Because she is awesome, Rachael had a custom record made for Daniel with all of their wedding music on it.

Because he is awesome, Daniel had Adalante Catering make him a record cookie cake.

Daniel updating his Facebook status right before their First Look.

A very very serious group of groomsmen.

The great thing about pulling the ring out of a Cracker Jack box is having a snack for the rest of the wedding.

Cracker Jack or Record?  Which is your favorite?  Sound of in the comments.

It was my first time working with Lone Star Light & Sound and I loved them.  They did everything a great DJ should do.  Call them and book them.

Thank you two for being awesome.  I hope some of your awesomeness rubbed off on me.

Parts are parts? 

Do you remember the commercial where the disgruntled, messy chickens were flying down the road in an old beat up car? They wanted to become Foster Farm chickens…you know…the excellent chickens. Those goofy birds finally got it – you can fluff them up all you want but they are still messy, skinny ole birds!!

Flowers are not just flowers! They have so many variables to them, so many grades. I remember when guys would come into the flower shop asking for a dozen long stem roses. Little did they know, a long stem rose is really only a second grade rose. Roses come in many lengths and with each come different head sizes. The longer the rose stem, the bigger, fuller and prettier a rose head can be. For example, a rose can be purchased in 40, 50, 60, 70 and even 80 centimeters. The “long stem” rose is about a 50 cm rose so you can see there are usually three sizes that are bigger and fuller. The other grading system is medium, long, fancy and extra fancy. So, you can see the “long stem” rose isn’t really such a big deal!! I usually explain this to my brides by making another comparison – take for example jeans. You can buy a pair from Walmart for say $15.00 and you can buy  a pair of Miss Me for $100.00 (yes, I know there are a lot that are even more expensive) Now, they are both jeans….both have two legs, both are denim, both have pockets, both have a zipper, both can be worn to the movies but you sure wouldn’t say they are the same!! Well, the same can be said for flowers ….just because someone says…I can make a bridal bouquet of all red roses for $100.00 doesn’t mean there is going to be any comparison to a spectacular high grade rose. On the surface it’s easy to be fooled but get the two in front of you and I assure you, you’ll pick the better one! The problem lies in a bride and her mom picking out that one of a kind bouquet not knowing the right questions to ask. You see, a florist never says, “Well, it will be made with 36 Ecuadorian, 70 to 80 cm all white roses. The variety will be Polar Star.” They just say, “It will be an all white rose bouquet.”  Then they can show up with whatever they want much to your chagrin! Now, you might say “I don’t even want roses” well, ALL flowers are selected and graded. There are florist grade and supermarket grade. There are always variables to each and every flower.

That leads me on another topic….colors are not just colors! Red is not just red, there is red to the orange side and red to the blue side! For example, tomatoes and blood red – you can imagine there are lots of shades of red in between. White can be to the yellow side or green, purple can be to the pink or blue sides! All the colors are not the  same….all the varieties are not the same…all the qualities are not the same….Parts are not parts in chickens or flowers!

Fake flowers are just that….FAKE!

To many times a bride gets her hopes up on a particular flower that maybe she saw in a local craft shop. She’ll come in with a few plastic or silk flowers and think we can provide her with them in real flowers only to be disappointed. In the days of Google images, it’s so easy to see if the flowers you prefer come in the colors you want. Check it out…it’s a great tool!

Magazines and blogs are giving brides unrealistic visions of color! To many times the editor or blogger is enhancing the color to “make it prettier” or more with today’s trend. Some (of course not AlexM…lol) photographers are “color correcting” and this changes the color as well as the expectation of the bride.

Brides….did you know that the groom has responsibility in paying for some of the flowers? Grooms and/or their parents are responsible to pay for the brides bouquet, the portrait bouquet, all the men’s boutonnieres and the mother’s and grandmother’s corsages or posy’s. Ask the florist to separate  the flower totals and make two copies of the contract so one can be presented to the groom. It will take you out of the equation and give credence to asking them to pay for their part.

When consulting with a florist, make sure you find one that has pictures of their own work and will guide you through the decision making process. I do my best to make sure to capture each and every brides vision of their day as each is as unique and special as every bride. So much of the time I see a bride come in for her last meeting with me and she’s exhausted and “just can’t wait for it to be over with!” Remember to ask for help, hire the very best professionals, let go of a few of the decisions and take time to relax and enjoy the best day of your life!

Wishing you a happily ever after!
Barbara | La Tee Da

Didn’t I tell you she was awesome?
Still wanna see more?  Take a look at all the “La Tee Da Weddings” I’ve photographed the past few years.

It has been TOO long since I shot at Castle on the Lake.  It felt so great to be back.  (Britian and her staff do such a great job of making weddings super easy for everyone involved and it was great to see them all again.  You brides out there looking for a place near Jacksonville totally need to look at this place.)

