For some reason it seems I often come across individuals in the wedding industry whom I seem to take a liking to mighty quick.  Barry of Heavenly Caterers in San Antonio, is no exception.  I call him chef Barry and he is my friend, and not because he is one of the best chef’s that walked the earth, but just because he is himself,  a genuine man of great talent and awesome spirit.    I love it when I am at the same venue as Barry because he always manages to greet me with a hello and often makes me feel like I am the best picture taker ever.  Warms my soul.  Barry always saves me a plate of my favorite fixin’s and fills my belly with some tasty hors d’oeuvres , savory main course dishes, and sweet desserts.  Makes me feel like Pavlov’s doggie right now, just thinking about that fresh grilled steak and shrimp.

This past month I was the humbled and lucky girl who was the  featured photographer at La Fontana Event Center’s Open House and Barry was the featured chef.  I just had to take a few clicks of my shutter for others to see how wonderful his dishes looked.  The dishes on display were so beautiful, I thought they were fake.  To my surprise every morsel was real and tasted just as good as it looked.  So… I’ll give you some inside scoop, if you are looking for some great food for your special event, give him a call (210.385.3085).  He can give you and your guests a belly full of love.

Lauren and James spent their afternoon preparing for their wedding day and from the moment they first laid eyes on each other, as Lauren graced her way down the aisle, their smiles never disappeared for the duration of the day.  They are real, fun, and melt my heart.

Their love, laughter, and happiness is contagious.  On this special day, I was the lucky girl with the camera who was able to spend some time with two people who truly know what it is like to be in love with a best friend.  Being around this couple made me smile.   In fact, the minute they entered the room, the entire room was full of smiles, laughter, and joy.  I am  so fortunate to be able to spend my day with people I cherish and add joy to my life.  On this special day  I giggled at the little jokes from Lauren’s brides maids, felt nervous with James as he awaited his beautiful bride, and laughed so hard my belly hurt at their dance off (running man, sprinkler, and Michael Jackson, just to name a few).

The entire event was orchestrated by the fabulous Vicky Sharp and Spring Hill Event Center in San Antonio served as the perfect backdrop for a this beautiful wedding.  Vicky decorated each of the tables with beautiful floating candles, pearl beads, exquisite linens, and accented all decor with beautiful silver.  The amazing cake was created by the Cake Shop in San Antonio.  The Cake Shop created a beautiful wedding cake that was almost to pretty to cut and a groom’s cake that told a story of history.   Both cakes were stunning in both taste and rendition.

Lauren and James, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to capture memories for you as your journey begins as Mr. & Mrs.  Cheers to you both!

If I could have a newly adopted second family it would definitely be this family.  They are so super sweet to me and I feel like I owe them the world.  They  have always been my cheerleaders, my advice givers, supporters.  I could not wait to document Jessica and Richie wedding this past month.  If you can imagine how beautiful a wedding would be, if your parents  were wedding facility owners and a wedding coordinator, that was this wedding.  Simply beautiful.

Here in Texas we do things a little different.  We love weddings, barbeque brisket, wildflowers, barns, boots, and big hats (in no particular order).    Laurie and Marcus had all of the above at their wedding.  All of these grand details were shared with family and friends.

Throughout the evening I caught glimpses of well wishes and hugs being handed out.  A real and genuine love of family and friends.  I think Laurie must have twirled around the rustic dance floor hundreds of times that night.  Each time with a smitten husband by her side.  She laughed, cried, smiled, and laughed some more as her special day was here, she was present, and living and loving life in the moment.  Laurie has such a special touch and captured the essence of  if being a blushing and beautiful bride in the Lone Star State.

I loved the tiny details that made the day “Texas perfect”.   Thank you Laurie and Marcus for allowing me to capture memories during such a special time in your life.  Cheers to the many more dancing twirls to come!

It is time.  It was time.They are now married.  After several years of being together, Clementine and Vincent decided that they would allow all friends and family to witness the bond of love they have with one another, witness this bond in the form of a wedding celebration.  

