I LOVE LOVE LOVE smaller weddings so when Molly 1st E-mailed me about her wedding that would be for immediate family only I was giddy!  It was such a relaxing day and I really felt honored being “included” in the day.

So even though the wedding was just family.  Molly still managed to fill a giant binder full of wedding planning.  Win-win.

Not a bad wedding venue.  If you are a bride looking to get married near millions of gallons of water and billions of grains of sand you should totally consider this place.

They ended their “normal” first dance and then went into an evolution of dance type mix.
Thanks again for a great day.  Many many more images coming your way soon!

Note to brides:  If you are considering doing a super super small wedding you totally should do it.  I have never heard a bride regret or complain that their wedding was “too small”. :)

Ashley & Chase started dating in high school.  They are all grown up and getting married in a few months at the Villa di Felicita and I can not wait for their wedding.  These two were so much fun to hang out with.  We started at the Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston. (They like beer.) :)

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!

What up party people?  Today’s post is a smorgasbord of goodies.  1st off, last week I had a little contest.  There were tons of great entries on what Danielle & I should do for our 9 year anniversary.  I think we’ll mix and match some of the ideas for dates later on, but the winning entry totally nailed it.  Both Danielle & I “picked it” without talking to each other.  Here is the entry we chose.

“Take a blast to the past! If your memory serves you well, and it should relive your first date. Where did you meet, what restaurant did you go to (is it still around?), what did you do afterwards?
Remap this special moment, and do your best to make it the same way it was when it first happened. Is this romantic? ABSOLUTELY, it also shows that you care, and most of all, you remembered your first date!!! Also have your favorite DJ make you a cd to play in the car on the way of your favorite songs during that time 
Happy 9th Anniversary Alex & Danielle!!!!!!” – Andrea Brown

This date idea fits us perfectly and we are really looking forward to it.  Also, bonus points for Andrea working her husband Casy Brown’s kick butt DJ skills into the idea.  Apparently CMB Music not only does wedding, but also 9 year mix tapes. :)  Congrats Andrea.

Next up is our little Mini-Cation we took as a family this past weekend.  I had a wedding in Galveston as well as a day after session and an engagement session in Houston so I figured we should all load up and head that way.  Here 9 photos and 1 run on sentence describing our weekend.  Sometimes we jump on the hotel beds when mom is not around, astronaut ice cream is fun, feeding sea gulls is more fun, Eli can stay awake for desert but not space ships, Jo found a big stick and Sara conquered her fear of the ocean, but above all brochures in hotels lobbies are the coolest.

AND FINALLY…. I got this little question from a bride and thought I’d toss it out to all you blog-stalkers out there.

Dear Mr Wedding Expert,

Do u have any suggestions for sleeping through the night the week b4 ur wedding? Wedding nightmares & wide awake @ 3 am…

Thanks,
Sleepy but Sleepless

So what of it ladies?  What did you do to combat the Wedding Week Sleepless Night Syndrome? (WWSNS) Leave your solutions and remedies for WWSNS in the comments and help this girl out.  She needs her sleep.

Britni & Tristin rocked the Villa di Felicita with their wedding this past Friday.  Her broach bouquet set the tone for the day.  Not bad eh?

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.

Nikki & James rocked The Mug Machine.  Check it.