AlexM Photography | Wedding Photographer for Tyler, Longview, Palestine, & East Texas » Wedding Photographer Athens

Stone Oak Ranch | Vendor Interview

AlexM — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:00:32 +0000

This past December I was able to shoot out at Stone Oak Ranch for the first time. It’s a fantastic venue and knew right away that I wanted to run a little interview with them. Rhonda was nice enough to answer a few of my questions. They do a fantastic job taking care of their brides so if you are looking for a place to get married in the Murchison area then you have to consider them.

How did you guys get started, how long have you been doing this?

We got started when I couldn’t find my sister a place to get married. I joke I was having a mid-life crisis & needed a boyfriend, a motorcycle, or a new job. A new job won out & we opened in April 2010!!
What is your favorite part about your job?

The creativity is by far my favorite part. Every wedding is as unique as the bride & groom. I like to try new ideas & “think outside the box!”

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened at your venue? (This of course does not mean that you were responsible for the crazy.)

we are in the country & our neighbors have a bassett hound that likes to visit during weddings….we normally are on the lookout & catch him on the way over, but one time he slipped by us & joined in on the father-daughter dance.

What are some things brides should look for when looking for a venue?

A place that fits her & her fiances’ personality! Where do they feel comfortable, weddings should be fun, you are hosting one of the biggest parties of your life! Next, the not so fun part, is budget, the villa in Southern France may not work! Finally time of year, inside vs outside, inclement weather plans, packaging, most of all….be flexible.

What is something unique to your venue that you are extra proud of?

I love our outdoor chapel. The one thing I told everyone was “I’m not a gazebo girl…” my best friend’s husband came up with the design & built it for the ranch!

Anything else you wanna say?

Just remember no wedding is perfect and the things that “go wrong” will make the best stories on your anniversaries! Most of all, it’s truly about marrying the person you love & starting a new life together, ….even if the cake is not perfect, or it rains, you still have each other through the good & bad.

Also, here are about 3.2 million photos from a recent wedding I shot out there.

Here is all of their contact info.

Stone Oak Ranch
10204 CR 3807
Murchison, TX 75778
903.530.4201

http://www.stoneoakranch.com

Also, look for this spread from Kristi & Kiley’s wedding in the next issue of The Wedded Bliss.

Wedding Photography: The Top 10 of 2010

AlexM — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:47:01 +0000

This is the last category of Top 10 images and it’s a good one. Regardless of wedding venue, flowers, and all the planning that goes into a wedding day it’s ultimately about the two people getting married. There is nothing I enjoy more than giving a couple a great photo of them on their wedding day. Most of these came about because of them choosing to have a First Look. It’s what allows us time to really have fun and capture some creative photos.

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.

Kristi & Kiley | Stone Oak Ranch Wedding Photography

AlexM — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:00:12 +0000

I have been looking forward to this wedding for a long time. I knew Kristi & Kiley would be great but I was also super excited about getting to shoot at Stone Oak Ranch for the first time. All 3 did not disappoint! Kristi & Kiley were totally into each other the whole time and Stone Oak Ranch jumped into one of my Top 5 favorite places to shoot! This place is fantastic. It’s straight out of a movie. I was describing it to another photographer friend of mine yesterday and the best explanation I had was… “If Julia Roberts were getting married in a movie somewhere out in the country the it would look exactly like Stone Oak Ranch.” Not a bad place to get married right? OK, on to the images.

One of the great things about Stone Oak is that they are able to provide you with flowers for your day. They are done by A Touch of Nature. These came out great.

Thank You Kristi & Kiley for trusting me with your day. I loved sharing it with you.

Kristi & Kiley | Engagement Photography Athens, TX

AlexM — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:00:11 +0000

These two love them some outdoors and some wide open fields so that’s where we went.
They are getting married next month at Stone Oak Ranch and it will be my first time shooting there. Can’t wait!

Sarah & Chris | Wedding Photography Athens, TX

AlexM — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:30:01 +0000

Sarah & Chris had a fantastic afternoon wedding in Athens, TX. When I first met with them they were unsure about doing a First Look, I’m so glad they changed their mind. We were able to get so many great shots of just the two of them flirting and enjoying their wedding day.

How great is this first shot?

I ADORE couples who are totally lost in themselves during their first dance. Justin of P3 Pro Sound did a great job keeping folks on the dance floor.

… speaking of the dance floor, this kid OWNED it. He was all over the place.

If you look in the background you can see Jeff Heimer of JMH Pro. Chris surprised Sarah by having him come film their wedding. She was giddy when she found out. (It almost beat out their First Look on the emotion scale.)

Hey, check it out. It’s Erin & Chris of Erin & Chris fame.

Hope you guys are having a blast in Hawaii.

All Things Bridal Show | Athens Texas

AlexM — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:00:12 +0000

Hey just a quick heads up for all you bride-ly brides out there. There is going to be a bridal show at the Cain Center in Athens, TX this coming Saturday.

The show is running from 11:00AM – 3:00PM. I hear a really really talented photographer is going to be there.

I’m not sure who all the vendors will be, but I do know that CMB Music & Elmwood Gardens will be there. Weddings A to Z will also be doing a fashion show.

So, roll out of bed, head up to the show and say hello. Admission is $2.00 per person so you really have no excuse for not going. I mean really, this is East Texas, what else is there to do.

For more info call 903.677.2001.

See you there.

AlexM

Bridal Photography Athens TX | Chelsea

AlexM — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:37:22 +0000

Chelsea was an absolute blast to work with. She was up for anything in the world and didn’t care what I suggested because she figured it would come out great in the end. My favorite type of bride. Her session was a couple of hours ago and as a little treat for her coolness I am getting her stuff blogged ASAP.

She “borrowed” her hubby to be’s Harley. How cool is this? I just hope when he sees the images he remembers to compliment her on how good she look s and does not comment on how nice his bike is.

We found this little field tucked behind a building in Athens.

Chelsea, thanks for being so laid back. Can’t wait till June.