I also snagged this shot of Darcee when she first saw her bouquet.

Seriously.  How great are all the florals La Tee Da Flowers pulled off for this wedding?!?!

Let them eat cake!!! (Really tasty / good looking cakes from Designs By D’Anne.)

This is what we in the business refer to as a “wardrobe malfunction”.

Thank you two for an amazing day.  You were the best.

I figure you wanna see a few photos but then the main reason you are hear is to watch our home movie from the trip.

Before we get to the album though, how about a HUGE shout out to all the great vendors that made this day happen:

Cakes: Designs by D’Anne
Catering: Traditions
DJ/Uplighting: P3 Sound
Flowers: La Tee Da Flowers
Planner: Davi Ingram of Perfect Plans
Rentals: Red Hat Rentals
Venue: Elmwood Gardens
Videographer: JMH Pro

A few days ago I got this perfect E-mail from Lindsey.  She sent it to me about a week after her wedding when she saw her album sneak peek.  Take a look.

“You know, I have to admit, I was VERY nervous that I would not like ANY of the pictures of me.  I am SUPER self conscious, and pretty much hate every picture I see of myself.  However, I am not claiming that I now think I am a super model or anything, but, I do love how you captured the way I felt in each picture you took.  Thank you! ” – Lindsey

E-mails like this totally  make my job worth doing.  I love that I was able to make her feel that way, but even more I love that Lindsey “gets” it.  My photos are not designed to make you look like a Cosmo cover.  They are not retouched to the point that you confuse them with something form glamor shots.  They are a reflection of who you are right now.  Of course I try to capture and document you from flattering angles and in ways that make you look your best, but at the same time as a bride, you need to come at this expecting realistic results.

You are are who you are and that’s fantastic.

The most ironic part is this whole day is about someone committing to you and saying I choose you above all else. But even then in the midst of all this, for many girls the insecurity about how they look still make them feel “ugly” or “not perfect”.   Your groom is choosing YOU.  He is standing up in front of everyone, in an uncomfortable suit you have chosen no less, and declaring YOU as his most favorite girl in the planet.  Stop and think about that.

You have being chosen.

You have been declared a perfect fit.

You are his super model.

So I don’t think I have ever started a wedding post with a shot of the bride without her makeup on…. but Lindsey’s expression when she saw her bouquet was too good not to show.  La Tee Da Flowers ALWAYS gets this reaction from their brides.  I love being in the room when Barbra walks in each wedding.

Jonathan’s father recently passed away so Lindsey surprised him with these cufflinks at their First Look.

Jonathan is a DEA special agent so these seemed fitting.

Lots and lots of First Look chatting, laughing, & smiling.

TC Makeup came down from Dallas and did a terrific job.  (She also finished on time.  A HUGE plus when considering a makeup artist.)

Designs by D’Anne did they cakes.  She also just got a new website so get over there and take a look.

I love love love these fingerprint trees couples are having at their weddings.
All The Single Ladies….

Reason 385 you need to hire a PROFESSIONAL DJ for your wedding:  About 5 seconds before the last dance was about to start Lindsey turned to Casey of CMBDJs and said, “can we change our last song to something fun and fast?”  (They had chosen a slow song a few weeks ago during one of their consultations.)

He asked her if she had a favorite and she said “uh…..”
1/2 a second later Casey suggested a song and had the whole place jumpin’
Every photo you see below happened because Casey knew just what to do and was able to react and make it happen in about 10 seconds.
The lesson?  Book a real DJ.

What song did he play?  You’ll have to call him to find out. 903.724.3192

Since this is the last category I’m going to leave the voting open all weekend so get to work people.  check back Monday morning when the winners in each category are announced.  Each category winner will receive a 16×20 print of their winning image. So pick an image, vote, then get on your Twitter and your Facebook and make your friends come vote.

Here are the images.

While shooting my past two engagement sessions both brides commented to me how they are tired and slightly overwhelmed by everything they have been reading on the wedding blogs the frequent.

One bride mentioned that she can’t wait for “a stamp to just be a stamp again.”  (Rather than something she has to pick out, plan colors for, order hundreds of, and stick on envelopes.)  The other said she can’t wait for her wedding to be over so she does not have to keep checking them.

I have never planned a big wedding and I’m sure these sites contain a wealth of knowledge.  There really are so many little things that go into a wedding that it’s nice to get advice from those who have been there before.  Having said that, let me give you one tip.

Stop reading wedding blogs.

Even this one.

Seriously.  Take a step back.  Just be engaged.  It’s supposed to be fun.

There is a season and time for everything.  There is a time to plan and a time to enjoy.  I know that planning can be enjoyable, but if you find yourself getting frustrated of overwhelmed by what you “should” be doing then maybe it’s time to take a little break.  Try this.  Take a week off.  For one whole week don’t visit a wedding related site for any reason.  If and only if the world continues to spin, feel free to check back in after 7 days.

