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.

If you have never been to South Texas, you must take a trip.  The air is warm, the food is good, and the wedding venues are grand.  Feliece and Darrin chose to celebrate their love at the beautiful hotel  Westin La Cantera .  Endless expanses of Live Oak trees line the perimeter of this luxury hotel.  The view is breathtaking and my new found friends and Mr & Mrs. were equally as breaktaking-ly gorgeous-imous (not sure if that is a word, but it is my word).

I admire the couple for they are part of the heros who have signed up to fight for freedom, defend our country, and preserve peace.    Both are in the US Army and have a tough job as leaders  in the recruiting sector.   Many of you know from my previous posts that I know the hardships that families face when it comes to the valor of Army life.   Long days, long nights, and many miles apart … but true love is like Feliece and Darrin’s……their love continues to grow and they foster a stronger relationship than many.  I admire them.  Congratulations on such a special day and may you love continue to grow.    Oh, and by the way…the color scheme came from the Mister and a piece of fabric…. awesome…..