(Voting lasts fro about 24 hours. The winner will receive a 16×20 image. Winners will be announced on Monday.)

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.

If something looks nice it’s because one of these wedding vendors made it happen.

Cakes: Adalante Catering
DJ/Uplighting: CMB DJs
Flowers: La Tee Da Flowers
Venue: Villa di Felicita
Videographer: Video Magic

Here is a little peek at their wedding album.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

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.

So after a few months of hanging out at the Whisky River Brandon decided it was time to propose.  He did this at Hermann Park.  (Our second location.)

I’ve taken a photo similar to this one before but just could not resist doing it again.

Lots of laughing and smiling at their First Look.

If you love this bouquet from La Tee Da Flowers raise your hand.  (Look at all those hands.)

AMAZING cake from Frosted Art.

More amazing florals from La Tee Da.

I love this shot of Aaron laughing at Carrie as she gets hairsprayed to death.

Big shout out to Casey from CMB DJs for all the great music.

La Te Da Flowers?  Yes please.
She also has this fantastic head piece that she’ll be wearing for her reception.  Find it and more like it here on Etsy.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to take a quick peek back at my favorite image from each wedding.  Here they are for your viewing pleasure.

I love what La Tee Da Flowers did for the bridesmaids.

Their First Look (and wedding) was filled with so much laughter.  I love cheerful weddings.

I asked them to sit on the couch “like they normally would”.  This is what Will came up with.

Am I allowed to like photos that are out of focus?

The night ended in typical wedding fashion.  With the bride singing karaoke.

The girls and their socks.

Major props to La Te Da Flowers for all the centerpieces and florals at this wedding.

The girls without sock.  (But with cool shoes.)

Love how they decorated the arch at the Villa di Felicita.  Can’t wait for a bride to do all three arches!!!

The Village Bakery in Tyler doing what they do.  Tasty too, not that I had a piece.
About as “formal” as they get.
DJ Goldman made sure everyone danced for about 4 hours.  It was epic.

Vanessa & Brent McKellar were also their doing their video thing.  (Hit the bottom of this post to see their wedding trailer.)

Q: How do you end such a great wedding?
A: Crowd surfing.

You two were so much fun to shoot.  I had a blast spending the day with you and can’t wait to get you more photos.  Maybe your trailer from Vanessa & Brent McKellar can keep you satisfied for a little bit longer.

Ashley & Chase’s Trailer | Tyler, TX from Vanessa McKellar Productions on Vimeo.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this shot.

There is nothing more romantic that sharing your First Look with just you and your soon to be spouse…..

… and you little sister creeping in the background.

Stay classy Brad.

Becca’s parents pulled her aside to pray with her.  Another one of my favorites.
I love that you can see her sister’s make up running down her face.
When he first saw here that day Becca’s dad went on and on about how beautiful she looked.  He then went on to talk about how beautiful his wife looked.  That is one smart man.

You guys were terrific, Mug Machine, and album goodness await you later this week!

I have to say, for being the patron saint of beer this Arnold guy sure seems to not be having a good time.

I have no idea why Chase tried to bite her nose off.

We finished the session over at Brix Wine Cellars.  (They like wine too.)

A HUGE thanks to the two drinking establishments for opening early and letting us crash their place.  Chase & Ashely, you guys were a-freaking-mazing.  See you soon!

I figured it would also be a good place for the ring shot.

I enjoy watching couples laugh on their wedding day.  I more enjoy getting to photograph it.  I most enjoy this next image.
Thank you two for a great day.

I showed up about 5 hours before the wedding and La Tee Da Flowers had already been there, made everything purdy.  Brides, when picking a florist, make sure they arrive with plenty of time to spare.  I’ve worked with some who show up 1 hour before the ceremony.  (Not cool.)

First Look time.

Brandi’s son then crashed the First Look party.  (In a good way.)

Brandi’s son then crashed.  (In a good way.)

The reception went on FOR-EV-ER.  (In a good way.)

Brandi checking a song request with CMB DJs

Much more to come later this week.

Also celebrating it’s 1 year anniversary is The Mug Machine.  She was but a twinkle in my eye last year and now my baby is all grown up and walking.  Seriously though, a big big HUGE thank you to Erin & Chris.  I called Erin about 1 week before her wedding and said something like this.

“Hey I have this big white thing and a box full of strange hats, can I bring it to your wedding and take pictures of people?”  I can’t really show you what it would look like since I have never done it before.  You trust me though right? ”

Thankfully Erin & Chris’ cool meter was dialed to 11 and they were up for it.  Here are a few of my favorites from their wedding.

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.

Quick run down of the rules. You can vote on each category once. There will be a new category every day this week. Then the polls are closed and the winners will be announced Jan 17th. 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.

On to the images.

This bridesmaid had lip gloss with an LED flashlight and mirror built in.  LED.  Seriously?
I would love to have been at the product meeting.
Engineer 1: “Where can we put and LED light so that it will have the most impact for humanity?”
Engineer 2: “Uh… I don’t know, what if we replace city lights to conserve power nationwide.”
Engineer 1: “Not good enough.”
Engineer 2: “Why not give one to every kid in Africa so they can see where thy are going at night?”
Engineer 1: “Not good enough.”
Engineer 2: “Sometimes my wife complains that it’s hard to put her lipstick on while driving at night.”
Engineer 1: “Perfect!”

Katie basically spent her entire day smiling and laughing.  She was the perfect bride.

These two were hesitant to do a First Look, but then went on and on about how glad they were they had one.  I love when couples have these moments alone.

If Chance looks familiar to some of you it’s because he’s been a pitcher for the Longhorns the past few seasons.

Chance being Chance.

I’m pretty sure these two ring bearers came away with more photos than I did.

A wedding photographer’s dream.  NINE single bridesmaids.  The business cards were out in full force.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE when couples choose to have a private meal together.  It’s there one last chance to visit before the paparazzi of wedding guests attacks them.

There was much dancing.

Thank you guys for a great day.  Can’t wait to get your SuperSquare to you!

Arabella Manor (Gilmer, TX)
http://arabellamanorevents.com/
903.746.5461

Bella Sera Ranch (Palestine, TX)
http://www.bellaseraranch.com/
903.723.0900

Centaur Arabian Farms (Flint, TX)
http://www.centaurarabianfarms.com/
903.561.6926

Kiepersol Estates Bushman’s (Bullard, TX)
http://www.kiepersol.com/bushmans/index.html
903.894.7505

Stone Oak Ranch (Athens, TX)
http://www.stoneoakranch.com/main/
903.530.7947

It was perfect for 2 reasons.
1: It was just family and a few close friends.  This allowed them time with everyone important to them.
2: It was in the afternoon which meant I got to go to Fiesta Texas that morning and ride roller coasters.

Julia was all about her shoes so my camera game them a little extra attention.

It’s October.  Julia decided to “raise awareness” by having everyone wear a bracelet.

Waiting for a water taxi to take them to Marriage Island.

Next up was dinner and a boat ride.  So much fun.