This month’s rewind has two parts to it.  Part 1 is mucho mucho favorite images from last April.  Part 2 is one of my favorite things I have ever posted on my site.

Part 1.

Part 2:  Last year I asked one of my brides who broke off her engagement if she would be willing to share what that process was like and everything that it involved.  She was kind and brave enough to say yes.  It is still one of the most viewed pages on my website and  was the top Google result for broken engagement for a while last year.  Regardless of how great your engagement  or relationship is you should take the time to read what Kristin had to share.  (Read her story here.)

Nikki & James had a great day at The Belgium House in Longview. It had been a little while since I had shot there and it’s already great to go back. Jan and her staff do such a great job taking care of their brides. If you are getting married in the Longview area you should take a look at their place. On to the images!

James surprised Nikki with this wedding band during the ceremony.  (She was happy.)

They exchanged gifts during their First Look.

Nikki got James a watch.  (He was happy.)

One of the cool things they did was have a part of the ceremony that James’ daughter  came up and the minister spoke to all three of them together.

I was totally hoping the Matron of Honor would get frazzled and read the welcome note side from the Fairfield Inn. :)
Thank you two for a great afternoon.  Mug Machine magic coming your way later this week!

I love designing and giving my clients big giant wedding albums. It’s a tangible item you can hold in your hand and there is something extra fun about snuggling on the couch and looking at your wedding day together. It’s even more fun once your have kids and THEY get to hold a big giant book all about your day. I thought I would share a sneak peek at the latest album I am working on. Melissa & Ross were married about a week ago and their day was full of amazing little details. Enjoy.

OK, so here is the deal.  This June is our 9th wedding anniversary.  Everyone makes a big deal about the 10th and we already have a few things planned for that one, but what about this year?  I mean, it should count for something right?  So, why not make a contest out of it.

I’m looking for the most creative/fun/memorable evening that cost me no more than $100 bucks.  It must be within a 4 hour driving distance of Palestine and you do NOT have to factor in gas or hotel expense.  Ideally, the date would happen in June.  If your idea is date specific it can NOT occur on a Saturday.  (I tend to be at weddings on Saturday.)

Here’s how the contest is gonna work.  Leave your date idea in the comments.  You have till Monday at 10:00 AM to post your idea. The sooner you post, the more time I have to start liking your idea. ;)  I’ll then go through them all and pick my favorite and the winner will revise a 16×20 canvas gallery wrap of any image I have shot of them.  (Those bad boys cost $300 bucks so you know you wanna win one.)

Here is where it gets AWESOME.  Other people are allowed to submit date ideas on your behalf.  If their idea wins they get a $25 Target gift card & you get the 16×20  canvas gallery wrap.  So… the more people you have submitting date ideas, the better your chance of winning.  The best way to do that is to jump on Facebook and point your friends towards this blog post.  I also know many of you follow this blog but don’t know anyone I have shot.  If you win I’ll let you pick your favorite couple and I’ll surprise them with the 16×20 gallery wrapped canvas and I’ll hook you up with a $25 Target gift card.  Cool?

On your marks…. get set…. GO!

I think I took more images at this wedding than any other I have shot before.  Melissa & her mom put so much planning and thought into her day it was impossible took look somewhere and NOT find something to photograph.  There were also a TON of fantastic vendors involved in their day so look for them throughout this post.  Starting with Keely Thorne who coordinated the day.  If you are looking for a wedding planner you have to give her a call.  She did an amazing job.  Go check her out.

Kecia & Zach from The Upper Hand Salons were there making everyone’s hair behave.

Whoop Whoop!

Melissa did not even make it to Ross for their First Look before she started tearing up.

Not a fan of the formals.

Claton from Southwest Sound did one of the best DJ jobs I have ever seen.  If you are getting married in the Houston area you have to hire him.

The wedding reception took place at Melissa’s parent’s house in the country.  It really was the perfect setting.

Somewhere in the madness that was the dance floor you might be able to pick out Vanessa McKellar.  She was there filming the wedding and even did a big of Super8 magic.
Even though Grand Finale Catering filled everyone’s tummy at 6:00, by 10:30 we were ready for a snack.  Whataburger Taquitos to the rescue!

So… technically I did not take this last photo at their wedding, but I feel like Melissa & Ross won’t mind sharing their blog post with the 2011 NCAA Women’s Basketball Champions.