity of love.  Their ability to give you exactly what you need.  Whether it’s a compliment, or wisdom in a tough situation.  Maybe the perfect gift, or the right conversation.  They are constantly looking for ways to serve and give of themselves.

The anniversary dance was won by Mr. & Mrs. Clause.

Again, the theme of “family” was how we ended the day.  They wanted to make sure they saw everyone and hugged them before the getaway.  Just next level intentionality on their part.  I loved it.

The best part was that the family hugging led to Chloe tearing up as they walked through the bubbles.  Suddenly, “I’m not crying you’re crying” became the theme of the exit.

One these stories is a lie:
Chloe was still tearing up as she got to the car.
Tyler was like, “Dude, you have been totally awesome.  Please, come with us on our honeymoon, we would love to hang out with you even more.”

Yes, the Mug Machine was there.  Yes, I brought 3 giant sized bags of gummy bears to rain down from the heavens.

I love that Chloe was able to surprise Tyler with a journal.
A gift that said, this is my journey, and I’m forever glad you are now a part of it.

I doubly love that Tyler was able to surprise Chloe with a dance.
The gift of an unexpected moment in a day, that had been planned for over a year.

And their generosity towards me over these past months was what led me to make sure I had 4lbs of gummy bears for their day.
So that she could snack on them.
So that friends could throw them.
And so that I could stick a bag in their getaway car for them to find as they drove down the road.

Right after we did those photos in the Mug Machine Chloe said, “This is the happiest moment of my life.”

The generosity and love you guys pour out on others is what made that moment possible.

Thank you.

 

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Anna Caroline & Scott
Anna Caroline & Scott

I’ve been looking forward to Anna Caroline & Scott’s wedding since the day I did their engagement session.  These two have such a grasp on the things that you should value in a marriage and in relationships, that I could not wait to see their families that raised them.

Of course Lake Tyler Petroleum Club was looking on point. (As it always does.)

If you like pretty wedding things, this next section is for you.

Anna Caroline gettin’ all dolled up.

Sisters are the best.

I loved how Anna Caroline was always welcoming and bringing people into her moments.  Her friends were just as happy as she was that day because she is a person who shares in their joy on their days.  So perfect.

Pre-game snack.

This is how I found the guys.

World renowned and award-winning photographer, Matthew Hogan, attended this wedding as a guest.  He also arrived like UNCOMFORTABLY early, so I demanded the “we are the first guest to arrive at your wedding” photo.

My favorite is getting photos of mothers and their daughters on a wedding day.  I love taking a photo that I know will be in a frame for the next 25 years. (No pressure Kim.)

Sometimes you gotta let the ring bearer dictate what the photo is going to look like.

I mean seriously… come on.

Nope, not an alternate set of bridesmaids… These would be Scott’s sisters.  Because OF COURSE HE HAS FIVE SISTER!!!!!!

Human wall protecting bride from view of guests.

 

The madness right after a ceremony is always so much fun.

Yep, I saw it, and photographed it. #nephew

Like I said, sisters are the best.

Guess who was giving out posing suggestions again.

This would be a great time to say La Tee Da Flowers always brings their A-game.

I think a couple who just got married, eating a meal totally alone together, may just be my favorite thing in the whole wide world.

#manbunforthewin

Her father almost fell tripping on her dress.  Anna Caroline’s face says it all.

Scott’s father looking on while he danced with his mother was pretty swell.

CMB DJs kept the party going all night long. If you are getting married and need music.  You need them.

Hey look, it’s that photographer on the left side of the photo. Totally aware of where he is in the frame.  He is a pro.

Of course the Mug Machine was there.  Here are some of my favorites.

Thank you two for letting me into your lives the past few months.  You were so kind and generous, and it was an honor to capture your day.