It was near day one of their wedding planning that Clementine called me from her cell phone (nearly a year ago) and told me that someone had just shared my images, my business, and who I am as a person, with her, I am thankful that she felt it in her soul that I would be the one to capture the lovely images from the special day that she and Vince will share for the rest of their lives.  After several months of enduring the wait and excitement for this special couple the day finally arrived.  Clementine was nervous, very nervous.  Right before she walked down the aisle, she asked me to get her dad for her.  She just wanted to tell him that she loved him and that she was nervous.  Her father reassured her that she was beautiful, happy, and could not wait to give her hand to the man she loved, Vincent.

Clementine and Vincent…as you continue to walk down the many aisles of life, I wish you both only the very best.  You are both such special people and I am thankful that you included me in this first “official” special walk.    Hugs to you both.  

It was late one night and my phone rang…it was Jillian’s mom.  As luck would have it their previous photographer plans had not worked out as planned and they were in desperate need to find a photographer who could capture sweet memories and details of the special event.  It is very rare, but does happen on occassion, that I have an opening on a weekend…for a wedding…on my calendar.  This was not only their lucky day, but also mine.  I was a lucky girl because I  was able to document a love story with the click of my shutter.  Jillian and Kevin have a love that is real and authentic.  They are the type of wedding couple I love.  I love it when the look they give each other is genuine, when their smile at each other is not something new, instead it is the ordinary, it is real, they are real.   Jillian and Kevin thank you for including me and my camera on your special day, I am humbled.  

Okay crazy life…it is time to slow down!  Yes, the crazy multiple weddings per weekend wedding season is almost in its completion.   But, a secret between you and I, is that I have loved the busy-ness that includes the glitz, glam, flash, and love!   I swear I absolutely love every single bride, groom, and their special event.  Even though I have been to several weddings, with each one, I still give it an awe and the ceremony always brings chills and a tear to my eye.  Some may think this is weird, however, I see myself not only witnessing the event as a job, but the union of two new found friends that are about to embark on a wonderful life together.  

I had never met Amanda in person.  She called me one day and asked if I would be her wedding photographer.  She is such a confident and brave soul.  I very well could have been a weirdo.  Weirdo or not, she said she loved my pictures (she saw some in print at a wedding venue in San Antonio and had a glance at my website) and would love for me to document memories for she and Zach.  I feel like such a lucky girl to have stolen her eyes for my images only.  

I finally got to meet Amanda during her bridal session.  She is gorgeous (and so are her shoes from Nordstrom), funny, and real.   I knew from the first time we met, we would click, and I would love documenting her special day.  Congratulations on your new life as husband and wife, Zach and Amanda, you both are the best!

Zach was so calm on his wedding day.  I had to whisper to both he and Amanda that they were both so “un-nervous”.

The bridesmaids in their beautiful avocado green gowns.  This is one of my favorite colors for a wedding, wow!

Amanda’s bouquet of flowers complimented that shiny bling perfectly!

Zach is involved in construction and look at this wonderful cake his aunt made for him!  It looks like a construction site with Tonka trucks, dirt (brown sugar), and rocks (colored candy).  

Amanda, her father, and that cute little doggie (bow-tie and all)!

All in the details, baby!

It was the party of all part-ays!   The event was on Thursday night.  I am talking everyone in the San Antonio Wedding Industry was at this annual event that was hosted at the beautiful La Fontana Event Center.  The editor of San Antonio Weddings, Todd Kabes, was right on target when he chose this beautiful wedding venue to host the annual event that celebrates those individuals who cherish opportunities to work with wedding clients.   A few of the vendors I met that left a stamp on my soul and were Breanna from Powerhouse Studios, Carol from Cakes by Carol, Mike from VHT, Elaine from Elaine’s Custom Cakes & cookies, Peggy from the Candy Lounge, and all the awesome people at An Event to Remember who provided a scrumptious dinner, decor, and table linens (all of which were accompanied by a genuine smile).  It was a party for all of us vendors who frequently are in attendance at super fab parties, every weekend, events that we document (in my case with photographic memories),  or construct, or host, or decorate, or cater, etc….  we call these super fab parties… San Antonio Weddings.  La Fontana Event Center, owned and operated by my cheerleaders, Cesar and Nancy Trivino, left no detail unturned, nothing but perfection from the floor to the ceilings, to the gazebo, to the bar.  Beautiful silk fabric draping adorned the eating areas, the chairs, and matching table linen, bouquets, and place settings accented the tables. 