Happy planning and I’ll see you tomorrow.

One of the coolest things about Castle is their HUGE bridal suite.  This thing just blows away every other location.  If you have ever been a bridesmaid you know just how crowded these “prep” rooms can get.  Not the case with castle.  I shot a wedding with 10 bridesmaids getting ready in this room and there was still plenty of room for moms, aunts, and grandparents to come in and visit.  It’s awesome.

They have a couple of options for your ceremony.  One is a big a big tree.

The second is a cool rock wall they just built.

Finally, here is a video that Vanessa McKellar just shot.  Brittan is the bride you’ll see.  (La Tee Da Flowers did the flowers.)She’s also the owner and runs this place day in and day out.  She is super nice and will totally become your BFF as she helps you put together your wedding day.  Give her a call and get this placed booked! 903.721.3593.

Castle on the Lake
http://www.jacksonvillecastle.com/
903.721.3593.

We’ll kick it off with a shot of her bouquet.  Barbara & Thomas from La Tee Da Flowers outdid themselves on this one.  I don’t know what any of these things are called, but together they look amazing.  (I kept telling Barbara that I was going to eat the “little tomatoes”

Jess surprised Rob with these cufflinks.  She had me print tiny photos of him and his father who has passed away.  When he saw them for the first time it was a pretty intense moment.

Some First Look magic.

Some First Look tears.

Jessica got her dress from Weddings AtoZ Bridal Boutique.  They are located in Tyler and some of the nicest dress people I know.


The cake was done by Crumbs & Crayons and the decorations by La Tee Da Flowers.

Rob likes pirates.


CMB DJs was there and Casey kept everyone on the dance floor.

If you look near the back of the group you’ll also see my friend and videographer Jeff Heimer.  I LOVE working with great videographers at weddings.  I’ve said it a million times, but I’ll say it again.  Get your wedding filmed by a professional.

I adore this shot.  It’s one of my favorite moments at weddings.  Right before they run out for their get-away is a time that couples connect again and have one last “moment” before the wedding ends.

Thank you two for your trust and excitement about having me photograph your wedding.
You were a blast to shoot and I still have hundreds of photos to show you.
(I’ve already seen them and they are pretty good.)

Check back Friday for some Mug Machine goodness.

Here is one image from the wedding, their Mug Machine, & their Rock the Frock session.  Enjoy.

This is part of a new ceremony area that the are putting in.  It should be done in the next few weeks, but I didn’t want to wait to start shooting there.

Sometimes brides get hot in East Texas outside in August.

Thank you two for a great night.  I’ll have an album design heading your way soon.

Things will not go as planned.

I know I know, after months/years of planning it’s impossible to believe, but your perfect day may not go according to the timeline you have.  People will be running late.  Something will be forgotten.  A bridesmaid will have a hair appointment that goes longer than planned.  You know what though?  It’s OK.  There is a way to fix it.  Just plan for it.

Plan for the unexpected.  Set up your whole wedding day timeline and once you have it written out, move it back 30-45 minutes.  The best thing you can do is give yourself some breathing room on your wedding day.    Plan time to sit and talk with your bridesmaids.  Give the guys time to just hang out before the ceremony.  If these are the most important people in your life then an extra 30 minutes with them should be perfect.  Don’t just dress up all your friends in fancy clothes.  Make sure you have to to hang out with them.  Your day will go smoother.  Your stress will go down.  Your wedding will go as planned.

Maybe.

My tip to you… If you are using sparklers, don’t skimp on them.  Get the longer ones.  The short ones burn out way to quick.  Sometimes before you even get to them.  Also, make sure your guest wait to light them till you are standing there ready to exit.  If not, you’ll end up running though a thick cloud of smoke.

They had a fantastic First Look.  (Jonathan teared up a bit.)

Is she smiling because she is getting married to the man of her dreams or because the minister is using an iPad?
Yes.

Lydia Covey was there with harp in hand plucking, playing, and performing perfectly.
Book her: 903-261-3097 | Web | lydiaharpist@gmail.com

Designs by D’Anne made  yet another great looking awesome tasting wedding cake.

Much much more coming later this week.  Happy Monday everyone.

Here are SOME of the many many little things Heather & Rusty did to make their wedding their own.

Designs by D’Anne did an incredible job on these cakes.  Not that I ate a few slices or anything

Instead of a pillow, Heather had her ring bearer walk down holding this little tin.

Designs by D’Anne crushed it on the cakes.  (Wait till you see the grooms one.)
You should book her for your tasty wedding cakes. 903-589-6992
Best. Boutonnieres. Ever.  (Heather made them.)
A HUGE storm moved in about 3 hours before the wedding.  It left the perfect theme for their ring shot.

Full wedding post with tons of images coming in the next few days.