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Less People Will Not Ruin Your Wedding Day
Less People Will Not Ruin Your Wedding Day

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It’s always an honor when I’m asked to document someone’s wedding day.  But for some reason, when there are only 10-12 people attending… it turns into a super honor.  That’s how I felt all day long at Leah & Jordan’s Lake Tyler Petroleum Club wedding.

I LOVE this next photo.  It may be my favorite of the day.

What if you could only have 12 people sit and watch you get married?
Could you do it?
Would you want to?

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There are so many misconceptions about what having a small wedding or ceremony might mean for your day.  Leah & Jordan proved that if you decide to have a small ceremony…. you can still have just as much fun. :)

You can still get your toe nail painted as your something blue.

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You can still get photos laughing with your bridesmaids.

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You can still have La Tee Da Flowers CRUSH your bouquet & arrangements.

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You can still have your grandfather perform the ceremony with his super old manuscript.

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You can still get yummy and delicious cakes from Designs by D’Anne.

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You still get to walk down the aisle.

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You can still have your grandmother tell your grandfather “Take a picture! Take a picture!”

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You can still have a pretty great ceremony that ends with man & wife.

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You can still take photos of the two of you looking gorgeous.

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You can still have awkward photos of you saying “I once caught a fish this big.”

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You can still get a killer ring shot on the book your grandfather has used to perform wedding ceremonies for over 50 years.

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Leah & Jordan didn’t choose a smaller ceremony because they didn’t have any friends.
(They just finished med school and residency. They actually have like a billion friends.)

They didn’t choose a smaller ceremony because they don’t like people.

They didn’t choose a smaller ceremony because they could not afford a bigger one.
(Remember, they are doctors.  Wait… They just FINISHED med school.  So yeah… never mind.  Still broke.)

They chose it because it was a good fit for them.

That is the takeaway.  Plan your wedding how YOU want your day to go.  If you want 500 people to watch you get married.  Fine.  Invite 800 guests.
IF you want 12, then invite 12.

Weddings have become a circus, and I don’t think they were ever intended to be that.

So my advice to you guys is this… The next time you get in an argument over a planning detail.  Don’t ask yourself “Do we really need 12 elephants or will 6 be enough?”

That’s not the question.  The question is…

Do we want any elephants at all?

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Flowers, First Looks, & Flower Girls
Flowers, First Looks, & Flower Girls

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Today’s post will be a bit different.  I just wanted to focus on 3 aspects of Amanda & Bob super fun Castle on the Lake wedding: the flowers, the First Look, and the flower girls.

First up, the flowers.  Anytime I pull up to a wedding and see the La Tee Da mobile, I know I don’t have to worry.  The pretty will be there for sure, but even more importantly, there will be no added pressure or stress on the bride.  Barbara and her team show up on time, with no issues, and always make the place more amazing than even the bride could imagine.

Here is what Amanda had to say about the florals: “I was so excited to see the flowers that I kept peeking out the window while we were getting ready because I knew they were going to be absolutely gorgeous!”

You hear that?  A bride was so excited about her flowers that she put off getting ready for her wedding so she could look at the flowers for her wedding.  Way to go La Tee Da!

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I also LOVE being there when a bride gets to see her bouquet for the first time.
La Tee Da even has a section on their site devoted to this moment at every wedding.  So fun.

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You know I always enjoy a First Look.

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Amanda & Bob spent their’s laughing and tearing up over the day.  Such a great moment of calm and reconnecting before the chaos that can be a wedding day.

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Bob was super nervous up until this point.  So seeing and getting to talk to Amanda, really helped settle him down a bit. And, little did he realize it, after a few minutes he started to sooth her spirits and was so, so tender with her.

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I told you La Tee Da was good at their job.

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You were promised flower girls, and flower girls you shall have!

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Yes, please!

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Every lady has a nice handbag.

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Seriously.  This is a real live human tiny girl who looks just timeless.

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Thank you guys for such a chill and wonderful wedding day.  I promise I took more than just photos of your flowers, you two, and your flower girls. ;)

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