Each table was filled with passionate people talking with giddy excitement of their business and love they have for brides and the grooms to be.  The energy was contagious and warmed my soul.  If you ever want to have a fabulous wedding, I’m telling you, get married in this South Texas sweet city of culture, perfection, and detail.  We call this home, or San Antonio. 

I met so many fabulous people that evening whose energy was palpable and truly extraordinary craftsmen (and craftswomen…if that is a word) in their field.  I just know  with my new found relationships, I am going to get lots of BFF’s.  I am a lucky girl, in a fabulous wedding industry. 

Cheers to brides and grooms, you are in good hands, when you have your nuptials in San Antonio!  

Beautiful Magazines added to the decor of the evening

Laughing, networking, dancing, and talking shop

Awesome flower arrangements by Events to Remember

San Antonio Weddings Magazine- Premiere Reading and so much more for all Brides!

This past weekend I had the pleasure of capturing memories of my new found friends and clients.  Tim and Briea beam of happiness and love.  Their feelings for one another was palpable and made everyone who witnessed their nuptials feel a little more love  and desire to give a little more love.  The wedding guests cherished the couple.  We all laughed till bellies hurt when the best man mentioned that Tim is amazing, better than amazing….heck, “Who else could find a wife at Best Buy.”  You see Tim went to Best Buy (many moons ago) with his family to loiter and look at the many gadgets when he happened to see his soulmate.  This soulmate was Briea, a beautiful employee dawning the super fab blue and yellow emblem.  Tim made it a mission to not leave Best Buy until he met this girl, got her phone number, and took her out on a date.  I can’t help to  wonder if he bought a TV, VCR, some CD’s, and maybe even a vaccuum as he made attempts to get closer to her proximity…haha!  Tim I applaud your efforts on that day, because now you have the “Best Mrs.” at your side for the rest of your life.  Now that is a bargain and she is a keeper!

Hugs to you both for allowing me to share in such a wonderful day, a day that celebrated what you mean to one another today…. and forever.

Now for some favs…

I always try to encourage couples to participate in a “love at first site photoshoot”…. it is always best, and still exciting (evidence is below…giggle), to capture images before the ceremony so that the couples thoughts are on each other and nothing else…. just the journey of love, commitment and dedication that they are about to embark on.  These first moments are so real, so true, and my camera (and I) love to capture these moments… Real People.  Real Moments.  Real Life.

Briea and Tim chose to capture moments of them before the ceremony so that immediately after they could hug and greet guests.  They did indeed have a perfect plan!   My camera caught this special time

I realized a long time ago that these two were super smart and well educated, heck they just graduated from college (Briea with 2 degrees)  and  Tim from West Point, but I have to tell you…their wedding vows were beyond Shakespeare or any literature course.  This couple needs to write romance novels!  You would totally agree with me if you would have witnessed the exchange of vows.  

As we waited in the bridal room, I caught Briea reading all of her thoughtful hopes, dreams and wishes that she wanted to share with her husband.  When it was time for the ceremony, these words of love flowed ever so eloquently.  

These gorgeous flowers adored their gorgeous cake!  Wedding details are so beautiful and yummy!

The new Mr. & Mrs. gave a thoughtful gift to their guests…. a personalized  wedding bottle filled with some locally aged fabulous red or white wine.  

Cheers to a beautiful (inside and out) couple!

One of the things I tell my brides is that I love to capture all of the details, big and small, of their special day.  I especially like the little details that sometimes get overlooked.  As spectators we turn to gobbly-gook looking at the bride walk down the aisle, the first kiss, the grand announcement of husband and wife, etc.  but what about the moment right before and right after the expected?  What about all the little details in between?  I make it my mission to capture these little special happenings, capture them for a later view and more gobbly-gook.

John and Laura’s wedding this past weekend was no exception. They had lots of little details that made the day perfect.  No detail is too small for me or too large for me, I want them all.